Need a small truck
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Fleet Mechanic
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Need a small truck
Ok, here's the deal. I currently have my F350 which is great for towing at work, and I have my Mustang for personal use which gets a little better mileage around town, but not much. I was looking at maybe a Focus or something to just drive around, but it just does not make sense. I need a small truck that I can use for work when I don't need the Clydesdale and it could double as more reasonable transportation outside of work.
What I would like to know is, what is probably the most reliable, easy to work on, and lowest cost to maintain small truck out. I know one truck is probably not at the top of all of those categories, but I am sure there is a good average. I don't want a brand new truck, but I don't want a worn out piece either. It will never have to tow anything, and never have to haul more than 500 lbs in the bed. I am still using my F350 for really working, I just want something a little more fuel efficient and smaller for the little jobs.
What I would like to know is, what is probably the most reliable, easy to work on, and lowest cost to maintain small truck out. I know one truck is probably not at the top of all of those categories, but I am sure there is a good average. I don't want a brand new truck, but I don't want a worn out piece either. It will never have to tow anything, and never have to haul more than 500 lbs in the bed. I am still using my F350 for really working, I just want something a little more fuel efficient and smaller for the little jobs.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Maine
A 2wd Ranger with a 2.3 liter four-cylinder would be a great choice. They get great mileage (I get 25-27 highway) will haul 500 lbs. without a problem, and run forever. Mine has 218k on it. These engines are easy to work on, too. I would recommend the five-speed, because the engine doesn't have much power to spare, and I would also recommend a Supercab because the regular cab Rangers are pretty tight.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
This is an easy one Keith- Ranger (or Mazda clone) and a Tacoma are at the top of this heap. Avoid 6 cylinders, since gas mileage seems to be the purpose of this, and a manual with A/C for your area should about do it. You'll notice Mazda's are a little cheaper on the used market, and there's a huge premium built into the 'Yota. I'd be targeting something decent for about $4-5K.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
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From: Brentwood,CA
i would consider a toyota tacoma 2.4 engine 2wd will tow 3500 lbs fine and gets around 25 freeway. it is a super easy engine to work on it is based of the old 22r. i have 150k on mine zero issues. still has original rear brakes. fronts have been done twice . but the thing is is most of the parts on it are ford clones so working on it is easy. it has a ford style removable carrier axle the front brakes are the same setup as ford trucks till 96 and a lot of parts swap between ford a toyota i have found. most of hte steering components interchange with 73-79 fos so it is a model od simplicity and the parts are cheap to. spark plugs 1.34 takes 20 mins rotors new 19.99 brake pads 18.00.
Tuned
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
The Tacoma is a fine truck, but like most other Toyotas, you'll be paying a premium for the name. If it were the only truck that would fit your needs, that would be one thing, but the Ranger is probably the best buy going. 2WD, 4-cylinder, 5-speed; they're a dime a dozen (especially in your neck of the woods), and they'll fit your needs perfectly. Let me put it this way: I may still be a few years from my "little piece of heaven" on the West Coast of FL, but that's the EXACT truck I'll be looking fro when I get down there. For me, Rangers aren't just trucks, they become a member of the family.
So, if the 350 is "The Clydesdale," what would this little truck be called? The Chihuahua?
So, if the 350 is "The Clydesdale," what would this little truck be called? The Chihuahua?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2001
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Originally Posted by 1956MarkII
So, if the 350 is "The Clydesdale," what would this little truck be called? The Chihuahua?
I appreciate all the responses. Any particular years of Rangers or Toyotas to avoid? Any years to look for?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,290
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From: Edgerton, WI
All years of the Tacoma are good (its a Toyota, afterall) and the only thing about the Ranger to be concerned about is the rubber plugs in the tranny rotting out and leaking fluid (its its got a Mazda 5-speed) and I would ABSOLUTELY NOT get one with the 3.0L OHV, that engine is an underpowered gas hog.
Octane
Octane
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,848
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From: Kentucky
The 1999 Tacos with autos, are bad about "axle wrap" because of soft factory leaf springs in the rear. I replaced mine with 5 leaf heavy duty springs, they lifted it 2 inches and stopped the driveline "push" after braking. I have not too many complaints about my 99 taco 4x4 ext cab w/ 2.7 other than the digital clock is behind the wiper control handle, no biggie tho, just have to look at it "walleye" when driving...
. It is not a long distance truck, seats are too hard. And at about 20 mpg highway, I am not totally impressed, but it is a great , dependable, light duty, truck. Which as Jeff says, be ready to pay premium, you are buying a truck from a arrogant vehicle industry.
. It is not a long distance truck, seats are too hard. And at about 20 mpg highway, I am not totally impressed, but it is a great , dependable, light duty, truck. Which as Jeff says, be ready to pay premium, you are buying a truck from a arrogant vehicle industry.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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Originally Posted by keith w
What I would like to know is, what is probably the most reliable, easy to work on, and lowest cost to maintain small truck out. I know one truck is probably not at the top of all of those categories, but I am sure there is a good average.
.
For something a little more current history, I'd go with the Ranger as stated above.
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Fleet Mechanic
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Sounds like my 1995 F150. To everyones surprise, including mine, that M5OD went over 220k. That was towing over what it was rated for an average of 4 days a week 
I had to put a couple slave cylinders in there over the years. I finally put a rebuilt transmission in there when I put the lower mileage Mustang engine in back in early 03.
I'd start using that one again if it got better mileage. But the best it did was about 14 around town carrying it's own weight. I'd like something that would get 20mpg anyway.
I had to put a couple slave cylinders in there over the years. I finally put a rebuilt transmission in there when I put the lower mileage Mustang engine in back in early 03. I'd start using that one again if it got better mileage. But the best it did was about 14 around town carrying it's own weight. I'd like something that would get 20mpg anyway.