Looking for a good truck in $2000 price range ....

[lopxtc]

Hey guys ... looking for a good truck in $2000 price range to be my weekend vehicle for paintball (I drive 2 hours to practice with the team, so I dont want to put those miles on my main car), and also something to haul things in that wont fit in my car or the wifes vehicle.

I figure at only $2000 I am looking at late 80's early 90's trucks with around 75-100k+ miles ... so my main area of concern is a truck that is known to last at those high mileage and isnt to hard to work on as things need to be replaced.

Anyone have any good suggestions?

Thanks,

Aaron

[cphilip]

The only thing I can recommend with that kind of mileage is a Nissan or Toyota or maybe a Ranger with the Mazda engine in it... Most of those get 200K on them pretty regularly.

[Big'n slo]

The only thing I can recommend with that kind of mileage is a Nissan or Toyota or maybe a Ranger with the Mazda engine in it... Most of those get 200K on them pretty regularly.

I had an 89 4x4 ext cab ranger with the 2.9l mazda, sold it with 215k on it. Only thing I had to do was replace the clutch, averaged around 16-18mpg. Man I would love to have that truck back.

[lopxtc]

Yeah I checked out Autotrader.com and came across a couple Rangers, though I didnt know they had Mazda engines in them. I am more a car person, so which years of the ranger had this engine in them so I can keep an eye out.

Thanks,

Aaron



I had an 89 4x4 ext cab ranger with the 2.9l mazda, sold it with 215k on it. Only thing I had to do was replace the clutch, averaged around 16-18mpg. Man I would love to have that truck back.

[Big'n slo]

86 thru 89 for the 2.9 liter, in 90 the 4.0 was available which is essentially a Ford 5.0 V8 block with two cylinders chopped off. The 4.0 is not as good on gas but is just about bulletproof as long as people kept antifreeze in them instead of water.

The same went for the 2.9l, check for leaks around the heads. They were notorious for cracking if not kept cool

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/generations/articles/49541/article.html

Little Ranger history

[lopxtc]

Yeah most people I am talking with seem to recommend the late 80s Ford Ranger or the Nissan Pickup ... I found a couple I am going to test drive this weekend.


Aaron

[splatattack33]

get a bronco i would envy you if you did

[ASDadam]

1984 Nissan KingCab. That was the most fun vehicle to drive i've ever driven. Got great gas milage and with the engine that was in it, it could pull anything. Alittle cramped on the back 2 seats but over all a great truck. Sold it with 260k miles on the original clutch(Yes original clutch) And she still drove like she was brand new.

[Tunaman]

Free truck here! Free truck! (http://www.automags.org/forums/showthread.php?t=156947)

[lopxtc]

If I was still going out to NJ to do work at AT&T maybe :) ....


Free truck here! Free truck! (http://www.automags.org/forums/showthread.php?t=156947)


So far I have found the following that match my guidelines;

1 -- 1991 Ford F-150 (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=172937490&dealer_id=567705&car_year=1991&search_type=used&make=FORD&model=&transmission=&distance=50&address=63021&advanced=y&max_mileage=&max_price=2000&min_price=&end_year=2005&start_year=1981&drive=&engine=&body_style=TRUCKS&advcd_on=y&doors=&fuel=&color=&cardist=13) Short Bed Regular Cab; Auto, 2WD, 5.0 V8, 132k miles -- $1800
2 -- 1987 Nissan PICKUP (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=171830612&dealer_id=&car_year=1987&make=NISSAN&distance=50&max_price=2000&model=NISPU&advcd_on=n&end_year=2005&min_price=&certified=n&address=63021&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1981&color=&cardist=13); 5-speed, 4x4, unknown miles (waiting to hear from seller) -- $1300 (obo)

Also found no shortage of 87-89 Ford Rangers in various shape, transmission, etc ... all around $1300-1500 in price.

The F-150 seems like a good deal, but honestly dont think I need a 5.0L V8 LOL ... going try and test drive that Nissan and a couple of the Rangers this weekend.

Aaron

[cphilip]

If I will still going out to NJ to do work at AT&T maybe :) ....




So far I have found the following that match my guidelines;

1 -- 1991 Ford F-150 (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=172937490&dealer_id=567705&car_year=1991&search_type=used&make=FORD&model=&transmission=&distance=50&address=63021&advanced=y&max_mileage=&max_price=2000&min_price=&end_year=2005&start_year=1981&drive=&engine=&body_style=TRUCKS&advcd_on=y&doors=&fuel=&color=&cardist=13) Short Bed Regular Cab; Auto, 2WD, 5.0 V8, 132k miles -- $1800
2 -- 1987 Nissan PICKUP (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=171830612&dealer_id=&car_year=1987&make=NISSAN&distance=50&max_price=2000&model=NISPU&advcd_on=n&end_year=2005&min_price=&certified=n&address=63021&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1981&color=&cardist=13); 5-speed, 4x4, unknown miles (waiting to hear from seller) -- $1300 (obo)

Also found no shortage of 87-89 Ford Rangers in various shape, transmission, etc ... all around $1300-1500 in price.

The F-150 seems like a good deal, but honestly dont think I need a 5.0L V8 LOL ... going try and test drive that Nissan and a couple of the Rangers this weekend.

Aaron

Don't buy the 91 F150... Too many miles on it.

The others are a better bet...

[Big'n slo]

If you can find a 150 with the 300 straight six and low mileage (under 100k), jump on it. You can't kill them.

Also anything 4 wheel drive is going to decrease mpg's. Nice to have but if its not necessary its just extra weight.

[lopxtc]

Well screw the Nissan, talked to the owner today;

150k+ miles
Body is primered and needs paint, he says there is no rust on it :) Sure thing LOL ...
He cut the exhaust so it needs to be changed out.
And the windshield is broken beyond passing inspection.

So I figure classify it as "fair" by KBB, and its private resale value is only about $800 ... trade in value of $450 ...

Yeah I dont think so at $1300.00

Aaron

[bofh]

86 thru 89 for the 2.9 liter, in 90 the 4.0 was available which is essentially a Ford 5.0 V8 block with two cylinders chopped off.

Only one minor thing I want to add to this thread.

The 2.8, 2.9 and the 4.0 v6's in the Ranger are all related in the "cologne" family. They are not a chopped v8 like the GM 90 degree V6's They are not related to the 3.0 v6' that also went into Rangers. The Cologne block is a completely Ford Germany designed engine.

I have a 2.8 in my car, and it's rock solid.