New truck, what to buy?

[tpi]

I had '11 Tundra 5.7 2WD.. great truck. I used it for my former trailer. As you know smooth powerful engine. I got between 18-20 MPG on 70 MPH cruise.

One thing to note: The Toyota 0W20 oil specified for this truck is excellent. Very light low friction formula. While only an incremental difference, I was diligent to use it, and insure the dealer used it in the free maintenance.

[Toe_cutter]

For the cost of a new truck(40k give or take) you could buy an old, 60's 70's or even 80's four door truck or suburban, repaint it, redo the interior, and repower it with a Cummins, 6.9, 7.3 or 6.2 and run it on WMO/WVO and have super cheap super clean(WVO) fuel. Pick how you want it, and get it done. and 10 years from now its worth what you have in it not 15% of what you have in it.

[CFECO]

AS much as I would have loved to build a Willys FC 170 to my specs., I doubt $40k would have covered it, by the time you figure "New" parts to replace the old, because the New truck has ALL new parts. It would Never have been as nice as the new one is. I got 1/3 of the new price for my 2003 Tundra with 90K miles on it, as a trade in on the new Tundra, so I am not sure on the 15% number. "Super Cheap" WO has Dried up around here, and as much as I like them, Diesel is not what it used to be and it's expensive, in fuel cost, engine cost, and repair cost.

[Toe_cutter]

Sure 40K wouldn't cover it if you are paying a shop $85+ and hour to do the work, getting your hands dirty is most of the fun anyways, and usually the only way its done right. I mean It's your money man, I'm just sayin I had all the seats(4 captains chairs, one bench) redone in leather, not bonded and a complete new, high quality paint job on my Excursion for under 4,000. That's the only part of a resto that needs any special skills, I say there aren't enough foreward controls on the road, BRING IT BACK T LIFE!

[CFECO]

I'd love to do a sweet FC, but I don't have one, the place to do it, the tools, or the energy. I have built machines since I was 7, 53 years ago, so I'm a little tired of the late nights, busted knuckles, welding cherries down the neck, etc. I am focusing my energy, when I have extra, toward building the Auto X Prize car I didn't get support for at the time.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

If you could get a Ram ProMaster and then import a conversion kit from Dangel it would be the best option for a work truck...

[CFECO]

Yes, I looked at the Mercedes Diesel power train. However this is not "Just" a work truck, it is one "mama" HAS to be happy to be seen in, and she has got MANY compliments in our 2013 Tundra. If I was on my own with funds...I'd build a Willys FC with a modern power train ( GM DI 5.3 or 4bt Cummins), but a new Toy is IMPOSSIBLE to beat. Thanks!

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by CFECO

Yes, I looked at the Mercedes Diesel power train. However this is not "Just" a work truck, it is one "mama" HAS to be happy to be seen in, and she has got MANY compliments in our 2013 Tundra.

Then she would probably rather be seen in an ML-Class or a GLK-Class instead of a Sprinter. At least the V6 turbodiesel is the same

If I was on my own with funds...I'd build a Willys FC with a modern power train ( GM DI 5.3 or 4bt Cummins), but a new Toy is IMPOSSIBLE to beat. Thanks!

If you label the good old 4BT as "modern", I wonder what you would consider old-school

[CFECO]

The 4BT is modern, compared to the F-head Willys or Flathead 6 that originally came in the FC's. While working the oil patch in the 70's, we had a couple of Mack 10 wheel dump trucks that were diesel, but one did not have a turbo..my goodness it was slow! There was an even older 50's something International without a turbo, but it's engine was HUGE, probably 8 feet long and the exhaust pipe was about 8 inches in diameter. Ah, the good old days!

[Hersbird]

Turbos help gas motors the same way, look at which chevy cruise is the most efficient, its not the diesel. Around here diesel is $4 and unlead $3.22, then tack on the $3000-$6000 initial add for diesel.