Need advice/opinions on work truck purchase

I'm looking to buy a 3/4 or 1 ton work truck. I need to be able to pull my 14,000lb equipment trailer hauling my compact track loader and plow snow (mainly my own property, but maybe a few accounts)...

I'm looking in the ~$2500 range...

Been looking at late 80's to mid 90's Fords w/ 460 and manual trans...

Any suggestions/opinions/info?

I traded my '05 Dodge 2500 4x4 Diesel and got my first "real" job because of this sh*tty economy, but I still have my equipment and would like to be able to do some sidework...

Thanks in advance,

 

I thought you weren't supposed to tow with manual transmission...or it isn't good for it at least...

 

That's ridiculous...

99% of 18 wheelers are manual trans...

 

the 460 is a good engine just sucks fuel to bad.

 

I understand, but it wouldn't be a daily driver... just when I had to plow snow or do work which = $$$...

Ideally, I would like a diesel, but am leary of one that old... they are more expensive to maintain and repair...