Hey guys and gals, I need to make a decision in mid May and am curious to know if anybody has any ideas.
I bought my truck new, intending never to sell it. Since then have made numerous mods to it and it only has about 130,000 miles on it. One reason I bought it was to to tow a RV. I did tow one for a short while and have now sold it and the way the price of diesel is skyrocketing, may never buy another RV.
Another big thing; this truck is Texas registered and in May was going to nationalize it and put Mexican plates on it. This will cost me between US$2,000 and $4,000.
I still need a truck, but cannot justify such a large truck. Also, down here, most vehicles are smaller, so to maneuver my truck in traffic is a bit of a pain.
Whist my wife likes the truck, she hates the stiff ride. I do a fair amount of rough road driving and even with the suspension mods I have done, she and our friends are uncomfortable when we drive on dirt roads.

So, the alternatives that I can see is to keep the truck forever as I originally intended and endure the rough ride and my wife's occasional caustic comment, or sell it and get a smaller truck locally, which should also be a bit lighter on fuel. I cannot sell it here, so have to sell it in the states.

Any truck I buy will need to be a 4 door and a 4X4. Will not buy new, but will consider 2010 - 2012. Choices are:
- Nissan Frontier with either gas or diesel engine. Don't think I want the Titan.
- Toyota Hilux. Not sure yet if I can get it with a diesel. Don't want the Tundra or Tacoma.
- The new VW Amarok looks good, but is unproven.
- Undecided about a Ford Ranger.
- Also undecided about a Mazda or Mitsubishi.

I figured that if I can sell it in the states, add about $2,000 - $3,000 (that I was going to spend to nationalize it), that I should be able to buy a fairly decent truck down here. One thing I am not sure about is in the long run, which truck will cost me the least? The Dodge should last almost forever the way I drive it and do not anticipate any major (costly) repairs. Will a Frontier or Hilux provide the same service? Most of my driving lately is with no load or only a light load. That light load can sometimes fill the entire box.

According to Kelly Blue Book I should be able to get about $17,000 for my truck. If I add $2,000 - $3,000 to that, then I should have enough to buy a fairly decent truck. Or would I be better of in the long run to spend the money on it to put Mexican plates on it and drive it until the wheels fall off? Kinda hate to get rid of it because it is in good condition, has zero rattles and has never seen salt, snow or ice, so is totally rust free, except for surface rust where Dodge never painted.

So ------- what to do???????

 

Bought the wife a new Nissan Frontier back in 06. 2 WD 6 banger. i am a big guy and it is really tight for me to get in/out. It is cramped to drive (for me) on long trips. Suspension is fairly tight. It gets a steady 20 mpg. It has 96000 miles and has a couple of suspension rattles that I can not locate and the A/C makes a strange clicking noise (probably a damper operator) that continues after you turn truck off.

My wife loves the truck sans the suspension noises.

Gary

 

Keep what you have it's a proven product and you know what you have

 

Stan,
What is diesel down there right now? We are about $4.00 here in FL. I note you have six stick and 3.73 axle. I am six stick and 4.10 axle. I get over 20mpg in town - - sitting on 21.7 right now. I do not push it, use my head. You would really have to downsize to get a whole lot better. You have pretty much taken the depreciation on yours. Good shape - - keep it. Maybe look at lightening the ride a bit with some spring changes - - not familiar with 2500 suspension. How about a nice big air bag under mama? LOL Slow down, relax, enjoy and let her enjoy.

Bob

 

I say sell it and buy a couple of burros and a cart and really soak up that South of the Border atmosphere.....just think of all the great food and Mariachi bands you could afford with the cash

Whatever you do Stan just be sure to keep Mrs Stan happy

 

Thanks for the answers so far.

I do have a proven product and know that I have taken the depreciation and really do not want to sell it. Other then the rough ride with no load, it is a very good truck and I can expect it to go for years yet with no major problems. Can I expect that from another truck? There are no guarantees that another cheaper or smaller truck will be any more dependable.

Bob, I honestly have no idea what the price of fuel is there any more. I always just tell them to fill it up. When I bought the truck in 2003 it cost me 500 pesos to fill up the empty tank. Today it is just a few pesos under 1,000, about US$73. Years ago I did change all 4 springs and shocks (expensive!) and was very disappointed with the small improvement in the ride. Now I am wondering if I should at minimum go for a 4 link rear suspension and air bags. Wish I could find a few guys that have gone this route to let me know if it is worth it. When I made the spring changes I did consider going full Kelderman Air Suspension and always regretted not doing that once I found out how stiff the ride still was after the spring mods.

Modified both front seats to air and that made a huge difference in the ride. The rear seat passengers still have it pretty rough. The other thing that helped the ride quite a bit was the Sulastics.

Lary, great idea. Then I would also have free fertilizer for the garden. Only problem is now I need to spend even more cash to buy some extra property to keep the burros.

Still open to all suggestions and "helpful" comments - like Lary's.

 

Honestly, without trying to start a war, the Toyota is the only one I would consider on your list of choices..

Just my .02...

 

-No ideas from me but I was wondering about the tags.
-Is there a benefit to nationalizing it and why does it cost so much?
-Do they frown on keeping vehicles registered out of country? I would assume they do because of the lost revenue and I wonder how they keep track.

 

been in a few, in rough situations....

Tundra was comfortable all around- until you went on rough roads...cattle car.

GMC canyon was a basic truck one step above go cart, no diesel. but most capable and great mileage, easy to work on. 4 door only on short short box, but lots of custom suspension available.

frontier was knee knocker and I am only 5 foot. sporty, rugged ...but for a younger group....

I would advocate the jeep wrangler x, diesels may be available outside the US. low to enter, very comfortable on rough roads, easily handles the quick response and not too large.

Honda four trax any cheaper cost? VW?

 

I knew it was too good to be true....I finally get a great idea and somebody uncovers the down side of it......

 

Stan if ride is your only real problem I have a couple of thoughts .

If you are running the 10 ply tires that it came with the truck change over to some 16 in passenger tries or to maybe a 6 ply then play with the air pressure.

If its paid for and still runs good you can afford to do quite a bit to it and still have a lot less in it than a new one.

But if you just got that new truck bug just trade it and be done with it because no matter what we say you will just trade it anyway

 

From my perspective, this is the point to focus on. If the rough ride is your only real problem, then I would unhesitatingly change her over to air, not sure I would go full boogie 4 link yet, but I would definitely lose several leafs and add bags at a minimum.

My biggest thought about a smaller, different brand truck is this, when these roads are pounding you enough to make you uncomfortable, what will they be doing to the smaller frame, suspension, etc. of the replacement truck?

Yea, I understand the whole thing is lighter, and thus less stress, but I am still convinced a full size Dodge will outlast the other choices mentioned.

 

I don't think his wife needs ANOTHER air bag, she's already got Stan.

 

Not a problem to drive foreign registered vehicles in Mexico with out of date tags. Mine are almost 2 years out of date at the moment, however just recently in Mexico City the cops have been using that as an excuse to extort fines from unknowing foreigners. The problem comes when I cross the border again into Texas and need to drive for a short while until I can get insurance and new tags. Cannot obtain a paper license at the border because my tags are out of date and consequently need to go to the issuing office. So far no cops have stopped me, but it is always a worry.

According to Mexican law a vehicle needs to be a minimum of 10 years old before it can be nationalized. It has something to do with protecting new car sales. Now that my truck is 10 years old I can make it Mexican. The advantage is that at this age, the insurance and local tags are much cheaper. Another advantage is that I then do not need to worry about frequently going up to Texas for new tags. Also, if at some stage I do decide to sell my truck in Mexico, i can probably sell it for more money than I can in the states. Another advantage is that the Mexican cops, particularly in large cities will not try to pick on me.

The expensive cost is due to the fact that I am almost forced to use a broker to ensure that part of the process is missed. If I miss anything, then I need to start all over and lose the money already invested. Typical corrupt government. Using a reputable broker ensures that all paperwork is complete.

 

As soon as the first set of small BFG's wore out I switched to 315 Yokohama's. Have used Yokos on various vehicles and in each case they improved the ride. Yes, I knew that the softer sidewalls could cause some sway when towing, but figured that everything was a compromise to make the ride softer. With no load I run 35 psi in front and 30 psi or even 25 psi on the rears.

No, do not have the new truck bug.

Of course, could always install a concrete bedliner to smooth the ride. Too bad Lary couldn't figure that out.