Thinking about getting a small used pickup. Need advice.
 

I'm finding that I am bugging my friends more and more for their time and trucks. Little crap here and there, but it's adding up. Also, I think I want to get a trailer so I can go grab cars and bring them home.

I don't want a big truck, and I don't expect to be hauling cars very long distances. So I want to stay away from anything V8 if possible.

Looking for something cheap. Was checking out the used Ford Rangers on CL last night. The long bed, extra cab models with the V6s might do the trick, but I wanted to see what people thought of them as tow vehicles.

Nothing urgent and this is just an idea at this point.

Let me know what has worked for you.

I know nothing about the Ford Ranger,but I do know that the Toyota Tacoma's are very reliable. I'm sure their more $ then the domestics, but worth it in my opinion.

Several years ago I bought a '91 Toyota half-ton. It had 230K on it when I got it. Had a permanent tow-bar attach on front, and was a 'dinghy' for a large RV. Went thru it pretty well, it had been taken care of.

Did an 'Earl Scheib' $200 paint job (same color) and I did all the prep. Put a fresh long block in it last month. I pull a 18 foot pontoon boat, a 16 foot enclosed with a heavy bike inside, and routinely have the bed full of 3/4 or a full yard of gravel or river stone. I put Delco air shocks on the rear, and have 235/70's on it as well.

My only complaint is the 22RE 4-cyl engine. I have to turn the A/C off to make the 4300 foot climb from the lake to the house and maintain the speed limit in 3rd gear.

The guys at the supply yard say only the Toyotas actually haul a half ton.

Truck was $1200, tires, wheels $400, paint $200, longblock, clutch, rad hoses, misc $1800.

$3600 total. Would do it again in a heartbeat. It has 278K on it now.

I want a 1983 Mazda B2000. It was my first car (truck) and I have never forgiven myself for letting it go.

'99 Ford ranger XLT 2 wheel drive here. IF you insist on a 4.0 engine with a towing package, it MIGHT be adequate. The automatic is known as not being too strong tho. Ours has gone about 55,000 miles with ZERO problems. It's been a great grocery getter and light hauler.

But really, for car towing? I'd strongly suggest you get a full sized 1/2 ton at a minimum. If automatic, be sure you have a front mounted trans fluid cooler.

(edit) The ranger is a Mazda, really...

I picked up an 80 Camino last year for 3K, V6 , 3 speed on the floor, just for the dump trips etc, kinda turning out to be my D Driver, its nice and no rust, figure I can keep it for a few years and sell it for what I paid, havin a truck is almost a needed thing, I hate asking favors, the cost of pay back is always too high

Okay you said no full sized truck but you may want to rethink that one. Ya can carry 4X8 sheets of plywood, 8 foot 2X4's and still close the tailgate, they are safer, cheaper, and are cheep to maintain. JMO but a small truck is like car with a big trunk.

I had a 1993 3.0 ranger king cab 2WD. I drove it to 130k, and I think I spent $250 on repairs the entire time I had the truck. It still had the original clutch when I sold it. Great truck.

But as a tow vehicle? I dunno, might be a bit light for the job. You can always just rent a truck for towing.

Those older small pickups are not good for towing anything sizable - Sure you may have done it but was it wise?

Joe's at the point in life where he's used up a lot of his stupid...Granted - he's still got plenty left. Best save it for something exceptional rather than just being some dork who is trying to tow too much for his truck.

I towed my 914 a couple of times on a rented uhaul trailer using my 4x4 V6 Xterra. The truck had enough power for it - even through a few hills but not enough weight to anchor that trailer. There were times where I felt the trailer was taking over. Something that is a huge risk and happens pretty often.

If you need to tow stuff, get a truck that is large enough for the job.

Like I said, save up your stupid for a story worth telling.

When I started looking at smaller V6 trucks I was shocked to see their MPG were very similar to the V8 in the larger trucks. I would go with the full sized truck and the V8.

The towing part was really "optional" or "future". Trips to the junk yard, various furniture errands, motors, transmissions, parts, etc... would make up the bulk of it's duties.

A small pickup might make for a good DD too.

I'd love to get an old VW diesel pickup (caddy - rabbit based), yank the diesel and shove in a worked 2 liter, but I want to buy something that runs and drives that I don't have to futz with.

And don't worry Mike, I still has plenty of stupid left. Remember, I have three daughters.

.ps The oldest daughter is 9. The first guy that asks for pics gets a visit from my cousin from Jersey. Capisci?

The VW pickups were front wheel drive...the more load in the back, the less traction up front.

Those girls...that wife...you're in a lot of trouble.

If I call the office right now you won't pick up right - I'll just get that voice mail girl right?


If things pick up for me in the next year or two I feel like a truck is in the cards for me. Probably something used but I might go full sized, long bed, V8 and 4 doors. I could just be dreaming though. I would be very happy with a little beater Toyota to get me from point A (the flying field) to point be (home) and so forth. Maybe then I can start fishing out here too...

The Volvo serves its purpose well enough but Daddy just doesn't feel right without a truck.

Yeah - I am a hot rodder at heart, so it kinda defeats the purpose of a working truck.

Nope. I will answer.

Wait till you see my volvo. :D

No message for you then!

My grandpa has a 05'-ish Ranger that I borrow occasionally for hauling furniture, etc.
It rides terribly! No modern car should ride that poorly.
Also, for the size/weight/displacement of the vehicle it gets AWEFUL fuel economy.
He's had the truck for sale, and fairly cheaply at that.
Coincidentally, I am in the market for a late model car/truck...
But I WILL NOT buy that truck.

Simple fix there...dump the stock spaghetti shocks for a set of Edelbrock IAS shocks.

I vote F-150 with the inline 300ci 6 in it, posi rear end. Best damn engine under the sun. I currently have an F-150 with 238,000 miles on her. She's ugly, but the damn thing starts every time, and gets me to Lowes and the dump and such. I had it loaded up with 1508lbs of stone last week (the scale doesn't lie.....I hope.....), and she pulled it along just fine.

i would never tow too much of a load with a compact truck. not enough wheel base to keep things right. i almost died with a full sized bronco...now, one word...OVERKILL! i want big brakes, big truck. but i do see people pulling the most amazing loads with V6 toyotas.

i had a chevy ZR2 S-10. it had the 4.3L motor, and it got 15 mpg. ridiculous.
my friend has a 95ish, 2wd, extra cab, stickshift toyo, that runs fantastic and gets excellent mileage. he may get buried in that truck.