I don't think there is a 3.8L on the road that hasn't or isn't going to need head gaskets. I've replaced ALOT of those! But once they're replaced it'll last you another 120,000 miles.
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Considering a small used 4WD pickup.
- Thread starter Brett a
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I don't think there is a 3.8L on the road that hasn't or isn't going to need head gaskets. I've replaced ALOT of those! But once they're replaced it'll last you another 120,000 miles.
finnbow
The Dude Abides
I had three "Ford Factory Rebuilds" installed under warranty within one tank of gas! No lie. They had so many problems with this engine that they outsourced some engine rebuilding to non-union shops to keep up. From what I was told by the dealer's service manager, there was a lot of union sabotage that went on in protest. For example, one of the rebuilds they put in (short block) was missing a head bolt. They had to open it up so they could replace and retorque all bolts. The missing head bolt was down inside the cylinder. I had one fresh rebuild last between DC and Richmond (90 miles) before it blew. Bad juju.
kretinus
squanto was a fool
I wouldn't put any stock in what a dealer tells you about anything period.
I've had good luck with the Fords I've owned, the worst vehicle was a GMC.
If you end up with a Ford make sure it has the FX4 package with the limited slip rear, a limited slip rear will take you places in 2WD you can't go in a 4X4 with open diffs.
I've had good luck with the Fords I've owned, the worst vehicle was a GMC.
If you end up with a Ford make sure it has the FX4 package with the limited slip rear, a limited slip rear will take you places in 2WD you can't go in a 4X4 with open diffs.
Goodwill_HiFi
Super Member
Say that again??? I've never ever heard of a 3/4 ton Toyota.
They actually make one ton pick ups too! I like fords, but I gotta say, that I have a mechanic friend who had a Toyota Rear axle shaft from a 1980s truck which measured 1 5/8th of an inch in dia. and he had a 1980s Ford full size truck rear axle which was 1 1/4. That spoke volumes to me about how well a small truck was built, compared to a full sized rig! If you could see my 94 when I bought it new, and that same truck now.......You wouldn't believe it was the same truck. In 340,000 miles, all I've replaced on it is the starter sol. contacts twice. That's it. I now own 3 Toyotas and wouldn't own anything else. Period. Going on 16 years, and I've been to the Toyota dealer twice. The way I drive, that is saying a great deal!:thmbsp:
Goodwill_HiFi
Super Member
Huh??? A truck is a little light in the rear, but after 4wd is engaged all of a sudden it doesn't matter so much, any more.
I own both a big Buick, and a Chevy 4x4.
Without question....Tires make the difference, too! Good tires on a 4X4 truck, and you WILL get there!
kretinus
squanto was a fool
Depends on the truck and the tires and the car and the tires really.
I doubt I'll even use my 4 wheel drive this winter that much, but it would be neat to see how much snow is required to make it necessary...
Goodwill_HiFi
Super Member
We aren't talking specifics here. In general a 4x4 truck is much better in the snow. To say otherwise is just plain silly. A 4wd truck will get you places that a car will not go.
I can hear about half a dozen people now, getting ready to recount seeing many trucks and SUV's in the ditch and how they passed them in their FWD car with no problems. So what...... none of the vehicles in question drove themselves. The trucks, suv's, FWD cars..... none. They all have drivers, driving them down the road, or into the ditch.
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Goodwill_HiFi
Super Member
I'm assuming each vehicle has at least moderately decent tires...... everyday, run of the mill tires.
Goodwill_HiFi
Super Member
I know about the 1-ton, but they aren't pickups. They were only sold as cab and chassis's that I ever saw. They were all Uhauls around here. I'd like to take a look at one, to see what qualifies them as being a 1-ton.
What about frame size? All the Japanese trucks I've seen had little spindly frames.
finnbow
The Dude Abides
The frame on my '91 4Runner is anything but spindly. This thing (a second generation 4Runner) is built like a friggin' tank. As a result, it is pretty slow even with the "larger" engine, a gutless 3.0 V6.
bliss53
Active Member
I have one the first honda ridgelines made. It has been great. I have about 135,000 miles on it and it has needed only brakes and tires. I would buy another one without hesitation. You should be able to find a 2006 with higher mileage in your price range. Check out http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/
It is one of the best vehicles in the snow I have owned. It has a large trunk under the bed. The rear seats swing up for the dogs. The rear seat has room for my 6'3" son. The tailgate drops or swings. The bed is composite and will not rust. It rides better than a lot of cars I have had. Some do not like the looks but it grows on you.
It is one of the best vehicles in the snow I have owned. It has a large trunk under the bed. The rear seats swing up for the dogs. The rear seat has room for my 6'3" son. The tailgate drops or swings. The bed is composite and will not rust. It rides better than a lot of cars I have had. Some do not like the looks but it grows on you.
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Goodwill_HiFi
Super Member
Ok, I did some looking online for 1-ton Toyota info. It looks like it was likely the standard truck with a bit heavier suspension. It wasn't a real 1-ton. It looks like they were available with a standard box, so they would be a pickup despite what I said earlier. Most of them I saw where box trucks (Uhaul), but now that I've been thinking about it, I do vaguely recall seeing "1-ton" on a few Toyota trucks. They definitely weren't common around here, Though.
You need to look at an older toyota. Box frame all the way! Not channel.
I actually had a 1985 Toyota one ton pickup long bed 4X4. I actuall put a little bit over 5000 pounds in it once and traveled nearly 60 miles. I know it was 5000 pounds because I was hauling bags of pellets for someones pellet stove! Was it scary? YEAH! But mostly because of the tires. The rims were on the pavement! But that dam truck did it. In the 1980s people used to flip me shat about having a small size Japanese truck, but the fact is, that 85 would do anything a full size would do and then some! Plus it could do it with better fuel economy, because usually, you're driving around an empty truck! Even my 94 1/2 ton just blows me away sometimes. Long story short, I had a friggin huge load of firewood on my Toyota, and we transferred it over to my best friends full size Chevy short box.......He decided to leave some of it behind! His truck couldn't handle it. He was simply stunned! He's one of those who was always down on Toyotas. Now he drives one!
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Brett a
~◦●○o0o○●◦~
OK. OP here. Thanks everyone so far. This is all really helpful information. Seems people have plenty good to say about both the Ford Ranger and the Toyota Tacoma. (Plus a few votes for a Dodge)
The more I read and think, the more i come back to the thought of a two-wheel drive Ford.
I don't see anything in this discussion (or elsewhere) that really explains why Toyotas are $5-$9k more than Fords. I'll chalk it up to marketing and the continuing stereotype that Japanese vehicles are substantially better than domestic. (Which I believe was true in the 70's and 80's but as finnbow (I think) pointed out many posts ago, there really aren't any egregiously low-quality vehicles made any more (except maybe some European models).)
FWIW, I've owned vehicles from Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda, and Volvo and never had an issue getting over the 200k mile point reliably with any of them. (The highest miles I got was out of a '91 Buick Park Ave ---245k mi when I sold it. I know it was driven another 2 years after, maybe more.) I hear that Toyota trucks usually die of frame rot 'round these parts. I don't think anyone gets more than 12 years out of them. I suspect Fords to be similar.
So, why would I get a 2WD over a 4WD?
1. Cheapness-or-to put it another way; get a better (newer) 2WD truck for the same or less money than a 4x4.
2. Road feel. this would be my "car" after all. I appreciate a quiet, smooth ride.
3. As nice as it would be, I really don't need 4WD to get around in the winter. I've driven 20k to 30k miles a year for the last 20+ years and never so much as got stuck in anything I was driving. And I'm a guy who loves to go out and drive around in snowstorms.
Anyway, I might sound settled, but I'm not. The wheels are still turning (pardon the pun) and I'll enjoy continuing with this thread.
Thanks again everyone.
:thmbsp:
The more I read and think, the more i come back to the thought of a two-wheel drive Ford.
I don't see anything in this discussion (or elsewhere) that really explains why Toyotas are $5-$9k more than Fords. I'll chalk it up to marketing and the continuing stereotype that Japanese vehicles are substantially better than domestic. (Which I believe was true in the 70's and 80's but as finnbow (I think) pointed out many posts ago, there really aren't any egregiously low-quality vehicles made any more (except maybe some European models).)
FWIW, I've owned vehicles from Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda, and Volvo and never had an issue getting over the 200k mile point reliably with any of them. (The highest miles I got was out of a '91 Buick Park Ave ---245k mi when I sold it. I know it was driven another 2 years after, maybe more.) I hear that Toyota trucks usually die of frame rot 'round these parts. I don't think anyone gets more than 12 years out of them. I suspect Fords to be similar.
So, why would I get a 2WD over a 4WD?
1. Cheapness-or-to put it another way; get a better (newer) 2WD truck for the same or less money than a 4x4.
2. Road feel. this would be my "car" after all. I appreciate a quiet, smooth ride.
3. As nice as it would be, I really don't need 4WD to get around in the winter. I've driven 20k to 30k miles a year for the last 20+ years and never so much as got stuck in anything I was driving. And I'm a guy who loves to go out and drive around in snowstorms.
Anyway, I might sound settled, but I'm not. The wheels are still turning (pardon the pun) and I'll enjoy continuing with this thread.
Thanks again everyone.
:thmbsp:
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Have you looked at more than just a few vehicles? I know Toyotas are more money, but is the price difference that vast everytime? What about Mazdas and Nissans? Just sort of curios, because the price difference is apparent here in Northern Idaho, but not that Damn much!
Goodwill_HiFi
Super Member
You were overloading by a lot! They were rated to tow 5000lbs, but carry about 2600lbs.