Recomendations for a base truck/suv to build on

[awoodsman]

I am looking into building an expedition rig for Camping, Photography, and fishing across North America based in Central Indiana.
As such, I am seeking recommendations for a truck or SUV. I need the following:

• 4x4
• A/C
• Automatic Transmission
• Towing capacity of 8,000 lbs (travel trailer)
• Daily Driver

Can anyone provide some recommendations (yr/make/model) to look for?

 

[ExpoMike]

With your tow requirement of 8000 lbs. you are going to be looking at a full size rig (likely 3/4 ton), wether truck or SUV. If you want anything that gets decent mileage, you are likely going to be looking at a diesel rig. I am not sure what your daily driver requirements entail but a full size, diesel rig will likely not be practical.

I am not going to get into the brand/model discussion as there are a lot of rigs that fall into the catagory but every one has pluses and minuses. You will want to do your research. Good luck on your search.

 

[DoMiNiC1]

Check out my truck. Fits the criteria. What is your budget? While a diesel might not be necessary, you know what they say.... nothing exceeds like excess. :elkgrin:

 

[Buliwyf]

2001+ Ford Superduty. (but not the 6.0 or 6.4L Diesels) A few quirks with the engines, 3v gassers rattle and tick like a time bomb, but overall very, very solid trucks.

Suspension is infinately tuneable. Good axles. Mostly decent transmissions that are reasonable to rebuild.

I just picked up a Buyers pintle mount with a pintle ball and a 14" shank, with about 12" of up/down adjustment by bolting the pintle on higher or lower. Curty has a similar thing, but not made in US.

 

[oldestof11]

I would look into a 6.0L Ford and delete the EGR and tune it mildly for economy. My brothers is a beast and he hasn't had a problem with the 2 years he has owned it that wasn't owner induced (bad battery and fuel filter made for a very poor start). The 5R110 trans is a beast and you can find a clean 06 for less the $15k.

 

[chilliwak]

First off I would like to say welcome to the forum Awoodsman. I am an old school Chevy guy so my oppinion is biased in thaty direction. There are lots of helpfull people here on Expo so I am sure you can get the info you need. Cheers, Chilli.

 

[awoodsman]

Thanks for the advice everyone! Any thoughts for going old school? Say like a '70s Suburban (which is my wife's dream car. How lucky am I :elkgrin: )?

 

[redthies]

You are very lucky, but unless you put a modern drive train in that old Suburban, I don't think it will mesh well with the rest of your wish list... Swap in a 12 valve Cummins with 5 or 6 speed manual? Sounds great, but if you live in a city, it might suck for DD. I think you should check out Larry's thread on his 78 K truck. It is an awesome truck with modern running gear. You could do something similar with a Suburban.

 

[redthies]

I suck at posting links, so I bumped Larry's thread (recent upgrades to a 33 yr old...) for you:sombrero:

 

[awoodsman]

Interesting. I should add that my current DD is a 97 Chevy C2500 (350 ci/2WD). It does well but towing I top out around 60 MPH and large grades really slow me down, I don't work in downtown Indy and my commute is only about 20 mins so I don't think it should be too much of an issue. I need an Automatic though, as stop & go traffic kills my knee from an old construction site accident.

 

[gmcpimpin]

Interesting. I should add that my current DD is a 97 Chevy C2500 (350 ci/2WD). It does well but towing I top out around 60 MPH and large grades really slow me down, I don't work in downtown Indy and my commute is only about 20 mins so I don't think it should be too much of an issue. I need an Automatic though, as stop & go traffic kills my knee from an old construction site accident.

I think a 2500 suburban with ethier the 8.1 Big block or the 6.0 small block would suit your needs. Robust 4x4 vehicles with an automatic transmission.