Back in the day when I used to wheel often and everywhere I had a extra cab npr shortie(12ft box). I really liked it I put a rv style a/c heater combo on top with a diesel generator and put a stove,fridge and microwave in the very front of the bed. I bought surplus aircraft bunks(bed that fasten to the outside wall) had 4. I put a used counter top with tools/spares on the other side. I never really had a problem with it. I sold it do to the wifes brain tumor and the ever on going doctor bills. It had over 500,000 miles when I sold it, could set the cruise at 70 and pretty much for get it. It got around 10-12 mpg loaded the whole time I had it. The only service issues was the alternator about every 60,000 or so miles it would quit charging. If I ever have the chance to do it again I will buy another. IMHO

At the risk of being lynch'd... my advice to you is to look at the Dodge 12v Cummins... they'll be plenty of choices out there. Also the Ford 7.3L. Both very plentiful in your price range and proven reliable engines.

-Rob

late 90's F350 Ford diesel 4x4 with the kingpin HP60 front

Keep looking. They don't exist. They are all BJ 60's in the late 90's. Heck, they are all ball joint 60s post ~'91.5.

Michael

Well, I can't comment on the 3.9 version, but the 4.75 version has plenty of power. Drove one for a local Badcock store I worked at last year and it drove fine both in town and on the interstate. At least 20' box, and lift gate, empty or loaded with furniture, it drove really well. Turned on a dime and was pretty fast, actually. The interior is a bit cramped unless you get creative with your seating/slouching position <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Being that the 4.7 is a newer engine, you might have a hard time finding a cheaper one unless it has a lot of miles. Although the one Badcock has got over 100K within a year, so high mileage examples are out there I'm sure.

No issues with it other than a blown front blinker, but I'm sure the truck that pulled next to it and snagged it's trailer on the blinker lense, pulling it off, had somehting to do with that <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Doesn't require any special license BTW...

IMO, the older asian cabovers (NPR,mitsu, etc) are quite costly to operate. In a 60-70 vehicle delivery fleet, I ran a dozen or so NPRs until a couple of years ago. Compared to similar age/mileage powerstroke, triton v-10, & BBC powered trucks, the NPrS were very costly to operate. The key advantage is longer wheel base w/ tight turning radius. Also, a cabover is gnerally cheaper than a cutaway to produce. Anyway, I'de recommend a pickup based, diesle powered tow vehicle. my 2 cents.

dude if you are only driving it a couple times a month I'd totally do it. I'd love to have one--I'd get a long bed and build a small hut behind the cab for campin. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Dude I saw one today with a box on it that hit something in the front end and I seriously doubt the dude driving survived. The bumper was pushed back all the way to the rear part of the cab on the drivers side. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> There was no cab left. I have no idea what he hit but he was on a exit ramp coming off the highway. I would bet even a standard full size truck would have faired better than the Isuzu.

Ya, that is one thing I thought about when I looked at them.

There is absolutely nothing in front of the driver (or passenger for that matter) too absorb energy in a crash. And I don't think you could easily add a steel bumper (because of the tilt cab).

I second what Rob says. Go for a Cummins, they can make it to 500k or you could probably find a 94-97 7.3l powerstroke for 6k with around 150K miles on it. I would look for a manual so you wont have to worry about the tranny issues that I know ford/dodge has had.


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2001 F250 Lariat 6spd
1994 Ford Lightning
1997 Isuzu Rodeo