*
About 80% of my work is done on a small economical mini-pickup, ala Toyota, Nissan, Chevy S-10 or Ford Ranger.
It is time to buy a new one, and short of Consumer Reports, I thought I would poll this site to determine what kind of trucks you all prefer, and whether you had any specific experience with either the Ford or Chevy products.
Thanks in advance.
Join some of the most experienced and recognized building professionals for two days of presentations, panel discussions, networking, and more.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
*
F-350 Crew cab 4x4 diesel, and even it is to small most of the time. One of those minis would not carry my lunch box. Tools man, gotta have the tools...
*Scooter,Love my '96 Ranger. Extra heavy duty springs, special off-road nylon bushings at the front end. Lumber rack over head, Diamond pattern embossed stainless steel tool boxes on three sides. Plenty of room in the middle for compressors, nail guns, hoses, wheelbarrow, etc. Or the occasional quick trip to the yard for that extra 3 dozen or so studs.But you *gotta* have the Extra Cab ...and live where it don't rain much.yours,George
*Nissan Frontier King Cab- $16k with all the bells and whistles. Runs like a top.
*I have a 94 Ranger Super Cab. Bought it used 4 years ago. With the exception of a new transmission, the truck is running strong,(knocking on wood)! Definitely get the extra cab and a V-6. Never know when you will need the power. I work out of my truck and it has over 100000 miles on it. But that is my opinion. Good luck.
*Have had S-10s & Rangers. Prefer the Ranger. Also got a big ford cargo van. Never had a chevy. Got a 16' trailer.
*Mr. Scooter,Chevy. Like a rock.I've put over 410,000 miles on 3 Chevys in 10 years, all 4x4, 350s. Still drive 2 of 'em. Sold the third, needed too much bodywork, still runs though.The Machine
*For a small truck, ya can't beat Toyota. They just get broken in good at 200,000 miles. Very economical, comfortable, and dependable. The Dodge Dakota's are probably the most luxurious interiors, but I don't care for the Dodge line anymore.James
*You'll never buy a GM small truck if you read Consumer Reports. Personally, I don't let CR dictate what I buy, but their observations are generally valid. I would consider a full-size GM truck (then buy a Ford), but I can't think of anybody who's had an S-10 (or its derivatives) who would have another. Plus, GM's interiors are still the cheapest.The Toyota will run forever. I don't keep vehicles long enough for that to be a consideration. Toyota's quality is top-notch, too, and that helps. I try to buy American when it makes sense. I wouldn't have a problem with the Toyota or Nissan since they're "assembled" in Fremont, CA and Smyrna, TN, respectively.Key point: You can buy a Nissan truck for a song in most markets. I drive an F-150 now, but I've had several Nissan trucks and was happy with them. Enough so that my brother and father-in-law own Nissan's based on my experiences.
*Ditto James' comments on Toyota ......brother has a repair garage and Toyota's seem to hold up better than anything ......200,000 miles out of them isn't uncommon at all. You might take a look at the Mazda B series, a Ranger with a different nose and a longer warranty. Watch the options you choose carefully ......too many checked off and you could buy a full size truck for what you are paying for a less capable smaller truck.
*What's American? My Toy was assembled in California from parts made all over the globe, just like Chevys and Fords. The WTO makes it hard to be patriotic! Anyway, I still drive my '90 truck. Last year it blew a head gasket and Toyota replaced the engine no charge, gave me a loaner for a week too. Gotta respect standing by your product like that.
*Buy American.....what's American is where the last dollar ends up. You think all the money spent on an "american" toyota, or whatever jap-crap ends up here? Stop feeding Japans GNP. Anyway.....test drive them. Both the little Ford and the little Chevy drive and handle different. I used to sell GMC's, so I'm gonna say the Chevy is the better......but why not you decide? GMC probably still has the highest resale value. My pick.....GMC HighRider Ext. Cab 4x4. Or my '87 Jeep Commanche. Ok.....new recommendation.......wait and find a used Jeep Commanche 4X4, straight 6, 5 speed. Best running, best handeling, best off-roader you'll ever find. Try to find an old Jap crap here in salt and snow country.....check over there by that pile of rust......oh, that is the truck. Jeff
*Agree that Toyota is cream of the crop. I couldn't justify the extra price over a nissan though. My '91 nissan has 128K and runs like a top. Fully expect to get 200K+ out of it before I'm done. Toyota's finishes /trim are better, but the nissan's will still perform. Is it just me, or do Rangers and S10's rust out like crazy? Livin' ion Northeast "Salt-belt" does a number but the nissan looks better than the small domestics for some reason....Must get king cab and V6.... When you do need to haul more than the tiny bed allows, get a trailer and haul till you're hart's content.more cost saving in the MPG: Tiny truck with 22 MPG vs Full sizer with 14 MPG over 100,000 miles at $1.67/gal (curent in upstate, NY) you'll save $4,338 in gas alone. Doesn't even figure in the fact that 5 years from now we'll be paying a whole lot more/gallon.More cost savings in tire prices, and other maintenance items... Keep it small keep it simple.
*"Jap Crap" Hmmm.....If they were crap, they wouldn't last twice as long as good 'ol American crap. I buy the best product for the money. Free market economy. Isn't THAT the American way???To be sure my Nissan (Built in Tennessee) goes to profit those abroad. But also pays the wages of thousands of U.S. workers. I wish it were as simple as it used to be to buy American. What we've got now are hybrid vehicles (ther are plenty of "American" cars with mitsubishi engines for example). Gone are the days of looking at a brand name and telling who made it. Something about a global village..I don't know....different thread altogether.
*I always try to buy American when possible, but if it weren't for the foriegn competition in the auto industry, they'd still be making Vegas and Mavericks. If a small pickup is enough for you, the Toy can't be beat
*Yup, just you. Jeff
*Only a fool buys American just to buy American. I can say that as a Ford F-150 driver. I buy what's best for me. "They'll never notice..." was once the sentiment that ran all domestic automakers (the words of Lee Iaccoca, I believe), and a formerly uneducated public bought in droves. Only a more intelligent consumer base has forced the Big Three to build better. I have always found that offensive.
*Frank, buy American....no offense! Jeff
*Gentlemen,Do any of you service your own vehicle? Get to know it beyond the keys, gas cap, and CD player? I've found that getting to know the nuances of a vehicle, or a manufacturer and sticking with it can be a real life saver(read: job saver) in some situations.It seems that the decision between a Chevy and a Ford is a "once in a lifetime" thing.?The Machine
*Keith --Did you go with the stake bed and lift gate on your F-350? I see lots of them with that setup around town - even more of those than of F-250's. Just last weekend I helped some friends move, and they rented one of those stake bed F-350's. They're very efficient for getting the most stuff moved without being too big to manouver.-- J.S.
*we have both vehicles in our fleet. 94 ranger king cab 4 cly five speed luv fuel weak transmission pulls trailer real good mechanical good vehicle no power at highway speed (7)96 s10 or snomoma very soft suspension wipers recalled hyd clutch problem very peppy motor good on gas Take your pick.my choices would be, personal truck (s10) work truck (ranger) fun to drive but cannot tow a trailer good
*John, I just went with the standard bed, put a rubber mat in and a cap with the toolboxes in the sides and a ladder rack on top. It works best for me and the crew. Sides have saws and guns in them, along with roughing router, small hand tools, drills and stuff, and the bed holds the compressor, and horses and accumulation BS. For me it is the perfect setup. Brian
*Scoot,I owned a 94 Ford Ranger prior to my 97 F-150. I found to be a well made truck. It had a very substantial "feel" to to....more so than a Nissan or Toyota. The bed, doors, cab, etc... all felt as if they were from a full size truck. I had a reg cab model with a 5 speed transmission and 4 cyl engine. Although economical, It was underpowered. But then again it was cheap -- as in low priced -- not in quality. I never had any problems with it in the three years that I owned it. I also felt somewhat cramped in it. I am 6'3" and always felt like I wanted a few extra inches of room between me and the dash/steering wheel. The newer models however have increased cab room and a slightly more powerful engine though. I would definately reccomend it as long as you realize its shortcomings. If you end up considering a V6, you might want to compare the MPG's of that with a V6 F-150. I think they are similar. I bought my 97 F-150 XLT V-6 5 Speed for $16,500 in 97. It's a GREAT truck!
*I am with you Jeff, Buy American. How many of you guys have done work for a jap auto worker. Besides those cocksuckers bombed the shit out of us at Pearl Harbor, were'nt any of your relatives killed in WW2.I wonder how many of you would buy from Vietnam ?Oh ya, Blue dump the makita/hitachi in the dumpster, you also work for American auto workers.
*I get a minimum of 300,000 miles out of my S-10 derivatives (Blazer/Jimmy) All FWD, since I live in Minnesota and we have snow at least seven months of the year. I bought my first one in 1985 Original tires went well over 100,000 darn near zero for maintinance. Sold it over a decade later to my nephew rusty but running. Gas mileage on the S-10's is around 19 ave. (23 hwy-17city) Since 1985 I've spent less then $500.00 total on non-scheduled maintinance on any vehilce I've owned (except my race-cars, M.G.T.D. and a 1930 Model A ford pickup) Since I travel well over 50,000 miles per year that is really saying something. I've never had a breakdown on the road and I'd jump into anycar I've owned and travel coast to coast without blinking an eye. Finally I'm getting old enough and fat enough to appreciate the space of a full size pickup K1500 1997, 17.5 ave. mpg. Tires only last about 80,000 miles fuel pump acted up , brought it in long past the warrantee and they fixed it no charge. The wife still has a Blazer. Please don't tell me about Toyota's and etc. I used to fix imported cars and they were right up there with repairs, don't believe me? drive down to the Toyota dealership and watch them come in on the hook on Monday morning.
*Sounds like we've hit a sore spot here. It's nice to be patriotic, but it's another matter to be blind. Most imports (well, maybe not Korea) are better engineered, have better fit and finish, ergonomics, overall quality, and worth more at resale than domestics. The American Auto industry does not innovate anything anymore...They can only copy, and they can't even do that well. Why else would they have lobbied for a import tax on small trucks? I agree that America does make a better full size truck, however, the big three must pray Japan doesn't decide to conquer that market too.
*John, does that attitude mean that people who had one of their ancestors shot up by the Confederates shouldn't buy anything made south of the Mason-Dixon line. Or those who happen to have some Native American blood shouldn't buy anything made in the U.S. (or even Canada and Mexico) at all?
*Casey, I see your point,but north/south people and native North American's that live in American benefit from buying American too. For example I buy a Porter Cable drill ( ya I know it's probably got some imported electrical part) from Jackson Tennessee,an employee from there buys a GMC from Pontiac Michigan, who decides to have a house built and I or another American gain some employment from it. The cycle doesn't work if I would have bought a makita or the individual from TN buys a Toyota built in japan.I try to buy things made closest to my community to benefit them and me.I am not trying to preach, it's just something I believe in and think others should all take advantage of. Robert, move to Japan.
*Casey, You sound like a lot of my yuppie neighbors, Nothing made in America is any good. Well made stuff must travel on a boat. Heck I fell for that when I was young and dumb. I thought that only the British made fine automobles. American cars were "Yank Tanks", got poor mileage, and weren't made very well. Well if M.G. was such a good car, how come they went out of business? (remember, I own and love mine) I finally figured out that we all justify our purchases by whatever means we need to. Just remember the next time you feel that well made stuff must come on a boat, that includes the work you do too.
*Maybe if ya had posted this 15-20 years ago! Check out the new Olds line....compare to any Jap...and get back to me. Jeff
*Why is my first thought after British automobile.....electrical fire! Jeff
*Frenchy - afraid that I never made to the YUPPIE catagory, most of my life seems to have been more downward mobile than up. (I seem to have lived better on my student salary of $220 a month back in the seventies than I do now on a System's Analyst salary...) Actually, I have a mild Nationalistic streak and try to buy American unless the price or quality is totally out of line, which it sometimes (often?) is. I am also an avid "Free Tibet" booster which means trying to avoid buying "Made in China" items (which is quite difficult these days, particularly when buying stuffed animals and other toys.) Most of my power tools are Milwaukie, USA made Delta or Porter Cable. My welders are Hobart and even my portable computer is an IBM. I own two Chevy trucks (three if you count my '37 flatbed that isn't running). Unfortunately, in some areas where I need equipment, the USA has completely abandoned the market or simply isn't competitive - while my 4x5 camera is an ancient USA model, there hasn't been a competitive 120 or 35mm camera from the USA in a couple of generations, not to mention a lack of reasonable video equipment from the good old US of A. Oh,and I also drove a German sports car back in the days when the only American alternative was the solid axle Corvette. (I should also mention that I do own a Nissan pickup and a couple of made in Japan compact tractors but also an American made skid steer and man-lift.) That said, intellectually I am pretty much a free trader if we can build better environmental safeguards into the agreements. (Yeah, sort of similar to the Gore stance on the issue.) I'm glad that John clarified his response as I was reading his original comments as exceedingly jingoistic. But the question remains, how long should one hold a grudge against a country's people when their leaders that caused the mess have paid the price? Most "buy American" spiels focus on Asia, I seldom see anything said about avoiding BMWs or Record planes. So, in those areas in which USA is not world class, how much of a premium are you willing to pay for lousy equipment just to say that you bought American? And how much difference is there between buying a Nissan pickup where the workers in Tennessee get paid and the profits go to Japan or a Dodge truck where the workers in Michigan (or where ever) get paid and the profits go to Germany?
*John, I said IMPORTS, not just Japanese...It's that kinda attitude that makes our workforce seem lazy and ignorant to the rest of the world. I can't afford not to think about value when making that big a purchase
*I don't remember, but I might've started the American s. Japanese truck argument here (as far as I know, the Germans aren't waging a truck war in the US). Remember, I currently drive a Ford F-150 (also a V-6 with the 5-speed, and yes, it is a great truck). I'm glad I bought American, but I bought what was right for me. Is anyone so blind as to think that the domestic auto makers haven't bought Japanese parts for our "American" vehicles on the basis of quality and/or price? And some of you defend them? They're duplicitous, and their acts of of hypocracy are against the American consumers. (... but I digress). Anyway, as they're forced to make better products, I'll buy them. As to Pearl Harbor, any white men out there still think you should personally be held responsible for slavery?
*The Germans ARE waging a truck war ......Daimler Chrysler. What is more American? The Izuzu pickup built in Shreveport, LA or the the Dodge Ram with a Cummins built in Mexico? The Toyota Tacoma assembled in Ca. with an engine built in Kentucky or an S-10 built in Shreveport (alongside the Izuzu) with a 4 banger built in Brazil? A Chevy 2500 with a diesel designed by Izuzu and built in Canada or a Mazda pickup made in Edison, NJ alongside the Ranger? A Delta tool made in Taiwan or a Makita assembled in Buford, Ga? The world is changing, whether we like it or not.
*If I could I'd buy the Dodge Dakota Quad Cab. Four door comfort and still have a reasonable bed. I'd also built the rack that FHB had a couple of issues ago. I'd also have an tailgate extension to handle the longer loads.Martin
*Casey, Well done, you made several points that were very clear and I agree with you on them. My objections to Japan has nothing to do with their race. I find most People are like Americans , ..some good, some better, a few real buttheads. Rather my objections have more to do with their trading practices. Japan as a nation tends to be very preditory. ( yes I know, that's painting a lot of very differant individuals with the same piant brush, But I will stand behind my statement untill I see a marked differance in the way they conduct business.) In the end I try to reward those who do the best job for my country. Sometimes I have to accept an inferior product to an import that may have a temporary price advantage because of currency fluctuations. I refuse to throw the baby out with the bathwater, How else will the American company have the funding needed to modernize? Have I been burned,...well my first new car was a Vega...
*Jeff, Why do the British drink warm beer? ...Lucas refrigerators. Dim, Flicker, Off, the 3 positions of a Lucas Headlight switch. Why don't the British make computors? They haven't figured a way for them to leak oil Lucas.. Inventor of the intermitant windshield wiper... sometimes this week sometimes not WHAT DO YOU MEAN A LUCAS PACEMAKER?!!!?!! I still love my M.G.T.D. and two Jaguars
*Lucas .....the prince of darkness .......nothing like rounding a bend at 75 late at night on a Triumph 500 Daytona motorsikle and have the lights fail or having to tie some kotex around the base of the cylinder so your dress uniform doesn't get covered with oil like the previous owner did.
*jcallahan, Ha! real men rode Royal Enfield 750 Interceptors, not mere 500cc of much more reliable Triumph Daytona. That way when the prince of darkness struck you really had some velocity up. The resulting crash was really worth talking about...always assumeing you still could talk......
*Uh huh. That's just parts, too; all the American companies have Japanese or European companies as major owners, and vice versa. And as far as employing North Americans, what's the difference between buying a N.A made truck with a Japanese name on it, or a N.A made truck with an American name on it....both provide a paycheque.I still don't understand how anyone can work out of less than a full size truck though (F-150 owner).
*attaboy adrian...it's a world economy....and the only way we're gonna prosper in the end is to get on the band wagon...every time we've gone into isolationist mode... we've paid the price bigtime...it's no coincidence that we have a very open economy.... and a great prosperity....now if we could only do something about dem predatory canadians and their lumber pricing.....here's what i drive... '91... 170 K....(before the maacco paint job.....)
*Is the front bashed in?
*nope.. kinda like me... a little gimpy.. a little shimmy...a bad eye...but change my fluids and we're good to go...hah, hah, hah
*I have owned the S10, the Ranger, and the Dakota.All were supercabs with V-6's and automatics. That said if I were forced to go back to one of them I would take the Dakota. The magnum V-6 had worlds ofpower,was easy on gas, and the cab was the most cofortable I have found in a small truck. I was raised driving and working on Chevy full size trucks and hope to own one again someday. Currently I have fallen on hard times and must tolerate a '97Dodge 1500 supercab. To be totally honest, I like the truck and don't know if I can will myself to pay the $3,000 to $5,000 premium to drive a Chevy again. Buy a truck you like. You are the one that will use it and you are the one making the payments, so get something that you don't mind writing the check for every month.
*I also vote buy what is right for you. That said I also tend to buy american and full sized. Have a GMC 1500 series pickup with 130,000 miles on it. Replaced the alternator and an intake gasket. Thats it other than regular maintenance. Just bought a 1 ton Chevy van cut away w/ Spartan covered utility body on it. I do mainly repair work and live in Ohio. Need to keep materials dry and a lot of different tools on board. Besides, I figure you spend a lot of time in these things, get something comfortable and that you like. As far as whats better for long life, I think no matter what you get, maintenance is the key. I am big on keeping it clean and serviced. DanT
*Mike, here is another (non truck related) example of the world economy. Ikea, the Swedish furniture maker, has a lot of stores in Canada, and sells a pile of furniture here. They also have a lot of plants here (I don't know if they own them or not; the two in Nova Scotia build on contract to them...I was supposed to toour the new one one, but they computer went down, and with it the entire operation). Anyway, 80-90% of what they sell here in the stores is imported. And 80-90% of what is built in Canada for Ikea is exported, because the way international tariffs etc. are set up, it's to their advantage to do it that way. If I buy a piece of Ikea furniture, am I supporting a Canadian manufacturing job? Directly? Indirectly? It's the same with a lot of these big multi- nationals (and the car manufacturers are big multi nationals by any standards. It's not a simple matter of buy American any more.As far as predatory Canadian lumber pricing goes....how about you guys abide by the farm subsidy agreements already laid down (and stop subsidising your farmers at four times the level we do), and we'll talk.
*gweeesh adrian,,, didn't mean to touch a nerve..if it weren't for canadian lumber , we would n't have any here....nope... somebody always gets screwed... but on the whole nafta is working......
*Mike, Interesting roof detail (cottage not the truck). Is that one of yours?
*thanks, bob... yes , that's my office .. with a residential apartment in the rear..there's a cement block building buried in there....remodeled it in '95....
*Jeff's right. I'm driving a '95 Saturn, 104,000 miles on it. Engineering, innovation, fit and finish all superior to any import.Made in Tennessee.-- J.S.
*Owned a Saturn, toured the plant, sold them for a while. Bottom line: Not there yet. Fit and finish, in particular, nothing like Japanese (or even many Korean cars). OK cars, especially the twin-cams with sticks. The first Saturn (1991) would have been a great car... in the early 80's. The current SL's would have been great... in the early 90's. I once was hooked (and I loved the 95% domestic parts & labor content), but GM seriously let a good project go bad... again. Buy a Honda built in Ohio and you'll have a car that lacks in torque and style somewhat, but is light years ahead of a Saturn in every other respect. Oops... I forgot that we were talking about trucks. Love my F-150. Wouldn't hesitate to buy Japanese if they offered the right truck for the money, though.
*Tundra! No?
*Had a Land Rover once. Lucas electrics. The windshield wiper motor (one for each wiper) had a little knob on the inside to swing the blade to and fro with. Them Lucas people might have been incompetent, but they weren't blind or stupid.Ron
*Dan, the Tundra's great, but only the T100 was available in 1998 when I leased my F150. Liked the T100, but the extended cab offered way too little bang for the considerable buck. Leased my very nice F150 for less than $300 a month. Still can't do that with a nice Tundra. Maybe next time, or maybe Nissan's full-size that will be out soon.
*Presently driving an '89 Ford Ranger, S-type, 2.3 liter engine, 4 cylinder, stick shift. A regular jack rabbit with 150K miles, that is, when not pulling a 5x8x8 equipment trailer with just about every tool I own plus extra odds 'n ends of plywood and trim. Also carries a range of hardware. Truck was modified with air shocks, tends to wear front tires on outside, goes 65mph down the Interstate with the trailer.
*I just traded my 90' Dakota with 199,000 miles in , and bought a 97' Toyota Tacoma. Supposed to be really good and dependable. Liked the Dakota but after 2 transmission rebuild at 2000. each I didn't want to gamble. Both had the extended cabs and v-6, auto. I hauled and did what I needed with the Dakota.
*I had a 87 ranger which I finally parted with at 240000 miles. I now have a 94 Dakota 2WD I/5.2 I I/auto and extended cab and a 2001 Dakota Quad cab for work. Love all of them.
*
About 80% of my work is done on a small economical mini-pickup, ala Toyota, Nissan, Chevy S-10 or Ford Ranger.
It is time to buy a new one, and short of Consumer Reports, I thought I would poll this site to determine what kind of trucks you all prefer, and whether you had any specific experience with either the Ford or Chevy products.
Thanks in advance.