Truck Crossroads…Which to Buy?

[MattVanIsle]

My 97’ Cheyenne was recently crunched up, and so I find myself in the market for a truck once again. My Cheyenne was one of the most reliable trucks I’ve owned; extended cab short box with the 4.3 v6 and an automatic, 2 wheel drive. It was still running beautifully with almost 300,000kms on it at the time of the accident.

I have two very different trucks being offered to me as replacements, and am interested in your guys’ input on which could be the better choice. I use my truck regularly for hauling stuff around the house, and a small gardening business that I run.

The first is a ‘96 Silverado, fully loaded with leather, extended cab short box again, but with a 350, auto, and 4x4. It has 234,000kms. Some usual GM paint loss of this era. One of my neighbours bought it new and is moving onto something else. It has a crack one of the exhaust manifolds, but besides that has no other detectable issues.

The second truck is an ‘81 F250, 300 six and a 4 speed, regular cab long box, 2 wheel drive. Apples and oranges right? I had an 88’ F150 with the same configuration in the past and loved it. This one is even more attractive to me with the absence of any electronics. The 8ft box, simplicity, and stick are all attractive, but definitely more prehistoric than the Silverado.

Any thoughts on these two avenues would be appreciated!

Cheers

 

[MILO]

I would defiantly take the Ford although Im not a Ford guy that 300 engine seems to go forever in them trucks also its probably better on fuel than the 350 also the longer bed is a plus

 

[volaredon]

I'm not a Ford fan but if those were my only choices in this case I'd have to vote that way

 

[65 sporty]

I am very partial to the Silverado, but I have one and I am very familiar with them. I have worked on them since they were new. But on the other hand if treated well that 300 should run forever. Do you need 4wd or can you get by with a 2wd. I won't be without a 4wd