Looking for input on small trucks

[Perd Hapley]

I totalled my old full-size pick-up yesterday, so I'm shopping for another old hunk of junk.  I'd get another full-size, but I'm wondering about a smaller truck for lower initial cost and better mileage.  Also, I found my full-size rather hard to maneuver at times.  Other options would be a short-bed full-size or something like a Blazer without rear seats.  Also, I'm thinking I'd like an extended cab, so I'll have lockable storage right behind the seat. 

However, I'm worried about what I'll be able to haul with the smaller bed.  Weight is not a concern, and I think a smaller bed would meet my requirements most of the time, but on rare occasions I do need to move full sheets of drywall, etc, as well as boards.  On the other hand, Home Depot will rent me a flatbed for about thirty bucks.  How have smaller beds worked for you all?

Any suggestions?  I'll have to stay under $5000.  Japanese models would also be considered.  Thanks.

[wmenorr67]

Look into a Dodge Dakota.  More of a mid-sized truck with a bigger bed than most small trucks.

[mfree]

Seconded on the dakota. I think even the early generations could handle a 4x8 above the wheelwells with the 8' bed.

[charby]

Look at S-10 pickups!

Also checkout craigslist for pickups.

Also I have a good running rusty S-10 for sale right now too.

[Perd Hapley]

Look into a Dodge Dakota.  More of a mid-sized truck with a bigger bed than most small trucks.

I've thought about that, but my mechanic (Dad) hates Fords and Dodges and is just much more experienced with the GMs.  I'm probably better off with a GM, although Jap trucks are a possibility.  However, I know very little about those. 

[RadioFreeSeaLab]

I'm sure you could get a nice older Toyota for 5k.

[Bogie]

Older Honda Civic, Accord or Toyota Camry, with a 1 7/8" trailer hitch on the back for a Harbor Freight folding 4x8 trailer. Great gas mileage, great for a daily driver, and you can haul about 800 or so pounds with no problems.
 

[Perd Hapley]

That's interesting, bogie, but I can't see pulling the trailer full-time.  I was already having problems getting the truck into and out of the tight spaces. 

Since I barely fit into the '93 Century, I don't think I'd want to get in and out of those little rice-burners too often.  The other major advantage to the truck is the ease of throwing the shop vac, trash can, bin full of plumbing parts, ceiling fan in a box; into the bed and pulling it right back out.  I'd have to have the trailer on full-time to get that kind of convenience.     

Then there's the dork factor. 

But a trailer is a good idea I had overlooked, that might come in handy when I need to haul really big stuff with a small truck.  Thanks. 

[Manedwolf]

Honda Ridgeline. Full of "Why didn't  anyone else think of that?" features.

Not cheap, though.

[Marnoot]

My dad's had good luck with the smaller Toyota trucks, he's got a Tacoma at the moment they've been pretty happy with. Of course you'd run into the same problem as the other non-GM makes of your mechanifather not knowing them so well. The early 90's model we used to have when I was still at home didn't have too many problems, and I seem to remember them being pretty easy for my dad to fix when they did occur.

[Sergeant Bob]

I have a Ford Ranger shortbed and It pretty well fits my needs. I haul 8 foot sheets of plywood, lumber, cow manure (heaped cab high), 5 foot brushhog, and any manner of stuff with it (of course I have hauled a 6 foot Christmas tree on a motorcycle before).

I'm not recommending a Ranger (although it has been a good vehicle and I'm not a big Ford fan), and if you have trouble getting in and out of a 93 Century you'll definitely not enjoy the cramped quarters of a Ranger but, I haven't been really wanting for more cargo space with that size truck.

If you really need  to haul something big or extremely heavy, you could use a trailer or rent the truck from HD. I would think the extra expense and poorer gas mileage of a larger truck would make it cheaper to rent the HD truck once in a while.

[Waitone]

The unit of measuring capacity in pickemup trucks is a standard 4 x 8 sheet of plywood.  A standard truck will let a sheet rest flat between rear wheel bumps.  Small trucks to the same thing only on top of the wheel bumps.  My ranger has a couple of slots in the bed lining which allows for 2 x 4 to provide support for a sheet of plywood above the wheel bumps.  Failing wood, paint cans work just fine.

I've never found anything I need to haul that would not fit in a ranger.  I've hauled mattresses, refridgerators, washers, dryers, filing cabinets, junk, trash, garbage, mulch, etc with out regret.

[Art Eatman]

The only downside of my '85 Toyota xtra-cab PU has been the sheet-of-plywood thing.  But, a couple of inverted "U" deals of 2x4 and they fit right in.  Tailgate open, natch.

The seats slide back farther than needed for my 6'-1" height.  I have a six-foot, 240-pound buddy who never complained about being "squashed" in his identical Toyota.

Of all the small trucks, the Toyota has the strongest frame and running gear, based on experience here in very, very rough country.  The four-banger engine is bullet-proof.  I'm on the original crank with standard bearings at 291,000 miles; the bearings were new at 170,000 miles.

Art

[Gewehr98]

Honda Ridgeline.

Yeah, that's a real mid-sized pickup truck.

So's this:



I'd recommend a late-model GM Sonoma/S-10/Hombre.  If Fisty's too portly to fit a standard cab, there's always the extended cab versions.  Many were built over a long production run, parts are cheap, and he can go from 2.2L economy to 4.3L power, 5-speed or automatic.  Just looking on Craigslist near me, there are more than a few that are priced nicely. 

[K Frame]

Were your kidneys damaged?

That would be a pity if your kidneys were damaged...

[Perd Hapley]

Yes, my kidneys were completely destroyed.  Honest.  Just tell that gorgeous woman to stop following me around and buying me drinks, inviting me up to her room for an ice-bath and so forth. 

[grampster]

Older Nissan trucks are worthy as well as Toyota's.  Hard to find, though.  Watch out for Mopar's, they have endemic tranny problems.

[mfree]

" Watch out for Mopar's, they have endemic tranny problems."

Only the ultradrive/A604s. FWD transmissions.

Modified: got the tranny number wrong.

[K Frame]

"Yes, my kidneys were completely destroyed."

Yummy.

Kidney tartare....

[Manedwolf]

Honda Ridgeline.

Yeah, that's a real mid-sized pickup truck.

So's this:

A 247hp, 3.5 liter V-6 truck with 5000lbs towing capacity isn't a truck? That's what the Ridgeline is.

It's gotta be an American-stamped (but perhaps made in Mexico) clunker with plastic that fades to brittleness in a couple years, and somehow becomes a uniformly greasy mess under the hood and under the dash, and that breaks down? (and gets horrendous mileage?)


Looks like a truck to me...

[RadioFreeSeaLab]

The Ridgeline is front wheel drive.
Not a truck

[Jamisjockey]

+another vote
Toyota!
I think if you look around you might actually be able to find a T100 in your price range.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=217384642&dealer_id=100000706&car_year=1995&model=T100&num_records=25&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&search_type=used&distance=100&make=TOYOTA&color=&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=22193&advanced=&end_year=2007&doors=&transmission=&max_price=6000&cardist=47
Of course there's always a used tacoma
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=218856454&dealer_id=59712795&car_year=1992&model=TACOMA&num_records=25&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&search_type=both&distance=100&make=TOYOTA&color=&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=22193&advanced=&end_year=2007&doors=&transmission=&max_price=6000&cardist=100
In your price range I just think American trucks are a crapshoot for the age you'll find.  Mid nineties jap rides are just better quality than American stuff from the same era.

[Declaration Day]

I have the hauling capacity vs. gas mileage problem solved.  I have a Chevy Silverado 2500HD, ext cab, 8' bed for work and anything else I need to haul.  When I don't need it, I have a beater Hyundai Accent.  30 MPG city / 40 hwy.

If you're accustomed to a full size truck with an 8' bed, you might become frustrated with the smaller truck, quickly.

Spend $4000 on an old F-150 and $1000 on an old Escort or simlar econo-beater.

[Sergeant Bob]

A 247hp, 3.5 liter V-6 truck with 5000lbs towing capacity isn't a truck? That's what the Ridgeline is.

Buick Roadmaster: Road Test

A roomy Roadmaster with Trailer-Towing Package can haul 5000 pounds.
In addition to a large cargo area, the wagon has numerous storage bins and pockets.

Hey, it has a 5000 pound towing capacity!
Subaru Brat is a truck too.

I think the price of a Honda Ridgeline (even if it were a truck), would not really fit the budget of
another "hunk of junk" to which Fistful was referring.

[Jamisjockey]

I have the hauling capacity vs. gas mileage problem solved.  I have a Chevy Silverado 2500HD, ext cab, 8' bed for work and anything else I need to haul.  When I don't need it, I have a beater Hyundai Accent.  30 MPG city / 40 hwy.

If you're accustomed to a full size truck with an 8' bed, you might become frustrated with the smaller truck, quickly.

Spend $4000 on an old F-150 and $1000 on an old Escort or simlar econo-beater.

Depending on what his insurance costs, as well as maintence...it might be a wash.