I had a Ford F250 for quite a while. Long bed, 4x4, extended cab. Big block that I had rebuilt and bored out to 500 c.i. Body and paint were just ratty enough that people would give me a wide berth. That thing was fun to drive, this was in L.A., it was pretty fast, I could burn rubber and slide the tail around, sat high with a great view, and everyone got out of my way -except drivers of large Mercedes, S-class types, they seemed to be pugnacious as a rule. So, if you didn't care about gas mileage, I found it to be a fine daily driver. I bought it to carry a camper.

Well, as one who has or have owned big & little trucks, new & old (a 64 & 50 Chevy) I can tell you this. If you don't need a big truck to hauling & towing, a small beater Toyota is great, I love mine. Big enough to carry 911 engines & wheels, lumber for home projects, just enough room for beer runs & runs like a top... Not a show truck, dents from the PO, but that keeps it from being a target..http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1273684701.jpg
of course for moving big stuff & moving my race car, this is hard to beat..
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1273684854.jpg
But will always be my favorite, for around town (getting 50 MPG too) was this
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1273685014.jpg
Miss that little truck...

As to helping friends, I don't have a problem doing that, I've always been willing to help my buds out..

+1 for little Japanese trucks. I like the old Mitsubishis - late seventies to early eighties. Absolutely bombproof, and plenty of legroom for taller guys like myself. I had an '84 turbo diesel in high school that got 45mpg.

I really can't fit in a Ford Ranger / Mazda whatever.

I know Toyotas are great, but they always felt a little flimsy to me.

just picked up a 94 f150 full size, 302 fuel injected 5 speed, 4wd, roll up windows, air dual tanks. i am in heaven

a simple lite trailer will carry more then a pickup bed

and most sports cars can tow safely
and totally avoid truck ride and handling issues
plus poor dodge or stopping problems trucks have
no MPG penalty when not in use
very simple cost to own
no insurance costs

I think a 928 plus a trailer would be way more fun then a truck
maybe cheaper too

So true.

My Dad, who is 80, likes to trailer his motorcycle to scenic areas, unload and go ride. When he was a bit younger, he rode the entire route. He also does all his own house maintenance, landscaping, etc. He has a small SUV and didn't want a truck.

He settled on something similar to this: 4ft. x 8ft. Folding Trailer Kit with 4.80-12in. Tires

Laugh at your own expense. He has towed his little trailer across the country a number of times with zero issues, too many mulch and hardware store runs to count, and has moved a ton of stuff.

It folds, fits in a corner of his garage and needs minimal maintenance.

I grew up on a small ranch in California where we had trucks, trailers, horse trailers, you name it. Big iron for the day.

Don't buy what you don't need...stay with the simplest, cheapest tools that work.

Come to think of it, he probably felt that way about me.

Hey guys, this is a funny, but honest ad on a Ford Ranger.
1997 Ford Ranger XLT

After asking around, multiple people told me to get either Toyota Tacoma or Ford Ranger (group 1) for reliability, low maintenance. For the same reason, do not get anything else, especially Chevrolet (group 2). Is this true? Anyone own either one of these 2 groups? Please keep in mind that I am looking for an old truck (94 - 2003 maybe), not new one.
Thanks.

Exactly.

you live in Calif. so you can wait for good weather to haul sheet goods like sheetrock

for plywood sheets - even cabinet grade fancy stuff - plastic over the load solves your problem

for siding, etc. just toss it on the rack

you need to secure it and go slow b/c of the aerodynamics but that's it

except for big loads of concrete blocks, bricks, gravel, etc. the rack on car solves your problem

you want big loads to be delivered anyway - a lot less work for you

My 98 V6 Tacoma 4x4 is rated at 5000 lbs with the proper hitch. I think the newer ones are even higher, 6500 lbs IIRC.

I never realized how many friends I had till I bought a full sized truck. :rolleyes:

yep, and what kind of mileage do you get with it? ~20? If I could find a truck with a 5K towing capacity that makes about or over 25mpg unloaded on the highway I could get rid of my CRX and daily drive the truck.

I have a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 with the Cummins Diesel that as of yesterday was getting 24 mpg in town. Just filled the tank and its confirmed by both the onboard computer and number of gallons required to fill it up.

Owned a P/U truck years ago then moved on. Bought this one 18 months ago and fell in love with it. Its now my daily driver as well as "mover of crap" for both myself and friends and family. This puppy with the Cummins will pull a freight train if needed and still get good mileage. Wished I had bought one years ago.

Joe A

Finally I got a ford ranger truck. It is lifted. I see many lifted ranger lately with the same spec, so I think it's manufacture lifted?
Anyone know what is involved? Is it as simple as turning some bolt to lift/drop it or do they have to modify the suspension parts? Any Ford Ranger owner here?

Neeper wheels? (low profile tires.
reduce tire pressure?