best small pickup truck?

[roach]

as a suburban/city boy born and raised, the current plan of moving to the country and homesteading is already a bit overwhelming... i admit i have no idea how ethanol is made, but i remember being quite taken aback at the equipment and expertise needed to safely/effectively make biodiesel. 

once i get myself situated and competent with the tasks at hand, i'd probably be willing to take a swat at something like that, but for now it'd just be too big on top of the existing "to learn" pile.

got trapped in one of those annoying concrete divider/curb mazes at the bank parking lot today, and imagined myself just plowing over them in my doomtruck.   

[Phildo]

as a suburban/city boy born and raised, the current plan of moving to the country and homesteading is already a bit overwhelming... i admit i have no idea how ethanol is made, but i remember being quite taken aback at the equipment and expertise needed to safely/effectively make biodiesel. 

once i get myself situated and competent with the tasks at hand, i'd probably be willing to take a swat at something like that, but for now it'd just be too big on top of the existing "to learn" pile.

got trapped in one of those annoying concrete divider/curb mazes at the bank parking lot today, and imagined myself just plowing over them in my doomtruck.   

Ahhh, ok, that makes sense.  Yes, even ethanol is a project.  It is just appealing for me as I have waste heat available to brew and distill it. 

Be able to feed yourself first, get the house to the point it uses no energy and then optimizing  transportation comes along after that. 

[Brian in Seattle]

Here is another Unimog on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120463853570&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3ASS%3AUS%3A1123

I can almost taste it.

Brian

[madison]

Best truck would be one that runs, is paid for with cash and looks like crap so no one will steal it 

[hillwalker]

good grief, ya'll have very different ideas about what a small pickup is, than I do.

having actually owned a real, genuine, 100% toyota FJ-45 (the pickup) I can put that one straight out. It
ain't small, that's for sure. A hilux is better for small anyway.
I like the mazda-b (early ford courier), and that kinda thing.

If only those cool Japanese K-trucks were legal here in the US, , oh well.

[BlueOwl]

If you're looking for a small 4wd pickup, I'll second or third or whatever it is, the Toyota.  And I'll say def'ly go for the 22re 4-cylinder.  If you get a v6 prepare for not much more power but far worse gas mileage.

The only problem w/ toyota trucks is their crazy ability to never loose value...which is great if you buy new trucks and like to sell them for a lot of money, but it's horrible if you like to buy used trucks.  2 years ago I was looking to buy a 4wd Toy and kept seeing numbers like, "1996, 150k, 4wd 4-cylinder, rusty but trusty: $11,500."  WTF?  $11k for a 11 year old truck w/ 150k and rust?  I never did find a deal that seemed worth considering.

[roach]

No shit.  The Toyotas appear to command consistently double the price of comparable Nissans.  I've put myself in a helluva spot by requiring both a good price and airbags, which pretty much negate each other.  People are also out of their goddamn minds when pricing pickup trucks.  Like everything else these days, people want to buy something new, use it until it's almost dead, and then sell it for 75% of what they paid for it. 

The search has intensified since I totaled my car last weekend.  Now I'm without wheels until I find said truck.   

[Mama Nueva de Elian]

My father and I have owned multiple Tacomas and multiple Nissans, both pre- and post-"Hardbody."   ('86-'04 vintages)

The Tacos ARE probably marginally better trucks.  The price premium is really not justified, though. 

I'll take a Nissan to the field and work the shit out of it any day with confidence. 

[roach]

Yeah, my dad's buddy has one that he uses to death and it just keeps on ticking.  I'm seeing some on eBay with over 300K on them, and that says something.

Maybe I can just tape a giant balloon to the steering wheel and forego the airbag...

[kats]

We've got a 1999 Toyota Tacoma what we bought for $3K. It is great for running stuff around in summer. But it is pretty uncomfortable and no use on snow. Around here, your commuting in snow vehicle is some species of Subaru.

[roach]

We've got a 1999 Toyota Tacoma what we bought for $3K. It is great for running stuff around in summer. But it is pretty uncomfortable and no use on snow. Around here, your commuting in snow vehicle is some species of Subaru.

2wd or 4x4?  Requiring 4wd makes my search even tougher, but I'm thinking it might be extra-useful to have.

[kats]

We've got a 1999 Toyota Tacoma what we bought for $3K. It is great for running stuff around in summer. But it is pretty uncomfortable and no use on snow. Around here, your commuting in snow vehicle is some species of Subaru.

2wd or 4x4?  Requiring 4wd makes my search even tougher, but I'm thinking it might be extra-useful to have.

All Subarus are all-wheel drive. 4 WD is no use on sheet ice, of course. Nothing is. But it does make getting up the steep driveway in fresh snow a hell of a lot easier.

[roach]

We've got a 1999 Toyota Tacoma what we bought for $3K. It is great for running stuff around in summer. But it is pretty uncomfortable and no use on snow. Around here, your commuting in snow vehicle is some species of Subaru.

2wd or 4x4?  Requiring 4wd makes my search even tougher, but I'm thinking it might be extra-useful to have.

All Subarus are all-wheel drive. 4 WD is no use on sheet ice, of course. Nothing is. But it does make getting up the steep driveway in fresh snow a hell of a lot easier.

no, sorry, i meant the tacoma.

[kats]

Ours is the 4 cylinder, 2 WD. 4 WD would obviously be more useful in snow.

[cleiserle]

I've got a 1995 toyota, I bought brand new in late 94 (not a Tacoma) 22-R, 4-wd.  Never had any real problem in 150,000 miles. I've taken care of it pretty well, as far as maintenence, but it's only on it's second set of brakes, and second battery in damned near 14 yrs, I'd say that speaks for the Toyota.  (Did just have to replace the starter this summer, no biggie)
Snow, mud to the axles, stuffed in a ditch, sand, this truck won't quit...Even on ice, 4-wd, low gear and you can creep along safely, as the truck doesn't weigh that much. Too bad they cost so damned much used....I payed $14,500 for it back in 94...I think I've gotten my dollars worth out of it!