<$1500 Truck - What to look out for

[mrsleeve]

Seems like a good deal to me with out pics and going over it in person hard to say. But that said that is the 1st year for the last body style and should serve you well.

[1987_325is]

For small size truck I would go with a Tacoma but your not finding one in that price range. Next I would go with an s10. However we had a blazer and it did go through two transmissions, which are a bitch to go in the first place, Then Dakota, then turn my e30 into a truck with a sawzall, then a ranger.

[cawb352]

Tonerr, first stay away from first gen Vortecs(pre 96) secondly I just went through this, best bet is to be on craigslist a couple times a day and search all kinds of stuff you never know whats gonna come up at the perfect time. I just bought a 98 jimmy with a 2nd gen Vortec, new trans, fully serviced and ready to go. Its a beautiful truck and i paid $1500 for it. I just caught the guy at the right time and he wanted it gone. I was the first person to look at it and bought it on the spot.

[slammin.e28]

Get an old Toyota. Sure, beds rust out on every one, but flatbed is more useful IMO. Make some sides from some 2x4s and roll.

I have a soft spot for the 4x4 hardbody VG powered Nissans. Had one roll up 300k on it, still ran great.

4cyl trucks are lol to me. What are you gonna be hauling? Pillows?

[tonerrrr]

Hmm, so no 1st gen Vortec or what??

I'm definitely searching CL a lot for something. It's tough working till 5pm to snatch something up quick during the day.

I've nothing against Rangers other than the fact that I hate the Ford feel while driving. Seems very loose (even when new). I owned a 2006 Tundra in the past and that thing drove like a car! If I do find a Ranger that looks like it fits my needs I'll probably pick it up.

[Kershaw]

if you dont like the ford ranger, why not get the mazda b series?

[mrsleeve]

There is nothing to be scared of on the 1st gen or pre vortech s. The only thing that can be a bitch is the cpi ( central port injection). Engines. Not to be confused with tbi (throtel body). The cpi looks like a conveentional mulit port intake. Most are tbi looks like an old school carb and air cleaner normally.

There is nothing to be scared of at all. The are just hard on fuel that's all

[dannyyisntt]

$1500 truck? That's an expensive truck in my neck of the woods.

Buy a ford ranger, s10, or 1500

[tonerrrr]

Hell yea, I'll take a Mazda over a Ford truck any day!

Text does not properly convey sarcasm. ;)


I aint scurrd, I have a few lined up which I need to call, wtf is with this bumper? http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/cto/2917533023.html

Now here's a truck: http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/2916391455.html

[n0m4d]

I have had a ton of old trucks, 96-99 GMs with a 5.7 is the best of the beaters. A 5 year old can work on one and parts are cheap. Replacement spyders for the CPI system resolve all the issues, update it to mfi and run about $350, so if you have fuel issues its an easy solution. Never let the tank go below 1/4 and the fuel pumps will last forever. This is my $2500 LeMons hauler, almost 250k mi and still drives great:

[n0m4d]

This?: http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/2909616601.html

[tonerrrr]

This?: http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/2909616601.html

Nice find, added to my list!

Several things are pros for my purchase as well which I'm considering when looking:

-Extended cab
-Tool box
-Little bit of lift
-Non ugly as shit paint job
-Manual

Here's a GMC 4x4 4.3 gas saver: http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/2917325162.html

[n0m4d]

If you don't need 4x4 avoid it (its unavoidable in NH but not in FL). No transfer case, front diff (which always leaks), 4 less cv's. and you get packable wheel bearings in the 2wd models. If you want height get spacers for the rear axle and crank up the torsion bars in the front and it will look the same as the 4x4.

The 4.3 is a Chevy 350 minus 2cyl and is also super reliable.

[camshaftgsxr]

73-87 c10, cheap and parts are plentiful

[tonerrrr]

If you don't need 4x4 avoid it (its unavoidable in NH but not in FL). No transfer case, front diff (which always leaks), 4 less cv's. and you get packable wheel bearings in the 2wd models. If you want height get spacers for the rear axle and crank up the torsion bars in the front and it will look the same as the 4x4.

The 4.3 is a Chevy 350 minus 2cyl and is also super reliable.

Definitely noted about 4x4, I was more posting that as a joke for a "gas saver" as the seller said haha. When I mean lift, I'm just talking a bit over stock, the way I see it (if done correctly) is that at least something was done with the suspension in the life of the truck rather than not.