ddavidv wrote:
Ugh, I wouldn't take any of these suggestions. This sounds more like a "buy my favorite truck even if it makes no sense for you" thread.
I've concluded mini pickups are worthless for any kind of real work (as have you). The mpg is nothing stellar either; I had a 2wd 2.3 stick Ranger and it didn't generate mileage numbers any better than a full size F150 with a six, while retaining all the negatives of a tiny pickup.
The ultimate truck to me is a pre-97 F150 with the 300 six and a stick shift, not difficult to find in a 4x4 version. Engine is as reliable as anything you'll find, gives decent mileage and has wondrous amounts of torque. Only thing that kills these trucks is rust, but if you're shopping the desert country where you now live that shouldn't be a factor.
Post 96 brought the Triton engines with their wonderful habit of vomiting spark plugs. Took many years for them to get past that expensive issue.
Much as I would love to own troopers/BIIs/cherokees (especially cherokees. had lots of fun with one my buddy owned throughout highschool), I'm with ddavidv that for a truck, buying bigger is worth the slight decrese in mpg for the utility it provides. i think the real solution is buy someplace with a bigger garage and own them all! 
My ranger has returned an average of 28.5 mpg over the year and a half I've owned it, which includes some towing, so thats not too bad in my opinion! http://www.fuelly.com/driver/brokeback/ranger
i'm guessing you had an older Lima 2.3?
Is the Triton spitting plugs that much of an issue? We had a 4.6 in an expedition and aside from pinging its whole life, didn't really have any issues with it. I was going to go with the later engines just since they seem to be easier to find in extended cab version, and are also quieter/less abused.
ddavidv wrote:
Ugh, I wouldn't take any of these suggestions. This sounds more like a "buy my favorite truck even if it makes no sense for you" thread.
The OP said:
So, I've been kicking around the idea of a late 90s/early 2000s F150/Chebby/GMC that has 4wd and more room in the cab
Yes, you should do this. Having owned a half dozen pickups of various types I've concluded mini pickups are worthless for any kind of real work (as have you). The mpg is nothing stellar either; I had a 2wd 2.3 stick Ranger and it didn't generate mileage numbers any better than a full size F150 with a six, while retaining all the negatives of a tiny pickup.
The ultimate truck to me is a pre-97 F150 with the 300 six and a stick shift, not difficult to find in a 4x4 version. Engine is as reliable as anything you'll find, gives decent mileage and has wondrous amounts of torque. Only thing that kills these trucks is rust, but if you're shopping the desert country where you now live that shouldn't be a factor.
Post 96 brought the Triton engines with their wonderful habit of vomiting spark plugs. Took many years for them to get past that expensive issue.
You can also shop bowties and Mopars but I just don't care for them so can't guide you on which ones are better. Once you succumb to the charms of a full size pickup, you'll wonder why you resisted for so long. I also looked at enclosed SUV type things (Broncos, Excursions, etc) but the unneeded extra seats just waste interior space, and frankly they are more difficult to sell than a pickup when the time comes.
i actually recommended a truck that i absolutely hate and have no use for.. but a Bronco 2 does have it's place, even if it's not in my driveway..
i guess i could change my recommendation to my default 70's/80's Chevy/GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 with the biggest engine you can find backed by a manual trans if we're supposed to just recommend our favorite trucks..
In reply to novaderrik:
I don't know all that much about the bronco 2, but I'd imagine the wheelbase isn't all that much longer than an xj? Good for dunes, but this needs to get me and my trailer to the dunes without too much trailer wobble.
Seems like my options are under 3k for an early 90s f150/1500 or around 7k for a decent example from the early 2000s. Worth the extra money to go newer?
