10 vintage pickups for $20,000 or less
Who doesn’t love a vintage pickup? With their simple layouts and sturdy construction, there are plenty of examples of old iron that would make great projects. We’re not trying to rationalize adding another vehicle to your collection, but if you’re already eyeing that empty bit of space in your garage and picturing how you’d fill it, perhaps a classic pickup truck isn’t the worst option. True, that spot might have to be a bit bigger than the space needed for a sporty roadster, but you typically can’t fit a pair of motorcycles or half a cord of wood into the trunk of a Triumph. OK, maybe we are trying to rationalize adding another vehicle to your collection.
We had our valuation specialists look through the latest numbers and we picked out a wide variety of pickups from an array of manufacturers that can all be had in #3 (Good) condition for less than $20,000. A vehicle in #3 condition could be a candidate for sprucing up or enjoying as-as, and putting the bed to use as intended. This list of sub-$20,000 pickups is far from exhaustive—there are plenty more out there that should fit just about every classic pickup lover’s fancy. Do any of these parts haulers and workhorses have a place in your collection?
1930 Model A open cab pickup
![1930 Ford Model A Pickup](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2023/12/access-1930_ford_model_a_roadster_pickup_truck_neg_55365-e1702596300587-1024x630.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=394&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
The Model A Ford was available in a staggering number of body styles, from roadster and cabriolet to coupe, sedan, and pickups both with and without a metal roof. This is one case where the adage, “if the top goes down, the price goes up” doesn’t apply as the roadster pickup has recently dropped in price to come in under our $20,000 threshold. All of the same hot-rodding principles apply to these pickups, and while their banger engines can be hopped up, they also look and perform quite nicely with a flathead V-8 swapped in and the hood sides removed to show it off.
1959 Studebaker Deluxe 1/2-ton 259 V-8
![1959 Studebaker Deluxe 1/2-ton 259 V-8](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2023/12/1959-Studebaker-Pickup-Mecum-e1702595881373-1024x527.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=329&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
Studebaker ushered in a new generation of pickups in 1960, with sheet metal based on their car lineup, so the 1959 pickups were nearing the end of an era. These curvy trucks eschewed the quad-headlamp look that the Big Three had all adopted by 1959, so they might have looked a bit dated when new, although we think the style has aged just as nicely as many of its contemporaries. The half-ton we picked comes with a 259-cubic-inch V-8. If this were in our collection we’d enjoy taking it to shows, and it’d no doubt be the only one of its kind in attendance.
1967 Chevrolet C10 short-bed fleetside 327 V-8
![1967 Chevrolet C10 short-bed fleetside 327 V-8](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2023/09/Patina-orange-67-C10.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=427&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
Another that came in just under our $20K cap, the first year of a new pickup generation brought the ’67 Chevy pickups gorgeous styling. This was the only year of this era without side marker lights, making for a clean, uncluttered design. This generation has aged well and has been a mainstay among pickup fans for ages. The long trailing arms used on the rear suspension of the 2WD pickups gave them great handling for the era and their enduring popularity have helped aftermarket suppliers make all sorts of restoration and restomod parts available. Equipped with a 327 cubic-inch small-block V-8, this could be a great parts hauler to match your Bow Tie muscle car.
1973 International Wagonmaster 1110 392 V-8
![1973 International Wagonmaster 1110 392 V-8](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2023/12/1973-International-Wagonmaster-Ad-e1702596347582-786x1024.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=834&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
International Harvester built several interesting vehicles despite being outmanned and outspent by the Big Three, and as a result they’ve also cultivated a sizable cadre of dedicated enthusiasts. They were sort of like the AMC of pickups and SUVs, except that AMC also made pickups and SUVs. We think you get the point. The Wagonmaster was an ingenious product that proved to be way ahead of its time. The concept: take a four-door SUV and remove the rear roof section to build a crew-cab pickup. It’s the recipe that would eventually give us the Chevrolet Avalanche decades later. The Wagonmaster also existed long before crew-cab pickups became the largest share of the pickup market, so if you’re looking for the combination of four-passenger practicality and short-bed utility in a pickup from the ‘70s, your options are limited. The one we picked is powered by a big International V-8 engine, that comes in a displacement familiar to Mopar fans: 392 cubic inches. International’s family of V-8 engines are known for being heavy as heck, but they also come with a reputation for being bulletproof.
1979 Jeep J-10 Custom Townside short bed 4×4 360 V-8
![Jeep Trucks 1973](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-15-at-8.11.08%E2%80%AFAM-e1702646083595-758x1024.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=865&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
Before the Gladiator was based on a Wrangler and the Comanche was based on the XJ Cherokee, Jeep’s pickups were built on a full-size platform shared with the venerable Wagoneer. These pickups were powered by AMC’s inline-six or the optional 360 V-8 like the one we’ve chosen here, and the 4×4 versions came equipped with Jeep’s Quadra-Trac 4×4 system with low range. These pickups might be a bit more difficult to find parts for compared to their Big Three contemporaries, although there are plenty of reproduction graphics available to give it a Honcho or Golden Eagle upgrade, which kind of makes up for it. The Golden Eagle models are a bit more desirable and fell just outside of our $20,000 cap.
1985 Toyota SR5 4×4 Xtra Cab 22R-E
![Back to the Future replica Tacoma truck](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2021/10/1514588a-8dcb-4401-b61e-25f4836bcc3d-1-1632232795253@2x.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=359&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
The styling of the 1984-1988 Toyota pickups has aged quite well in our opinion, and the values of SR5 4x4s across the range is rather similar, so take your pick of 2bbl carbureted 22R engine or the fuel-injected 22R-E model for a bit more power. We gave our nod to the 1985 model for a couple of reasons. It was Marty McFly’s pickup of choice and looks great with a mild lift and some added lights, even if you don’t want to go full Back to the Future regalia. It also was the final year of a solid front axle in 4×4 models, making it easier to upgrade for some weekend off-roading. These tough and simple trucks were at the forefront of building Toyota’s reputation for reliability.
1985 F-350 Crew Cab 4×4 460 V-8
![1985-Ford-F-350-Crew-Cab](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2023/12/1985-Ford-F-350-Crew-Cab.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=408&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
You’d have to clear a massive parking spot for this behemoth, one of the largest pickups in our lineup. In exchange you’ll get a roomy cabin with seating for up to six, an eight-foot bed, and a gargantuan big-block V-8. Ford had yet to make the switch to fuel injection, so you’ll have ample opportunity to tune up the 460 with your choice of parts or convert it to EFI, which Ford did itself in 1988. It’s true, the big-block is no powerhouse by today’s standards—today’s F-150 comes with a base 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 that can outpower this 460, but it’s tough to knock the simplicity of this pushrod brute.
1987 GMC V1500 4×4 350 V-8
![](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2023/12/1987-GMC-v1500-Mecum-e1702595924468-1024x577.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=361&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
Square-body GM 1/2-ton pickups have seen renewed interest in recent years, and 1987 is the youngest, most developed model year you can buy in. By then, GM offered throttle body injection, and while crude, the system was also reliable. Top-shelf square-bodies can far exceed our $20k cap, but there are still plenty of good ones available in a variety of configurations for not too much coin.
1989 Chevrolet K1500 Sportside 4×4 350 V-8
![](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2023/12/Chevy-K1500-stepside-Mecum.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=480&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
The GMT 400 generation of pickups sparked new life into the custom truck scene. Their clean, uncluttered lines look great lowered or lifted. Like its earlier brethren we mentioned, these used a simple TBI injection setup. Their cylinder heads, cam, and intake are among the least impressive ever installed on a small-block Chevy, so a set of remanufactured Vortec heads and a new intake that reuses the factory TBI is an OEM option for a major upgrade.
1990 Dodge W150 short bed 4×4 360 V-8
![1990_Dodge_Ram_Pickup_D150_Shortbed ad](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2023/12/1990_Dodge_Ram_Pickup_D150_Shortbed.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=524&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
Just like Ford and GM, Dodge got a lot of mileage out of its 1970s-era cab design, with Dodge using the same basic structure from 1972 until the radical semi-truck-inspired Ram debuted in 1994. By the late ‘80s, Dodge had adapted TBI to its LA-based small-blocks, just as GM had done with its V-8s. Despite not having any design language in common with modern Rams, these trucks have a charm all their own. The 360 V-8 would wake up with a tune-up and we’d be tempted to backdate it with Macho Power Wagon graphics from the late ’70s.
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Little known fact: the 1993 Dodge Ram restyle ws inspired by the 1950’s era Studebaker trucks.
A. Ski, I thought the restyled Dodge truck, which was introduced for the 1994 model year, was based on the style and look of the 1958-1960 Dodge truck. Maybe Dodge “borrowed” that look, for 1958, from Studebaker?
I see lots of El Caminos out there in decent shape or better for under $20K. Some people don’t consider them to be pickup trucks, but state governments do when you go to register them. on top of that the bed is bigger than a typical modern crew cab pickup, and they haul loads well with air shocks that were part of the original equipment.
Always loved the late 60’s El Caminos. Wish you could find a solid one up here in Maine for under $25
Got my 68 f-100 for 2000, rust free OK truck, was in primer, I painted it CaseIH red, all original 240 six with auto… nice.
I realize this list is not exclusive, BUT, I’m Pretty sure the 73-79 and the 67-72 F series fords fall with in this af”ford”able vintage truck article and is an icon of that period , WHATS UP !!!
You got my attention with the Model A and Studebaker…….then promptly lost it with the remaining 8 choices. I guess it’s just my age, but pickups got utterly boring and repetitious after the 1950’s.
Two years ago I bought a 1990 Dodge W-150 for $5,500. It was a US Forest Service truck painted pastel green and has a nice patina. It has a floor shift trans with granny low and a floor shift on the fly 4WD. It came with gold factory Dodge radial wheels. Initially, I would have preferred not to have the 3.9 EFI engine but now it’s not a big deal. I just drive it, use it and add oil.
Here’s a photo:
/Users/Curtis/Pictures/Photos Library.photoslibrary/resources/derivatives/8/811A265C-8810-4D3E-8F35-AA04476B6E82_1_105_c.jpeg
What about the Jeep Comanche?
Loved my ’89 Comanche “Eliminator”…. Super rare 2WD [in VT….] 4l 5-spd. 11 years and 187K later, it
rusted out from under me. Only chronic problem was front wheel bearings… the inners. Just a felt
dust seal, which didn’t. Easy DIY replace the rotors/bearings fix. Super nice, would have bought another in a heartbeat, but they had been discontinued by Y2K. Damn….
Where are my favorites? The Chevrolet Cameo and GMC Suburban pickup trucks?
I don’t see the 59 F-100. Drove them as an Air Police truck in 1960 in Germany for three years. Big V-8 and an automatic trans that could take a beating. They were used 24-7-365 yet were sturdy as could be with different drivers every shift. Now that’s a work horse.
For me it’s the Model T pickup or the ‘73 Internationally Wagonmaster. 🛻
Hey! How about a Datsun/ Nissan 720 King Cab 4×4? At least as good looking as the Toyota for a lot less money…and for rarity, any Toyota or Datsun pickup built before 1966 or so.
Try to find the IH,Stude anywhere or the Toyota that isn’t a rust bucket. My nephews frame snapped in two on his . Yawn on the others ….if they worked hard as most did they are worse than good!
As nice as these trucks are, I think the EL Camino/Sprint twins deserve to mentioned as well.
I’ll stick with my ‘77 Chevy K10 short bed. Love it. Simple machines anyone can fix.
Facts. I have a 85 K30, big block and manual. Owned 20 years and will continue until our govt makes us stop.
These are way too clean examples for 20k. Let’s have some actual photos that you’d see for sale for $20,000