truck talk

[Bluethunder3320]

gonna be 16 soon so its time to have an idea of what truck to get. i have around 1300$. has to be a manual

at first i was thinking 86-92 ford ranger, would be better on gas and they seem fairly cheap. i like the older look

then i was looking at ford broncos, full size. id like it to be lifted or do it myself. too bad gas prices keep rising.


so i was wondering what any of your favorite trucks are, and opinions on the ones i mentioned. anything i find on craigslist now wont be there by the time im ready to buy, but i want some direction as to what to get...

i am also going to trade school so whatever i end up doing it would be useful to have a truck. (welding/machining/auto etc) and i would like to be able to fit some of my toys in it too.... the 3 wheeler, mini bike, and my racing tractors

 

[Badot]

Just remember... the more you lift a truck the more you have to lift stuff to put it in the bed

That and you'll be more prone to rolling than a minivan with an elephant on the roof.

 

[HellSpawn]

Well, as you know I'm addicted to Isuzus and Nissans. You can find Nissan D21s for pretty much a dime a dozen. Im sure you could find a 4x4 or 2wd variant with around 100k miles for around $1000. Definitely fun and reliable trucks too.

If it was me though, I'd definitely be dropping it, instead of lifting it :O But keeping it functional, a hardbody will definitely not let you down for hauling stuff around.

 

[fowler]

do u guys get the toyots landcruiser's

they are unbreakable
mines 10yrs old and done 360,000km and 300,000 was offroad around the farmand on the beach
it has never broken down (minus the odd flat battery and blown tyres)
it has never had any major work donw on it (apart from services and brake pads
and it has no rust which is saying somthing around here (2km from sea) where bare metal rusts within 12 hours

carrys 2 tonne (max iv put on it)
and the biggest thing iv towed is a 4 wheeled 4000lt fuel trailer over sand dune (very slow and alot of wheel spin)

 

[r_chez_08]

Your so lucky being able to drive at 16, here it is 17 1 year 2 months for me.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

@hellspawn there is one on craigslist for $600 running and 170k miles or km i cant remember.
the only nissan i have been in was a rental car and the ride felt really cheap, maybe thats just a newer model. the one you pictured is actually pretty nice looking

@fowler ive never seen toyota flatbeds here. the landcruiser is an SUV here.

@rchez here when i turn 16 i can go to the DMV and take a written test to get my permit. (can only drive with parents in the car) then 6 months later i take the drivers test to get my liscence, or i believe 4 months because i will be taking drivers ed. with a liscence you can only drive alone or with parents. then 6 months later (i think) you can drive with friends in the car.

IMO this is soooo sweet

 

[Ghanem]

This is 1988

 

[Bluethunder3320]

This is 1988

i want that truck lol.

 

[r_chez_08]

Blue, I think this is the truck for you

In the UK we take a theory and practical test after we are 17, then you can do whatever.
Screw trucks, get one of these

 

[pipehack]

I know at 16 you don't want to hear this. I'll say it anyway. Get something practical and reliable. You can't get to work with a vehicle that's always being worked on. You can buy a little trailer or build one to tote toys around. Also.... There are millions of cars and trucks out there so do some shopping. Bring a parent to look with you NOT a buddy.

 

[robbie]

Blue, I think this is the truck for you

In the UK we take a theory and practical test after we are 17, then you can do whatever.
Screw trucks, get one of these

How does that thing steer?

 

[B.M.800]

I know at 16 you don't want to hear this. I'll say it anyway. Get something practical and reliable. You can't get to work with a vehicle that's always being worked on. You can buy a little trailer or build one to tote toys around. Also.... There are millions of cars and trucks out there so do some shopping. Bring a parent to look with you NOT a buddy.

Read up about whatever your looking at, look up all the issues people have had with it... make sure you have what it takes to deal with it. Nothing is perfect.

We have a stupid lil 2wd ranger, cant park on much of a hill. Even with the E-brake... had to have something behind the tire t keep it from rolling...

 

[robbie]

It seems that whenever people think about trucks, they choose between Ford and GM. Don't forget Dodge makes pretty decent trucks as well. I have a 98 Dodge Ram, basic model with no frills, full size bed. I don't understand those trucks with extra cab space and little tiny beds. Anyway, this truck never lets me down. Unfortunately it gets only 16 mpg on the highway.

Regarding the cheap feel of a Nissan car, don't worry. Trucks are a whole different matter. Toyota and Nissan make really decent stuff. But you usually have to cough up a ton of money to get a Toyota.

 

[B.M.800]

It seems that whenever people think about trucks, they choose between Ford and GM. Don't forget Dodge makes pretty decent trucks as well. I have a 98 Dodge Ram, basic model with no frills, full size bed. I don't understand those trucks with extra cab space and little tiny beds. Anyway, this truck never lets me down. Unfortunately it gets only 16 mpg on the highway.

Regarding the cheap feel of a Nissan car, don't worry. Trucks are a whole different matter. Toyota and Nissan make really decent stuff. But you usually have to cough up a ton of money to get a Toyota.

Im a Dodge guy. Id like to build up a 70s truck, extended cab, stepside bed, V8, 4wd... paint it a nice blue with gold pinstriping...

One of these days.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

im fine with doing lots of work to get it running.

kid down the street got a ranger for 1500 and it runs perfect


i dont like the look of the new body style though. and id like to get it old enough so i can avoid all the computer crap they stuff in now

 

[B.M.800]

And to avoid the 5-10 miles of wiring?

 

[brandongeiger2]

I'm 16 as of like two weeks ago and here we get our permit at 15...wait a year than get most driving privileges at 16 or a year after you get a permit
I might get an 89 f-250 or a 90s tacoma...both 4x4 but with an I4 or I6 haha gas prices... Supposed to be up to $5 soon according to my auto tech teacher

 

[brandongeiger2]

Blue, I think this is the truck for you

In the UK we take a theory and practical test after we are 17, then you can do whatever.
Screw trucks, get one of these

Is that a VW rabbit haha

 

[newrider3]

I'm kind of partial to my '80-'86 half ton Ford. It's been super reliable, and the 300 I6 is the best pickup engine around, stump pulling torque and can pull down 20mpg with a manual and conservative driving.
If you do find a fullsize Bronc, this is the motor to look for. The '83ish and older carbureted models with Duraspark II ignition are dead simple and reliable to boot. You can literally stand in the engine bay to work on it.

Here's one example for sale in CT (guy probably doesn't know what he's talking about when he says it has a V6) that I bet you could talk down to a grand. http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/2851465274.html
'80-'86 Fords come up for sale cheap all the time, since you're probably willing to do a little work and maybe some rot repair you should be able to find a deal.

 

[B.M.800]

Or save up some more, get a nice old diesel. Get the used cooking oil from the restaurants/bars/gas station, free fuel.

If your at all worried about gas prices...