Help me decide on a truck! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Simpler=Better · #1 07-09-2009, 11:12 AM

I'm looking to get a pickup to replace my 300D. I do all my own work(Minus alignments and tire balancing)
I don't have any brand loyalty, but I do have some requirements:

#1-Reliability(duh)
#2-Ease of repairs/cost of repairs
I don't want nightmare modern car experience
#3-Crew cab with a short box. I need the extra dry storage space, but I also want an open bed
#4-MUST HAVE A FRAME (NO unibodies)
#5-Engine (See below)

Naturally aspirated fuel injected gasoline 4 cylinder inline engine (I like the Toyota 5SFE-do they put a similar engine in the trucks?)
I only need 80hp/ft-lb torque; fuel economy&reliability are the goal.
Simple emissions controls-no AIR/smog pumps! PCV, O2 sensors, cat & EGR are fine by me if I can easily access them.
Hydraulic valves-I'm sick of removing my valve cover every 10k
Timing belt (Easier to change/less catastrophic failure than a chain in my opinion)
Self-tensioning serpentine belt for the accessories
R134a a/c system that will be easy to work on (If need be)

#6-Drivetrain (See Below)

Manual transmission, preferably with a hydraulic clutch
Hand operated parking brake is preferred, but not essential
2WD (Rear aka correct wheel dive)
Solid rear axle
Class II hitch(or available off-the-shelf)
Limited slip differential(or available off-the-shelf)
Relatively smooth ride when on the highway-low rpms in high gear and no/low vibration

#7-Interior (The part of the truck I will be most of the time)
Pedals are far away and the wheel is close to the driver(or can be extended)
I'm 6'2" with bad knees and like to have my legs stretched out, but I don't like to drive with my arms reaching straight out either. The seating/spacing in my 1993 Ranger was perfect.
Manual windows
Manual climate controls(Vacuum operated ones are expensive/hard to replace)
Factory-equipped cupholders that work!!!!!
Solid rear window(or off-the-shelf solid rear window available)
Sunroof(If it has the reputation for not leaking)
Light grey color is preferred(cooler in the summer) but I can live with anything.

Wish list:
Space for a second battery under the hood
ABS-but only if it's located in the engine bay
(Affordable) Off the shelf alternator upgrades into the 100Amp or higher range
Speakers in the dash(vs doors)
Heated seats(or the possibility of heated seats)

If you're still with me, thanks for reading through.

MattBelliveau · #2 07-09-2009, 11:21 AM

I must say that Toyota will fit your reliability and MPG concerns, but I don't know much about part costs or ease to work on (they seem a bit small in all aspects). I personally like 80s and early 90s Ford trucks. They have been very reliable to me, and parts are VERY plentiful and inexpensive (they made that body style for what, like 15 years?). They may not have what you are looking for in fuel economy, but they are very good trucks...

TX76513 · #3 07-09-2009, 11:24 AM

It's pretty hard to beat a 90's F150, while it doesn't have all the creature comforts you desire the reliability and dollar savings on parts is certainly strong.

Simpler=Better · #4 07-09-2009, 11:36 AM

But can you get F150's with an inline engine? I thought they were V6 and V8 only....

I used to own a 1993 Ranger 4L V6. Granted, I got it at 150,000 miles but nearly everything on that truck fell apart. Mileage was 14/19 and my top speed was 80

IIRC parts were pricey-$40/side for the rear brake shoes.

MattBelliveau · #5 07-09-2009, 11:41 AM

I'm pretty sure you can get models from the 80's with an inline 6. Yeah, I had a ranger too. Piece of crap if you ask me. On the F-150 side of things, I can't tell you how much I've beat the crap out of the 302 (V-8) and it runs like crazy. Granted, the gas milage sucks, but if you can find an I-6, I think it would have the same lasting power. Look how many of those things are still on the road. I would stay away from anything after the body change in the mid-90's, but others may have had better luck with them (they seem to have expensive, BS items go wrong; HVAC for example). Also, there is so much room under the hood, you can actually get two hands in there to work on it. Parts a cheap for them too (so I've found).

suginami · #6 07-09-2009, 12:23 PM

I think Nissan makes fantastic trucks with a 4 cylinder engine.

My good friend runs his own tile business and has put about 170,000 hard miles on his 2002 model year Nissan Frontier pickup, with no problems to speak of.

Angel · #7 07-09-2009, 12:35 PM

My father had an '88(?) F150 with a straight six (carburetted). Lousy MPG, but more grunt than you'd expect from a 6 and the **highest selling vehicle in America** status made parts easy.

-John

rs899 · #8 07-09-2009, 12:49 PM

Ford's 4.9 litre 300 cu in straight six was in production from 1965 to 1996. I have one in my '67 F-100 (although it is a 1980 engine and I rebuilt it). They are about as bulletproof as an OM617.

Rick

LUVMBDiesels · #9 07-09-2009, 12:52 PM

Too bad you want a frame... This little darling would be a hoot to own..

I think if you want small light duty look at the earlier Rangers and the S10 4 cylinders.The Rangers had 2 spark plugs per cylinder as a way to get an extra few mpgs out of the engine. They are both cheap and crappy, but will get decent mpgs and are easy to maintain.

I think they both came with extended cabs...

Didn't Isuzu keep making a Chevy LUV like truck well into the 1990's?

Skippy · #10 07-09-2009, 01:15 PM

Toyota or Nissan should provide most of what you want. Since you are big, you might need to go with an F-150 to get comfortable. As stated, they came with a really great 300 straight six until '96.

Hatterasguy · #11 07-09-2009, 01:33 PM

You can get some pretty good deals on F150's. One of my uncles just priced out a new one, crew cab, short bed, 5.4, 4wd, loaded....$27k!

I can't beleive how cheap they are. When I was looking at them I priced out a fairly basic F150 for $18,500, with a crew cab and short bed your probably not looking at that much more. I bet you can get what you want for very low $20k's.

Throw in a cash for clunkers POS and it looks pretty good.

The 5.4 is no bargin, but since you want 2wd you can get the 4.6 which IMHO is a far better motor.

With the new 6spd auto mileage should be high teens around town. The plus is they ride fantastic and are very quite on the highway.

Toyota's are good, and their little trucks are not bad. I'm just not a fan of little trucks because the beds are to small.

The Clk Man · #12 07-09-2009, 01:53 PM

I have a 2000 F-150 with really big tires on it and I get 20 mpg + on the highway. As stated above you can't kill these trucks, I would say one like mine could be bought for around $4000.

iwrock · #13 07-09-2009, 02:31 PM

F150. Quality is good (Not Toyota good, but its good), and the savings over the Toyota makes it an easy choice.

But like others said, the early 90s Fords are hard to beat. Plentiful inexpensive parts, and fairly reliable.

Simpler=Better · #14 07-09-2009, 03:15 PM

Forgot to add that I'm still in school and have to stick to a $5,000 budget(10x my 300D).

I get kind of nervous because I'm assuming that whatever I buy will immediately need $1000 in repairs/constant repairs like all my other cars.

My 93 Ranger was a POS, but I did get it at 150k, with a V6 auto. However, it's interior size/arrangement was very extremely comfortable(9/10) I'd give my 300D a 5/10 for ergonomics.

The 2000+ Rangers seem nice with the 2.5L I4 and 5spd. a/c and all the features I want.

If I stepped up to the $10k range I would just go for a 2003+ Trailblazer with the I6 & Auto; 17/21 mpg and a bulletproof engine