trwebb26 Posted May 19, 2007 Share Posted May 19, 2007 Here it is... a 2001 Mariah Diablo 180 w/ 190 horse 4.3L merc engine. Gotta admit - I'm pretty stoked to be picking it up tomorrow. My little S10 isn't stout enough to haul this thing around (2WD - small S10 w/ 4.3L motor). I'm lookin for reccomendations for a used 4x4 truck. It has to be an extended cab or "crew" cab that I can wire up for surge brakes. I'm hoping to be out the door for less than $15K. I don't do a lot of high mile driving - just looking for a good looking dependable truck that I can add some aftermarket fun to later. I'm thinking: Dodge Ram 1500 Ford F150 Nissan Frontier ??? What do you buy if you were in my shoes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.INSANE Posted May 19, 2007 Share Posted May 19, 2007 Toyota Anything Honestly though id would look into toyota's there a really good modification aftermarket and the 4x4 are just plain sick not to mention dependable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e_racer1999 Posted May 19, 2007 Share Posted May 19, 2007 landcruiser, 4runner, frontier, pathfinder haha, they all end in "er" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted May 19, 2007 Share Posted May 19, 2007 Man, nice boat! Do we all go waterskiing later this summer? Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trwebb26 Posted May 19, 2007 Author Share Posted May 19, 2007 We could totally go skiing - if any of you actually LIVED in central illinois. The early Z population is scarce around here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trwebb26 Posted May 19, 2007 Author Share Posted May 19, 2007 I may go look at this one: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=220181480&dealer_id=612528&car_year=2003&search_type=used&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=&make=TOYOTA&transmission=Automatic&make3=DODGE&model=&distance=200&make2=NISSAN&address=62526&only_price=1&default_sort=mileageDESC&advanced=y&certified=&model3=&model2=&max_mileage=45000&max_price=20000&sort_type=mileageASC&min_price=12000&first_record=101&only_photo=1&body_code=0&end_year=2006&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=2001&drive=4+wheel+drive&pager.offset=100&engine=&body_style=TRUCKS&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=2&cardist=158 And it is supercharged - too! Just screaming for aftermarket add-ons! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted May 19, 2007 Share Posted May 19, 2007 I actually saw a Gremlin pulling a boat a bit smaller then that. It wasnt much smaller mabey a few feet shorter. I was pretty stunded. Id look at a dakota rt or like everyone else said a toyota. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280Zone Posted May 19, 2007 Share Posted May 19, 2007 Don't forget you also need braking power as well as towing power. The V6 trucks "will" pull it and "will" stop it but to be safe you might want to think about a V8. I pulled my 18' boat with 4Runner and it was lacking at best and probably not real safe. If you are looking for just a tow vehicle look for an older Surburban (you will have more friends to haul now) they are getting cheaper every day as gas prices go up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trwebb26 Posted May 20, 2007 Author Share Posted May 20, 2007 I got to thinking.... I have a 2000 V6 S-10. I can buy a class 3 hitch for ~$200. Do you think I would be safe to haul my 3600 lb boat and tailer around the flatlands of illinois? My wife has an 06' Jeep wrangler w/ 4WD - If I got a hitch for that - do you think it would tow it? I'm worried I may be compromising safety if I don't just pony up for a bigger rig - but my truck is paid for and I'm trying to keep some spending money freed up for the Z . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop N Wood Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 You don't need 4wd to tow. It can be nice on wet boat ramps, but is not absolutely necessary. Check the tow rating on your truck and compare it to the other vehicles mentioned above. The 4.3L S10's don't do too badly. Especially if it has an auto trans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ledphoot Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 F150 = best truck for lowest price w/good tow capacity and brakes. DO NOT BUY the 4.2 v6(junk) or the 5.4 v8(gashog) stick with the 4.6 v8. I haul mine with a 91 Explorer 4x4 5spd 4.0 with no worries. I use 4x4 lowrange on ramps and it gives you good pull and good clutch control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
660Z Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 Sorry couldn`t resist!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY77Z Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 my daily driver is a Ford F150 4.2 V6 4x4/5spd , i have no peoblems towing boats or my car's trailer, even with the V6, the F150 is powerful and drives good. well, thats my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moridin Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Any diesel Dodge. You'll get twice the mileage while towing and you will be much more comfortable with the boat behind that truck. Plus, the Cummins motors are tough as hell and warrantied to 300,000 miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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