FordWithALiftKit

Hey guys I'm brand new to trucks! Currently I have a 2004 40th anniversary Mustang GT! Love this thing to death! Was my first car got it when I was 15 (currently 18). I'm ready for something new! I want to go with a truck! I was looking at diesel trucks (6.0s, 7.3s etc) I heard they are money machine with all the repairs.. etc. I was sorta bummed out on that. I always didn't like the F150s but after I did some searching around I fell in love. You can make those things look sharp! I'm just looking for some basic information! I wanna get a 4x4. Whats a good price? Whats good miles? etc. My price range is around $15k. These trucks aren't something thats going to suck money out of me is it? any help would be much appreciated!

By the way I found this F150. Can anybody tell me if its a steal or even worth it? http://www.carsforsale.com/used_cars...50_162306850_3

Wanted33

Welcome to the forum. The only advice I can give you is to stay away from anything like the one in the picture. I know this from experience buying a vehicle that had already been modded. What a money pit. I suggest you take you time, search all the car sales papers and other publications in your area. If possible buy one that is as close to stock as possible, then build it the way you want. With a little effort you should be able to find one in your price range that was driven by an old man my age, that hasn't wrung the snot out of it.

jollyroger331

X2 don't buy someone else's trouble, these are good trucks take your time and find the right one.

lifted04fx4

Buying a already lifted or modded truck isn't that bad when you know it's been done right, look for we'll known parts installed and try to look for someone that took care of it. Always good to see if there is a service log with the truck and ask for a mod list. Check the engine like any other automobile and the tranny and make sure 4x4 works. Also good to check the tires as dealing with big tires your looking at 1500-2000+ for a good new set. That's my advice.

MZEMS2

Well, some of us have been in your shoes, and some of us ARE in your shoes. You can find a pretty darn nice truck for $15k if you take the time to look for one that's had one responsible owner, who has done proper maintenance. On the other hand, if you have big plans to do a bunch of unnecessary mods to a truck, just because it makes it look or sound cool, then by all means, buy someone else's project truck. You're 18, we've all been there, and there's nothing wrong with that, so you probably still have that itch to "hop up" a vehicle. That's up to you if you have the cash. But if this is gonna be a truck that you seriously wanna have around for a while, take your time and search one out.

FordWithALiftKit

Yeah I kinda wanna keep this truck for a while! Do you think it would be best for me to just find a really kept up one and do my own mods? I would be looking at putting a lift kit, tires, rims. How much would I be looking at for those mods?

MZEMS2

I'm the last guy you wanna ask about that stuff, only because, just my opinion, it's a waste of money. That stuff, to me, just serves no purpose other than appearance. I'm not knockin' it at all, there are some awesome lookin' trucks out there....but to me, a truck is a work and transportation tool, not a display of how much money I can throw at a vehicle for no purposeful gain. If it was me, knowing what I know now.....if I was 18 again, I would spend my money wisely on a purposeful vehicle. If you really want a project truck, buy an older one to mod up, and spend some of the money on a reliable car for gettin around in the meantime. If you're truly gonna have a project truck, then do it all the right way. Don't just go out and throw a lift and big tires on it. What do you want the truck to do in the long run? Will it be an offroad or commuter truck? Will it be in 4X4 a lot, if so where, will it be used in snow, if so, you probably don't want big wide tires on it, unless you wanna be in 4X4 all the time. Big wide tires are horrible in slush and wet snow unless you use the 4X4 all the time. I could go on and on......anyone else wanna chime in?
Sorry, I'm just about the practicality side of it. My truck is a work/commuter truck, not a hobby. But that's just me.

ninner

I'm new here but I'll throw in my 2 cents. If you buy a truck that has already been modded your paying pennies on the dollar for any work that has been done simply because money spent modifying a truck doesn't add very much to resale value in proportion to the amount spent doing the work. You do need to have the truck looked at by a competent person to make sure any work was done correctly. BTW if you going to buy a 5.4 with a 4 speed figure on a new transmission about every 80,000 miles, they burn through clutch plates but the good news is you can feel it going out before it leaves you stranded. The last two transmissions I replaced were $2,800 in my neck of the woods. Don't get me wrong the transmissions were abused to hell and i'm not too upset about the cost i'm just letting you know to plan for it.

ninner

MZEMS2

Ninner mentions a very good point there. When it's time to resell the truck, keep in mind, all that cash you put into your truck in mods, won't make it worth anymore. If a buyer is smart, they'll get a bluebook value and base their offer on that, not any added mods to the truck. YOU might think it's worth more, but in the end, all those mods alter the suspension and drive train, in most cases creating weak(er) points. Just some more to ponder when you go out shopping.

Hunttman01

I wouldn't get that one. You can get a stock truck with less miles and lift it cheaper....