Homework assignment

... for y'all.

My brother needs a pickup truck. Something comparable to a Ford Ranger. Four-wheel-drive and an automatic tranny are important (his girlfriend can't drive a proper transmission yet). Also, the budget is a modest $1,500 (maybe $2,000). It should probably work properly too without major repairs. We live in Queens New York.

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Begin!

Must it be 4x4? 2wd is cheaper to buy, maintain, and insure. I vote Chevy S-10 or GMC Sonoma. An early 90's model with a 2.8 v-6 is slow, but bullet proof.

2.8 bulletproof?

LMAO!!!! please...... every person I've known has seriously damaged a 2.8.

pistons through the oil pan, timing system self detonates.... the 4.3 on the other hand

For that price, it'll probably be a ranger. IIRC, they are pretty bulletproof, although from what I've heard thats about all they have going for them (aside from cheap).

The budget thing might be makin it a little difficult, but the best would be Toyota and Nissan.

Uh, Ford Ranger? Almost seems like an obvious choice with the example....

Eric

I hate to say it but the S10 platform is dead reliable(not mine mine is a piece of E36 M3) spend more than $0 on it and you should get a decent one.

S10 w/ 4.3

my buddy puked his ranger trans a few weeks ago.

The 4.3s can be pretty damn reliable. If you get a Vortec one for that price (I know, it's a stretch) make sure you clean out the EGR system regularly or it'll throw fits.

I had a ranger. It was a good truck, why not get one of them.???

Bought it at 70k miles sold at 150k miles. It needed some A/C work, an alternator, a belt tensioner and some brakes in that time period. It was a solid truck. Make sure you check out the auto trans, mine was on the way out at 150k miles.

Bonus points to anybody who pulls a Craigslist ad for one. It doesn't have to be too local--we can drive.

nissan hardbody?

ignorant wrote: I had a ranger. It was a good truck, why not get one of them.??? Bought it at 70k miles sold at 150k miles. It needed some A/C work, an alternator, a belt tensioner and some brakes in that time period. It was a solid truck. Make sure you check out the auto trans, mine was on the way out at 150k miles.

One thing I found out about Ford truck autos is that a transmission fluid flush can make a HUGE difference in how it shifts and operates in general. Not just a night and day difference either. I mean, a summer in the Amazon and Winter on Mars difference.

Step 1: Replace Girlfriend.

confuZion3 wrote:

ignorant wrote: I had a ranger. It was a good truck, why not get one of them.??? Bought it at 70k miles sold at 150k miles. It needed some A/C work, an alternator, a belt tensioner and some brakes in that time period. It was a solid truck. Make sure you check out the auto trans, mine was on the way out at 150k miles.

One thing I found out about Ford truck autos is that a transmission fluid flush can make a HUGE difference in how it shifts and operates in general. Not just a night and day difference either. I mean, a summer in the Amazon and Winter on Mars difference.

yeah in retrospect... I should have had a shop do a proper flush.

Step 1. properly educate girlfriend...

it takes about 25 minutes.

maroon92 wrote: Step 1. properly educate girlfriend... it takes about 25 minutes.

+1

as for the truck, I suggest 91 Ranger + 2.3T + T5 trans.

yur welcome.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/1415536020.html

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/1418442510.html

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/1415271649.html

http://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/cto/1413882453.html

As I said my blazer was had for quite literally a song here are a list of problems it had keep in mind that it wasnt much less pleasant to drive at this stage than the last Cherokee I looked at Broken ujont, bad front wheel bearing, bad ball joints, about half the required engine and transmission oil, no friction material on the front brake pads

Aside from the ride quality of the ZR2 suspension and the howl of the tires it drives great, fairly quiet, no unreasonable squeaks or rattles. It is going to be a sad day when I get rid of it however I need a "nice" car for transporting clients and some more towing capacity (v6 auto is rated to 5500 in all honesty its an interesting drive around 3200 but Im no towing expert)

Haha She owns a motorcycle and rides it relatively well. Together, the three of us have covered 3,000 miles of much of the North Eastern United States.... Since July. She's pretty cool. Haha. (Triumph Speed Triple is her next bike...) Thing is... she sure as E36 M3 ain't learning to drive a proper transmission in my Miata!

Thanks for all the tips! Boneyard, you get 3 extra credit points for the linkies! Once you have 1,000 you get a free GRM t-shirt. (I just have to work that one out with the staff...)

do NOT get rid of her... or if you do.. post up her phone number so somebody else here can snatch her up

Not to be an shiny happy person, but why is 4x4 a requirment in Queens?

maroon92 wrote: Step 1. properly educate girlfriend... it takes about 25 minutes.

Good luck with that!

Fight starts in 5 minutes.

Grtechguy wrote: 2.8 bulletproof? LMAO!!!! please...... every person I've known has seriously damaged a 2.8. pistons through the oil pan, timing system self detonates...

I can't speak for the S-10/Blazer crowd, but they put that same engine in the Cherokee (XJ) for a while and it does not have a good reputation.

my 84 s-10 was THE reason I hated GM for years... avoid that dog at all costs

I had an rat of an 82 toyota pickup and that truck still brings a smile to my face. Wish I hadn't sold it

Yikes, I didn't expect a 2.8 hatefest! I had 3 of these things all push 200k at point of sale. No issues beyond maint. All were 2wd 5-speed and never pulled a trailer. 1984, 1988, and a 1992. They got better as they got newer. The 4.3 is good too, just noisy and a bit thristy. If you are looking at 4x4 though, the 4.3 would be the one to have. The front suspension on the 4wd tends to eat ball joints though. (all years)