Recommend me a truck

[Grey Ghost]

My near 20 yr. old, 230k Chevy developed a horrible knock in the motor last week. I bought it new and never had a lick of trouble out of it. Oil was fresh and full, coolant full, good routine maintenance all these years. After a 300 mile highway trip. It developed a knock in the motor when I pulled into my driveway. No leaks, starts up, but maybe a spun bearing? Rod? Dropped valve? I don't know. I just parked it and haven't tried to determine the source, but the sound is terrible and from the block or head. A Jasper reman. is $2k. The cosmetics are great - never any accidents, paint damage, dents, etc...I just fear putting that much money in it and then having a trans.(auto) failure or other major system problem. But I haven't completely ruled it out. I have enough room to keep it...20yrs. of driving the thing. I hate to see it crushed for $75 or whatever they pay. I'd just soon pull it over to the back of my property and park it. Maybe even later work on it or something. Not lawn art...my 5 acres is rural with lots of trees. It could never be seen from the road or by distant neighbors.

Pre-owned. The only dealer we have here is Ford. Others are 30+ miles distant. There are a couple of decent domestic/foreign shops here that I would trust with a repair on any make/model. I don't plan to tow anything heavy. Just throw a motorcycle or dozen(j/k) in the back ever so often. I do prefer crew or extended cab. My preference would be - Ford, Chevy, Toyota or Nissan. 2WD. Maybe in the 50k mileage range. Unless some have proven reliability history from 100k - 200k. There is a local Silverado avail. with only 50k miles. But, it has a V6...I just don't know how well that works in a full size truck though?

Maybe list what you think is a fair price(dealer or private) for each brand and model meeting my specs. I will search what is available. List what you believe or know would be a long term reliable truck that meets my specs and that I should consider. I'm not a LATB. I drive mine till the wheels fall off type owner.

[Rob]

Do not do a v6 in a Silverado. You will hate it the first time you go to carry a load or pull something

[C5SilverBullet]

The new V6 is good, but I wouldn't get an older one.

[Craig]

I did a driving event put on by Dodge when they introduced their latest generation Ram, it's probably 5-6 years ago. I drove everyone's half-ton back to back. The Tundra was the most comfortable and car like drive. The Titan was like driving a semi, but it's a beast for towing. Of the American three Dodge was best ride/quality feeling, Chevy/GMC was next, Ford was a distant third.

[NCC-1701]

RAM....:seasix:

[Fasglas]

As long as YOU'RE happy with the truck, other than the current issue, re-power makes sense.

First, make certain what the problem actually is. (Sounds like a spun bearing)

Short blocks & heads can be had, but at the mileage you have, a re-man makes perfect sense. Jasper is a good way to go, PLUS the warranty.

:cert:

[lspencer534]

I'd go remanufactured engine but count on a transmission overhaul at the same time, rear end rebuild, suspension rebuild, change brake fluid, etc. So what if you have $10k in it? I may be more than the truck is worth, but it's cheap compared to a newer used truck. You truck has a proven historical fact of reliability. You don't know that about a replacement used truck.

[RonC5]

Don't get the 4.8 either. If you look on NADA, it is a value deduction for the 4.8. Just bought this.. 99 Silverado LS, 5.3, 2 owner, garage kept and ultra rare 4 wheel disc brakes.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/RonC5/TRUCK1_zpsp74ijcwp.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/RonC5/TRUCK2_zps79sdpgxa.jpg

[DukeAllen]

I'd go with rebuild. If not, just don't ask Gene for truck advice :leaving:

[Stangkiller]

Chevy/gmc did away with rear air vents in their crew cabs,

[markids77]

F-150 new enough to have the Coyote. There's a ton of them around and everyone I know who has one loves it. Some work trucks in my business are approaching 100K already with no reported major issues.

[Dave]

What's the budget?
Take the budget, whatever it is
Shop for a new-as-possible, low-miles-as-possible GM truck that suits your needs
Target under 100k miles and you're golden

[polarbear]

My near 20 yr. old, 230k Chevy developed a horrible knock in the motor last week. I bought it new and never had a lick of trouble out of it. Oil was fresh and full, coolant full, good routine maintenance all these years. After a 300 mile highway trip. It developed a knock in the motor when I pulled into my driveway. No leaks, starts up, but maybe a spun bearing? Rod? Dropped valve? I don't know. I just parked it and haven't tried to determine the source, but the sound is terrible and from the block or head. A Jasper reman. is $2k. The cosmetics are great - never any accidents, paint damage, dents, etc...I just fear putting that much money in it and then having a trans.(auto) failure or other major system problem. But I haven't completely ruled it out. I have enough room to keep it...20yrs. of driving the thing. I hate to see it crushed for $75 or whatever they pay. I'd just soon pull it over to the back of my property and park it. Maybe even later work on it or something. Not lawn art...my 5 acres is rural with lots of trees. It could never be seen from the road or by distant neighbors.

Pre-owned. The only dealer we have here is Ford. Others are 30+ miles distant. There are a couple of decent domestic/foreign shops here that I would trust with a repair on any make/model. I don't plan to tow anything heavy. Just throw a motorcycle or dozen(j/k) in the back ever so often. I do prefer crew or extended cab. My preference would be - Ford, Chevy, Toyota or Nissan. 2WD. Maybe in the 50k mileage range. Unless some have proven reliability history from 100k - 200k. There is a local Silverado avail. with only 50k miles. But, it has a V6...I just don't know how well that works in a full size truck though?

Maybe list what you think is a fair price(dealer or private) for each brand and model meeting my specs. I will search what is available. List what you believe or know would be a long term reliable truck that meets my specs and that I should consider. I'm not a LATB. I drive mine till the wheels fall off type owner.

'96 F150 4X4. Under 100K miles, 351, AT, Power everything, cold A/C. One Northwest owner (no rust)- drives as nice as it looks. Not cheap, but less than the first year's depreciation of a new one. Kinda stumbled into it.

(That's our salvage area @ the airport behind it- not a wrecking yard)

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/eisbar46/Mobile%20Uploads/20140826_161828_zps8dca547b.jpg

[Mirroredshades]

I'd go with the reman. You like the truck. Keep it going another 20 years.

:seasix:

[CubSmurf]

Sell it to Red for $8K

[Fastguy]

Have you looked at an Avalanche? The 5.3 will run forever and they are four doors with a bed. They also ride and drive like cars.