What small truck?

Looking to add another vehicle to the list in the name your cars thread. I'm looking for a small, 2WD, 4 cylinder pickup. I've never owned a driveable truck before so I'm not real sure what to look for. Would be used as a beater/light hauler. Fuel economy is also a sticking point.

Budget is about $1000, I realize that this is the "buy the best condition vehicle you find" price range but I'm in absolutely no rush so I can wait for a good example of whatever truck I decide to go with. Trucks of mid 80s to early 90s vintage seem to fall into this price range most often.

Same general questions for each truck: I checked EPA estimated MPG on the fuel economy.gov site but low 20s seems off for a 4 cylinder. How's the real world gas mileage? How reliable are the 4 cylinder models? I love manual transmissions, are they the way to go on a small truck?

S-10: Most common around here, parts would be easy to come by. Literally dozens to choose from every week on CL.

Ranger: Probably second most common. I've worked on Ford 2.3L stuff before so there's at least some familiarity.

Toyota Pickup: Most desired for me and fairly common but prices vary wildly. These tend to be a bit out of my price range usually. Nice ones do pop up occasionally for $1K or less though.

Sadly, Datsun pickups and Rabbit pickups are unobtanium around here. When they do show up, the prices are through the roof.

Anyone want to trade a truck for a Turbo Brick?

So any input? Also, it's another what car thread so get to drinking.

thanks!

Nissan Hardbody?

Rangers are dirt cheap, and if you get a 4cyl stick you can get 25+MPG easy to work on, cheap as dirt to fix because there are so many.

Toyota, nicer, usually more capable, overall better build quality, usually more $$$ (least in the SE)

Dunno much about S10s, my Dad had one when I was little 80s and it was a good truck but nothing special

Raze wrote: Nissan Hardbody? Rangers are dirt cheap, and if you get a 4cyl stick you can get 25+MPG easy to work on, cheap as dirt to fix because there are so many. Toyota, nicer, usually more capable, overall better build quality, usually more $$$ (least in the SE) Dunno much about S10s, my Dad had one when I was little 80s and it was a good truck but nothing special

he answered that datsuns (nissan) are unobtanium.

Ranger - suck on power, but have been the same basic truck for over 20 years. Parts would be easy to find when needed.

Sure, the imports are known for being reliable but at your price range of right around $1k I'll bet that you are more likely to find a better maintained domestic with much more potential to be reliable for your use.
Stated another way, a dogged out import will cost you $1k based on this perception of reliablitiy. For the same $1k the domestic will likely be less abused and therefore return to you more usability.

Also remember to play the fringe...
Isuzu sold the exact same S10 with Isuzu Hombre badges.
Mazda sold the exact same Ranger with Mazda B2300 badges.
No one goes looking specifically for these vehicles so they often get missed in searches and therefore may sell cheaper.
In that same vein be sure to search out the GMC version under its two names of S15 and Sonoma.

I see a lot of Dakotas around here. A bit bigger, but I think they still came with a 4cyl.

The late 80s-90s Nissan hardbodys are plentiful around here, it's just the older Datsun models that have returned to the earth.

EvanB wrote: The late 80s-90s Nissan hardbodys are plentiful around here, it's just the older Datsun models that have returned to the earth.

Yeah, I meant to say the older Datsuns are unobtanium. The 80s-90s Nissans pop up fairly often.

I figure an S10 or Ranger is the most likely scenario. As was mentioned, most Toyotas in my range are pretty beat.

Personally.. id take the ranger over the s10. I prefer the 2.3 to a 2.0 or 2.2 chevy motor by a long shot.

As for the dakota.. 4cyl 5spds are hard to find but i think in the category of 4cyl compact trucks for utility purposes they are top of the heap.

The motor is stupidly simple, reliable, and easy to work on, the acceleration is acceptable with a 5spd, they have more room in the bed, more brakes, and more room in the cab.

Plus both the dakota and ranger 4cyls have semi-simple factory-turbo swaps if you want more power later...

I had a Ranger 4 cyl/5 spd, and a few S10's with the iron duke/5 spd.

The Ranger was a good truck, but I preferred the S10 in every way.

The older Mazda B2000s and B2200s are really tough if you can find a not too rusty one. Slow as snot but the gearbox is nice (5spd - auto would be deathly slow).

Just don't get the carbed one.

My 93 (injected) 2200 was easily the most powerful, and fastest of all the compact trucks I've had but it was definitely the worst driving vehicle I've ever owned, by far. I drove it for 4 years, and hated every minute of it. It was tough, and reliable until it blew the head gasket. If you test drive one, do highway speeds with it. A lot of them develop the Mazda shake at about 55 mph. I never figured out what caused it on mine, and I tried EVERYTHING.

I second Zomby's sentiment. Grab the S10 over the Ranger. Iron Duke FTW.

I had an 89 Nissan HB for a while and it was very good.

I've had a ranger and a toyota. I've ridden in the others.

At that price range, find best example you can find of any of them. Most are stone simple and anyone you find now will have most of the quirks worked out.

rangers are awesome if you love front spring mounts that tear off the frame.

from personal experience i find rangers quite wimpy compared to s10's

You're doing it wrong.

http://dodgepicgall.co.cc/pictures/car/images/61/Dodge-Rampage2432.jpg

am absolutely no value to you at all as nothing in my S10 is from an S10 and I have never had a Ranger.

So I posted just to post up nothing

Did you ever consider a Ranchero/El Camino

aussiesmg wrote: So I posted just to post up nothing

My 2001 Ranger gets 20 mpg even though I run 72 - 75 mph for 25 miles every day; it's a five speed 2.3

I had a Nissan but it rusted away beneath me. The box went south and everything shook. Toyota drivelines last forever, the frames especially around the rear axle rust out.

Dan

I like the toyota as it just keeps going and going. Around here the toyota pickup is one of the favorites for the gardeners and cardboard harvesters. If you've ever seen a harvester in action you know weight limits need not apply. They beat the crap out of them and judging by the numbers around they keep going. They do rust, my 1994 is starting to rust out around the front window.

The Nissan pickup seems more powerful but not as reliable.

My answer is always REPU. Infinitely cool,and your neighbor won't have one.

Chris

PubBurgers wrote: I checked EPA estimated MPG on the fuel economy.gov site but low 20s seems off for a 4 cylinder. How's the real world gas mileage? How reliable are the 4 cylinder models? I love manual transmissions, are they the way to go on a small truck?

Sadly, those EPA numbers are likely to be true.

Trucks get beat up on the gearing. They all get bad fuel economy.

Are you buying a truck primarily for the economy? Consider a full sized older diesel.

Your budget would be tight for a diesel, but possible. I get 20 mpg regularly in my F-250 extended cab, seat 6, tow whatever I feel like.

I bought it because I realized the fuel economy was essentially the same as a small truck, but this one can actually work.

A 6.2L Chevy or a 7.3L Ford are both possibles. Look for high mileage, and you may get close to your budget.

Mine has 400K on it. It is probably not worth much more than you are looking to spend (which is why I won't sell it!). But someone will sell.

Another oddball (but VERY worthwhile) is the Isuzu diesel. Expect 50 mpg, and a lot of rust. But a great option for you.

SVreX wrote:

PubBurgers wrote: I checked EPA estimated MPG on the fuel economy.gov site but low 20s seems off for a 4 cylinder. How's the real world gas mileage? How reliable are the 4 cylinder models? I love manual transmissions, are they the way to go on a small truck?

Sadly, those EPA numbers are likely to be true.

I suggest Fuelly..

http://www.fuelly.com/car/ford/ranger

Volvo wagon with a trailer hitch. My harbor freight trailer cost me $200 on sale. For a bit more you could probably buy or build one out of an actual pickup bed if you need more room. Even with a Turbo you get the same mileage. WAY more comfortable on long trips, loads of creature comforts even on the base models. Ability to haul 5 people if you need something for airport duty (my other car is a Miata). Mine lives with the back seat folded down-I have 8 wheels and tires in back right now with room to spare. They run forever-286,702 miles on the one in the picture. Mine is also modded and is quite fun for a $500 beater

Junkyard_Dog wrote: Volvo wagon with a trailer hitch. My harbor freight trailer cost me $200 on sale. For a bit more you could probably buy or build one out of an actual pickup bed if you need more room. Even with a Turbo you get the same mileage. WAY more comfortable on long trips, loads of creature comforts even on the base models. Ability to haul 5 people if you need something for airport duty (my other car is a Miata). Mine lives with the back seat folded down-I have 8 wheels and tires in back right now with room to spare. They run forever-286,702 miles on the one in the picture. Mine is also modded and is quite fun for a $500 beater

I currently have a 92 740 turbo with just shy of 270k.. Though I do love it, if I'm going to own something that gets such poor gas mileage, it needs to have a bed I can chuck stuff in.

PubBurgers wrote:

Junkyard_Dog wrote: Volvo wagon with a trailer hitch. My harbor freight trailer cost me $200 on sale. For a bit more you could probably buy or build one out of an actual pickup bed if you need more room. Even with a Turbo you get the same mileage. WAY more comfortable on long trips, loads of creature comforts even on the base models. Ability to haul 5 people if you need something for airport duty (my other car is a Miata). Mine lives with the back seat folded down-I have 8 wheels and tires in back right now with room to spare. They run forever-286,702 miles on the one in the picture. Mine is also modded and is quite fun for a $500 beater

I currently have a 92 740 turbo with just shy of 270k.. Though I do love it, if I'm going to own something that gets such poor gas mileage, it needs to have a bed I can chuck stuff in.

So buy a trailer for $500 and TLAO chips for $200 to get another 2mpg and haul whatever. Even if you pay $100 for a hitch you saved $200 and don't have another vehicle to insure and maintain.