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What are the best early 1990's small trucks?

Started by ducatiz, July 16, 2008, 07:13:26 PM

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ducatiz

July 16, 2008, 07:13:26 PM
I am looking to get a SMALL beater truck.

I was looking at the early 90's Nissan Frontier XE with the 2.4L I4 engine, or a late 80's - Ford Ranger, or Mazda B2200 same years.

For some reason, I don't like Toyota trucks, but I could be swayed if you give me a good reason..

Has to be a 4 cyl for mpg's, and I don't like a long bed for where I need to park it.  I'd prefer an extended or "king" cab so I have space behind the seat.

This will be a weekender truck -- hauling small loads of stuff, trailering a bike or two.  I'd **LOVE** one of the early 80's Ford Rangers or Mazda trucks with the turbodiesel 4-cyl.  Lots more pulling power.

Goes without saying, I need space for a gunrack and hip waders.

Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

cyrus buelton

#1
July 16, 2008, 07:20:34 PM
damn, I was going to recommend that cyclone.

I think it had a twin turbo or supercharger.

Those were bad ass.
No Longer the most hated DMF Member.

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1999 M750 (joint ownership)
2004 S4r (mineeee)
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ducatiz

#2
July 16, 2008, 07:24:09 PM
Quote from: cyrus buelton on July 16, 2008, 07:20:34 PM
damn, I was going to recommend that cyclone.

I think it had a twin turbo or supercharger.

Those were bad ass.

nah, i'd prefer a really simple engine.  no turbo or s/charger.  easier to maintain for an older setup.
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

slowpoke13

#3
July 16, 2008, 07:58:25 PM
I'm looking along the same lines for about a year out. Although, I'm leaning towards a Toyota or a Nissan. Not a big fan of the Ford or Mazda (personal preference). I'm just figuring a mid 90s Toy I4 with a stick and I'll be happy.
slowpokesan

Howie

#4
July 16, 2008, 08:51:02 PM
Early '90s, late '80s, condition is much more important than brand.

Rameses

#5
July 16, 2008, 09:17:16 PM

A.duc.H.duc.

#6
July 16, 2008, 10:37:07 PM
Quote from: Rameses on July 16, 2008, 09:17:16 PM


exactly, I've got one, they are unstoppable. axels are way better than what you'll get in anything else, transfer case too, if you're looking for a 4x. The 22re and the diesel are both unkillable engines.

So, there's your reason... of course they cost more than a ranger of the same vintage.
"Listen, not a year goes by, not a year, that I don't hear about some escalator accident involving some bastard kid which could have easily been avoided had some parent - I don't care which one - but some parent conditioned him to fear and respect that escalator."

slowpoke13

#7
July 17, 2008, 01:23:52 AM
how bout this?
slowpokesan

ducatiz

#8
July 17, 2008, 04:03:04 AM
Quote from: slowpoke13 on July 17, 2008, 01:23:52 AM
how bout this?

i didn't know they imported the Dokas to North AMerica!  WOW, look at that.  I would get it if I was younger and stupider -- they are nice, but too rare and "kewl" to use as a beater truck.  That baby should go to a nice home with a shop. 

Nice find!
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

slowpoke13

#9
July 17, 2008, 04:10:26 AM
I would think the mechanical parts are plentiful at most yards. Body work might be difficult. If I was stateside, I would give it consideration (consider me younger and stupider.... )
slowpokesan

ducatiz

#10
July 17, 2008, 04:19:12 AM
Quote from: slowpoke13 on July 17, 2008, 04:10:26 AM
I would think the mechanical parts are plentiful at most yards. Body work might be difficult. If I was stateside, I would give it consideration (consider me younger and stupider.... )

Nonexistent -- they were rare in the first place and seeing one on the road today is a miracle.  They were never popular (the Vanagon) and once they make it to a scrap yard, they are crushed and shredded. 

I used to be very heavy into rear-engine VWs.  I'm helping a buddy restore a 411 and it's proving to be a real labor of love.
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

slowpoke13

#11
July 17, 2008, 04:23:49 AM
damn.. that sucks. I think it would be the perfect bike/track/beater truck.
slowpokesan

ducatiz

#12
July 17, 2008, 04:29:05 AM
Quote from: slowpoke13 on July 17, 2008, 04:23:49 AM
damn.. that sucks. I think it would be the perfect bike/track/beater truck.

it might be.  that model has the fully galvanized steel and rust proofed body, the earlier ones didn't, plus that diesel engine was put in the Rabbits of the same year, so the engine stuff isn't TOO weird

i just don't want to get back into VWs now..  (old ones).  seeing the interior gave me a woody, that's enough.  i really liked those stoic, teutonic cars.
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

slowpoke13

#13
July 17, 2008, 04:35:23 AM
I like them too. simple, clean, not a lot of frills or cheap plastic to remove to get to things. And, like you said, a typical rabbit engine that was mass produced in the same timeframe should have plenty of used parts, no?
slowpokesan

ducatiz

#14
July 17, 2008, 06:05:35 AM
Quote from: slowpoke13 on July 17, 2008, 04:35:23 AM
I like them too. simple, clean, not a lot of frills or cheap plastic to remove to get to things. And, like you said, a typical rabbit engine that was mass produced in the same timeframe should have plenty of used parts, no?

yes and no

problem is that a lot of people dumped them when gas got cheaper than diesel.  remember when diesel was 80 cents/gal and unleaded regular was 1.10?  in the mid-90s it flipped and gas was cheaper than diesel.  that's when all the 80s diesels got shredded.
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.
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