A good truck for mining?

**Willy** · Nov 27, 2003, 12:06 AM

I'd like to spend more time in the woods mining & do it in comfort. To that end I was talking to some buds of mine & the consensus seems to be somewhere around a '90 F250 turbo diesel 4x4 5spd with a slide in camper. Right now I drive an '86 Bronco II and, while it doesn't have as much power or room, it's cheap on gas (25-27 mpg). Supposedly the diesels are good on gas and reliable. So, whadya think? Would this make for a decent backcountry prospecting rig?..Will.

**boomer** · Nov 27, 2003, 06:31 AM

willy, it depends on what you mean by comfort and how long you plan to stay. what you need out there, say folding chairs. cook stove, portable pottie, radio. tv. first, the truck. will you be going where a long wheel base may drag. will you be going on narrow trails where turning may be a problem. steep climbing trails. slid in campers are nice but put a lot of unseen dangers into the pot. top heavy, more strain on the running gear. myself, i have two trucks. one is a 1972 international scout that i rebuilt just for treasure hunting. the second is a 1991 full size bronco. i use a small pop up camping trailer that i can leave if i have to use the truck. be sure, what ever you decide that it has a good towing package for carring heavy loads also an external oil cooler. the bronco is automatic, so i have an external transmission cooler. has for a diesel engine, i never used one. but cost, if you have a brake down would be high. i feel safe with gas engines because parts can be found easily and the kid can work on them. boomer

**Hoser John** · Nov 27, 2003, 09:50 AM

I have buried more fords,chevys,dodges,and jeeps than I can count,When it comes to creek crossing,hill climbing,equipment hauling,NEVER left ya stranded EVER--Toyota is my choice by far.But then I do mine for a living and I cross 3 creeks and 22 miles a wet,slippery,cliff riddled,rutted nasty road to do it.I've gotten hundreds of thousands of miles off road experience with every truck made but give me my rice burner.PS turbo is a bloody danger in a 4 x 4--it kicks in and your going uphill,sideways,or wet and you spin,roll,and just not trustworthy at all!! BUT different strokes,whatever floats your boat-buy it!!Tons a au 2 u2-John

**Buck** · Nov 27, 2003, 10:59 AM

it is damm hard to get a diesel to burn gas I have a ford f-350 1 ton that I use for my job but when I am out in the desert I have a Toyota 4x4 with a 7 foot bed with acamper shell on it I sleep in it and cook my meals on the floor of the desert My Toyota is a great little truck but it has a small engine which my ford has a large diesel with lots of power hauling oh yea my toy is a 1983 and running strong

Buck

**kelly** · Nov 27, 2003, 10:01 PM

You bet a toyota is the way to go.My 94 4wheel drive xtra cab takes my wife and me all over the rough stuff. Just got back from stanton,and went to all the gpaa and ldma cliams and then some. I sure like 26 mpg and the size to get in the tight spots. Great mining truck. kelly

**Dave (Pa)** · Nov 28, 2003, 02:38 AM

I own a 89 Chevy Blazer and love it! It's big and roomy and great for lots of things. But' Like most american trucks it won't go everywhere I would like to get to. The Toyota will! There like a Quad with a cab & bed.

**Willy** · Nov 28, 2003, 03:26 AM

I've always been somewhat envious of the folks who pull in with the nice cushy rigs. Usually I'm living out of the back of a pickup or my Bronco II. I used to have a toyota 4x4 & it was a real mountain goat. It was the old style with the solid axle (3/4 ton). It bit the biscuit & I ended up getting the Bronco. Would've bought another Toyota, but finding one that isn't rotted out from the early '80's is tough. Maybe I should just tough it out with what I have & pick up a small cheap trailer...Willy.

**Hoser John** · Nov 28, 2003, 10:11 AM

I bought my 1986, 4 x 4 toy, sr5 long bed,with a righteous paystreak!! With the 84-89 long bed you get the longer,heavier dutier transmissin for a 1 ton,and on mine their is,in addition to 2 range 4 wheel,the LOCKING 0 slip button on the dash board that turns your toy into an army tank.Won't go over 5 mph but I've hauled out DOZENS of mud stuck,rolled,and damaged vehicles in this mode,and yes when I've buried myself to the frame.Its a gas ,ya just push a flat switch and it rises up like magic!!Like I said I always buy american whenever possible but when my life depends on me getting out and to doc I HAVE to know I can get it on now!!Tons a au 2 u 2-John

**wayne** · Nov 28, 2003, 06:43 PM

a model "a" ford pickup is the best car for a miner - it doesn't have any bells or whistles but it does have one redeeming quality - you can put several pans of gravel in the back and by the time that you get where your going the only thing left in the pans is the gold. wayne

**david** · Nov 28, 2003, 07:03 PM

The BIG question is how far are you from your site to the closest diesel fuel ? A real big problem in some places. How many have gotten a punctured fuel tank four wheeling ?Just things to consider.
I'll stay with my ford pickup have fun

**Hardpan** · Nov 29, 2003, 07:32 PM

I have four-wheeled my Nissan Frontier through the roughest, highest passes in Colorado, where the only other vehicles seen are jeeps. Most domestic trucks are just too wide, and have too long a wheel base, to get through the rock and snow slides, the eroded half-trails, and thread their way through the boulders. I have also taken my Frontier to the remotest mining areas, over the worst terrain, here in Arizona. I have also owned Toyota 4X4's and swear by them. I vote for the rice burners. Nuff said, Hardpan

**Buck** · Dec 01, 2003, 04:31 PM

job what a job :?: :?: Buck

**cptbil** · Feb 02, 2004, 09:01 PM

I have had to Pull TWO of those new Dodge monster diesels out of the creeks!
They just don't have the right power to weight distribution!
AND!
They seem to love to "Bottom out"!
I know!
What do I have to pull them out with ?
I run a 1977 Jeep 4dr Wagoneer w/360 V8, a Turbo 400 AT (GMC's hd truck trans), and full time (Quadratrac) 4WD!
Terrible gas mileage, but! a fantastic 4X4'er!
I am a FT TH'er/Prospector, spending months a year out in the field!
I won't trade for anything else, believe me!
I am the second owner!
I have had it for 10 years and I know what it can do!

**sgtfda** · Feb 05, 2004, 11:07 PM

I have a 85 Ford 4x4 short step side with a 300 st, 4 speed with granny gear. Easy to work on and that baby goes anywhere

**cptbil** · Feb 06, 2004, 09:13 PM

A Model "A" !
Who said that?
Have you seen the lastest prices for a good running one?

**Buck** · Feb 07, 2004, 11:02 AM

Who owes a JEEP____ I would not have JEEP with -in 10 FEET of my toyota<G> <G> buck

**cptbil** · Feb 15, 2004, 10:17 AM

ops: Well! Mr Buck!
'lest we forget who we have to thank for the modern 4x4 !
All others are..........imitators, copies or "wantta be(s)"!
:twisted: So! There :!: :
And! Yes!
If you reread your "post", "who owes a Jeep" :?:

We all do ! (We all owes Jeep alot)

**Buck** · Feb 16, 2004, 08:42 AM

:shock: Well Bill I don't give rat's butt what you think or do as I wrote before I WOULD NOT__have a jeep That is THAT Ya I know that the military is resposible for the jeep But NOT all nations Have jeeps in thier armed forces OR do they :?: :?: MR BILL. Don't get me wrong Jeeps are ok but I just like my little toyota 4x4 more It is the american way you know I have the right to voice my opinion on what I like Don't I :?: :?: so in closing buy what you want and enjoy it Buck

**pityocamptes** · Mar 04, 2004, 02:59 PM

IHC's (International Scout) rule. Binders have been around since the 1800's (farm equipment) and still keep running...

**Buck** · Mar 04, 2004, 07:48 PM

True True The best made

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