4 cyl. Pickups, whats reliable?

[turbotalon1g]

I'm looking for a small pickup to become my new daily, I have been checking out craigslist and there is a lot out there for $1k.
I search for $2k or less, that is what I WOULD like to spend.

My requirements (which maybe you can help me on) are:

Good mpg & reliable.

Truck so I can do house projects without calling friends for help all the time I need something decent sized moved and pick up car parts, while stuffing 1.5 sets of wheels and tires in a corolla is fun, its gets old quick.

Prefer 5 spd because I think it would be cheaper to replace a clutch than parts in a AT trans.

I would like 4x4, but being on a budget it looks like I won't end up with that.

From what I know my choices are:

Ranger/mazda pickup (Late 90s-03ish)
Isuzu pickup
toyota (of course) - but people want top dollar for these things.
Jeep comanche thing (I would prefer this because usually 4x4, and I6s are invincible and everywhere incase I have to replace) - I know the MPGs will be lower

Thank you for help/suggestions on this, with the hopefully soon sale of my DSM I will be without a running car, and the flintstone powered Z will be gone soon too.

I appreciate the help and once I get a truck you can call me to help move crap.

Aaron

[96GST16g]

mazda b 2600 awsome trucks

[Kracka]

I have a friend with a Nissan Frontier that just won't die; over 400k miles and the stock engine and trans is still going strong (never been rebuilt, not using any oil).

You could also look into a S10, those seem to be a dime a dozen with plenty available in a 5-speed.

[1ViciousGSX]

Any older Toyota.

[96GST16g]

ha i guess they dont have breaking issues?

[turbotalon1g]

A couple of things, Can a MOD delete this guys^ posts they are completely useless and we
all know about toyotas, as i mentioned in the original posts.

Kracka, what year? motor?

If u don't have anything to say other than get " this truck its awesome" then just don't post, if u have had a 4 cyl pickup please put up experiences/advice.

[1ViciousGSX]

Originally Posted by 96GST16g

ha i guess they dont have breaking issues?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWc_flGRT_o&hd=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql2PHqE3cy4&hd=1

[Andrew7dg]

I owned a 1990 Ranger that wouldn't die, it was a napa parts delivery truck and had over 500,000 miles on it. The mazda/ranger is a good choice

I also (still have) a 88 S-10 that the 4 cylinder was great in. 5 speed transmission. It was a good little truck! I love the way the S-10s look and the iron duke wasn't a bad engine. It is just that they could use a V8 Swap in the trucks.

I love the smaller trucks because they get good gas mileage and they can still haul stuff.

My only recommendation is if you are going to use it as a DD, get an extended cab for more hauling capability. If used in the winter get a 4x4 (2wd on a light box SUCK!!!) or get a really good set of snow tires. If going 4x4 get something bigger then a 4 cylinder.

[craig]

I would say any s10 with the vortech series 4.3 v6, they just don't die.

[TkrPerformance]

I had a 4.3 v6 s-10 and I used it to pull craigs 1970 dodge charger that was 2times the size and weight and it took it like a champ.

90% of the 4 banger trucks dont have the power to get out of there own way

[turbotalon1g]

Thanks guy for the more on topic stuff.

I would never tow with it, well I guess I would be dumb enough to try a dolly.
But the plan is just car stuff and it will be my DD, I was thinking 4x4 because of the winters even if it is 2-3 days, it sucks to get stuck.

I'm assuming that ranger you had andrew had the 2.3 in it, a friend said they have a work truck with 225k on it and no problems.
Thanks for the advice about winter driving, i have never owned anything RWD.

[1ViciousGSX]

I owned a 97 Ranger Splash ext cab with the small 2.8L v6 and 5spd. Nice truck, but light on power. Toasted the clutch trying to get my 19 ft boat up the ramp.

For a daily driver it was nice though.

[goodhart]

My little bro used to daily a 4cyl 5speed S-10 and it was real reliable for him. Got good mileage too. Anything 4x4 will cost about a grand right off the bat, if you can deal with 2 wheel drive you could save a few bucks.

My old boss used to drive an old Toyota 4 cyl, and he was still on the original spark plug wires and had 450k on it, that thing was a rust bucket, but the most reliable thing I have ever seen

[Gravy]

The problem is, and someone correct me if i'm wrong. They didn't make a 4 cyl 4x4 in the s-10 line. In my years of working on cars, i have not seen a single one, and heard from a good source that gm didn't make them. The motor didn't do well with the four wheel drive set up.

However, having owned 2 s-10 4.3 pickups. Both in the 4x4 and 2wd, i LOVE them. Can haul plenty around with them, move all the things you will need it for. And you can find them in a 5 speed, in 2wd and in 4wd. I would still be driving mine, if it wasn't a crushed beer can. Did i mention they withstand an accident very well? Just my 2 cents worth on the truck topic.

[twack]

my buddy had a 4cyl ranger. that thing was indestructible, but had zero power to speak of. he rolled it and it still ran and looked great. Other things to consider is the mighty max, you get your 4 cyl truck DD then when you get bored you got a great platform for a 4g63 swap

[LingLing]

I had a 4cyl 5-Speed Ranger, I loved that thing. Got decent gas mileage and was perfect for hauling parts around. You can find them pretty cheap too. I got mine for $1500.

[D_Venable]

Originally Posted by twack

Other things to consider is the mighty max, you get your 4 cyl truck DD then when you get bored you got a great platform for a 4g63 swap

if it's the G54B, throw Starion/Conquest fuel injection on it

the 87-88 Mazda B2600 was also powered by the Mitsu G54B

[Andrew7dg]

My Ranger was the 2.8L or was it the 2.9? But is around that size engine, the smaller of the V6s. Had the mazda transmission that held up well.

IMO there are 2 kinds of smaller trucks

There are the 2wd 4 bangers and the 4x4s

the 2wd 4 bangers are going to be the most reliable thing out there. They are simple, often times comes with no options and easy to work on. Also easy to find other parts out there. There is really nothing to break on these things. No power steering, not much electrical at all. They are light and get great MPG. However unless you have a good set of snow tires, they don't really do that well in the winter.


For modding purposes, these are the ones easy to slam down to the ground and throw a v8 engine into like what I am doing with my 1988 chev


*this is my goal ride hight when I am done*


The 4x4 have a different story. again IMO. They often times have more options like A/C, power steering, 4x4 setup for the transmission and wheel bearing. Sit higher off the ground, have bigger tires. More weight. that means less MPG and more parts to break on them. I have heard nothing really good about older chevy blazers. If you need your truck for the winter and a little off roading this would be the one to get.



If I had to use one of them as a DD I would use the 2wd just because of the reliability and gas mileage. Then just throw on a set of snow tires. but everyone is different when it comes to trucks.
just my 2 cents

[turbotalon1g]

i really appreciate the help on this guys, I am not a truck guy at all.
I am the tard that would rock a 2dr for life even though I love 4drs and such.

Anywho, from what u are all saying and from what I want. I will probably aim more toward a 2wd and set it with snow tires unless a good deal comes on a 4x4 or comanche.
I forgot about looking at mighty max's but I don't really trust mitsu reliability, funny i know.

[twack]

few sand bags in the back and youl be fine in winter