Advice on a compact truck

[der affe]

Diesel, 45mpg

Probably won't really be able to tow anything though lol

wrong! put in a 2.0 16v and you are good to go! we used to pull the race Karmann Ghia on a flat bed trailer + tyres and tools ETC. it did it pretty well (although slowly) we also changed out the 5Th gear to drop the rpms a little. once you got to speed it was fine.

[Gavin]

why not get a full size 1/2 ton f150 with a full size bed? you could carry 4x8 sheets of plywood without any modifications at all. the 6 cylinders ones get pretty good mileage.

I do completely agree that a full sized ½ ton would be the most practical thing to do. But in my mind vehicle ownership should be emotionally satisfying as well as practical. I don’t ‘want’ to own a truck, it’s a matter of ‘need’; so if I don’t hate the idea of owning a slammed minitruck, although it’s less practical, that’s the route I think I'll examine.

The only problem with dropping a truck is that you will also affect its ability to tow and/or haul anything. I mean you could still haul a few light loads (as you indicated in your post) but it would defeat the purpose of needing a truck in the first place. Like if you were hauling plywood or sheetrock you wouldn't be able to load in more than a couple of sheets without the truck bottoming out.

If I chose my spring rates, shocks/struts (& potentially helper springs) properly I shouldn’t loose any hauling capacity. Am I wrong in this thoulght?

[der affe]

spring rates yes, shocks/struts no (they only do the dampening not hold it up) you will probably have to do some custom springs anyways with the added weight of the flat bed/stake bed even if you make it out of 1/8" steel sheet. you can compromise some by adding "helper" airbags to the rear for when you have a heavy load.

[equate975]

wrong! put in a 2.0 16v and you are good to go! we used to pull the race Karmann Ghia on a flat bed trailer + tyres and tools ETC. it did it pretty well (although slowly) we also changed out the 5Th gear to drop the rpms a little. once you got to speed it was fine.

WRONG! Diesel running on WVO ftw! ;) I would love to have a diesel rabbit truck, they are all too rusty though.

[der affe]

we had a turbo diesel in it first, not enough go for the trailer and the race car.

[Nicademus]

I want one of these badly. They cost a lot though.

Diesel, 45mpg

Probably won't really be able to tow anything though lol

[alpinaclone]

Slammed 1/2 ton? You can get parts for the mid 90's gm trucks at K-mart, and they are reasonably decent looking. You would have to deal with shitty interiors, transmissions and rear brakes though.

[JasonC]

As much as i like the S10/S15 trucks. I'd say get a 92+ Dodge Dakota with the 318. They had a 318 in the 91's but it was TBI. Where the 92+ are MPFI. The Dakota is alittle bigger and more comfortable then the smaller S-series. And would be better suited for hauling loads.