Can I get a good reliable truck in the $20-$30k?

Ideally, you would find a truck that you like at an upcoming auction, then contact the nearest dealer for whatever kind of truck it is, and then pay the shop foreman like $200 to come meet you out there and let him give it the once over with everything he's got

 

I paid 12k for my 98 9400 international with 700k miles and only 550k on a C15 cat. So yes you can just got to look for them and don't jump into the first thing you see unless looked and gone over every inch of it. I bought it 1.5 yr ago.

 

I know someone close to where I park selling a 1998 t2000 w a 3406 & 10 speed for 15k