Looking for a rig truck

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Attachment 1023731I need a truck to do pipe fence and small fab jobs for the next year-2 years. I would like to be able to pull a large trailer to haul pipe and will likely be mounting a smaller machine on the bed. Budget is pretty tight $6000-$7000 max. Think this 97 chevy 3500 crew cab 4x4 flatbed. It's a 350 with a manual tranny. Asking $4800. Think it will fit the bill? Any other suggestions for make/model?
Reply:I'd be all over that depending on condition and mileage. Rust belt here....price sounds nice. What size trailer? Enclosed?pic no workyThermal Arc Fabricator 2101970 Lincoln RedfaceMiller 150 STLStill need a Syncrowave and a plasma and a milling machine and a lathe and a bigger shop and a....
Reply:Paint is starting to chip in places. The only rust I saw was on the top of the roof. Would likely be pulling a 20 ft flatbed. I would prefer a diesel but finding a 4x4 diesel in my price range has proved pretty difficult. Ill try to get the pics working.
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Reply:Originally Posted by Vogte53Paint is starting to chip in places. The only rust I saw was on the top of the roof. Would likely be pulling a 20 ft flatbed. I would prefer a diesel but finding a 4x4 diesel in my price range has proved pretty difficult. Ill try to get the pics working.
Reply:I like the '99-up Ford Super Dutys myself, but their modular gas engines can be troublesome...exhaust manifold studs snap off, spark plugs blow out, etc.  Great trucks as long as you don't mind turning wrenches on them yourself.I wouldn't worry about having a diesel.  Gas pickups got us around for decades before the first diesels came on the scene.  Crew cabs can be a mixed blessing for towing, depending on where you're going.  Nice stable ride in the wide-open, not so easy to maneuver in really tight spaces.  Price seems reasonable assuming good powertrain.  Test-drive to be sure the front suspension / steering is OK....can be an expensive can of worms if not right.  Be darn sure engine holds oil pressure and clutch is good, try out the 4WD....definitely worth paying a GOOD mechanic to spend an hour or two checking it out before you buy.Paint would be the least of my worries....a shot of matching rattle-can white from Advance Auto will snazz it up good enough for a first work truck.  Can't tell if you're in the rust belt or not but if you don't pay that mechanic to do so, be double sure you crawl all up under it looking for rust damage around the frame / floorboards / etc.  Plenty of trucks look great on the topside but are falling apart underneath.Assuming all checks out OK, price at $4800 would be fine for my area, $4000 would be a heck of a deal.  That's a truck I wouldn't be afraid to own and use if it fit my needs.
Reply:Okay. I'm not too worried about the paint. I'll probably take my mechanic friend tomorrow and give it a thorough look and drive. Rust isn't usually a huge issue here in central KS but still definitely a consideration.