Didn't want to hijack another thread so...
I can inspect for rust and damage and such, but what would Sigforum recommend regardless of brand for the
most reliable drivetrains for a 20-25 year old pickup? Not a daily driver, just a spare and to haul light.

What size truck? The Toyota 4.7L V8 and 5spd auto was a great combo.
The Ford 5.0 V8 is a good motor.
The 6.0L chevy in the 2500 was a good motor too. Less so than the other two though imho.

The 4.3L GM v6 was a great motor in the S10

Just remember that the 4.7 Toyota V8 is a timing belt engine.

ORC mentioning 4.3l gm brought back memories of my years 80s/90s wholesale restaurant produce delivery. Asto or Safari vans with 4.3 was what all the smart guys drove.

I used to trade p-ups every few years and was fairly loyal to GM but I bought my Honda Ridgeline new in 08 and haven't owned another p-up since. Nothing suits me any better and as far as drivetrain, Honda's 3.5 has been around forever. Timing belt every 100k ($800) fluids every 30k ($200). Surefooted in bad weather.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
What size truck?

Full size, two door long bed preferable. Did GM use the 3.8L in trucks?

Ford 4.6 2v is a solid engine I got one with 300k+ on it in a 99 F150. Tranny is solid but over drive solenoid needs to be watched. Mine is not going into 4th right now. So I avoid freeways

quote:

Originally posted by Schmelby:

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
What size truck?

Full size, two door long bed preferable. Did GM use the 3.8L in trucks?

I don't recall the 3800 in a truck.
The 4.3 V6 & 4.8 V8 in lots of lower trim trucks. Don't know if those ever had AFM. If going to the 5.3 or 6.2, lifters are something to keep in mind if it's less than about 20 years old.

quote:

Originally posted by doublesharp:
ORC mentioning 4.3l gm brought back memories of my years 80s/90s wholesale restaurant produce delivery. Asto or Safari vans with 4.3 was what all the smart guys drove.

I used to trade p-ups every few years and was fairly loyal to GM but I bought my Honda Ridgeline new in 08 and haven't owned another p-up since. Nothing suits me any better and as far as drivetrain, Honda's 3.5 has been around forever. Timing belt every 100k ($800) fluids every 30k ($200). Surefooted in bad weather.

I bought a 06 or 07 Ridgeline a few years back. Been a great rig. So I totally agree DS.

I might prefer a manual so I can teach my three sons how to properly drive.

If going for a 3/4 ton you will get a v8. Not sure what year Ford came out with the 6.2 Probably close to 20 years ago. maybe 15. It is a solid rig. That would be my choice.

5.9-Liter, 24-Valve Cummins pre '07

For engines, pre-2007 GM 5.3 and 6.0. No AFM/DOD. You have to go back even farther, into the last century, but Ford's 4.9/300 straight-6.

For the age range specified, the GM LS Motor (5.3L or 6.0L) Pre-2007 with no AFM. Especially if you get one with the 4L80 transmission instead of the smaller 4L60. Simple, cheap to maintain, and apart from water pumps and alternators, you won't have to replace much anyway.

For V6s, the GM 4.3L is excellent as well. It's basically a 350 SBC with two cylinders cut off. The 350 was a great motor, too, but outside the date range specified in the OP. They kept making the 4.3 V6 for a long time after they moved to the LSs for the V8s, though.

Fords from that era were the modulars...4.6L and 5.4L. Not horrible, but they had some significant maintenance issues with spark plugs, cam phasers, and chain guides. They are also harder to work on because of the way that Ford shoehorned them back under the cowl. If I was going to have a Ford I'd want an older one with the 5.0 or 5.8, but then we're outside the age range of the OP again.

Dodge is just shit.

Don't know much about Toyota drivetrains, but I know the frames from that era rusted in half.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
If going for a 3/4 ton you will get a v8. Not sure what year Ford came out with the 6.2 Probably close to 20 years ago. maybe 15. It is a solid rig. That would be my choice.

The Ford 6.2l is indeed a solid engine. Ford came out with it in the F150 Raptor in 2010, then in 2011, it went to the F250 and 350s. It is a little too "new" for the OPs 20-25 year timeline.

I'll venture to guess a two-decade-old truck in OH is going to be a rust bucket. They often are here, for that matter, many of them even newer. I came from western states/deserts where almost nothing rusted (unless it came from out of state), here I had to assume rust. Some vehicles I had to turn away and not work on for any reason due to body/frame structure compromised.

pre-AFM 5.3L chevy small block.

Bunch of old people in here with really good advise.
I would like to add that if no maintenance has been done, even the good drivelines can be bad. Had a friend with one of last years straight six Fords which generally run for ever. He had it ten years or so and the head gasket blew.
I think the truck was 20 years old at the time, had the original coolant in it.

Thanks for the replies. I'm in no hurry, I'll come across a decent truck eventually.
I was going to search truck forums but thought I would be inundated with info.
Always good advise on Sigforum.

The GM Vortec engines:

4.3 L V6
4.8 L V8
5.3 V8
6.0 V8

...that were used in the GMT800 series pickup trucks and SUV's have to be the most reliable, powerful, and drama free engines installed in any modern vehicle.

I personally put 285k miles on a 4.8L and that truck is still going and now has over 500k trouble free miles on it.

It is mind boggling how reliable those engines are, especially compared to everything that has come after them.

My '05 Tundra with the 4.7L is going on 210,000 miles and shows no signs of slowing down. A buddy of mine had an '04 that he sold with almost 400,000 miles on it. It was still running fine, though it had started using just a bit of oil.

The only issue Toyota had with those engines was the secondary air injection pump failures. 2006 and beyond is covered by a factory recall, if I remember right. I had to fix my '05 with a bypass kit, no big deal.