4x4 farm truck

I'd like to get an older 4x4 truck for farm use only, no road uses. I think a 1500 or a one ton unit would do as it may carry a welder generator at times and have a few hills to climb. I've heard that the early Dodge Power Wagons were tough and reliable. What makes and models should I be looking for up to the late 1980's or early 1990's?

Ok, so here is my 2 cents. I have a second
gen dodge 1 ton with the cummins. I love
it and would not take anything else.
Having said that, however, Ford sold so
many more units that they are easier to
find and generally cheaper. Since you are
talking about a 30 year old truck, parts
will be a factor. Again, based on shear
numbers, Ford parts seem to be cheaper and
readily available anywhere. I think you
can get Ford parts at a 7-11. JMHO.

Where are you located?

No such thing as a nice older 4x4 truck here in salt country.

If you live somewhere that doesn't give rust cancer to trucks, I'd look for an early Ford Super Duty. (1999-02)

Sold frame, axles, transfer case, manual hubs and lever transfer case. ZF6 manual & 7.3 diesel about as reliable as they come. The 4R100 auto likely be fine for your use if you can't find a 6-speed.

I had one and rust was getting it.

I echo the Ford because they are so common, and do not get a girlie transmission! Any type of autermatick, in a larger truck, will require maintenance. Manuals do not unless some dope ran it out of oil. The older, the simpler. If you can't do your own maintenance, then stay away from older, shops will kill you are give the old stuff to the 16 year old part time tire buster, floor sweeper. Stay away from the Ford Mazda 5 spds in the half tons of the late 80s thru 96. Not a good unit. The old 4 speeds are bullet proof as the German 5 speeds in the 90s Fords 3/4 and up. I live in MN and travel south to get an old truck, Oklahoma Kansas any where where the farm truck would live and not see salt. Watch out for Colorado/Arizona/Florida trucks etc as most of them will have emigrated over the years with their owners from the NE or midwest parts of the country. My last truck, 96 f250 460 5spd absolutely rust free, but with the dents and nicks from years as a farm truck. Found on Craig's List in Pueblo CO, true desert country. I paid 1,200 for it with 74,000 miles on it a year ago. It'll outlive me. My 2 bits. I'm to much of an old gearhead to enjoy the new stuff, it's great but you can't "screw" with them. Larry

(quoted from post at 21:31:23 02/26/21) Watch out for Colorado/Arizona/Florida trucks etc as most of them will have emigrated over the years with their owners from the NE or midwest parts of the country. Larry

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Simple fix, if you get serious about buying a truck, get a carfax report on it.
It will tell you everywhere it was ever titled and/or licensed.

Ever consider just getting a trailer and pulling it around with your tractor? One less motor to keep running, battery, brakes, tires.

I have 2 tool trailers hooked in tandem that I can hook to with a truck or tractor and are road worthy.Usually leave them hooked to a tractor but also pull them with a Dodge Dakota a friend gave me because he banged up the front fender and wasn't going to fix it.5 speed with 4WD even the AC works.

A little newer than you said, but I have a 2000 and a 2001 Dodge 1500 (1/2 tons). Both 4x4. One is my dedicated plow truck and the other is backup plow truck as well as backup town truck. Both have the 5.9L gas and purr like kittens.

What I like about these trucks is, they have 2wd/4-hi/4-lo shift on the floor. I can be sitting still and shift from 2wd to 4-lo. Try doing that with ANY push-button, or with many of the other shift-on-the-floor trucks. I'm not saying no others can, but very few can!

Try to get a southern truck. Both of mine are rust buckets, but very dependable. ...And I'm more of a Ford fan.

You probably have the Dana front axle that Dodge stayed with for much longer than GM and Ford with their CV joints and all. I had Dodge for probably a
dozen years, '84, 98, '07 and '09. Gave me good reliable service.

(quoted from post at 19:22:05 02/26/21) I'd like to get an older 4x4 truck for farm use only, no road uses. I think a 1500 or a one ton unit would do as it may carry a welder generator at times and have a few hills to climb. I've heard that the early Dodge Power Wagons were tough and reliable. What makes and models should I be looking for up to the late 1980's or early 1990's?

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You won't find an early Power Wagon in running condition for anything like a decent price. They are collector vehicles now and there are companies buying them up nationwide to customize with Cummins diesels, 6 speed automatics, A/C, air ride seats, etc.

A Ford/Chev/Dodge 1 ton 4wd from the 70's-mid to late 80's will work if you can find one that's not trashed. They get too much electronics after the mid 80's IMO.

Are there any sales for insurance written off vehicles in your area?

I picked up an 03 Silverado 4x4 for $600, it had rolled lightly.

Took all of a half an hour to jack the dent out of the roof.

Runs and drives great even came with 4 new tires and a full tank of gas.

It was flagged as a total loss vehicle so it can never be road licensed again which is fine for what I need it for.

The ZF5 and ZF6 transmissions used in the 90s and early 2000s Ford 3/4 and one tons aren't that great. With high miles the synchronizers go out - even when maintained. The MD50s used in the half tons were crap from day one - the AODE and the 4R70W was much more durable than the Mazda transmission.