Recommend a small cheap truck

I like the old AND new 2.3 rangers. The new are massively better to drive and the old are ridiculously cheap and easy to keep running.

I really dislike 4.3 s10/sonoma after 95. That engine bay is not all that friendly at all.

Since noone has brought it up, i'll recommend a 97-up 2.5/5spd Dakota. The amc motor is super reliable, the tiny engine in a biggish engine bay is a dream for service, the power is better than a 2.2 s10 or (old) 2.3 ford, the MPG is nearly the same, the truck looks cooler than MOST ranger and s10 iterations (but not all), can be made to handle, and the bed is larger.

I helped some friends find a REALLY nice ~00 model ext cab 2.5/5spd a few months back. She likes it more than the ext cab 2.2/5spd s10 she had before that. I drove it on a 450 mile road trip and got 24 mpg. I think a single cab with lighter wheels and tires could get 26-27 if driven a little slower. Speed limit was 75 for most of that trip.

I'm going to be wayyy outside the box. How about a nice el Camino or Rampage. (I would say Ranchero but economy is not their strong suit) Even a Taurus Wagon truck bed conversion in the driveway.

I dont think a 70s Rachero is much worse fuel wise than a 70s Elcamino, with the 6, maybe mid-high teens mixed? Actually a falconchero in good tune should do better than that, but IDK if 4k will get a driver.

Hey guys, I figured I'd give you an update. He bought an 89 Ranger four-banger manual in white with some sweet 80's blue gradient graphics down the side for $800. Body is solid with only some surface rust in the bed from the usual scratches. Interior is a little rough with no radio or AC, but that doesn't seem important to him for the purposes of the thing. Overall he's pretty happy with it for how little it cost.

Couple of questions:

• On the rusty bed. I think he should just do a DIY spray bed liner on it (if he even cares enough). Any need to rustoleum it first to stop the tin worm or is there a bed liner that will do that?

• The headlights suck. Typical sealed beam deal from that era. I've had luck simply using Silverstar sealed beams on my AW11. Are there better choices? I'm thinking converting to an any other lighting setup probably isn't worth the trouble on this thing.

Are you sure the headlight wiring is all good? I've always found the big square sealed beams, I think last ones I bought were the not cheapest sylvania, to be more than adequate.

The latest issue of Classic Motorsports included big brochure/mini-magazine for Por 15 products. They make a DIY bedliner, It didnt look cheap, but I really dont shop for bedliners much so I dont really know.

look for sylvania xtravisions (if they even make them in sealed beam?) they are as bright as silverstars but I have never been able to get more than a year out of any silverstars, the xtravisions last a lot longer.

beater trucks are fun we love our old 86 F150.

Matt B wrote: - The headlights suck. Typical sealed beam deal from that era. I've had luck simply using Silverstar sealed beams on my AW11. Are there better choices? I'm thinking converting to an any other lighting setup probably isn't worth the trouble on this thing.

Check to be sure all grounds are OK, and check to make sure the headlights are getting good voltage - if there's a voltage drop, try a headlight relay.

Silvania makes a cheaper headlight with the same power output as a Silverstar but minus the whitish coating (which means it actually puts out a little more light) - I'd use those.

Thanks for the heads up on the Xtravisions (or whatever they're called). I didn't realize they were just as good and probably better. Sounds like I need to use different bulbs myself. I'll help him check the wiring.

On the bed - POR 15 might be the best, but I doubt he'll invest in any expensive processes. This isn't really a restoration project. More of a git-r-done kinda thing. (forgive me, for I have referenced truly bad comedy)