truck

[fyrfiter734]

i am with nokomis area fire protection district and nokomis witt area rescue squad. Our rescue squad is looking to purchase a good used rescue truck if anyone knows a department selling one

thanks
larry jackson

and thanks for the great new site !

[2650cap]

what exactly are you looking for?  A rescue truck could be almost anything really.  Give me some idea what you mean bud!

[fyrfiter734]

the ideal truck we would like is a crew cab of some sort with a enclosed utility bed

our current truck is an extended cab F250 with a utility box on it. Our rescue squad runs under the umbrella of the ambulance service but does not recieve any moneys from them through taxes or otherwise, We are run strictly on fundraisers and donations. Our current truck is simply mechanically draining our funds with one problem after another. I would say we have about 10,000 to spend on a replacement but thats probably a stretch. Any ideas are appreciated

thanks

[rescuepvrd]

Just my thoughts here.

1. If the u box on truck is good pull it off truck. Sell the f250 for what ever you can get out of it. Then buy a used truck that box will fit on. (I would sell with box)

2. Find a dually (get gas) 95 plus year range (I say dually for the load it can hual). I seen a 95 chevy 3500 daully other day for $2500 (im in ky so price may differ). You can sell a dually bed for $500-900. Then buy a used box to fit it. Im sure you can find one off a wreaked work truck etc for under 2-4k. If you have craigslist for that state put a ad for good dually truck for volunteers. Im sure some one will sell cheap. Only buy 95+ trucks (trust me don't go older) and if dually go chevy (imo any how), but that's up to you guys.

3. The ambulance service updates its ambulancs every few years or based on miles on truck. Talk to them about donating one to you guys or sell cheap. There not worth more then a few k used (not sure which they use so could be wrong) they should be happy to help, but I don't know them you do.

The amb service around here gives there's to vols. To date they have giving 3 away in last few years. 2 to vol. Fire, and one 2000 to rescue squade vol. The always give to vol. here.

Hope that helps.

[2650cap]

I agree with rescuepvrd on the idea of a re-chassis.  I don't necessarily agree with the idea of a gas engine in the fire service.  I know its one of the  biggest debates out there but I am an avid diesel fan.  Maintenance and repairs may be a little more on a diesel but life expectancy is almost 3 times as long.  Gas engines lack torque of a diesel and are prone to overheating. 

I would buy a ford or dodge chassis built after 99.  Both of these manufacturers have very strong engines and both have a solid front axle, compared to a chevy with the independent front axle.  If you are set on chevy go with one built after 2001 to keep away from the old 6.5L diesel made by detroit. 

Hope this helps, any question, feel free to ask.

[rescuepvrd]

Yes with gas always open hood when truck will be running for some time. I used a 95 3500 with no over heating probs running 9 hours blocking road. You have to keep then up just like any thing if you won't a truck to last (change radiator fluids a must). I myself would not go dodge due to there bad rep on trans.(and my passed exp..) The newer modals have good ones, but out of your price range.

I only say gas over diesel thinking of your 10k limit. Its hard to buy a used diesel for less then 8k. A diesel newer then 01 is even higher, but you guys won't run trucks like a fire dept where there running during the hole ops, but again this is just imo.

" If you are set on chevy go with one built after 2001 to keep away from the old 6.5L diesel made by detroit." I agree there, but a diesel 01+ is out of there range even with an old blood sucker 6.5 truck(imo on your 10k stated limit).


Im a diesel man aslo, but my dually is gas. Repair 3 times cheaper then my old diesel and big savings at the pump. So that factors in on my gas thoughts.


Good luck