Author Topic: What is best! (Read 2087 times)

markc · « **on:** September 04, 2003, 10:28:09 AM »

Looking at 4X4 pickup trucks next year. My question is not which truck is the prettiest or smoothest riding or has the highest resale value. My question to you men is this: in a compact 4X4 pickup truck, which is the toughest for true off the road driving, which lasts the longest without major breakdowns, and which in your experience is the most reliable? Which motor and drive train have you found to be darn near unstoppable? Now remember this is for a truck that will see a good bit of off road driving, hauling loads etc.... Thanks.
markc

GBO MGMT · « **Reply #1 on:** September 04, 2003, 11:41:02 AM »

In a compact that would probably be a Toy Truck Mark. They do seem to just keep on keeping on forever.

GB

01magnatec · « **Reply #2 on:** September 04, 2003, 01:35:47 PM »

well. My father has a 98 Chevy cheyane(sp) and it is possibly the worst truck you can buy. My family burns wood in the winter and the truck can hardly carry a load of firewood from the woods back to the houses.

My brother owns a 97 Ford F-150 and the truck is complete balls to the wall. He has been taking it to the woods since he got it and nothing wrong so far.
By the way, first tires you buy should be Cooper Discoverer!!! I haven't ever seen another tire last as long as they do!!!!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2003, 02:07:34 AM »

I am not much of a Ford man but my 1992 Ford Explorer has over 134000 miles, I use it for towing my work trailer and it doubles as my beatum up hunting truck. I did have to put in a new transmission in it, but other than that it has been a good 4X4. Parking a SUV while you are out hunting is an invitation to some that are looking for an easy target. I would rather let someone damage my beater than one of my newer trucks. I own 2 Dodge Rams a 1996 and a 2002, I gave my 1996 to my son and kept my 2002 for family drives and the beach. But I have owned Dodge Power wagons and Ram Chargers and I love a Dodge for toughness.

Just my humble opinion.

markc · « **Reply #4 on:** September 05, 2003, 03:42:43 AM »

I was really thinking about a compact, thanks GB, but redhawk1 mentioned a couple of vehicles. My 93 Ranger, with the little 3.0 liter v6 was worked pretty hard and at jsut over 155,000 miiles while towing a small tilt bed trailer died when a freeze plug of all things (in Texas) sprung a leak. What motor is in your Explorer?

Now it sounds like those Dodge Rams have been good to you. Gas or diesel motors? How many miles have they got on em.

GB do you still drive that bronco?
01magnatec what engine is in that F-150? I do like Ford trucks, but looking at a compact maybe when I replace the ranger, I may go with something else.
markc

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #5 on:** September 05, 2003, 07:34:39 AM »

I put 250000 miles on my Nissan pickup ( not a 4X4 ) without any major
repairs except a couple of exhaust replacements. I took this on mountain
roads so it wasn't strictly highway driving. Finally traded it when the interior started to go. Traded it for a Dodge Dakota. Worse mistake ever.
Avoid Dodge at all costs.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 05, 2003, 08:20:46 AM »

markc, I have a V6 in my Explorer, I still pull a large trailer with two commercial mowers on it. My 1996 Dodge Ram has 98000 miles on it. I need to replace the transmission due to me playing in the snow this past winter. I was trying to plow through the blizzard snows to get to the main road. I made it at the cost of my reverse. But again I have had not had any major work done to the truck. But I will getting it replaced before my son drives it.

The 2002 has only 11000 miles but is a beast. They are both gas the 96 has a 360 and the 2002 has a 5.9 liter. When you push the gas they get..

rwng · « **Reply #7 on:** September 09, 2003, 02:55:53 PM »

Mark,
I had an '83 GMC S-15 that lasted 148,000 miles before I wrecked it. It had a heavy duty suspension and a 7 1/2 foot bed. I had been able to haul anything in it. Near the end of it's days I hauled several loads of shale from a stone/coal dealer in the PA mtns. Each load was weighed and they were from 1400 to 1800 pounds. That truck handled it in stride. I also had a '91 Chevy S-10, it had a short bed with the ext. cab. It was not heavy duty and couldn't haul over 600 lbs without squatting. It did however last 209,000 miles before I sold it and bought my Suburban. (we have 4 kids) Both trucks had the 2.8ltr v6, the '83 had a 700r4 tranny and got 25-27mpg while the '91 had a manual 5spd and got around 30mpg. Niether one was a hotrod but the milage was good. The 4.3's they have today are a much better engine although the milage will be in the lower 20's. Don't just buy a foreign truck because of the longevity myth. As I can attest, domestics last forever too. My '91 GMC Suburban has 224,000 miles and my '97 Chevy 1 ton has 228,000 on it. Good luck with what ever you choose.

Lone Wolf · « **Reply #8 on:** September 09, 2003, 03:04:00 PM »

I'm the proud owner of a 1993 Ford Explorer XLT 4X4. Bought it new in '92. It currently has 284K miles on it and is still going strong. It's pulled horse trailers, utility trailers, not to mention pulled my butt, loaded down with my toys, over many goat paths during fishing and hunting seasons. It's pulled me through rain swollen streams, muddy roads slick as owl ****, blizzards and desert heat and sand. If you want a testimonial for a well made truck, there it is. :money:

Graybeard · « **Reply #9 on:** September 09, 2003, 04:11:55 PM »

Yes Mark I still have the '92 Bronco and my '86 F150. Both have FI 5.0 L engines in them. Both are old and tired like me but they are what I have.

GB

markc · « **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2003, 03:43:38 AM »

thats what I like to hear about USA made vehicles. rwng, I heard that 4.3 ltr from GM was a good one. I drove a company minivan for a while that I believe had the same engine. It was tough, but had some other problems come up later on.

Lone Wolf what motor is in your Explorer? V6? Which one? I hear the 4.0 is a great motor, much more horse power than the 3.0. I was suprised and a bit disappointed when my 3.0 sprung the freeze plug leak last Dec at 155,548 miles and cratered before I realized what was happening. THe new one is ok, but doesn't run like I would like for it to. Anyone seen the new F150? Looks nice and improved a bit it sounds like. GB I would love to find a Bronco in good shape. I had a 70 modle and still kick myself for trading it away.
markc

wildman · « **Reply #11 on:** September 14, 2003, 01:27:32 PM »

I know you are asking about 4x4 trucks, but I have a 4x2 that has been a good one. It's a 1991 Chevrolet C1500 with 350 engine and auto trans. It has 149,000 miles on it, and has not had any engine or transmission problems whatsoever. Well - normal stuff such as new thermostat, alternator, belts, hoses, plugs, wires - things you would expect, but no mechanical probs. I guess I'll drive it until the wheels fall off, since now is when it is truly paying for itself. If you look at it as a financial investment, new cars and trucks are not the way to go. I mean they are great for reliable transportation, but if you trade every 2-3 years like most do, you never truly own one or get your moneys worth out of it. A good truck is just one of those things you don't want to get rid of. :money:

WD45 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 14, 2003, 04:02:58 PM »

Its that little jeep that they used to drive on the show rat patrol flying over the sand dunes . I dont think it ever broke down. The 50 cal on the back is not standard anymore so you will have to order that seperate.... might come in handy dealing with road rage

As much as it pains me to say it ,,, it is probably the toyota
just leaves a bad taste in my mouth

Dogshooter · « **Reply #13 on:** September 17, 2003, 11:44:29 AM »

I bought a 2001 S-10 Sonoma and 10k past warranty it started coming apart. It cost me an average of $500 per month for the last 4 months I had it. Finally got tired of payments plus repairs and got rid of it. I am, and always have been a chevy guy but also have a Bronco. Nothing really against any of them except the s-10's.

ghostZ · « **Reply #14 on:** September 24, 2003, 08:38:25 AM »

Quote from: Dogshooter

I bought a 2001 S-10 Sonoma and 10k past warranty it started coming apart. It cost me an average of $500 per month for the last 4 months I had it. Finally got tired of payments plus repairs and got rid of it. I am, and always have been a chevy guy but also have a Bronco. Nothing really against any of them except the s-10's.

This is a little late but what went wrong with this truck?

Smokem · « **Reply #15 on:** September 30, 2003, 07:06:16 AM »

1994 Chevy S-10 ZR2 (Off-Road) 4.3 V6 116,000 miles. I have had very good luck with it. It's paid for too. I would recomend the S-10 ZR2 big tires and more ground clearance too. These trucks were built for hunting and fishing trips.

ghostZ · « **Reply #16 on:** October 02, 2003, 05:43:47 AM »

Quote from: Smokem

1994 Chevy S-10 ZR2 (Off-Road) 4.3 V6 116,000 miles. I have had very good luck with it. It's paid for too. I would recomend the S-10 ZR2 big tires and more ground clearance too. These trucks were built for hunting and fishing trips.

I am on my second ZR2. I had a 98 and now an 02. I love them. I go off roading with it. I have been amazed with what the truck can/will do. The only down side is there isn't much aftermarket support for it. Also they are not going to make them anymore.

Smokem...if you ever need info on your truck check out www.zr2.com

williamlayton · « **Reply #17 on:** October 06, 2003, 01:15:32 AM »

i like a ford in any flavor--but ya got to keep it awhile so as to git tha rattles jest right and for tha weather ta git rid of that paint job soas it begins ta look good.
blessings

X-Ring · « **Reply #18 on:** October 07, 2003, 05:45:57 AM »

77 International Scout, 345 engine 4 speed and 453 detriot lockers. The only reason I carry a chain is to get Fords, Chevys, Dodges and Jeeps out of my way.

williamlayton · « **Reply #19 on:** October 07, 2003, 06:34:22 AM »

lordy-aint it good we didn't all fall for the same woman.
blessings

TMFLDEM · « **Reply #20 on:** October 16, 2003, 12:07:15 PM »

i had a 82 3/4 ton long box chevy with a 350 4 barrel, toghest truck ever, i got it stuck once and the buddy that pulled me out didnt know when to stop he thought it was great that his ford was pulling my bowtie, so i started to pull back, no big deal but he has a 97 3/4 ton ford with a powerstoke diesel,pulled that diesel around like a tonka toy, surprising as it is its true. my truck had 210000 miles on it and a rebuilt tranny and tranfer case and thats all, it was the toughest truck i have evr drove, in my opion an old chevy is the best for what ur askig with out a lot of heartbreak when u beat it up, but as a few guys said b-4 the 4.3 liter v-6 is a durable engine that will last a long time, they put those in lil s-10's, they r light and real tough,

but all in all ur question is just a personal preference, thats all, some people have better luck with one vehicle while another has the same make model and year and they blow everything up,

ohh, i have a 99 1/2 ton chevy with a 5.3 liter and have 115000 on it and havent replaced anything on it, it is my beater up now, not a tranny eating maniac like the mopar is lol sry to u mopar fans but it is true,

SeanD · « **Reply #21 on:** November 01, 2003, 08:03:38 AM »

No question....
Toyota pickup, 22r 4cyl, 4x4.

They are the toughest i know of, and ive broken about everything.

Dogshooter · « **Reply #22 on:** November 02, 2003, 02:42:38 PM »

ghostZ,
First the left front hub assembly went out, $450 + labor. The next month the right hub assembly, ditto. Lastly, the rear end started howling. The quote was rediculous so I loaded it up with heavy and dumped it on the dealer I got it from.