Small pickup owners chime in

[Swanny]

How is it with the 5 speed? As mentioned earlier I had a 98 but it was auto. Compared to my '00 tundra the ranger was almost worthless unfortunately. I get relatively the same gas milage in a v8 with greater towing and payload capacity, more room in the cabin, and its more comfortable to drive in town and off road. I guess I wouldn't have guessed there was such a HUGE difference between truck classes since all my friends had purchased s10s, dakotas, zr2 blazers, and the like so that was my only reference point.


Sorry for the complete change in subject but the ranger's auto just didnt want to get the car up and go. Took a while to kick down and it was always a hard shift. Now I can't remember if it was the 3.0 or the 4.0 motor....

[totheredline]

I got a beater 92 ranger for $600 and use it to commute to school and haul parts. its nice having a vehicle you dont give a shit about. When I drive my e46 Im afraid to park it near other cars and shopping carts. haha

[illest318i]

I want a Toyota pick up so badly, I can do so many fun activities if I had one!

[goldenbb]

The best damn little truck ever made is the Toyota pickup with the 4 cylinder 22R-E engine and a 5 speed trans. Anyone who says differently is out of their damn mind!

A S10 with a 4.3L and a 5 speed is a good little truck too but the Toyota is still king.

I own a 2.2L 5 speed S10. Do not buy one of these! SO SLOW.

Well, at least you're consistent--that vintage of Toyota in any condition will be vanishingly hard to locate, even harder than a rust-free 325ix! I have a 2.7L Tacoma, it's 16 years old and runs like a top. Not having to replace a vehicle every five or six years has saved me a ton of money.

The 22RE Toyotas were a bit under-powered and as I recall. I test drove one once and didn't like it. My brother had the xcab 3.4L V-6. The V-6 models had some issues. The 22RE was a super-reliable engine, it just didn't have a lot of oomph.

My 2.7 is great, as long as you don't tow anything that often. The truck itself is otherwise fine. It can comfortably haul about 1/2 - 3/4 yard of topsoil, gravel, or crushed stone. I added spring helpers so the back end would not sag. Obviously, if you're looking at hauling a lot of stuff, you need a fullsize pickup. Mine also has carried all manner of lumber--the 6 foot box means typical 8 foot lumber hangs over the back some. I just tie it down and go.

[AdironRider]

Seriously, a 22re truck is approaching 30 years old for the most part.

It might be a badass motor, but Im not paying a several thousand dollar premium when I can get a Ranger that's less than ten years old for the same money with half the miles and no rust.

[e30saam]

I guarantee you if you take your time searching for a Toyota you will find an awesome one for cheap. I know a guy who bought my exact dream truck. One owner clean and rust free 1987 4runner 4wd 5spd 22RE. He bought it for $2,000. He searched for like 5 months but he found the perfect truck. If you can afford to wait, you can a Nice clean Toyota for cheap. You can find a clean cheap 2wd in no time.

[e30saam]

Nevermind, I just looked at your location. How bad is rust in Connecticut? Im spoiled here in the south.

[UpstateMike]

I bought an s10 just south of Hartford. It was a reg cab short box and it was a 1994. First year of newer body style. Truck had absolutely zero rust. Was awesome. 2.2L with 5 speed. Best cheap little truck money can buy. All kinda of parts avail on c list and at j yards and online. Easy to work on too. Head gaskets and fuel pumps are common problems but easy enough to repair. Good luck with your selection.

[blackhawkimpact]

The best damn little truck ever made is the Toyota pickup with the 4 cylinder 22R-E engine and a 5 speed trans. Anyone who says differently is out of their damn mind!

^This 100%. Owned 5 of them. Just sold my 91 project pickup due to lack of time. :( Hoping to get another soon.

[einhander]

Seriously, an E30 is approaching 30 years old for the most part.

It might be a badass motor, but Im not paying a several thousand dollar premium when I can get an E36/46 that's less than ten years old for the same money with half the miles and no rust.

Fixed.

Seriously though, those Toyotas are tough little fuckers.

[mrmckie]

Nevermind, I just looked at your location. How bad is rust in Connecticut? Im spoiled here in the south.

not too bad..just depends on the previous owners maintence. It doesn't snow here as oftern as people think so they don't put down too much salt. I see a couple toyotas with very little rust but some were half the rear arches are rotted off.

I still have a few months to decide so i'm going to just keep an eye on CL to see if anything pops up and exactly how much money i'll have left after getting a new a CR-V first.