10 Used Pickup Trucks That Will Run Forever

Sep 30, 2023

When a used truck runs forever, why would you want to spend the money for a new model that will just break down on you?

One of the biggest reasons for buying a new truck every couple of years is to ensure that you always have a pickup that is in top-running condition. When you constantly keep trading in the old for the new, unless you end up with a model that is having a very bad year, there will never be any need for costly repairs. But what if there was a better way?

Used trucks can be a more cost-effective way to manage your expenses because as the technology continues to improve, the dependability of the vehicles continues to increase. But then again, you can look back at some of the older classic trucks with 150,000 miles on the odometer, but you know they have rolled over at least once, probably more.

Knowing which of those used work trucks will run forever may help you decide which used model is the best choice for you. The best trucks for construction work will not always be the best ones to play off-road in, so make sure you match your needs to the truck you want. Otherwise, you will be disappointed with the one you end up with.

We have compiled most of the data here from Consumer Reports and J.D. Power, but actual customer feedback has also been taken from Cars.com, Carsurvey.org, CarEdge.com, and RepairPal.com. All this ensures we provide you with the most accurate information possible.

RELATED: 15 Most Reliable Pickup Trucks

The 2000 Ford F-350 is a heavy-duty truck built to work and tow, but it can easily be an off-road adventurer with the proper set-up. The truck came with a 5.4L V-8, 6.8L V-10, or a 7.3L diesel engine. The 7.3L Power Stroke is a legendary diesel engine that is highly sought after in the segment because it is well-known for its reliability and work ethic.

Reading through the numbers of owner feedback, one thing becomes quickly apparent; they love their Ford F350s with the diesel engine under the hood. They claim that with regular maintenance and upkeep, their trucks run for as long as they need them to, without ever having to invest a substantial amount of time or money into them.

If there was ever any doubt about a heavy-duty work truck being taken off the front lines and making a decent show truck, the 2004 Ram 3500 shows it is more than possible. But, you already knew that the Ram was a great truck because it is quickly becoming one of the best in the industry.

Even though the online reviews show that the average evaluation from consumers for the 2004 Ram 3500 ranges from 7 out of 10 to 3.5 out of 5, the low numbers are a little misleading. Owners are only unhappy with the truck's lack of options and mid-range trim levels that would allow them to use the pickup on more of a daily driver basis. As a work truck, not much can compare.

The 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is also a work truck that can be used as a play truck or even a daily driver because it is not as stiff as the 3500HD. One of the most awesome features that could have been added as an option is a backup camera display in the rearview mirror.

The mid-range Chevy work truck receives a 5 out of 5 by Consumers Report. It came with the choice of a 6.0L V-8 or a 6.6L turbo diesel, as well as other fundamental decisions such as four-wheel drive and extended cab. The Duramax diesel provides good acceleration and performance overall and is extremely reliable when the maintenance schedules and required upkeep is completed on time.

RELATED: 15 Pickup Trucks With Best Towing Capacity

Like most trucks today, the 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD was offered in two-wheel and four-wheel drive configurations. Still, disappointingly they were not offered with a selectable gearbox. Under the hood, you will find either a 6.0L gasoline-fed V-8 or a 363 horsepower 6.6L turbo diesel that can push out up to 660 pound-feet of torque.

The 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD has the same reliable diesel engine as the Chevy Silverado 2500HD. You know it makes a great work truck, especially as a construction work truck. It is also reliable as a play truck or adventurer on the backroads. Consumer Reports has given it a 5 out of 5 reliability rating and shows through customer feedback that the Duramax Diesel is an engine built to tow, with very few complaints lodged by current or past owners against it.

Just like the Ford F-350 mentioned earlier, the 2003 Ford F-250 came with the choice of three different engines under the hood and a two- or four-wheel drive configuration. The 5.4 Triton V-8 was an option, but it is best avoided because of its associated problems. The other options were the 6.8 V-10 and the amazing 7.3L turbo diesel that could push out up to 525 pound-feet of torque.

The best heavy-duty Ford to get is the one powered by the 7.3L Power Stroke diesel. If you prefer a gasoline-fed engine, the V-10 is also a great engine that can be relied upon to get the job done, but it only gets about 10 mpg in the city, so if that is an issue, be aware of the costs. Overall when looking through the review sites, the 2003 F250 gets at least 4.5 out of 5 stars, so it is safe to say that it is a reliable pickup truck.

If you are looking for a reliable pickup truck that you can use for work, play, and daily driving, one of the best choices on the market is the 2003 Ram 2500. It came with the choice of three different engine sizes, starting with the 5.7L Hemi. Next was the 8.0L V-10, and then one of the most popular choices, the 5.9L inline-six Cummins turbo diesel.

Overall, consumers like you have had varying reviews on the 2003 Ram 2500, but most state that the truck continues to drive on and on and on, like the Energizer Bunny. Owners use their Ram trucks for various tasks, from working on construction sites and home improvement projects to hauling things to the lake and campsite. In contrast, others prefer to use it for daily needs such as trips to the store and dropping the kids off at school. Kelly Blue Book gave it a Reliability score of 4.6/5

RELATED: 15 Most Unreliable Pickup Trucks

It is tough to pick just one year of the Toyota Tacoma to add to this list because most of the Tacomas, and to be totally honest, the Toyota trucks all the way back into the 80s, have a reputation for being tough and reliable. For the sake of argument, though, because it had to come down to just one, the 2000 Toyota Tacoma is the number one pick.

The 2000 Tacoma came with a few options, just like the other work trucks on this list. The first, which is the standard engine in all two-wheel drive versions, is the 2.4L four-cylinder. The optional engines are the 2.7L four-banger and the 3.4L six-cylinder that can push out 190 horses. The best thing about the Tacoma is that it has so many trim levels that you can match the exact truck to your specific needs, including an offroad trim level designed to maximize any driving off-the-beaten-path.

Nissan may not be one of the companies you would expect to see on this list, especially if you are looking for one of the best trucks for construction workers, but you may be surprised. The Frontier can easily handle basic tasks up to towing 5,000 pounds and hauling 1,779 pounds.

Since the 1999 Nissan Frontier is not strictly designed for work, there are numerous trims and styles to choose from. Owners across the internet all have negative things to say about the truck, but most are simply problems that could have been caught during routine maintenance. Otherwise, people that park the Frontier in their driveways plan to keep them until they replace them with a newer Nissan. The 1999 Nissna Frontier received 5/5 stars from cars.com

The debate still continues on, and it probably will until the end of time, about whether the Chevrolet Avalanche is a truck. According to the class it falls under, it is a pickup, and since it is one of the most reliable on the market, it deserves a place on this list.

The people at J.D. Power gave the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche an overall reliability rating of 82 out of 100, which placed it in 3rd overall in the large light-duty pickup truck class. The truck came with the choice of three engine options, all of which are reliable. The 5.3L V-8 or the 5.3L E85 V-8 is basically the flex fuel engine and the non-flex fuel engine. The final option is the 6.0L V-8, the powerhouse of the three available engines.

Now that the best has been saved for last, it is time to discuss the Honda Ridgeline. A truck that many claim will never be a truck because it is a car with a small bed. The truth is that the Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 lbs, and since the average camper is 4,500 pounds, you have a little room to spare.

It may surprise you to find out that people absolutely love their Honda Ridgelines. They complain that the tailgate is not designed to lock, but other than that, they love the style, the comfort, and, most importantly, the truck's reliability. Consumer reports has given Honda a 5 out of 5 for reliability and a 5 out of 5 for customer satisfaction, which you do not see every day from them.

Chad has been a muscle car and classic truck lover since he could walk. The classic vehicles from the '60s and '70s are the best in his eyes, but he is more than willing to give the new technology a chance!