whats the best small truck?

[fmybody]

As some of you may know im in the market for a new dd and I've been looking at small pick ups... something like an s10 or ford ranger.. anyone know what small trucks are best? or better than others? or what to steer clear of?

[zuuhlsT/A]

I gotta 2003 Chevy ZR-2 Blazer and it's been nothing but dependable. Put 45K on it all I had to do so far was radiator (it's plastic and the seams on the tanks are weak) and brakes. 4.3 Liter V6 is not the most powerful motor but it'll get out of it's own way. In snow you point it where you wanna go and it goes! I gotta auto but a 5 speed would prolly make it more fun....:nod: Would have to say the pickups are just as good. The ZR-5 crew cabs are nice.

[fmybody]

I gotta 2003 Chevy ZR-2 Blazer and it's been nothing but dependable. Put 45K on it all I had to do so far was radiator (it's plastic and the seams on the tanks are weak) and brakes. 4.3 Liter V6 is not the most powerful motor but it'll get out of it's own way. In snow you point it where you wanna go and it goes! I gotta auto but a 5 speed would prolly make it more fun....:nod: Would have to say the pickups are just as good. The ZR-5 crew cabs are nice.

well since im looking to DD it im actually looking for a 6cyl. My price range isnt very high so im looking at somewhat older models... but im gonna check them out... thanks for the imput...

[91chevywt]

Rangers are great little trucks. If you want something that really lasts a long time, stay away from the 4.0. The 3.0, 2.9 and any of the 4 cyl engines used in rangers are great.

I have a 4.3 Jimmy right now, and it seems a bit underpowered. It has been pretty reliable, but it seems that the major problems come from the fuel system. Also, the later S10s are notorious for running through front brakes and front hub bearings. My mom's has just over 60k and the second set of front rotors are warped (GM replacements) and the front hubs are starting to make noise again (GM replacements as well).

I think either one has its benefits and drawbacks...it's more about finding one that has been treated right.

[trashman01]

stay away from toyota trucks, yes they are dependable but so is the frame rusting in half

[procamaroz28]

if you wana go new (0% is a nice incentive) checkout sport trac's and z71 calorado's

[12secondv6]

You could buy my explorer :)

Click link in sig

[HeadlessNorseman]

toyota trucks run great but watch out for rust. esp the 22re 4 cylinder. Usually have issues with rusty brake lines, beds, body work and floors

S10s/blazers have a lot of problems with brake lines rusting, rear brakes not working, and electronic 4wd not working. Other than that they run well. 92-94 blazers/s10 4.3s are actually quite powerful will get 19-20 mpg if you baby them(not 4wd tho)... the newer rounded models weigh a lot more and make less power so they are lame.

[fmybody]

Rangers are great little trucks. If you want something that really lasts a long time, stay away from the 4.0. The 3.0, 2.9 and any of the 4 cyl engines used in rangers are great.

I have a 4.3 Jimmy right now, and it seems a bit underpowered. It has been pretty reliable, but it seems that the major problems come from the fuel system. Also, the later S10s are notorious for running through front brakes and front hub bearings. My mom's has just over 60k and the second set of front rotors are warped (GM replacements) and the front hubs are starting to make noise again (GM replacements as well).

I think either one has its benefits and drawbacks...it's more about finding one that has been treated right.
so if i understand you correctly you're saying... ford rangers are good but stay away from the 4.0L ? any reason specifically?.. i really didnt wanna go 4 cyl so i guess that leaves me with the 3.0L?
stay away from toyota trucks, yes they are dependable but so is the frame rusting in half
i saw a decent Tocoma on craigslist any specific areas i can look to find the common rust areas?
if you wana go new (0% is a nice incentive) checkout sport trac's and z71 calorado's
my dads got bad credit and ive got no credit sooo no gonn happen :(
You could buy my explorer :)

Click link in sig

seems like a pretty decent truck.. ill show it to my dad and see how he feel about it.. kinda high mileage but.. seems worth checking out!

[BigRocsFirebird]

this is small and has some power to it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la6tgndIU8w

[fmybody]

lol imagine that as my DD

[Iroc-z86]

i had a 94 ranger with 200k, motor ran great, rest of the truck was falling apart tho.

My parents have a 98 jimmy and 01 s-10 zr2. great trucks. the jimmy has 180k on it and it runs just as good as the brand new malibu we have. the only major problem the jimmy had was the trans at 100k (it leaked and we didnt notice so it burnt itself up) and the 4wd motor ceased up. we are on the second set of hub bearings, the original ones lasted til 170k and didnt make noise but they were out of tolerance and setting off the abs at low speeds. we are on the 4th set of rotors and pads ( no issues it is a heavy truck plus stop and go dont help either). we just had the rear rebuilt it was making noise. but id def buy another one in a heartbeat.

the s-10 only has 95k on it. (short trips only) no major repairs, just brakes, exhaust, ball joints.

both are awesome in the snow and mud.

i disagree with 91chevywt, the fuel system on 98+ is the most reliable system. guys with the older motors swap the new fuel system for power and economy. my jimmy consistantly gets 21-22 mpg highway (fully loaded). these are also the most powerful 4.3s with 190hp and 2-- torque (not sure exactly). the jimmy can be a dog but the s-10 roasts the tires easily. IMO these are one of the best small trucks built.

[FoodStampsz]

ive got a dodge dakota crew cab with a magnum v8 in it, trucks a tank 4 door, decent gas mileage and 5 foot bed

[DaSkinnyGuy]

http://www.jtruck.net/misc/4x4cars/full/72elcamino.jpg

[fmybody]

starting to lean twards the s-10

[BigRocsFirebird]

starting to lean twards the s-10

i told you the banks s-10:rofl:

[JL8Jeff]

Some of the Tacomas have the rusty frame problem. The worst area would be around the front spring mounts on the frame. But not all of them have problems but the rust issue is pretty serious so you need to really look at the frame well and tap everywhere to look for the soft spots.

[CHRIS67]

I've had 2 Sonomas ZR2s and I loved them both. First one was totaled by a drunk driver and the second I traded in with 90K miles. Only think I ever really did to them was oil changes and did brakes once. Nice running trucks.

[r0nin89]

I wouldnt count Toyotas out yet. It really depends base on the truck. If you find one that isnt bad or is just surface rust a day with a wire wheel and some POR15 or Undercoat and you'll have no worries.

[Blacdout96]

so if i understand you correctly you're saying... ford rangers are good but stay away from the 4.0L ? any reason specifically?.. i really didnt wanna go 4 cyl so i guess that leaves me with the 3.0L?



The 4.0 iss based off the 3.8 engine, and are prone to bad head gaskets. 3.0's are dogs, but they are bullet proof. I got over 200K on mine, was sitting for 7 months, threw a bettery in it, started right up and runs like a champ. and if you want 4wd, then stay away from 3.0, it's a dog with the gas mileage.

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

We have a couple S10s and they've been running like tops since we got them in 01 and 03. We don't have much use for them anymore but one has 200k one has 130k and neither have anything except the usual oil changes/brakes/etc maintenance. They're 2.2's. Not bad at 1/4 throttle but thats the max power they make right there.

The 4.0 iss based off the 3.8 engine, and are prone to bad head gaskets.

O rly?

My friend has a 97? Ranger with 160k miles, 4.0, 4x4 and has had no issues. If the 4.0 architecture made that bad of a motor, I would think they wouldn't have used it for 20+ years in various power status.

[FoodStampsz]

my beef with the 4.0 is they make no power for their size and fuel economy is horrible, in their defense they are bullet proof so it'll definitely last ya

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

my beef with the 4.0 is they make no power for their size and fuel economy is horrible, in their defense they are bullet proof so it'll definitely last ya

As someone who drives a 4.0 Exploder, I kinda have to agree. Its quiet and very smooth idle, but makes no power until like 3k or more. Even then it's only 210/250 in a 4600 lb truck. Although I do average 17 in it with minimal highway and did get 22-24 on the highway several times with it.

[Blacdout96]

O rly?

My friend has a 97? Ranger with 160k miles, 4.0, 4x4 and has had no issues. If the 4.0 architecture made that bad of a motor, I would think they wouldn't have used it for 20+ years in various power status.

Thus why I said it's based off the 3.8, some parts are interchangable, but their problems aren't mirrored to the tee. I had read an article a few years back about the two engines and their pro's and con's. Congrats to your friend there, but I'm sure there was more then one 4.0 97 ranger, and I'm sure someone has had less then desirable results with their 4.0.

The problem didnt arise until the new version of the 3.8 came out in the early 90's which were in cougars,thunderbirds, and in 94+ mustangs, adn 95+ windstar ( I happen to see twice as many windstars have the head gasket problem over a passenger car for some reason) and the 3.8's head problem went as far as late 90's, until Ford finally reacted to it, but never really changed the design enough to fully fix the problem ( just redesigned the head gasket) and most head gasket problem arised around 100-150K. Now are 4.0's as usual to have that problem? no, but they aren't the strongest of motors either.

[Blacdout96]

my beef with the 4.0 is they make no power for their size and fuel economy is horrible, in their defense they are bullet proof so it'll definitely last ya

Yes, they love gas, they are a thirsty engine, but lack the reason to, since they only made i think 20hp or so from the 3.0 in the 90's

[qwikz28]

does it have to be a pickup? I now have 92k on my Vue and can recommend it if you are looking for car-like utility. Mine is the Honda-driven one, but from what I hear, the 2.2 FWD model with the 5-speed is excellent. Most my gripes with the car are from the drivetrain, so the Ecotec should solve that. The interior is cheap, but voluminous. The handling is pretty good too. Problem areas are really just wheel bearings and the fast wearing suspension. Both easy fixes for a garage mechanic. I have had problems with snapped sway bars, but I think that is limited to my car because I have not seen one other person on the forums with that problem.

[LuvMyF8LWS6]

Ranger! And I have one for sale! ;-)

[fmybody]

does it have to be a pickup? I now have 92k on my Vue and can recommend it if you are looking for car-like utility. Mine is the Honda-driven one, but from what I hear, the 2.2 FWD model with the 5-speed is excellent. Most my gripes with the car are from the drivetrain, so the Ecotec should solve that. The interior is cheap, but voluminous. The handling is pretty good too. Problem areas are really just wheel bearings and the fast wearing suspension. Both easy fixes for a garage mechanic. I have had problems with snapped sway bars, but I think that is limited to my car because I have not seen one other person on the forums with that problem.
no not restricted to a pick up.. really depends on quality and price.. and i just wanted something with some extra "cargo space?" lol
Ranger! And I have one for sale! ;-)

tell me more.

[maroman88]

i just bought a 98 blazer zr2 for 2200 with 135k miles, in decent shape, runs great, havent had to replace anything in the 800 or so miles ive put on it, even after off roading... oh and its a beast off road lol

[fmybody]

hmm ill have to check out some blazers to haha

[fmybody]

wow a lot of blazers out there.. some decent looking ones in my price range..

[trashman01]

fmybody - mostly the frames, short of cleaning the crap down to spotless and POR-15 u are pretty much gonna have frame issues, my friends father had a 02 with 150K on it, we repaired and patch the frame atleast a dozen times because of the rust, yes he did plow with it, but his 01 1500 silverado isnt rusting out except for the backing plates on the rear wheel disc but name me one chevy pick up thats is used everday and all kinds of weather that hasnt had that problem yet

[91chevywt]

so if i understand you correctly you're saying... ford rangers are good but stay away from the 4.0L ? any reason specifically?.. i really didnt wanna go 4 cyl so i guess that leaves me with the 3.0L?



Not necessarily saying to stay away from the 4.0, but the 4cyl engines and 3.0 have a life expectancy over 200k miles. They are just better "truck engines" than the 4.0. You can abuse them day after day and they just keep running.

I was going through this same debate with myself last year, and I noticed that the rangers and S10 pickups seemed to hold the most value. The mid '90's blazers and jimmys seem to be the cheapest out there. I think a lot of people look away because of the troublesome CPI unit, and the push-button NP233 transfer case which doesnt work well, mainly because of the electronic shifting mechanism.

I was able to get my '94 with about 155k miles on it for $1000. It was in pretty decent shape but had the classic blazer problems. Had an issue with the CPI fuel injection, and the NP233 t-case wasn't working properly. I fixed the fuel system and swapped in a manual NP231 transfer case and the truck works great now.