How many Km's on a used truck is getting to be to much?

So don't know if I will be able to afford the truck I wanted but by fall I will probably need something. I was looking at some trucks under 9000 to see what was out there mostly F150's.

Trucks hold their value quite well even a 2006 with 250 K is asking 8500. The problem with a high mileage engine is not the engine wearing out it's the other parts like the alternator, starter, Hoses, maybe the rad. I would also have to do a proper rust treatment on it so it wouldn't rust maybe some sand blasting of the frame first, change the plugs what else? So for a mechanically incline person yourself what do you consider to be to high of milage for a reliable

I have always easily put 350k on my vehicles. Like you say properly maintained engines and trannys usually don't fail. Look for a high mileage daily driver rather than a truck that has worked hard like a contracter or kid who enjoys beating on it. I would avoid jacked up and modified ones. Figure how many Kms a year you drive and amortize that on your investment.

I would think that 200k and under would be reasonable. Do some research some vehicles have expensive quirks, I think Ford 5.4 had an issue with cam phasers and leaky manifolds.

Any truck around 160K kms should be in decent shape. You really need to make sure it hasn't been used for plowing snow and has been regularly maintained. It's going to be a tough job finding one that hasn't been rode hard and put away wet,but,they're out there. Buy from a reputable dealer even if it costs a few bucks more. Avoid import trucks at all costs. Good luck.

I don't think I ever bought a truck with less than 200Kms.....but then I have never spend more than $5K on a truck either...LOL...

It's getting harder to find the older trucks..(bench seat and rubber floor mats, Ahh the 90's) that were still cheap to drive and repair.

Most of the repair items you mentioned are cheap and take less than an hr at the mechanics to replace. Once those are done mid-life you'r good to go for another 200K.

Saw a prize truck, valued at $84,000, sitting out front of Cabela's last week. Some kind of chrome behemoth that was so tall, standing at 6'2' I wasn't even 1/2 way up side window..ridiculous.

GW, is see lots of trucks on Face Book sell sites, one last week was a 2001 Ram for $4K...looked to be in excellent shape.

You know my criteria; a truck shouldn't cost you more than a $1k a yr amortized over it's life with you. I haven't broke that rule in over 30 yrs..

GW..an example of a local FaceBook ad......

2007 ram 1500 safetied
$5,800

Original owner
Last time I post it if doesn’t sell am keeping it
Safetied for 5800 or as is 5400
254k
Not winter driven
No trades
Well maintained and annual safety done with yellow sticker every year
Solid truck
Red tank in back and lettering will be removed upon selling




https://i.imgur.com/mdJgIzCm.jpg

I just traded in my 2008 Yukon with 167000 km and the dealership gave me $10100 for it and applied it to the 2018 Colorado I'm getting Tuesday!

I am trading my 2012 GMC EXT cab 4x4 for new F150.
GMC will have 170k on it by the time new truck is here. Dealer mentioned they will put it on the lot at between 18k and 19k.
It's in good shape and has been maintained well.

I think it depends on the engine, transmission, and the overall condition. If it is a diesel it just breaks in at 80,000 km. I also take a look at who is selling it. My diesel is chipped with larger exhaust and cold air intake but I don't run it hard. It was done purely for torque when pulling so the engine doesn't work as hard. I hate to say it but I don't think I would buy a modified car or truck from a person who looks like, sounds like, and acts like he drives it like a Nascar driver.

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Originally Posted by MikePal

I don't think I ever bought a truck with less than 200Kms.....but then I have never spend more than $5K on a truck either...LOL...

Most of the repair items you mentioned are cheap and take less than an hr at the mechanics to replace. Once those are done mid-life you'r good to go for another 200K.

You know my criteria; a truck shouldn't cost you more than a $1k a yr amortized over it's life with you. I haven't broke that rule in over 30 yrs..

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Lots of wisdom in Mikes post here. No amount of mileage is too high, depending on the price. If you expect it to last a year, pay a grand. If it should be good for 5, pay 5.

I drive SUV's because I need the seating and pull a trailer when I need to move cargo. The last couple I've paid around 3K, drive them for 2-3 years and as long as they are still running you can get 2500-3K back. Sometimes there are problems but the last two I've driven essentially for free (less the cost of maintenance).

Edit: my buying criteria are to never buy from a dealer, never buy from a kid or anything with mods, and only buy from someone with a nicer house than yours

I would prefer a regular cab with a long box 8' but those are hard to find so a small cab with a 6'6 box would be OK. Obviously I want the lowest number of KM's possible. Needs to be 4x4.
I figure anything I get I will probably need to change the plugs and maybe the drive belt and water pump to be on the safe side. What is the best Permanent Rust Protection out there?

I figure I can wait until this fall before I pretty much need to buy something so it gives me some time to look around and get prices.

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

I figure I can wait until this fall before I pretty much need to buy something so it gives me some time to look around and get prices.

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If time is on your side, you should have no trouble finding a good used truck to fit your needs? Waiting until the last minute will pretty much force a person to get stuck with what's available. I tell anyone to stay away from the "little to certify" vehicles out there. My reasoning is that if its not much to certify, why doesn't the seller get it certified? There's always a hidden reason and that reason is going to cost the buyer plenty!

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

What is the best Permanent Rust Protection out there?

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From the professionals...(mechs I know and have asked advice from)....you should be spending at least $3K for a 4x4 that is certified...anything less than that it should be from a trusted/known source (family etc).

I spoke to the head 'Body' guy at Myers (friend at Hunt camp) about undercoating in general (and for my wifes Rav4). He said it's the single best thing you can do and recommended KROWN....a "no brainer" he said.

Last year at the Kemptville Small Business fair, the guy who owns the Krown franchise was there and they had a "Get first car done and the 2nd one is 1/2 price 'spring Special'. Worked great under $150, gave the 2nd 1/2 price coupon to my daughter for her car.

There are a lot of older 4x4's P/Us in great shape out there GW, I see them listed all the time. That's why I never pay more than $5K for one.

Hint.....you can get a GREAT deal on a P/U with bad tranny....practically give them away..seen them for $1500...but it only costs about $2K to have the older GM/Chevy tranny pulled and rebuilt. So you can end up with a 4x4 truck with a 'new' tranny for under $4K...

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Originally Posted by MikePal

From the professionals...(mechs I know and have asked advice from)....you should be spending at least $3K for a 4x4 that is certified...anything less than that it should be from a trusted/known source (family etc).
I want a free breakfast
I spoke to the head 'Body' guy at Myers (friend at Hunt camp) about undercoating in general (and for my wives Rav4). He said best thing you can do and recommended KROWN....no brainer he said.
I want a free breakfast
Last year at the Kemptville Small Business fair, the guy who owns the Krown franchise was there and they had a "Get first car done and the 2nd one is 1/2 price 'spring Special'. Worked great under $150, gave the 2nd 1/2 price coupon to my daughter for her car.
I want a free breakfast
There are a lot of older 4x4's P/Us in great shape out there GW, I see them listed all the time. That's why I never pay more than $5K for one.
I want a free breakfast
Hint.....you can get a GREAT deal on a P/U with bad tyranny....practically give them away..seen them for $1500...but it only costs about $2K to have the older GM/Chevy tranny pulled and rebuilt. So you can end up with a 4x4 truck with a 'new' tranny for under $4K...

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GW, Mikepal has offered you some sage advice. However, it is clear, if you read between the lines, he's after a free breakfast out of you? Jus' sayin'

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Originally Posted by Bushmoose

GW, Mikepal has offered you some sage advice. However, it is clear, if you read between the lines, he's after a free breakfast out of you? Jus' sayin'

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Our agreed repayment plan is GW is going to help me stack my firewood in the fall...LOL....

Buy a 2004-2006 Tundra with 200k that's been babied, has had the frame recall and the timing belt replaced, and you're good for a long while. There's plenty of them on the Kijiji!

-Nick

I do have time on my side as I still have my Jimmy and my trailer. Watching the prices carefully. Biggest problem is finding one very clean of rust.

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

I do have time on my side as I still have my Jimmy and my trailer. Watching the prices carefully. Biggest problem is finding one very clean of rust.

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Maybe you can wait long enough to get an aluminum F150.

Yeah don't think I can wait that long, well I could I guess but nope don't want to. If I see something in the current price range that is "Good Deal" I might go for it. I stopped and look at a few trucks all extra Cabs with only 6.6 ft boxes I think I will wait it out until I at least find a Good Deal on a Regular Cab with an 8ft box. I guess I might as well budget in a ramp as well.

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Originally Posted by last5oh_302

Maybe you can wait long enough to get an aluminum F150.

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Why are you set on an reg cab/8' box? Personally, I've gotten used to the shorter box and I enjoy the extra room in the cab. Of course, my dog loves the back seat too?

Hauling firewood, lumber, ATV and camping equipment so that I do not need to take the trailer anymore.

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Originally Posted by Bushmoose

Why are you set on an reg cab/8' box? Personally, I've gotten used to the shorter box and I enjoy the extra room in the cab. Of course, my dog loves the back seat too?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

Hauling firewood, lumber, ATV and camping equipment so that I do not need to take the trailer anymore.

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But the trailer is so much easier, and then you still have room in the bed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by last5oh_302

But the trailer is so much easier, and then you still have room in the bed.

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X2. I sold my 5'X7' landscaper last year thinking I'd go back to running the quad into the box with ramps. After a near miss with the quad almost dropping off with me on it from ramp slip on soft ground,I'm looking for another trailer.

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

X2. I sold my 5'X7' landscaper last year thinking I'd go back to running the quad into the box with ramps. After a near miss with the quad almost dropping off with me on it from ramp slip on soft ground,I'm looking for another trailer.

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I haul my quad everywhere on my trailer. Just cant get used to rolling that thing off the back of the tail gate onto light aluminum ramps? Doesnt look high until youre sitting up on the seat looking down over your shoulder?

Yeah completely agree with that. Somebody is going to have to drive one up on my buddies 4x4, but he is going to buy one of those large ramps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bushmoose

I haul my quad everywhere on my trailer. Just cant get used to rolling that thing off the back of the tail gate onto light aluminum ramps? Doesnt look high until youre sitting up on the seat looking down over your shoulder?

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GW...I see this 97 GM long box sold for $1200 last week...

Good deal, you could put $3K into and still be ahead of the game....

https://i.imgur.com/GSPqyn2m.jpg

I have thought of doing that matter of fact I can get a 1987 for free from my buddy Tim. He bought it 4 or 5 years ago and it just sat in the yard. Last year when he through his back out he panicked thinking he would never get better so went out and bought a new 2018 F150.

But the truck is a pig on gas has the 302 and only a 4 speed when I drove it to his place 275 km's from here it cost me 100 bucks in gas for one way. Needs some work on the engine has a oil leak some place thinking the lower seal and would have to replace that transmission with a 5 speed. The cab also needs some work and so do the doors because he left it in the grass.

But I think I want something quite new that doesn't require to much work starting to get tired of being a mechanic it's fun and games when it is a hobby but a pain in the arse when you have to do it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MikePal

GW...I see this 97 GM long box sold for $1200 last week...

Good deal, you could put $3K into and still be ahead of the game....

https://i.imgur.com/GSPqyn2m.jpg

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

I have thought of doing that matter of fact I can get a 1987 for free from my buddy Tim. He bought it 4 or 5 years ago and it just sat in the yard. Last year when he through his back out he panicked thinking he would never get better so went out and bought a new 2018 F150.

But the truck is a pig on gas has the 302 and only a 4 speed when I drove it to his place 275 km's from here it cost me 100 bucks in gas for one way. Needs some work on the engine has a oil leak some place thinking the lower seal and would have to replace that transmission with a 5 speed. The cab also needs some work and so do the doors because he left it in the grass.

But I think I want something quite new that doesn't require to much work starting to get tired of being a mechanic it's fun and games when it is a hobby but a pain in the arse when you have to do it.

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OMG,that's some scary mileage,but,which one is the pig on gas,the '87 or the '18? I saw a '67 Chev PU that looked like it had been sitting in a field for many years on a roll back with a couple of young lads driving it the other day at the gas station. He said he got it for free from a farmer that wanted it gone and was going to restore it at school. I didn't think kids did that,anymore.

The 1987 is the pig on gas and being a 4 speed manual should have heard that thing just a humming when I went 120 I didn't want to go any faster I figured the tranny would blow up or the engine.

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

OMG,that's some scary mileage,but,which one is the pig on gas,the '87 or the '18? I saw a '67 Chev PU that looked like it had been sitting in a field for many years on a roll back with a couple of young lads driving it the other day at the gas station. He said he got it for free from a farmer that wanted it gone and was going to restore it at school. I didn't think kids did that,anymore.

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Yeah a 6.6 ft box just isn't going to do for the ATV. The ATV is about 6.7. Just going to be a real pain in the arse and if I get a 6.6 and use the trailer I'm just going to end up packing more equipment. Seems the more room we have the more we bring. Were suppose to be roughing it but are main camping spot is starting to look like a camp ground heck last year I even brought a kitchen sink to add to our cook table.

GW did you find yourself a truck ? If you were still looking I would consider selling my 07 F150 5.4 4X4 shoot me a PM if interested

Well I have given up on buying a Ford. After much research on the Triton engine. The Triton engine is very specific if you don't change the plugs on time you will mostly likely ruin the head when attempting to remove the plugs even when using the Ford tool. The Timing chains and cam are well known for going anytime after 200K and sometimes sooner. This probably explains why I was seeing so many where people had replaced the timing chain around 250K. It's a shame as I preferred the body on the Fords.

So now I am looking at GM, Chev, Toyota's. I have up my price to 10K but have had no luck finding anything. The few I have looked at the rockers would pass safety but in 1 to 2 years would be rotted out.

I have thought of going with the small trucks like a canyon or Tundra but there is no real savings in fuel so might as well go full size and it would be quite difficult to fit the ATV in. Doesn't need to be a 8 ft box the ATV will fit in the 6 just cannot close the back. Yeah putting the ATV is a must as next year the Trailer will be needed for my son's ATV so I need to be able to move two.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

Well I have given up on buying a Ford. After much research on the Triton engine. The Triton engine is very specific if you don't change the plugs on time you will mostly likely ruin the head when attempting to remove the plugs even when using the Ford tool. The Timing chains and cam are well known for going anytime after 200K and sometimes sooner. This probably explains why I was seeing so many where people had replaced the timing chain around 250K. It's a shame as I preferred the body on the Fords.

So now I am looking at GM, Chev, Toyota's. I have up my price to 10K but have had no luck finding anything. The few I have looked at the rockers would pass safety but in 1 to 2 years would be rotted out.

I have thought of going with the small trucks like a canyon or Tundra but there is no real savings in fuel so might as well go full size and it would be quite difficult to fit the ATV in. Doesn't need to be a 8 ft box the ATV will fit in the 6 just cannot close the back. Yeah putting the ATV is a must as next year the Trailer will be needed for my son's ATV so I need to be able to move two.

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Buy an older 4.6 one and drive the wheels off of it , leave the 5.4 where they sit , I bought my 1997 with 200 thousand and drove it till it had 450 thousand and tranny went , I’m driving a 1999 now that I bought with 250 on it and I expect the same from it , I payed 1000 dollars for each of those trucks and put about 700-800 to safety them , the 4.6 is a great engine

I bought my last used truck in Tennessee, the dollar is not good right now but the rust issue is big with me as I do all my own mechanical work. Importation into Canada is easy, just a lot of paper work. I look for units that are just at the end of warranty that way I know nothing major is wrong.