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Let me start by saying that this is my first time at Break time except for reading in the fine publication. Now that I have read through a few discussions I see the wealth of knowledge I have been missing, I feel pretty foolish for not taking advantage of such a great place sooner.
My partner and I have been considering the purchase/lease of a box bed truck and we were looking for some input on different manufacturers. There are an abundance of the little Isuzu trucks here in Atlanta and we have heard great things about them (especially from the salesman). We prefer to base our decision on information from the people who use them not the people who sell them. Any advice or words of wisdom would be appreciated.
We will be using the truck for cabinet installation work mostly and some general remodeling now and then. We are considering a 14′ box with enough headroom to stand up inside. As far as makes and models we don’t have a preference yet, hoping to gather enough information to make an intelligent decision in the next few months. We would be grateful for any help on the subject.
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I think you're talking about what I know as a van-bodied truck ? Besides the ubiquitous Ford/GM cube vans, Hino's are quite popular in this area; quite economical and sturdy. Those little Isuzu's are sold as GMC's here and you see them in equal numbers with the Hino's (they're so much alike, that's it's often hard to tell which is which); but, I've heard from folks who have them that the GM doesn't have the same power or road-feel.
*UD
*Yes, I've been thinking of something like this for a long time now. I presently have an extended van, but it doesn't give the headroom. Bear in mind that, like computers, the more storage the more junk gets collected.
*tim.. both my plasterer & my electrician have the Isuzu...both like them.. the electrician's has the translucent roof panels for daylight..don't know any more about them
*I was involved in purchasing a used Ryder moving truck for a local recycling center. They sell them when they're 5 years old, and they're well maintained. (Obviously they see some abuse along the way, though.)They were pretty happy with it. I think the one we got had a 16' bed, and went for about &11,000.
*We have a '94 GMC (Izuzu) where I work ......automatic .......been reliable, economical (around 15 to 16mpg unloaded), dog slow when fully freighted, and kinda cramped inside for someone my size.
*I bought a 1 ton GMC cut away last fall. That is a GMC van front cut off behind the seats and the box added on. Mine has a 12' Spartan box with the utility body style tool boxes on the outside, open on the inside. I really like it. Stand up room, mounted a vice mount on the bumper, holds all tools etc. I drive around town mainly, fuel milage reflects that, 8-10mpg. Bought mine new, found few new ones that weren't beat to death and still 12-15,000. DanT
*We were the dealer for Mack. (French version of the above sold by Mack like GM sells the Izuzu) Low maintinance and decent fuel economy. We just quit selling them. Over the years the truck division was never able to show a profit. Years ago when I sold GMC trucks, it was the same deal. Fleet buyers would drive all the profit out. So GM gave up and imports them now. They are not the ten year trucks the old GMC's and Fords were. If you get one of those, be aware that the dealers profits are razor thin, if they get tired of red ink, they just shut their door and good luck on getting service.
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Let me start by saying that this is my first time at Break time except for reading in the fine publication. Now that I have read through a few discussions I see the wealth of knowledge I have been missing, I feel pretty foolish for not taking advantage of such a great place sooner.
My partner and I have been considering the purchase/lease of a box bed truck and we were looking for some input on different manufacturers. There are an abundance of the little Isuzu trucks here in Atlanta and we have heard great things about them (especially from the salesman). We prefer to base our decision on information from the people who use them not the people who sell them. Any advice or words of wisdom would be appreciated.
We will be using the truck for cabinet installation work mostly and some general remodeling now and then. We are considering a 14' box with enough headroom to stand up inside. As far as makes and models we don't have a preference yet, hoping to gather enough information to make an intelligent decision in the next few months. We would be grateful for any help on the subject.