What kind of truck should I buy?

[ZenLefty]

Never bought a truck before, but lately it seems I've been hauling so much crap (and have a need to haul even more) that I'd better just go out and get one.

I'm looking for something slightly used that can haul some middle-weight stuff like lumber, furniture, landscaping materials (occasionally rocks or gravel) and the like. 4 wheel drive is a must. I don't need anything gargantuan or super-fast, just something reliable with heat and air conditioning and maybe a radio. And it doesn't need to be too pretty - something I can slather mud all over and leave dents in is just fine.

I'll buy a good Consumer Reports on the subject, but I'm just wondering what some DUers have had experience with.

Oh, and I don't like dogs, just for the record. ;-)

[GOPisEvil]

1. Toyota Tacoma

Toyota trucks are renowned for their reliability. They never seem to die.

[ZenLefty]

3. Did I mention I had to be able to *afford* it?

:)

Nah, I've heard that about the Tacoma. Reliability is the best feature in any car.

[GOPisEvil]

5. Buy an old used Toyota

If you're going to beat the crap out of it anyway, might as well go used. :D

[CanuckAmok]

8. Yup, Can't beat a Toyota Truck.

We currently have two, and have had three previously. One needed a new timing chain and head gasket at 200,000kms. Apart from that, I have never had an expensive repair on any of them.

And I had a Land Cruiser overseas with half a million miles on it, and it ran like a top.

The only downside I can think of is that older ones (pre 1988) are prone to rusty boxes and frames, and the minitrucks and 4Runners aren't renowned for their ample leg-room. I understand the Tundra. Sequoia, and Highlander have more room inside, but I haven't actually checked one out.

I was disappointed to hear that Toyota was sponsoring the Rush Limbaugh show for a while, though...

[ZenLefty]

12. Darn you Canadians!

200,000 km? That's like 120,000 miles, right?

Kind of like Canadian currency... :o

[CanuckAmok]

14. 124,280 miles. n/t

[frylock]

24. 150000 on my 1993 toyota pu..

the only thing I've had to replace are the starter bendix. There is a little slop in the timing chain, but my mech assures me that I don't need to replace it. The little green devil is still my daily driver, except during the summer months when I need the AC.

[Robb]

2. 5 year-old F-150

Keys and heat, no options.

Oh, and dogs rule. ;)

[ZenLefty]

4. DOGS DROOL!

Well, they do. :D

[papau]

20. Old Ford 150 still runs

Brother-in law has it - swears by it up in Maine

[hlthe2b]

6. Oh, Zenlefty, You lie like a dog (and I know you like them!)

Just no gun racks in the back glass, no matter what you buy, ok?
Get a good one, though so all your Denver DU fans can borrow it (to haul all of our dogs!) :evilgrin:

[ZenLefty]

9. Okay, you outed me

But I won't drive with a dog in the back. Not too fond of those who do, either. I suppose it's safe 'enough', but I'd hate to be driving by a park, someone throws a frisbee, and... :o

[hlthe2b]

13. Oh, no... We'd have to make sure you get one...

with an appropriate detachable top for our more hairy DUers!

[DeepModem Mom]

7. One with a Confederate flag in the window?

I'm kidding, Zen Lefty!

Hope you find a great set of wheels --

[ZenLefty]

10. They come pre-installed, don't they?

And do the dirty overalls come with a truck, or do I have to buy a pair? ;-)

[hlthe2b]

11. Most westerners don't get that whole "refight the civil war thing.."

in my experience (as one who lived many years in the South, immersed in it, I enjoy the confused reactions to all that out here).

[DeepModem Mom]

15. I grew up in the South...

and have a love/hate relationship with it.

[XNASA]

16. A Big Red One

With mudflaps and duelies. Don't settle for anything else.

[ZenLefty]

17. Can I get those chrome naked ladies on the mudflaps?

:D

[hlthe2b]

19. Hey, why not get one of those Toyota trucks jacked up on

those enormous tires and with a license plate that says BoyToy!

(just reading your fantasies, Zen :evilgrin:)

[XNASA]

21. It goes without saying.

And you gotta get one of those decals with the little boy pissing on something, in the back window.

[ZenLefty]

22. Pissing on free republic, maybe?

:D

Or a pic of bush pissing on a homeless guy, captioned "trickle down economics".

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

18. Toyota Tacoma

best truck for the dough!

[MojoKrunch]

23. Ranger 4x4

Just make sure it has an automatic.

Mojo

[jmowreader]

25. Make sure it has sheet-goods notches

In the sides of the bed, there should be little indentations that look like a 2x4 would fit in them. That's the idea. These are the sheet-goods notches. You cut some 2x4s to go between them and lay your plywood on top of the 2x4s.

I like the Dodge Dakota with the 3.8-liter V-6. It's a good happy medium between the S-10/Ranger/Japanese compact rigs and the full-size trucks.

Relative load capacities, as seen by loading shingles in them:

Japanese compacts, except the Mazda B-series
Ford Ranger/Mazda B-series (same truck)
Chevy S-10
Dodge Dakota
Full-size half-tons (the model number always starts with 15)
Full-size 3/4-tons (model number starting with 25)
Full-size one-tons (model number starting with 35)

Yes, the Japanese compacts, Ranger, S-10, Dakota and full-size half-tons are all rated to carry about a thousand pounds of cargo, but they sure don't act alike.

[DoNotRefill]

26. I've been looking at the Dodge Ram 150...

a buddy of mine got one used for around $13K in nice shape, and I sat in it. It's much more comfy than any other car I've ever been in, including luxury cars.

I was absolutely SHOCKED.

I want one.

[ZenLefty]

27. Is that the one that's got the Hemi?

Sweeeeeet. :)