1/2 ton V6 Fuel mileage/reliability

[Wizard]

Ok boys, trying to have an open mind here... I'll be in the market within the next couple weeks for a 1/2 ton pickup, regular cab, V6, auto, 2wd, pretty much a stripper work truck. Everyone I talk to says go with a chevy with the 4.3 due to Ford and Dodge trucks of the same variety getting significantly less in the fuel mileage department. Also, the 4.3 seems to be a fairly reliable engine, but I've never owned one, so have no first hand experience. This would be something in the 99-04 era, the chevies are fairly easy to come by and for fairly reasonable prices. The fords are a little tougher to find, but there's still a few out there, just less to pick from. Likewise with the Dodges, there's few to pick from, most have v8's or the v6 with a manual tranny. Also considered a dakota, just trying to avoid going that small (me+car seat+laptop mount+filing system :nope), and have heard there's no real benifit in fuel economy taking the next step down... Anyone have any first hand experience they care to share with me to help in the decision making process?

:feedback

[John Banks]

Not a direct comparison per se Brendan, but years ago my wife drove an in-line 6 Jeep Cherokee, a couple of years later she got another one. A few years later she moved up to an 4.6l Expedition, then up to a 5.3l Suburban, then down to a 4.0l Explorer and now is in a 5.3l Suburban again. Fuel mileage between all vehicles was always about the same, around town 12-14 highway never better than about 18. She's got a heavy foot no doubt, but all are about the same.

My point is, unless you go to a 4cyl and hypermile like Howard did in his Civic, i'm not sure you're going to see a dramatic change in fuel mileage, especially if you're loaded up with tools, materials, equipment.

Hope this helps

[The boys]

I just picked up an 88 Jeep Cherrokee with a 156k on the ticker and pulling 20 mpg out of it and it doesnt matter if its in town or out it gets 20. Its got the 4.0 with a auto and havent done anything in the tune up department yet.

We got a 99 1/2 ton 2 wheel r/c l/b chev at work and its pulling in about 19-20 with the 4.3 in it.

[T-Zab]

Thomas is a running that Chebie 1/2ton 2 wheeler stick shift, with really great mileage. I think J said he was in the high 20's on the highway. Its got a highway rearend and must have a real tall 5th gear.

My wifes explorer is a pig with the 4.0, gets around 13-16 mpg. The Dodge v-6's are worse in the Dakotas. The lil Ford 4 banger rangers do pretty good, as do the S10 4-banger trucks. I think 20mpg+ is realistic in town with those trucks, with a light right foot.

[Wizard]

Thanks for the replies so far, keep 'em comin'! :)

John, I have to believe that going from a 7500lb 4wd with a V10 to a 4500lb 2wd with a 6 is going to have some benefit, if not a significant one with all the highway driving and idling I do. A good share of my driving is highway 54 miles round trip to the office 3 times a week, 40 miles round trip into the ghetto where I work 5-6 days a week, and about 30 miles a day of in-town stop and go, driving a mile or two at a time and jumping out for 5-15 minutes at each stop... :rolleyes:

It's no secret the 1-ton is a bit overkill for my daily grind, but I keep it around due to the snow work in the winter. But until recently, the little extra gas versus insurance and upkeep on another vehicle was a wash. The most I carry around is about 400-500 lbs in supplies and tools, a 28' fiberglass ladder, a couple smaller ladders and cones, and of course my fat torso... :rolleyes: Most of the guys run rangers and S10's, but with as much as the kid rides with me, and the laptop mounted in the middle, I think a ranger or s10 would be too small... The main concern would be whether or not they really get that decent of gas mileage to justify it, and whether or not whatever I buy will be reliable enough that I can drive it 'til the wheels fall off... :D

[Pickering Snow]

Johns dead on the money unless you fine a loose 4.3 in a 1/2 ton there all gonna produce about the same unless you step down to a S truck or Ranger.

We do work for a printing company that runs striaght S 10s with 2.2 4 cyls stricly because of mileage they run from here to detroit all the time. Most have a crap load of miles on them and are still running strong. There are certain gear packages that would allow for decent mileage but you would really have to look, my wrangler is a great example of a small yet probley one of the biggest gas hogs i own i did create most of that on my own but even a stock wrangler doesnt run real high mileage.

First service truck i owned was a Ford Ranger with a ARE Service topper the truck was a 4x4 4.0 did about the same has a small v-8 again gearing wieght and stick or auto all play a big factor. Honestly i would grab a dodge carvan ripp the rear out and throw a latter rack on it and call it good.

[Wizard]

Bringing this back up as the hunt is on! :popcorn2

Looking at 2wd chevy 1/2 tons now. Fred, I value the input on the caravan suggestion. There's a couple reasons I wont be buying a caravan. First and foremost, the living conditions of most of the customers I deal with leaves a lot to be desired. Finding cockroaches climbing out of a cable receiver box that I had thrown on the rear floor of the F350... :eek: Between the bugs and the stench of these things, there will never be another piece of cable equipment that's been in a customers house in the interior of any of my vehicles again. Secondly, I was talking to another contractor that runs a newer caravan, the most he's seen is 19 on the highway, and my dad's 92 he used to run only ever got 20. I can get nearly that out of a 1/2 ton pickup and be happier doing so...

Anyway, there's a few 1/2 ton V6 2wd chevies around, but they're strippers, they got AC and that's about it. Being one that enjoys creature comforts, I've shifted my focus to an LS, something with a decent interior that I can be comfortable working out of for 8 hours a day. Problem is, with an LS, you usually find them having a 4.8l V8 motor. According to the information I can find, you end up taking a 1 mpg hit both in town and highway jumping from the 4.3 to the 4.8. Also, since I plan on putting a crap load of miles on whatever I buy, has anyone got any experience with either of these motors, and any input on which is more reliable? I've seen quite a few listings with rebuilt 4.3's while the trucks still have less than 150k on them, which makes me wonder. I've run Chevy 350's well past 200k without a problem, but dont have any experience with the smaller motors... :feedback

The search continues, and it's been narrowed down to a GM 1/2 ton... Just trying to make up my mind on the 4.3 or 4.8, dont want to regret my decision down the road... Probably be picking something up this week...

[EZSnow]

My '89 1500 with the 305 TBI is getting 18... I couldn't be happier. I know that doesn't quite parallel to the 4.8, but if you go looking at the 88-98 body, it might mean something to you.

If you find anything on this side of town that needs a look, let me know.

[Abes]

Bringing this back up as the hunt is on! :popcorn2

Looking at 2wd chevy 1/2 tons now. Fred, I value the input on the caravan suggestion. There's a couple reasons I wont be buying a caravan. First and foremost, the living conditions of most of the customers I deal with leaves a lot to be desired. Finding cockroaches climbing out of a cable receiver box that I had thrown on the rear floor of the F350... :eek: Between the bugs and the stench of these things, there will never be another piece of cable equipment that's been in a customers house in the interior of any of my vehicles again. Secondly, I was talking to another contractor that runs a newer caravan, the most he's seen is 19 on the highway, and my dad's 92 he used to run only ever got 20. I can get nearly that out of a 1/2 ton pickup and be happier doing so...

Anyway, there's a few 1/2 ton V6 2wd chevies around, but they're strippers, they got AC and that's about it. Being one that enjoys creature comforts, I've shifted my focus to an LS, something with a decent interior that I can be comfortable working out of for 8 hours a day. Problem is, with an LS, you usually find them having a 4.8l V8 motor. According to the information I can find, you end up taking a 1 mpg hit both in town and highway jumping from the 4.3 to the 4.8. Also, since I plan on putting a crap load of miles on whatever I buy, has anyone got any experience with either of these motors, and any input on which is more reliable? I've seen quite a few listings with rebuilt 4.3's while the trucks still have less than 150k on them, which makes me wonder. I've run Chevy 350's well past 200k without a problem, but dont have any experience with the smaller motors... :feedback

The search continues, and it's been narrowed down to a GM 1/2 ton... Just trying to make up my mind on the 4.3 or 4.8, dont want to regret my decision down the road... Probably be picking something up this week...
the 4.3 can be a very reliable motor when well taken care of. Its basically a 350 with 2 cylinders missing.

[Wizard]

Thanks Derek. Looking a little newer, 99+ chevy, but I'd bet the 4.8 wouldn't be too far off, but I'm also looking for an auto, I believe yours is a manual, right? I've also had thoughts of swapping rear gears if what I find is too tall. Go with a shorter gear and spin lower RPM's on the highway, slight power penalty, but it'd probably make the 4.8 feel like a 4.3 in town. There's an '03 V6 stripper for $6k over in S. St Paul I may want to look at closer, but I'm really leaning more towards an LS, really want to be happy with what I buy and not miss the creature comforts of the F350... The budget is $6-7k, so I should be able to pick up something fairly decent...

[EZSnow]

SSP is right next door to the shop, so I could take a look anytime. I know you can do the R&P with your dad, but wouldn't just make more sense to buy what you're looking for in the first place? Most of these trucks are going to be 3.42, 3.56, or 3.73. I can't imagine that you're going to see too much variation in economy between them, and the 4.8- being a smaller V8- is going to like the revs to make any power, you may find more downshifting if the engine is lugged too much.

[Pickering Snow]

Bringing this back up as the hunt is on! :popcorn2

Looking at 2wd chevy 1/2 tons now. Fred, I value the input on the caravan suggestion. There's a couple reasons I wont be buying a caravan. First and foremost, the living conditions of most of the customers I deal with leaves a lot to be desired. Finding cockroaches climbing out of a cable receiver box that I had thrown on the rear floor of the F350... :eek: Between the bugs and the stench of these things, there will never be another piece of cable equipment that's been in a customers house in the interior of any of my vehicles again. Secondly, I was talking to another contractor that runs a newer caravan, the most he's seen is 19 on the highway, and my dad's 92 he used to run only ever got 20. I can get nearly that out of a 1/2 ton pickup and be happier doing so...

Anyway, there's a few 1/2 ton V6 2wd chevies around, but they're strippers, they got AC and that's about it. Being one that enjoys creature comforts, I've shifted my focus to an LS, something with a decent interior that I can be comfortable working out of for 8 hours a day. Problem is, with an LS, you usually find them having a 4.8l V8 motor. According to the information I can find, you end up taking a 1 mpg hit both in town and highway jumping from the 4.3 to the 4.8. Also, since I plan on putting a crap load of miles on whatever I buy, has anyone got any experience with either of these motors, and any input on which is more reliable? I've seen quite a few listings with rebuilt 4.3's while the trucks still have less than 150k on them, which makes me wonder. I've run Chevy 350's well past 200k without a problem, but dont have any experience with the smaller motors... :feedback

The search continues, and it's been narrowed down to a GM 1/2 ton... Just trying to make up my mind on the 4.3 or 4.8, dont want to regret my decision down the road... Probably be picking something up this week...



Brendan

What exactly do you do i knew it had something to do with cable but getting c o c k Roaches in your vech i am confused at the type of custs you work for do they a have a full set of teeth normally? Just curious iam sure you probley get hit up alot for if you leave my box you can have my box no? just curious.

[T-Zab]

Brendan

What exactly do you do i knew it had something to do with cable but getting c o c k Roaches in your vech i am confused at the type of custs you work for do they a have a full set of teeth normally? Just curious iam sure you probley get hit up alot for if you leave my box you can have my box no? just curious.

Holy Crap Fred ROTFLMAO.
I think Brendans the repo/collection man, sounds like he gets to deal with some real classy peoples. I wonder if he carries ? I would (except in this crappy state).....

[EZSnow]

I wonder if he carries ? I would (except in this crappy state).....

I'm working on it...

[EZSnow]

what cab/box config are you looking for?

[Wizard]

Lol Fred. My "official title" is a Retention Specialist. I know, that makes it more confusing... Short of going into great detail about what I do (contracts prohibit me from doing so anyway) the nuts of what I do is approach non-paying cable customers (usually in person) and threaten disconnection of their service if they dont pay me or agree to my payment arrangement terms. Then if they dont pay, I get to make good on my threat and cut them off. Part of my job is to recover equipment (digital TV converters, digital phone converters, and internet modems), that's where the cockroaches come in... I typically spend about 20-25 hours of the "intense" field time a week, and about 15 hours of paperwork/office BS. It's 100% commission based, it can be a really tough job, but it's extremely flexible (I pretty much pick my schedule), and the pay is alright. I deal with some pretty slummy people, many of which seem to just be mad at the world (and me).

No, I dont carry a gun, wish I did sometimes, just as a security blanket, but it's never been necessary, as I can usually difuse the hostile situations before they get out of control. I do carry a 6" blade just in case, but company policy would have me looking for a new job if I carried a gun, and in 3 years, I've never been involved in a physical altercation with a customer (although I've been threatened many many times, I could tell stories all day). It still amazes me how fired up some of these people get over their cable! In the rare case I cant diffuse the situation, I just walk away, and let the deadbeat think they've won; until about 10pm when I sneak in and cut them on the way home! I've mastered the art of getting the job done and getting out of there before they can even get their shoes on, those are a real adrenaline rush... :wink Also, my wife will have nothing to do with a gun in the house, like Derek said, we're working on that part, me likes guns. :D

I get called all sorts of things, "cable repo guy" is right up near the top... :wink Good fun trying to explain to people what you do, most have no idea.

BTW Derek, ideally I would like to find a reg cab short box, but they're tough to find in 2wd auto v6 config. Probably gonna end up with a long box, which will be ok too... I'd be all over an S10 or Ranger, but I want the cab space of a full size...

[Wizard]

Well boys, the search is over. Found a very clean 2003 Chevy 1/2 ton, V6, auto, 2wd work truck. I was able to beat the dealer up a little on it. Only noticable problem right off the bat is a loose tie rod end (I think), it's got a little rattle in the front, and you can feel it by shaking the wheel while the truck is parked. It rides like a caddy compared to the F350, looking forward to a decent riding vehicle as a daily driver. It also has very minor body damage on the side of the box on the passenger side, so minor you dont notice it unless you stare at it for a second or the light catches it right. Plans for this thing include tinting the front windows 20% and the rear 5%, a new trac rac, a sidebed drawer box like this one (http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200043574_200043574), the tracbox out of my F350, a center console/storage unit of some kind, laptop mount, and either a drop in liner or rubber mat. Oh, and those ugly steel wheels have got to go, probably find some take-offs cheap on craigslist for it... Before the winter I also need to find a receiver hitch for it and mount the snowex controller in it for those little spot salting runs and to serve as a backup. This truck was clear across town, 45 miles from my house. Huge thanks to Derek for taking time out of his day to run and "preview" it for me. :D

http://www.wizardsnow.com/ltsimgs/chevy.jpg



Oh, and BTW, she'd look good slinging an 810! Might need just a little ballast... :greenange

[Wizard]

So far, so good, 100 miles and the fuel guage has moved from 1/4 to 1/8... :D I'm liking this! The F350 would have sucked back 1/2 a tank already in a day of around town driving.

Found another project for this weekend. Picked up Circuit City's display model of the Pioneer AVIC-D3 for a measley $450. http://www.wizardsnow.com/smilies/chit.gif This is the same DVD Nav unit I have in the F350 that I paid $1000 for brand new! Not putting a laptop in it now since I'll have the in-dash unit, and I can use the Blackberry for everything else...

Got the truck back from the tint shop today! WOW! This little work truck looks sharp now! All it needs is some 22's and I'll fit right in! pimp

JK on the wheels, gotta find something better than the steelies, but I'm not gonna take it that far... :wink

[Fastjohnny]

Brendan's pimp my ride show episode 1:drool

I like your concept, hope the mileage is good.