Beater Truck

[fbWldcat]

I know it's Aces High, and not KBB, but I respect the opinions of a lot of you on this forum and was wondering what you all thought about beater trucks.

Looking for a truck that will be around $3000 (+/- $2000) with 4x4, V6 and automatic. Thinking about an old Ranger or Tacoma, but what would you all look for? Preferably I'd like a truck with no history of transmission recalls. That's the biggest no-no to me. If it can tow a 2,000 LB boat and has an airbag, it's golden. So that's what I'm looking for, do you all have any suggestions?

[caldera]

Rangers and Tacomas are both good choices.  Or you could get a real beater like mine:



It came with the dents and scratches at no extra charge.  I still see tons of Cherokees rolling around these parts, so they must hold up pretty well.

[craz07]

I've had both.. go as new as you can.. like you would with any vehicle    Do a f150 if you can find a good deal.. sadly 4x4 is not free..

[fbWldcat]

I'm a huge fan of Jeep, but seeing as I have a 4Runner with 4WD, I don't really need another closed off-road vehicle. I'm looking for an open bed truck to preserve the 4Runner's miles and keep the interior decent- mulch, lumber, hunted animals, and coolers of fish don't mix well with that carpet!  

(My cousin has a Cherokee and killed it on a trail in his backyard- I'm convinced I'll have one someday. I like your thinking, Caldera).

And yes, 4x4 isn't free, but I'm sure as heck not getting caught in deep mud or on a slick boat ramp with nothing but a low gear and 2WD.   

[phatzo]

sadly 4x4 is not free..

This, I bought a '95 Range Rover for five grand a while back thinking it was a good deal but unfortunately the thing kept costing money and mainly in the driveline. I sold it for five grand after owning it for 18 months, which is good except for the exorbitant amount of cash I spent on parts.

[AAJagerX]

Make a friend that can scout the local auctions for you.  Ya should be able to pick up a early 2000's F-150/Silverado/Ram pretty easy for 5K.

[skorpx1]

Get an early 2000's F-150 or a late 90's Silverado.

Other than that, check on Craigslist in your area or take a look around on Ebay or some other places. I just looked up F-150 in Craigslist and the first truck that showed up was a 2003 F-150 with 4x4 and airbags just as you wanted.

[CAP1]

Rangers and Tacomas are both good choices.  Or you could get a real beater like mine:



It came with the dents and scratches at no extra charge.  I still see tons of Cherokees rolling around these parts, so they must hold up pretty well.

 i'll second caldera on this. while i love my fords.....if you want a beater 4x4 6 banger, that'll take every single thing you can throw at it, and just keep going....then a jeep cherokee is what you want. the straight six in them is nearly indestructible. excellent torque, halfway decent mileage, and plenty of room inside, considering how little they are on the outside.

[fbWldcat]

I've narrowed it down to a 90's early 2000's Tacoma (even with V6 it's not gonna fly down the highway with anything in tow by any means like with the new ones), a Dodge Dakota from the early 2000's, Ford Ranger, or a full-size pickup with a V6. Turbocharging does wonders, and I don't need that V8. I will admit, though, from what I'm hearing about the Cherokee, it's residing in second right now behind the Tacoma. Tacoma is still heading the list because it's what my Dad used to have. Thanks for the suggestions and input so far. I really appreciate it, and keep it coming!

That Jeep sounds real nice right about now, I'm not gonna lie. If I were to buy one, would a 95 be reliable enough? Which engine of theirs is most rugged and takes the most s**t?

<S>

[Schen]

Get an early 2000's F-150 or a late 90's Silverado.

Other than that, check on Craigslist in your area or take a look around on Ebay or some other places. I just looked up F-150 in Craigslist and the first truck that showed up was a 2003 F-150 with 4x4 and airbags just as you wanted.

I owned a 97 chev silverado and sold it to my day in 2012 after owning it 5 years with 250 000 kms. He is still driving it and it has 330k with origenal moter and he decided to refurbish the transmission as a percaution. The 95-98 chev 1500 is a solid series.

[Cremator]

Never pass up on a geo or Chevy Tracker. I have two. One I pull my boat around with, 4Dr 4x4 and I get in the upper 20's in gas mileage. The other is my mini tank that I trap out of. Its rough as a cob but unstoppable. The first one i have 3500 for the last I traded a Bluetick Hound and a rugger10-22.

[MrKrabs]

I know it's Aces High, and not KBB, but I respect the opinions of a lot of you on this forum and was wondering what you all thought about beater trucks.

Looking for a truck that will be around $3000 (+/- $2000) with 4x4, V6 and automatic. Thinking about an old Ranger or Tacoma, but what would you all look for? Preferably I'd like a truck with no history of transmission recalls. That's the biggest no-no to me. If it can tow a 2,000 LB boat and has an airbag, it's golden. So that's what I'm looking for, do you all have any suggestions?

Where have you hiding you putz! We miss you!

[eagl]

You could go ugly early and get a medium-high mileage ford ranger...  If it has med-high miles then it probably isn't a lemon, and their resale is so low you can probably just replace the thing instead of fixing it when it breaks.

[eagl]

My dad had some sort of crappy little chevy truck.  That thing sucked, could barely get out of its own way.  But it kept running and had a towing capacity over 2000 lbs so it was fine for utility trailers and small boats.  By the time he got rid of it, the thing would barely get to 80 on the freeway but would still pass California smog, go figure.  I don't think he ever put more than a couple hundred bucks into keeping it running.  He kept it so long because compared to most trucks it actually got halfway decent gas mileage and he wasn't afraid of breaking it because it was a true bargain beater from the beginning.

[CAP1]

Never pass up on a geo or Chevy Tracker. I have two. One I pull my boat around with, 4Dr 4x4 and I get in the upper 20's in gas mileage. The other is my mini tank that I trap out of. Its rough as a cob but unstoppable. The first one i have 3500 for the last I traded a Bluetick Hound and a rugger10-22.

some of these had suzuki engines in them. problems gettting parts for those sometimes.