i never been a truck guy so i dont know much about them lol to tell you the truth after driving the fiero everytime i jump in my camaro i almost feel like im driving a truck because it feels soo much higher and heavier
------------------ where ever angels and marines fear to tread, you'll find a corpsman dead
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09:09 PM
Hulki U. My-BFF Member
Posts: 5949 From: Back home in East Berlin, PA Registered: Apr 2008
Originally posted by Docs87gt: i never been a truck guy so i dont know much about them ....
Well, you might not be much of a towing guy either. Your tow vehicle should be heavier than what is being towed. Not sure of the rule of thumb but you need more weight to safely stop your tow load. Power to go up mountains also (you said across country).
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09:33 PM
Gokart Mozart Member
Posts: 12143 From: Metro Detroit Registered: Mar 2003
i would say any chevy/gmc with a 350 in it (older). 3/4 ton would be best but 1/2 would do if it had the 350. i would try to find one with a manual myself.
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11:14 PM
PFF
System Bot
Apr 28th, 2010
Raydar Member
Posts: 41283 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
I picked up a parts car from TN with a late 90s F150 with the 5.4 engine. Since the Fiero was wrecked, I had to use a full size U-Haul trailer. I couldn't even tell that they were behind me. (IIRC, that was about 4700 lbs.)
I have dollied my Fiero from Atlanta to Huntsville with a 4.3 GMC Sonoma. It did okay, but not great. Fullsize would be better. It would be pretty exhausting to make that same tow across country. Get a trailer or dolly with brakes if at all possible.
Unless you specifically have to have a pickup, a Trailblazer ought to do nicely, also. Again, a Tahoe or Suburban would probably be better.
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12:03 AM
FriendGregory Member
Posts: 4833 From: Palo Alto, CA, USA Registered: Jan 2004
If you find a mid-90s through early 2000s F250 powerstroke, check it out.
I've spent many years of my life around these trucks and they are brilliant machines. Put a newer one in 4x4 low... Pulled a semi with a dump trailer out of what was essentially a gravel pit.
I wish I could've gotten that on video. Best thing about those engines is they run forever... 250k miles is nothing if its had maintenance done... at some point. 8k mile oil change intervals while running synthetic is what Ford recommended last I checked.
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02:08 AM
87antuzzi Member
Posts: 11151 From: Surrounded by corn. Registered: Feb 2009
No No hulki you have it all wrong. Ill show you a bit about riggin. Why go for the Kia of rigs when you can have the Ferrari.
Western star nothing better. You turn the pump up on one of these bad boys and your going places pretty fast i might add.
As for a pickup. Even though there reputation is sh*t right now wich could also work in your favor 5.7 Tundra. Talk about a truck that can deffenetley get out of its own way, prosigns made the mistake of giving us one as a work truck.
[This message has been edited by pontiackid86 (edited 04-28-2010).]
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02:31 AM
Gokart Mozart Member
Posts: 12143 From: Metro Detroit Registered: Mar 2003
I'm extremely happy with my Cummins but, I pull some pretty big trailers with some hefty loads most of the time. If I was expecting to use it just as a to and from personal vehicle, it would not be my first choice. The Cummins diesel is an expensive upgrade and I simply can't see purchasing one just to say I've got a Cummins.
I do think the Cummins is the best and most reliable for my application. No, it's not the most powerful engine available but, what it does, it does very well.
Ron
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09:35 AM
nmw75 Member
Posts: 1676 From: Mc Falls, Maine Registered: Mar 2007
I've had no problems towing cars with my 4x4 GMC Sierra 5.3L. I've towed both with tow dollies & flat bed trailers.
------------------ 86 GT 87 coupe restoration project.
Edit to add:
Though, I'd never buy another. The quality is just not there. I've had many problems with it. Mostly the front suspension & steering components. But frame & body rust is also a major factor with these trucks where they use liquid calcium in the winter.
[This message has been edited by nmw75 (edited 04-28-2010).]
I towed my Fiero a bunch with my 1/2Ton F-150. 5.4L V8. I did see a decline in gas mileage. My F-150 has 225k on the ODO. It is a 98 model. I typically get 14-16MPG I got just over 10MPG towing the Fiero. I would guess that a newer model with less miles would get better mileage. Towing and stopping were not an issue. I am no expert, just telling you my experience. Certainly much better trucks for hauling, but mine did just fine.
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10:11 AM
PFF
System Bot
2.5 Member
Posts: 43235 From: Southern MN Registered: May 2007
Drove one, loved it! Mine was an '07 with everything on it... it even had an in cab fifth wheel release button, talk about luxury.
quote
Originally posted by pontiackid86: No No hulki you have it all wrong. Ill show you a bit about riggin. Why go for the Kia of rigs when you can have the Ferrari.
Western star nothing better. You turn the pump up on one of these bad boys and your going places pretty fast i might add.
As for a pickup. Even though there reputation is sh*t right now wich could also work in your favor 5.7 Tundra. Talk about a truck that can deffenetley get out of its own way, prosigns made the mistake of giving us one as a work truck.
Bhaa! I got the chance to drive a new W/S, they are piles of crap. It was uncomfortable and noisy.
If I had my way about it I would drive this: 2010 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA Detroit Diesel DD15--1850 lb-ft--14.8L displacement--560 hp And IIRC up to 10 MPG under heavy load on a smooth level roadway. How can you argue with these comforts??
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12:33 PM
Gokart Mozart Member
Posts: 12143 From: Metro Detroit Registered: Mar 2003
I used 4 when I drove OTR, 3 of them were "catch-alls" and held my phone, notebooks, etc., and one was used for holding my drink. I know drivers that actually use all 4 so that when 1 runs empty they don't have to stop to get in the fridge for a fresh drink. LOL
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12:56 PM
Doug85GT Member
Posts: 9922 From: Sacramento CA USA Registered: May 2003
Dodge's of that era will be cheaper than a Ford or Chevy, but they were notorious for body rattles and poor quality. If you want a WORK truck and don't care how it looks or rides, then the Dodge is worth taking a look at, if you want something that rides a little better and is of higher quality, then you'll want to stick with the Ford or GM.
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by dennis_6:
Cheapest good truck, would probably be an 80's C10 or F150.
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01:02 PM
LitebulbwithaFiero Member
Posts: 3381 From: LaSalle, Michigan Registered: Jun 2008
don't know what engine is in the sierra but it should work. Talk down the guy with the 56 and offer him your car in partial trade and it might work out for you. You have alot of good choices out there. The bodies don't rust.
I had a gen1 cummins with over 495k on the clock. I died by driving into a river but that is a different story. The we got a 94 12 valve. Thing ran for ever and the truck around it held up good. Then it was onto the first 24 valve. I always ran red dye in it and fried the injection pump. So out of 3 cummins only one give me a problem. My mom got a powerstroke with all the goodies on it (banks turbo ect...). That thing ran for 2 weeks, smoked like crazy and had a lack of power. It also could not pull our horse trailer. We have a huge goose neck that we pull over the summit into reno about once a month. The cummins pull it up the grade like there is nothing there. I dont even want to speak of the time when my friend and i had a bumper pull.....
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04:30 PM
82-T/A [At Work] Member
Posts: 25398 From: Florida USA Registered: Aug 2002
ha its kinda funny because i originally started looking at small "mini" trucks when i started now im looking at things like f350s and trucks like it lol im only 5 foot 2 in though and my cars have always been small one of my good marines swears on the tundra but i wanted something american if possible
------------------ where ever angels and marines fear to tread, you'll find a corpsman dead
Bhaa! I got the chance to drive a new W/S, they are piles of crap. It was uncomfortable and noisy.
I have to agree with you there. At the last place I worked we ordered eight brand new 2005 W/S's just like the ones in the pictures, but with a 315" wheelbase. When the first four were delivered, we had so many problems that we refused the second four. They are nothing but overpriced Freightliners. Personally, I am a Mack fan. If I had enough time, space and money; I would buy an old V-8 Superliner just to restore and show.
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10:05 PM
jstricker Member
Posts: 12956 From: Russell, KS USA Registered: Apr 2002
I disagree. I have a customer running 5 of them. They are a modern, 16 plug, torque monster. They make close to 400 hp and get decent mileage. I still think the Dodge's are a little noiser in the cab and engine noise than either the GM or Fords, but they're a good solid motor and a good truck overall.
As far as the anecdotal evidence on the Cummins, there's not a thing in the world wrong with them but they are old tech by todays standards. They're having trouble competing with the Duramax and will be even more outclassed with the new Ford built "scorpion" diesel. They're a good motor but they're not the BEST motor for all owners in all situations.
For me, personally, I'd rather have a Duramax. From what I've been hearing from my customers they get better mileage when lightly loaded (as is the case most of the time in a trucks life), they are MUCH quieter on engine noise, and they will pull with or outpull the Cummins if both are stock. I may change my mind on this when I finally get a chance to drive a new Ford when the new motors come out.
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by TommyRocker:
sure...just don't pay extra for the hemi... The name is a gimmick anymore..
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10:16 PM
Lilchief Member
Posts: 1759 From: Vevay,Indiana Registered: Feb 2004
Just some tips on picking something out. Make sure it has Overdrive. I like manuals better than automatics for towing but an automatic with OD is better than no OD at all. Next, must have EFI either MPFI or SFI. No TBI, computor controlled carb, or a plain carb. Must have dual gas tanks. Engine sizes 350, 360 , 351W or any of these stroked. I have a 408W in my 83 F250 4x4, love the torque 475 but no OD. Cruising on the interstate is no fun cranking 3500 at 65mph. If I can keep the rpms to 3000 I get about 12-14 mpg. Hope this helps.
------------------
85 GT 3.4 14.9 @ 90 1.9 60' Old TH125/3.06 Unknown New 4T60/3.42
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10:51 PM
jstricker Member
Posts: 12956 From: Russell, KS USA Registered: Apr 2002
You do know you just eliminated most GM vehicles in the '90's, right?
There's nothing wrong with TBI if it's properly tuned. My toter even has TBI on the 427 and I'm happy with it for mileage and power. My '94 GMC half ton had a 350 with TBI and it got good mileage and power. TBI on a truck at lower rpm is no less effecient that any other FI system, IMHO, at least at the older RPM limits. It's also cheaper and easier to work on and fix than a port injected system.
As for the OD, on the earlier GM's (that used the 700R4) and the same era Fords, do NOT tow in OD. Leave it in D or 3. They weren't made to tow with in OD and you're almost guaranteed to heat the transmission.
quote
Originally posted by Lilchief:
Just some tips on picking something out. Make sure it has Overdrive. I like manuals better than automatics for towing but an automatic with OD is better than no OD at all. Next, must have EFI either MPFI or SFI. No TBI, computor controlled carb, or a plain carb. Must have dual gas tanks. Engine sizes 350, 360 , 351W or any of these stroked. I have a 408W in my 83 F250 4x4, love the torque 475 but no OD. Cruising on the interstate is no fun cranking 3500 at 65mph. If I can keep the rpms to 3000 I get about 12-14 mpg. Hope this helps.
