Truck comparisson.. what would you choose?

eltorro

eltorro

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My deal for the Envoy fell - I didn't like it and I don't think it would have handled well in the woods....:p so I have to pick something else.

Many have suggested to go for a pick-up rather than SUV, but never had one, so here it goes:

What is your hierarchy list for small size pick-ups?
It must be a 4x4 and I'll go for extended / double / crew cab. Some space...
Please rearrange in order of your prefference and if previously owned, any details are welcomed.

The list sounds like this : Ford Ranger, Dodge Dakota, S10/Sonoma, or the very hard ot find Tacoma.

I appreciate your help.
 
i am more partial to the fords but the rangers of the past few years are having ahard time keeping up with the regular beatings of city life, a buddy of mine has a s-10 with the offroad package and swears by it his came factory with 31x10.5 tires and a 3" lift out side of a problem with the electric 4wheel engagment button dieing in 4high after 120K he hasnt had any problems maintence wise. cant say much about dodges as i just dont like them LOL
personaly i used to own an f150 but after relizeing me the wife and 2 cars seats just dont fit ina reg cab i upgraded to an older cherokee and well i will be buying a new cherokee or commander next year given its relability and usefullness not to mention nimbleness in the bush
 
CHEVY all the way. Get the 3/4 ton diesel,crew cab. Where I work they got rid of the ford and dodge trucks cause they ain't making any money in the garage all the time. Those friggin dodges are hit or miss. I was driving an 06 1 ton dually,a fully loaded 62 000$ POS. The front end went after 35km of city driving. Then the brakes and rotors were hooped after 120 km(400$ a wheel). I brought that junk back in less then 24 hrs and marched right across the street to the chev dealership and haven't looked back since. Got a better truck for the same money IMO.
 
I owned a Ranger for quite a few years, it was a good truck overall but was hard on starters (3) and the sending unit would "freeze up" for the electronic FWD and I'd have to crawl underneath and tap it with a hammer occasionally to get it to engage. I drive an F150 now and love it, but if I was going to buy a compact truck it would be a Toyota.
So my list would be 1.Tacoma, 2.Ranger and the other two would not make my list.
 
If Toyota still made the Tacoma in the same style as the 2000-2004 years, and they did not cost an arm and a leg, I would have bought one.

But, I got a 2007 Ranger FX4 4x4, extended cab. Honsetly, there is not much room in the back seats to sit, but you can squeeze some gear back there. I've only got 4000k on it, so obviously it has not given me any problems. I've already used the 4x4 in some soft sand trails, and it worked well. I really like the truck. I'm not sure, but Ford may still have their Family Pricing in effect. If it is, it would be a good time to buy one.

Also, my Dad is an excellent mechanic, he's been fixing cars since he was a teenager, and he said everything looks like it is nice and easy to work on. Nothing is really hard to get at if it does need to be fixed, at least thats what he said. The only thing I don't like so far is where the oil filter is. It's right close to the cat. converter, and it's usually quite hot when I change my oil, so I need to be careful not to touch it. Although, I suppose I could just get it wet with water and cool it down.

You can see my truck here

Sean
 
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I have a 98 Dakota Sport 4x4, and it's a pretty truck. Never had a single problem. Only downside is the milage... I have a v6 and get about 14MPG :(

But, I've taken it and bagged it everywhere and it keeps on going.

I also have a 2003 Avalance Z71... now THAT'S a truck!
 
Dodges are terrible on gas, My last GM diesel was junk. My present GMC 4x4 needs disc brakes cleaned every year, both power window cables broke, u joints, etc etc. Ask your mechanic what to buy based on repairs, gas mileage and resale value. Toyota is my next choice.
 
Get the crew cab 4x4 Tacoma with auto (not sure if they come in standard or not ...either way ... get the auto). My first 4x4 was a Ford Explorer...pretty miserable all in all experience. Next was a 95 4Runner stick (4x4x4cyl stick) was an outstanding vehicle....currently driving a 97 Series '80 Toyota product (last year of the series 80) with front and rear lockers... goes anywhere!
 
toyotas please.

after spending way to many good hunting hours underneith my Chevy, and helping buddies fix their fords and Dodges, I'm done buying Domestic. I have used toyota trucks in Canada, and the middle east and they are pretty damn hard to kill.
 
I'd be tempted to try the Nissan Titan. V8, not an über pickup, but I don't think you want a big heavy diesel for off road in the bush and soft stuff...too much weight in the front end.

I would go with a 5 speed, but I'm not an auto fan.

I would caution you against a SUV. After all, do you want blood and ####e in the passenger compartment and the meat getting warm during the drive back to civilization? Or go to the trouble of mafiaproofing the rear with 10 mil poly? Much easier to slip the deceased beast into a cheesecloth bag and toss it in the back of the truck.
 
So far Toyota Tacoma is hands down the best, but also the hardest to find.... and the prices... ouch.

Would you say that the 4Runner is just as as good? A lot more vehicles on the market and a lot cheaper too.
 
A new Taco is cheaper than a 4Runner...surprised you can find a used 4Runner cheaper than a used Tacoma... but if you can ... go with the 4Runner. Many of them are not worked too hard and can be a good deal...although be cautious... some have been purchased by idiots that know nothing of how a 4 wheel drive vehicle should be driven or maintained.. eg 130kph on dry pavement in 4high with part time 4wd is not easy on the drive train.....but stick with the Toyota's. For deer sized game you can get a rack for your hitch and carry the game outside of the vehicle (well wrapped to keep dustoff) fwiw. Auto is always easier to use off road on the slippery and or steep stuff imho...personnally I now find (after many decades) standards to be a royal pain... particularly when the Toyota auto' last and work so well with reasonable maintenance...

btw ... it used to be that the tacoma and 4Runner were pretty much the same under the sheet metal other than the rear springs (Tacoma were leaf and 4Runner were coil)
 
Dont limit yourself with a small or mid size truck, get a full size. You never know if you'll need to do some serious hauling or maybe you buy a big fifth wheel or something.
Mid size trucks don't get much better milage, are smaller then a full size and you spend the same or more $$
I bought an F-150 FX4 after trading my Dakota in due to lack of room and towing capabilties.
 
Toyota all the way. Driving a Tundra right now and its a great truck!

Have had Tacoma, and 86 Landcruiser Diesel. Never had a single problem between the three. The cruiser had 389000 or so KMS when I sold it for half as much is it was bought for new in 1986.

Today, I was looking at a new 4 door Tundra. My current one os a 2001 with 106000 kms. I'll get over half of what I bought it for new on a trade which the dealer desperately wants, so I should do well selling it on my own.

I realize many think that Toyota is expensive to purchase,,, and they are. But, there are not very many vehicles you can sell 5 years later with over 100000 kms and get better than half of what you paid new.

Good luck shopping.
 
Buy a tacoma.... I have had 3 toyota's 1984, 2002 and now 2006

they have all been great trucks.. I had a hard time getting rid of my 02, it was a great truck and went anywhere. I could pull a 14 foot quad trailer loaded, you would notice the weight.. just had to drop one gear going up hills.
but the 06 is great. I have the 6 speed, great for everyday driving and great for towing the quads around.... as for hunting we'll see in 7 sleeps.

buy toyota you will not regret it.
 
Nothing beats a full sized 4x4 pick up with a 4x4 quad and chain saw in the back.....it's the standard set up.


If I had to buy a mini to hunt with, it would be a CHEAP one:D so I would not be afraid of getting it scrached up.
 
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