Truck questions

My beloved old Ram is history, thanks to a minor fender bender and the cruel algorithms of the insurance company. I won't have much to work with (around $7500), so I will have to buy something older and/or high mileage. I average 45k miles/year, so I need something reliable. Also, my work frequently takes me off-pavement, and I feel like I need something a little more rugged than this S10 I'm borrowing right now. That said, I have some general questions.

Diesel--any reason to avoid a diesel engine?

4WD--I have been dying for this since I started fishing, so now is my chance. There are plenty of 4WDs on Craig's List and it looks feasible price wise. But is this a PITA as far as maintenance goes, or a big risk of potential headaches?

Make/Model--any particular make or model that's known for lasting forever?

Toolbox--how much can I ask for my UWS toolbox? Black diamond, year and half old, very good condition. Deep box (19" I believe), will only fit a Dodge with extended bed/wheel base, not sure about other makes. State Farm wants to give me $90 for it, but I'll let it collect dust in the barn before I give it to them for that price.

Toyotas are gona be up there on reliability and low cost to keep up. Parts are usually kinda high and folks are proud of em ( usually pretty expensive to buy) The nissan titans and frontiers are pretty good trucks and pretty reliable. I was a nissan tech for years so if you find a particular model and have questions I could fix you up. I at the moment have a 07 chevy z71 and it has been a great truck. Every model truck out there is gona have its ups and downs just depends on what you want. As far as the diesel goes I cant say much about those seein as I have never owned one or done much work on em.

Thanks, Erin.

You aren't gonna pick up a diesel in decent shape for 7500 Paige, if you do look at Ford's beware in the diesels, if it doesnt have the 7.3 in it dont even look at it, you may find a 6.0 powerstroke in that price range but it will be a money pit for sure, known for having motor troubles that can cost up to 10,000 to fix.
A 4 door chevy or ford would fit the bill nicely but not sure if you can find one in your price range.

for you if looking for a ford diesel look at 6.7L (won't find one for 7500). If you did get a 6.0 and someone wanted 10k to fix just give me a call-because they don't know what they are talking about. If all you have to spend is the 7500K from the insurance--you're best bet is a used F150 with a 5.0L in it. It would work for you.

I feel for you Firebug. I've been looking into buying a truck that won't bust the family budget, and from where I've looked, $7.5k doesn't buy much truck. I've finally decided to go the route Erin spoke of and am probably going to dive into a new Frontier and bite the bullet every month with the payments. Wish I could afford a Colorado/Canyon, but the lots near me are only getting the top end packages in right now. Supposedly Ford will re-introduce the Ranger next year, but I'm not sure I can hold out that long. Maybe I just don't know where to look, but have found that there isn't much discount for usage when it comes to pickups in the south. Wonder if it'd be worth looking for one in Yankee territory and making the trip for it.

Only problem with the northern vehicles is going to be rust with the road salt and all

Def. don't want one from up north. To put the 7500 into perspective I did get the F350 (6.0L) for 7k--they wanted 12K and I beat them up. The thing is I studied up for a year then looked HARD for a month before I found one I could work with. It just takes alot of time, research, and shopping to get a good deal on a decent truck now days.

Here's one you won't see everyday,,, But she's a real looker, and comes with a smoking nice cummins engine ,,,It's a Diamond T 404 and I believe she's a 1936 model...she's for sale, but more like 34,000....which is a small price to pay for a piece of American history....

That is a lovely truck, Takeum, but about as practical for me as it would be affordable.