Shawn F.
September 25th, 2008, 11:58
I am hoping this is the place to put this question... I will start with this. I'm originally from Southern California and as we all know, the prerunner style truck (whether it was just for looks for fully functional with LT suspension, roll cage, etc) is a popular style there. I now live in NC and have not seen a single truck like this here. I am in need of buying a new truck soon for work. I am doing an automotive mobile detailing/paint repair business and need a truck with 4 wheel drive (yes I know, everyone here probably likes 2wd). I'm in the fire department and sometimes need to go off road or park in ditches, etc so my little daily driver Honda isn't cutting it anymore. I need some oppinions first.
I was thinking about something small at first with a V6 like a Ranger, S10 (ZR2), Toyota ,etc. Only thing about these is I'm not sure about the transmissions. I would like to stick with an automatic for comfort reasons. I do not like the Ford Ranger transmissions, they might be good for some people but with my experience with them I dont care for them.
I was also thinking about a full size with a V8 like a Ford F150, Chevy 1500, Mid 90's Fullsize Blazer with the 350 etc. Reason for this is because more power to pull things, and beefier (sp) transmissions. I do not care so much for fuel mileage but want reliability, comfort and something that is easy to find parts for or modify the suspension such as a smaller 3 inch lift or so. I will be pulling a fully enclosed trailor about 12 feet long loaded down with pressure washers, 150 gallon water tank full of water, all my supplies and tools, the bed will be loaded down with my canopies, materials, etc. Not sure if a smaller mini style truck tranny will handle all of this or strain on the engine for long periods of time.
Like I said, I dont plan to do the whole long travel suspension. I dont live in the sand dunes anymore (wish I did) so I plan to buy a 4x4 and put on pre runner front fenders and probably bed sides with a 4" flare or so and then upgrade the shocks for a little off roading in the woods trails, to the local motocross tracks, etc.
I basically want something that is going to pull an enclosed trailor loaded down and not kill the tranny or engine, something easy to get parts for, reliable, something that will be easy to do any suspension lift or upgrades, and something that if the motor goes I can get a crate motor for a fair price and easily (this is long term thinking I know but that is how I think). I am not biased (sp) , I like all makes and models of vehicles, IMO they are all junk and have their pros and cons so any suggestions on any vehicle is great. Pro's and con's on all the ones I listed would be great as well.
I am thinking more towards a full size truck or a full size Chevy Blazer 2 door with 4x4. These had the 350 motors in them and I know that if it has high milage then I can always buy a crate motor for it for fairly cheap off Summit and build it to how I want and just throw it in. Any idea on how strong the front and rear ends are on these? I was thinking around a 94 or 96 model and put around 4" flared fenders on front and a rack on top with a spare tire. I dont know, I'm just throwing around ideas. I like the Rangers and S10's but dont think they will have the stength and power of pulling a loaded down enclosed trailor for very long until the tranny will need rebuilding.
Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance!
I was thinking about something small at first with a V6 like a Ranger, S10 (ZR2), Toyota ,etc. Only thing about these is I'm not sure about the transmissions. I would like to stick with an automatic for comfort reasons. I do not like the Ford Ranger transmissions, they might be good for some people but with my experience with them I dont care for them.
I was also thinking about a full size with a V8 like a Ford F150, Chevy 1500, Mid 90's Fullsize Blazer with the 350 etc. Reason for this is because more power to pull things, and beefier (sp) transmissions. I do not care so much for fuel mileage but want reliability, comfort and something that is easy to find parts for or modify the suspension such as a smaller 3 inch lift or so. I will be pulling a fully enclosed trailor about 12 feet long loaded down with pressure washers, 150 gallon water tank full of water, all my supplies and tools, the bed will be loaded down with my canopies, materials, etc. Not sure if a smaller mini style truck tranny will handle all of this or strain on the engine for long periods of time.
Like I said, I dont plan to do the whole long travel suspension. I dont live in the sand dunes anymore (wish I did) so I plan to buy a 4x4 and put on pre runner front fenders and probably bed sides with a 4" flare or so and then upgrade the shocks for a little off roading in the woods trails, to the local motocross tracks, etc.
I basically want something that is going to pull an enclosed trailor loaded down and not kill the tranny or engine, something easy to get parts for, reliable, something that will be easy to do any suspension lift or upgrades, and something that if the motor goes I can get a crate motor for a fair price and easily (this is long term thinking I know but that is how I think). I am not biased (sp) , I like all makes and models of vehicles, IMO they are all junk and have their pros and cons so any suggestions on any vehicle is great. Pro's and con's on all the ones I listed would be great as well.
I am thinking more towards a full size truck or a full size Chevy Blazer 2 door with 4x4. These had the 350 motors in them and I know that if it has high milage then I can always buy a crate motor for it for fairly cheap off Summit and build it to how I want and just throw it in. Any idea on how strong the front and rear ends are on these? I was thinking around a 94 or 96 model and put around 4" flared fenders on front and a rack on top with a spare tire. I dont know, I'm just throwing around ideas. I like the Rangers and S10's but dont think they will have the stength and power of pulling a loaded down enclosed trailor for very long until the tranny will need rebuilding.
Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance!