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small pick up truck
scssr
Member Posts: 90 ✭✭
I need a small pick up. 4wd so I can get to work on those bad days and also use for hauling stuff what's recommended. Been looking at the ford ranger, dodge dakota, chevy s-10 and open to suggestions. Can't afford new something with a few miles that will still last.
Comments
If you consider a Chevy S10. Better look very closely for rusted frames, spring hangers, brake/fuel lines and cab corners. Do not just look. take a small flat tip screw driver and poke around.
If you are just looking for a 4x4 to drive to work and back. I second the Jeep Cherokee. The 1984 to 1999 4.0 IL6 XJ models are hard to beat. Stay away from the Pioneer model that had the 2.8 Chevy drive line. Those things were junk from the factory and were an embarrassment to real Jeep people.
Main things to look for on a Jeep Cherokee is the engine mount bushings and bolts on the engine. These are a weak link but is easily fixed by removing the complete engine mounts, then drilling and tapping them for 13mm x 32 grade 8 bolts. If in the salt belt. Look for rusted passenger side floor boards above the exhaust pipe and door rocker panels.
Thats just my 2 cents (oh by the way I used to be a die hard chevy guy).
Just tailor it to your needs and wants and pocket. [:)]
a 4WD Toyota Tacoma with a 4 cylinder engine....those things are friggin awesome! I have put mine threw crazy stuff! I have driven it through snow for 250 miles that was unplowed and ranged from 4 inches to 1.5 feet. On the highway in good weather, it being a 4 cylinder it gets decent gas mileage (for a pickup) about 21 mpg. They almost all have great transmissions (manual or automatic) so you will get plenty of torque when needed, and they rarely breakdown (in comparrison to other light pickups).
Thats just my 2 cents (oh by the way I used to be a die hard chevy guy).
+1 if you can find an older toyota p/u, hard to beat the durability...other than rust
+1000 on the Jeep Cherokee for an SUV with the 4.0 Liter, they even made a Comanche P/U version but those are pretty hard to find. They run forever and there are tons of used parts out there to keep it running.
If you live where the roads are salted, and don't keep your truck cleaned, rust will get any of them.
I had a 1991 S-10 that I bought in early 1992 with 14K miles on it. I drove it until late 2000, and sold it with 167K miles on it. I saw it running around town for another five years. The paint looked like heck, but the truck had no rust, and ran strong.
quote:Originally posted by kidthatsirish
a 4WD Toyota Tacoma with a 4 cylinder engine....those things are friggin awesome! I have put mine threw crazy stuff! I have driven it through snow for 250 miles that was unplowed and ranged from 4 inches to 1.5 feet. On the highway in good weather, it being a 4 cylinder it gets decent gas mileage (for a pickup) about 21 mpg. They almost all have great transmissions (manual or automatic) so you will get plenty of torque when needed, and they rarely breakdown (in comparrison to other light pickups).
Thats just my 2 cents (oh by the way I used to be a die hard chevy guy).
+1 if you can find an older toyota p/u, hard to beat the durability...other than rust.
+1000 I worked on them for 22yrs. We had a lot of oil field trucks that were road hard and had very few break downs.
If you look for one a few years old, check the frame for rust, if you are in the rust-salt belt.
Don't get a Dodge Dakota. [xx(]
Ford not too bad, but a Toyota Tacoma is best.
+1
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
quote:Beware of the S-10. Body rust will eat them up. Got one, a 1993, motor still good, but the body is totally gone. I just use it as a farm/going 3 mile to work truck.
If you live where the roads are salted, and don't keep your truck cleaned, rust will get any of them.
I had a 1991 S-10 that I bought in early 1992 with 14K miles on it. I drove it until late 2000, and sold it with 167K miles on it. I saw it running around town for another five years. The paint looked like heck, but the truck had no rust, and ran strong.
That's because you live in Texas, nunn.....[:D]
The only place I've seen rust on vehicles here was on the Gulf Coast.
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Volkswagen_Amarok
VW TDI turbodiesel engine......[:p]
Or a Toyota Hilux with a diesel.
I wish we could get one of these here:
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Volkswagen_Amarok
VW TDI turbodiesel engine......[:p]
That's cool...I'd want the bi-turbo version...300 lbs of torque in that small truck ought to do pretty good.
quote:Originally posted by BTDT
Don't get a Dodge Dakota. [xx(]
Ford not too bad, but a Toyota Tacoma is best.
+1
+2
Dakota-Durango are know for having horrible transmissions.
If you go Toyota or other small pickup with 4 banger, get a manual.
You mileage will suck with an automatic. Plan on 13 to 19 out of an automatic.
For that gas mileage, might as well as have a full size F150 style truck.
I wish we could get one of these here:
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Volkswagen_Amarok
VW TDI turbodiesel engine......[:p]
Or a Toyota Hilux with a diesel.
Yep http://www.volkswagen-hyotyautot.fi/VV-Auto/VW_HA4.nsf/HTML/020.015.010
If your thinking of a truck, just get a full size. The small ones don't get any better mileage or cheaper service than a full.
+1
If your thinking of a truck, just get a full size. The small ones don't get any better mileage or cheaper service than a full.
In some instances this may be true, but it sure is harder to get them onto hunting trails and through heavy snow or mud. Generaly the smaller pickups have a shorter wheel base, and often to better through this kind of terrain.
Both of ours leak. We have two 1991 Cherokees. One Laredo and one Limited.
The Laredo is down with the bottom of the motor off to replace the rear main seal.
Need a special tool for the job. Have it.
The Limited will be down when the Laredo is back to running service.
The Cherokees also have a problem with the cooling system.
I could go on but I get ticked off.
Both of these problems most mechanics will tell you are prevalent with the Cherokees.
Jeep Cherokee's[xx(] They have issues. The rear main seal starts leaking at about 115K.
Both of ours leak. We have two 1991 Cherokees. One Laredo and one Limited.
The Laredo is down with the bottom of the motor off to replace the rear main seal.
Need a special tool for the job. Have it.
The Limited will be down when the Laredo is back to running service.
The Cherokees also have a problem with the cooling system.
I could go on but I get ticked off.
Both of these problems most mechanics will tell you are prevalent with the Cherokees.
Do they have the 4.0 inline six cylinder engine?
I've never heard of that issue with the ones that do.
I was thinking a BRAT (them things will go anywhere including goat trails).
Good idea.
Subies are beasts in the snow.
Subaru still make the Brat? [:0]
If not, good luck trying to find one in good repair.
I think they call them the "Baja" now.
I forgot about that.
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Subaru_Baja
quote:Originally posted by swampgut
quote:Originally posted by BTDT
Subaru still make the Brat? [:0]
If not, good luck trying to find one in good repair.
I think they call them the "Baja" now.
I forgot about that.
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Subaru_Baja
I like the looks of that. I knew a gal who had 400,000 miles on her Subaru wagon. They are stone beasts all right.
I'm pretty sure it's based on the Legacy/Outback platform.
They just made what would have been the cargo area in the station wagon into a pickup bed.