Beginner with Mudding/Off-Roading and looking to buy a truck. Any advice?

Question

So, I'm from the Boston area and looking to start mudding. I want to buy a truck, preferably '73-'87 Chevy (maybe a Ford or GMC but unlikely) like an '86 K20 or one like that. I'm looking to put on a 6-inch lift and some boggers for good mudding. Any beginner's truck or advice/ideas? All answers are appreciated!

Answer 1

mudding is really hard on the truck so find a good 3/4 ton or 1 ton 4x4 look for one owned by some old guy who took good care of it. Be patient and keep looking for the right truck that is all stock. Chevy and GMC are more or less the same manufacturer. chevy is more popular GMC tend to have nicer interiors and have some extra chrome and stuff a lot of chevy do not have. You want to always use low gear on the transfer case when mudding in 4x4 The engine and tranny work extra hard when your spinning 500 lbs of mud in all 4 wheels and you will not know what happened until it burns up the transmission if you leave the truck in hi range.

There are the trucks with a second gear shift to put the transfer case in low or high or 4x4 get one of these they are far more dependable and a lot stronger than that shift on the fly crap where you just push a button. Heavy duty trucks work a lot better for beating the piss out of your truck. half ton trucks are made from car parts and just do not hold up to the job. I have rebuilt my half ton running gear and a year later went back in and it was all tore up again from the rough mountain roads and hlls and mt that we all manage to find. I was pissed it was like taking a thousand bucks and throwing it in the river. see ya ! So yea the suspension may be stiffer with the 1 ton but your truck will not just fall apart when you use it.

Answer 2

I will say to go with a 4wd. The amount you will get back when you re-sell it will make it almost cost the same for the amount of time you have it. I really can't tell you if you'd rather have a Ranger or F150. They're entirely different vehicles, that's for sure. Rangers feel cramped, but they're awesome for just riding around in and getting great gas mileage. F-150s are much more ruggedly built, and comfy, but you're gonna pay for it at the pump (and probably at the time of purchase). Also to factor is how much the bed will be used. Are you ever going to tow anything? When, if ever, will you need the extra pull of the full-size? I know you won't go with it, but I suggest a Tacoma. Toyota trucks are insanely reliable, have great resale value, and are a blast to drive. And plus, they are by far the best looking compact truck once you put some 31x10.50s on them. I don't know why they don't just sell them with those being the standard tire. :-)

Answer 3

i don't know about older trucks, but my 04 GMC Sierra 1500 has proved itself to be a capable mudder. it's mostly stock, the only modifications are a front bull bar(which has saved my bumper from the ground while hitting a few surprise holes) and slightly larger than stock(1 inch to be exact) all terrain tires. it's also the Z71 off road model so it has stock skid plates(not sure if the regular 4x4 has them or not) which protect the fragile parts on the bottom quite well.

Answer 4

Mud is home to giant truck-eating land snails.

I would stay away from it if I were you.