depending on your location (availability of this truck) and if you're needing to move around small things (which I don't thing you really intend to do since you mentiond furniture) I'd look around for a mid 80's Isuzu Pickup (preferably with a diesel engine, and a 5spd). But with moving big things such as furniture you definately need to go to a full-size truck, such as a Dodge Ram with a diesel. Maybe a late 80's or early 90's with a diesel (may be possible to find a "beater" one for your price range or maybe lower).

I finally found an Isuzu Pickup that sounds pretty interesting, but have made no effort to check it out.