What Pickup Truck?

Keep in mind, if you want to put a gooseneck trailer behind it (for a big car hauler), 6.5' bed can limit you a lot. Depending on the shape of the trailer's front end, you sometimes lose a lot of turning radius with the shorter bed (to avoid crunching the trailer into the back of the cab). Personally, if it's going to be a serious tow rig, I'd say 8 foot bed or don't bother.

ahh. true enough. I've never messed with goosenecks.

Good point. I occasionally tow a two car gooseneck and the 8 ft bed makes a big difference.

Yeah, being able to get the truck sideways under a trailer can be super-handy when parking with a long rig. And IMO, if the truck isn't a DD and only really gets used for doing truck things, who cares how big it is? I'd rather have a big truck that does everything I need than a smaller truck that sort-of does everything and is slightly less annoying to drive around un-loaded.

rslifkin wrote: And IMO, if the truck isn't a DD and only really gets used for doing truck things, who cares how big it is?

Ummm... My truck is most certainly a daily driver, and most certainly gets used for "truck things" every single day.

I care how big it is. I've had a crew long bed, and did not like driving it at all.

A crew short bed or an extended cab long bed (the same length) are fine to DD.

I'd also rethink your "need" for 4wd. 2wd trucks are better for straight towing and (anecdotally) the front ends are easier on components. Most of the big 4x4 trucks seem to eat ball joints like candy. The 2wd will ride better on the highway and get marginally better mileage.

Unfortunately for your price range, you'll be lucky to find a manual diesel in crew cab form.

I did however find a CC 4x4 dually f350 7.3L psd listed in Texas for $10k. It also had nearly 300k miles.

SVreX wrote:

rslifkin wrote: And IMO, if the truck isn't a DD and only really gets used for doing truck things, who cares how big it is?

Ummm... My truck is most certainly a daily driver, and most certainly gets used for "truck things" every single day. I care how big it is. I've had a crew long bed, and did not like driving it at all. A crew short bed or an extended cab long bed (the same length) are fine to DD.

I've DDed my crew cab long bed 4wd dually and it wasn't that big of a deal to me. Every one is different and has their own set of tolerances, but it didn't really bother me.

Here ya go - 2001 F250 4x4 crew cab powerstroke, 300k miles with a monster brush bar and a fifth wheel. $5,000 posted yesterday. Better call now if you want it. http://dothan.craigslist.org/cto/5417860140.html

EDIT: Here's a really nice 93 F350 that checks all the boxes for $7700 http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/5414681346.html That's a really nice truck.

Double Edit: Low mile '97 F350 meets all criteria, late model King Ranch interior, already modified, very nice condition, top of budget: http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/5401962043.html

Triple Edit: Want a dually 4x4 manual? Got that too, 2001 model, mid 200k mileas, $9500 http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5379945409.html

Okay, last Ninja edit: Wanna change an oil cooler and replace a fuel tank? Then this is your truck for $4000: http://athensga.craigslist.org/cto/5419555675.html

In our corner of the southeast, you will have no trouble finding a nice truck in your configuration for that money.

Ditch the manual requirement. Get one of these:

http://www.govplanet.com/for-sale/Trucks-LMTV-1996-Stewart-%26-Stevenson-M1078-LMTV-4x4-Cargo-Truck-North-Carolina/688184?h=5000%2Cct%7C30%2Cc%7C3467&rr=0.5&hitprm=c%3D3467,ct%3D30&pnLink=yes

Or as already mentioned, a GI Pickup.

http://www.govplanet.com/for-sale/Trucks-Pickup-1986-Chevrolet-D30-4x4-Ohio/690060?h=5000%2Cct%7C30%2Cc%7C2271&rr=0.2&hitprm=c%3D2271,ct%3D30&pnLink=yes