THE SHORT:
Pickup truck, extended cab preferred, not Ford, LSD a must

Any recommendations? I don't mind 2wd as long as it has a LSD, and I don't mind trading the fuel economy of a V6 for the reliability of a V8. I can always make fairings and such

THE LONG
I've got a bad habit of disabling my car for weeks on end, and it's too cold for my motorcycle. I need a secondary gasser that will be my end-all reliable get-where-I'm-going mobile.

Here's the tough part: No $$ so no I can't get a 2009 Mercedes as a backup vehicle

I really like extended cab pickups/avalanche-style combinations for a dependable utility vehicle(My Dad's 1998 Silverado has never left us stranded in the last 160k, and we beat the crap out of it on the farm)
An SUV would be acceptible, for the right price.

The las truck I owned was a 93 Ranger(4L V6 2WD 200k Auto), and kept me busy(Entire brake system, tranny lines, frame-cab mounts, frame-leaf spring mounts, rear bearings, rear axle, alternator,starter, and finally headgasket(what killed it) so Ford is a no-no

Never owned a Dodge truck (Owned a Dodge Spirit with a DSM 4 banger though)

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

Then you ought to seriously consider…. THE HUMMER



.

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Deltacom ~ Absit Iniuria Verbis ~

I'm in love with the H1!
18" ground clearance, brakes on the driveshaft, 300HP/600ft-lb torque, 5ton weight. The perfect winter mobile short of a snow cat.

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

Buy a Chevy. The Fords can have a lot of problems, and the Dodges are built using cheap parts that wear quickly (that's why Dodges are less expensive when new). Chevy trucks are in the same league as the Toyotas, as far as quality goes - I can say that because Chevy quality has gone up while Toyo quality has gone down. But the perceived quality keeps the Toyo prices higher than the Chevys. Like all used auto purchases, find a good one that's been treated well.

On what do I base my opinion? I own an auto parts store, and I see/talk to everyone.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

I've owned a few trucks and Chevy/GM is my vote as well. Easy to work on, cheap parts, dead reliable, simple, etc. I used to snowboard every weekend, all winter, every winter and the ride at the time was a 95 Chevy C1500 with V6 and 5speed. Truck would get 20-21mpg on the highway and was surprisingly good in snow, without LSD. Good MS rated tires was all I ever needed even in VT and NH. If you really are worried then line 4 milkcrates with trashbags and fill with concrete up to handles. Place milkcrates in bed against tailgate, secure with board in bedliner slots and pass chain through handles, tie into stake pockets. No problem and plenty of traction.

I still own that 95, now has 190K and despite being beaten its entire life, its still going strong. I would rate the '88-'00 GM trucks as right up there in durability and simplicity with a manual 240D. Flame suit on!

Find yourself a V6 mid to late 90's ExCab 2wd. It will be cheap and reliable. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

Well I talked to my mom and she's willing to cosign on something as long as it's under $4k said and done. After my last fight with the Benz I'm -$300 and now have to go under the hood to start/stop. It's going to fall back to summer project car status.

Did they make any manual Blazers? How does the V6 rate in reliability vs the V8? I should probably find a Chevy Forum...

__________________
$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment