Serious moment here, you freaks. I've been mulling over dumping my Mazda and buying a smaller pickup for a daily driver and also a backup to the Dodge. Every time I turn around I need a truck for something, which is why I wouldn't get rid of the Dodge in the first place.

After a bit of thinking, I figured a 4x4 would be a good option as well. I'm looking for recommendations. It seems that Toyota trucks after 2000 have notorious engine issues resolved and the 4x4 are bulletproof; however, those things are always priced equal to their weight in gold. I see that Ford was stuffing V6 engines in the Ranger pickup and their reliability looks good, and I'm also thinking of a Dakota.

Unless anyone can give me a reason, I've not even given the smaller Chevy pickup the time of day.

So -- what say you?

 

The ford rangers are tough little trucks just like the Toyota trucks.. have seen both go through some serious rough stuff and they dont die... id say go for one of the two..

 

I would go with a Ranger with the 3.0 V6. A few of my friend's had issues with their 4.0 V6's. I like the S10's also. 4.3V6 is a good engine and usually averages around 20 mpg. The Dakota has a lot more interior room than either the Ford or the Chevy and you know what you're getting into there with the drivetrain.

 

Plus if you want a v8, dakota is your choice. I loved mine. If not, my vote is for an s10 with the 4.3. I've had a few of them. Never had issues.

 

my backup truck is my 87 chebby S-10 2.5L 4-spd manual.

they are very reliable, easy and cheap to work on. parts are readily available if it needs anything. gets decent fuel economy if you get a 5-spd. and you can do a rear axle swap with a newer S-10 if you want to upgrade to disc brakes in the rear..I swapped my rear axle on my S10 out with a 98 blazers rear axle...direct bolt in, got rear disc brakes now and limited slip rear end...still need to swap e-brake cables with the newer model but haven't gotten around to it yet..I just park in gear.

picked my S10 up for $1000 cash. only had 2 small dents in it. otherwise straight body, no rust, fairly clean interior other than typical vinyl seat shred. Only had to replace a temp sensor and o2 sensor on it. otherwise shes been very reliable in the two years I've owned her.

bit beat up now from getting intentionally rear ended by a ram 3500 and pushed into the ditch... bumper got a lil bent and tailgate got a couple small dents but it took far less damage than that ram did S10 may be light, but those old things are built like LAV's!

 

What about a little Nissan Pickup? My stepfather had one for a long time, 5spd 4x4, was a good truck.

 

96/97 Nissan king cab with a standard transmission


My dad had one and ended up giving it to my sister. A few years later she traded it in for a car. In 150,000+ miles (on top of the 75000 miles that it already had on it) it needed two alternators, drive shaft u-joints and a new clutch (5 people learned how to drive a stick in it).

 

We beat the **** out of an old late 90s ranger on our job site. I mean we had that thing hauling 5x the weight it was supposed to, *** end dragging on the ground to dumpsters. Thing would just keep going. Very little oil or maintenance. Amazing actually, I am 99% sure it was the 3.0 V6 too.

 

I thought to look at Nissans (the newer Frontiers) but they're priced like a Toyota Tacoma -- either there's $10,000 in $100 bills in the glovebox or the cargo box is filled with hookers and blow.

I want a newer truck (between 2000 and 2006) as the miles will be lower. I'm seriously leaning toward a Ford Ranger of that era and someone told me to swap out the front axle for a straight axle or else it eats ball joints for breffas and other issues. I'm not ruling out a Dakota, but I don't need a V8 in such a small truck. Like I said, daily driver/light hauling.

I appreciate the feedback, guys.

 

A Subaru Brat would make an economical back up.