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Discussion Forum

Compact pick-up

Mattohio | Posted in General Discussion on March 12, 2004 11:52am

Does anyone else work out of a small pick-up? I currently use a Nissan, which is rather small. I’m looking for info on how others carry materials and tools.

Thanks
Matt

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Replies

  1. djmarro | Mar 13, 2004 12:11am | #1

    I'm currently using a Ford Ranger extended cab bought new in Oct. 2003. I sold my F150 and made the move to a small truck. Lately with the price of gas, I'm glad I did. I loved the big truck, but realized that 98% of the time I was just carrying tools, not materials. I try to get most materials delivered. I got a Century cap with full length tool boxes on both sides and a heavy duty ladder rack.  The extended cab gives me enough room to stow more stuff. I'm now looking for an enclosed single axle trailer to haul my larger tools or materials when needed. So far when I pick up an item if it don't fit in the truck, it fits on the racks. I can't carry all my tools, but most fit. Some days it just takes more planning.

                                        Good luck,  Dana

                                                         Salmon Falls Housewrights

  2. Ruby | Mar 13, 2004 12:32am | #2

    We bought a 4 by 4 Ford Ranger extended cab in 1993, have used it daily and over rough country and it is still running fine, if with some rattles and a little beat up.

    Uses little gas, compared to the bigger ones.

    Oh, I would not recommend it for a big person. They would feel cramped, I think. Try one before buying.



    Edited 3/12/2004 4:34 pm ET by Ruby

  3. steve | Mar 13, 2004 01:06am | #3

    i used to use a jeep comanche pick up, nice little truck, but way to small for my tools

    used a trailer for materials when needed

    i'm sure for some trades a small pick up is ideal, but the best thing i ever bought was a full sized 1 ton van

    but then i carry a tablesaw, chopsaw and stand, big compressor and all of the usual portable tools, to build and install cabinets

    caulking is not a piece of trim

  4. armin | Mar 13, 2004 02:20am | #4

    I have two trucks, a full sized Chevy Silverado and a Chevy S-10 long box. Big truck is used for the heavy stuff and trailering. The S-10 is my all around, everyday runabout, good on gas and enough room for most of the stuff I do. I wouldn't settle for anything less than the long box, I think its 7 ft 2 in. the 6 ft. shortbox just don't cut it.

  5. reinvent | Mar 13, 2004 06:08am | #5

    I also work out of a Nissan. 1990 4x4 king cab to be specific. The king cab, or extra cab is a definite must in my book for keeping tools an such safe n dry. Crew cabs suck up to much of the bed. I use a smaller truck because of parking and manuvering thru tight streets, plus the gas issue. Have a fiberglass cap which is nice, but will go with a system one lumber rack next time around. I have been doing reaserch for a new truck and have found out that Nisan and Toyota are revamping there mid size trucks. Both will make the extra cabs accesibil with rear swing doors like on the rangers. They are also getting BIGGER so they might be big enough for you without going the full size route. Check the links on them to find out more.

    1. User avater
      BillHartmann | Mar 13, 2004 04:53pm | #16

      Ok, Ok, enough is enough.

      I am going to have to get serious about this.

      You are hereby prohibited from using any air nailers until you break the habit of trying to upload URL's.

      Just copy and paste the URL in the test of the message. Faster and it WORKS unlike the uploaded URL's.

  6. DougU | Mar 13, 2004 06:29am | #6

    I used to work out of a  Ford Ranger, extended cab, now I have a Chevy 1500 extended cab. I'm not hauling anything for the guy I work for, Mine is packed with all the tools that I can cram into the thing, have pull out boxes.

    My Chevy full size gets better gas milage than my small Ranger. Ranger was at about 17-18, Chevy gets 19-21.

    Doug

    1. rasconc | Mar 13, 2004 06:34am | #7

      Which engine do you have?  Must be the 4.3 v-6.  I think that my 5.7 must have had an aftermarket chip slipped to it.  I usually see around 12.

      1. DougU | Mar 13, 2004 07:13am | #8

        My Ranger had the 4.3 v-6,  I always thought the gas milage was decent, I needed more room so I got a 1500 chevy, expected to get worse milage, was surprised to find out that I was getting better.

        Chevy has v-8, cant remember the size though.

        1. rasconc | Mar 13, 2004 07:22am | #9

          Some of the 1500's have the same 4.3l v-6 that the Blazer/Jimmy have.  I don't remember what the smaller V-8 is but the 350 5.7 will not get that great mileage.  And if you had the big block you would be lucky to get high single digit mpg.

          1. junkhound | Mar 13, 2004 09:11am | #10

            Use the '63 GMC dump for serious stuff, everyday driver is '71 Datsun with 380 K, still going strong (2nd engine, 3rd clutch). 

            Welded hoops to custom front bumper and rear bumper for inserton of a carry all rack.  Usually use the custom roll bar for carrying long items (> 24 feet, up to 32 ft carried) placed across the roll bar and the tail gate.

            Safety guy at Farwest steel about would not let me leave the plant once with a 21 ft piece of 8 inch sch 40 laid on that setup on the Datsun <G>

  7. BruceM16 | Mar 13, 2004 09:46am | #11

    Hey Matt

    I'm in the same boat.

    I've had my 1990 F-150 since 1991, and my plan has been to sell it and get the extended cab Ranger. Problem is, I can't bring myself to do it.

    I love my F-150, in the following ways:

    1. It carries full 4X8 sheets, 8' what-evers and weight well in excess of 1,000 lbs

    2. The straight six (300 CI) averages 18-20 mpg

    3. Its very dependable

    4. Its very smooth

    and with my almost religious maintenance schedule, at 126,000 miles, it may only be at mid life!

    What's a guy supposed to do??

    Bruce

  8. sungod | Mar 13, 2004 10:06am | #12

    What I want, they dont make.  It would be a Honda Accord, Toyota Camry or Nissan Altima that would be in the shape of an El Camino / Ranchero.  It would have a tailgate that folds out to extend the bed and a builtin aerodynamic roof rack.  A sprayed bed. Gets 24 mpg and has a 22 gallon tank.  A storage compartment behind the seat that extends under the bed.  Adjustable rear springs and High pressure gas shocks. 

    1. User avater
      JeffBuck | Mar 13, 2004 10:12am | #13

      sounds alot like my second vehicle...... Jeep Cherokee ..... when the seats are folded down ...

      JeffBuck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

           Artistry in Carpentry                

      1. sungod | Mar 13, 2004 10:57am | #14

        I know about 8 people who had Jeeps --- they look great and they did not mind the dozen or so problems, but the dealers got tired of backing the factory.  The name Jeep makes you think it is very durable.  The one friend who still has and loves his, blueprinted the engine, installed foreign shocks, redid the suspension and added other offroad accesories.  When your in love, you will overlook the problems.

        1. reganva | Mar 13, 2004 04:51pm | #15

          I have a '95 Nissan pickup with only 60k and the clutch is almost gone because I use it once in a while for loads of dirt , rocks or mulch for my yard.  Can I get a heavier clutch put in this truck next time that can handle more strain?

          1. sungod | Mar 14, 2004 11:16am | #18

            All my cluthes last over 100K in L.A. traffic.   Waiting in 1st gear at a signal (riding the clutch) will cut its life in half.

        2. User avater
          JeffBuck | Mar 14, 2004 07:34am | #17

          My first Jeep was an '87 commanche pick up I bought at 85K miles .... traded it in at 135K for the "new" one ...

          7 yrs is long enough to get to know a used vehicle.

          Current one is a '95 Cherokee ...

          bought at 93K miles ...

          Have about 96K now ...

          first one had absolutely no problems ...

          new one shows no signs either.

          I'm chevy and Jeep thru and thru.(V-8 for the Chevy's and 4.0 straight 6 for the Jeeps)

          I'm cheap enough to hate a nice thruck with problems.

          Buy used .... buy smart.

          JeffBuck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

               Artistry in Carpentry                

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