Cheap 4 door pickups

So I think I am going to replace my 99 Ford Ranger with something else. 

I need a four door truck that will fit a car seat and is an automatic to act as a backup cat for the family. 

Are their any post LATCH system trucks that can be found for $2-$3k that I should absolutely avoid? I just need something cheap, reliable, safe. Really the extent of the truck use would be hauling garden supplies and mountain bikes. I would probably be using it for a couple months until I get a new job sorted out and find the car I want. 

For info, LATCH went into effect in September of 2002

I would think you'd look for a full size?  I seem to remember that those early Ridgelines had some body stiffness issues.

The only 4 door pickups I can think of in that price range are Dodge half tons. 

EvanB said:

The only 4 door pickups I can think of in that price range are Dodge half tons. 

Dang it looks like you might be right. I assumed I'd easily be able to find like early 00s Ford F150s and stuff for that price. I do see a couple 04-05 F150 4 doors locally for sub 3k and a Explorer Sport Trac. 

Sub $3k and a 4 door truck probably only puts you into a Dodge Dakota and with a crappy 3.9L engine.  Or, a S-10 based 4 door and then you have a back seat that might not really meet your kid hauling desires all that well.  

It is comical how much people spend/charge for 4 door trucks.  I too would like to have one but have yet to find one that fits my spending parameters. 

The Dakota was also rebadged as the Mitsubishi Raider (and no one goes looking for one) and the Nissan Frontier was rebadged as the Suzuki Equator.  Either of those unknown models might bring a bargain.  

EvanB said:

The only 4 door pickups I can think of in that price range are Dodge half tons. 

Avalanches.  They're capable.  I enjoyed mine when I wasn't busy breaking it because i was using it beyond what it was made for

So it looks like close to that price range would be Avalaches, Explorer Sport Trac, 04-05 F150s, maybe Rams. I lean away from Dodges. Lets say if I get to $3.5k-$4k any of those out of the Avalache, Explorer Sport Trac and early 11th gen F150 i should avoid like the plague. 

Nissan Titans are probably plentiful in Nashville and they sold a lot of 4 door models.  The first couple of years have an issue where the radiator rusts then mixes trans fluid with coolant which then ruins the trans. 

The remedy is preventative radiator replacement.  

This then gets you 5.6L of 9,000 towing capability in exchange for some pretty dismal mpg

I think 11th gen F150 was when the 5.4L Tritons had the spark plug issues.  Not a deal breaker, but worth knowing whether it was done or not.

In reply to John Welsh :

You're thinking Frontier with the radiator failures.

Cheapest 4dr 2002-up is Dakotas. I actually don't dislike them, but i'd avoid the 3.7/4.7 engines. It was still possible to get 3.9 and 5.9L in 02-03. The 3.9 will be slow, the 5.9l will be good but get poor mpg.  But, it's an extremely reliable basic engine. 

In the 04-up F150s, the 4.6 was the good old 2 valve engine that doesn't suck, while the 5.4 was the 3 valve engine that had spark plug issues (probably most of them are fixed with updated plugs at this point) and cam phaser issues (which are much harder to repair). I'd avoid 3valve 5.4s. 

As far as the regular rams, I'd take a hemi over a 4.7. As far as GMs, none of the engines are 'bad' but at the <3k price range it'd be hard to find a truck in good condition. 

I'd honestly way rather have a nice Dakota than a bottom of the barrel full size with more wear/damage. 

I'd definitely recommend the titan over all of them but i haven't seen any decent Titans much below 5k. 

If you like your ranger then the explorer sport trac should suit you. 

I like that you can get IRS depending on year. 

Good luck 

Avalance would be the ticket.  Its still most of a real truck and they dont command much for resale.  If you are not concerned about MPG get the 2500 with the 6.0 and the 8 lug wheels.  Those are very trucklike and capable.

Best part is you are down south so the tin worm hasn't eaten them like in the north.  Dont forget about the Cadillac version of the Avalance.  Didnt have the 8 lug axles but should still have the 6.0.