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Buying a first truck

Original Post
Justin Brunson · · Tacoma WA · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 2,266

my honda just got creamed yesterday, so i'm looking for a new vehicle.

I'm tired of having to park 9 miles away from the crag because my car can't handle the road, so i'm looking at small trucks.

2wd is way cheaper, but if i get one, am i still gonna be hiking in a lot? I'm not into crawling or mudbogging, I just want a capable ride.

Favorite climbing vehicles?

climber73 · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 185

Toyota Tacoma. I had a 1990 and just sold my 2000 to a friend. The 2000 has 175k miles and still going strong.

Greenwade Greenwade · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 5

I agree with Climber. I took my 21-yr-old Toyota truck up to 9800 ft on the Lake Como Rd. last week, and didn't worry a bit, but did need 4 low. It is stock.

Can't beat a 4wd Toyota in my opinion. They won't let you down, get good-enough mpg (not as good as your Honda), and you can carry all your stuff and camp in the bed when you need to. 2WD will get most people 99% of where they want to go, but somewhere like Lake Como or St. Mary's and you'll be walking again. One of the 2000-or-so Tacomas would be nice with the rear locker.

One other thing- the 4 door Tacomas don't come with a bed long enough to sleep in (which I do a lot at trailheads), but the extended cabs with the longer bed will only seat 2 comfortably, and 3 for short distances.

Crag Dweller · · New York, NY · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 125

Another +1 for Toyota. I have subjected my Tacoma to abuse that I never would've expected a stock vehicle to stand up to. And, it's still going very strong...with occasional help from the local body shop.

And, my recommendation would be to find a 4WD that falls within your budget even if it means a few more miles and a few less features. Once you have it, you will definitely use it.

If you have to deal with snowy winters, you'll be very glad you have it because trucks aren't very good in snow when all you have is the light bed weighing on the rear axle. Even with sand in the back, 4WD makes a big difference.

Claire Rasmussen · · Bozeman, MT · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 5

I think a Tacoma is the obvious choice if you've got the coin. They can be a bit pricey though, as they're so popular. I've heard that a Ford Ranger is a good second option. Quite a bit cheaper, and apparently still a very reliable vehicle. I don't have any personal experience with them, but a friend of mine got one because he couldn't afford a Tacoma and he's been really happy with it. Also, my boyfriend was truck shopping about a year ago and people kept suggesting the Ranger as a Tacoma alternative. Might be something to look into. Good luck!

John Maguire · · Boulder, CO · Joined Nov 2008 · Points: 195

I like my 97 2wd ranger.

T.C. · · Whittier, NC · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 0

This is the truck. They don't get any better.

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/…

Citsalp · · . . . CO · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 371

Get yourself a 2wd truck. The money saved (from a 4wd) can be used to buy a one-stall horse trailer and a mule.
You'll feel like king of the world mossying on up to the crag on a mule.

Dan Hall · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 0

One word, Unimog.

Seriously though, if you would consider a SUV, I've been happy with my Nissan Xterra. The first generation ones (through 2004) aren't the quickest or most powerful but they're pretty reliable and do well off road even in their stock form.

Chris Plesko · · Westminster, CO · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 485
John Maguire wrote:I like my 97 2wd ranger.
Lolerskates. My E is better off road than that thing! :p
MegaGaper2000 James · · Indianola, Wa · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 20
The Ascender! wrote:Get yourself a 2wd truck. The money saved (from a 4wd) can be used to buy a one-stall horse trailer and a mule. You'll feel like king of the world mossying on up to the crag on a mule.
This is style.

This is an interesting question. As someone who commutes but also loves the mountain, I've spent a fair bit of time pondering the ideal all around vehicle. My response here is biased by the fact that I cant afford anything over 3-5,000. Also, to preface this over-windy post, I own a 1984 4runner and two subaru Loyales.

If you want a truck I'd go with a toyota. If you don't have the dough for a tacoma or one of the newer rigs I'd go with any of the older Toyota trucks or 4runners with 4wd and the 22RE engine. That was their absolute standard engine in all their trucks and 4runners from the late 70's all the way until the early 90's, I believe.
If you're thinking of buying a toyota I would highly recommend the Wikipedia page on toyota trucks - it will give you a clear, concise picture of what's out there.

4wd low is nice, but not super necessary - but way more important I'd say would be a manual tranny - in most spots you can just slip it carefully in first a bit and get by just fine. A rear locking dif is nice but very unnecessary for sane pursuits.

The one thing I'd look out for in toyotas is the early versions of their 6 cylinder engine. For a long time they used only the 4 cylinder 22RE - which everyone loves. But the early versions of the 6 cylinders, like you find in a lot of the 4 runners on craigslist today, seem to be a lot less reliable. The T100 (precursor to the tacoma) seems to be the one exception to this.
Among toyota tuck enthusiasts the two favorites seem to be the tacoma, for the richer, and for the poorer the pre-1990 4runner, with standard hi/lo tranny, awesome clearance, a removable back (!!!!!!), a roll bar, and a place to store your gear/sleep.

One other option in the older/cheaper market is the good old subaru loyale (the boxy ones, made early eighties through 93 I think). They get 30 mpg to toyotas' 20-22, have pretty good acceleration, are nice and roomy (being cars and all), are way nicer to drive around town than a truck, and I have taken them many places that people told me 'only big strong 4wd trucks with lockers and mud tires and shotguns and maybe a bird dog and winches and deflated tires and big muscles and blah blah blah' could go. Subarus go 250k miles easy, and you can find nice ones on CL for 1500 bucks.

Feel free to PM me if you want more windbagging/have questions about either, and don't forget to Tell us what you decide on!
Greenwade Greenwade · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 5
MegaGaper2000 wrote: The T100 (precursor to the tacoma) seems to be the one exception to this.
Just a detail, but the T100 is the precusor to the Tundra. Before Tacoma the smaller one was simply called "Truck."
Steve Williams · · The state of confusion · Joined Jul 2005 · Points: 235

Nissan Frontier. Just don't get one that's supercharged.
It feeds on high test.

I had 4 of them over 20 years and they were awesome.
The 4x4 had the supercharger, and I got rid of it the
weekend Katrina hit--I bought a Honda Civic hybrid.
The gas mileage on the little on is AWESOME. Alas,
it's not a truck.

Jeff House · · rapid city sd · Joined May 2010 · Points: 65

Its all about the $$ Cheapest Truck that will get you in and out is a Ranger or a Mazda ( same as ranger).
.. im not a big auto guy but i do like to save money buy changing my own oil and stuff ranger= easy.

Jonathan Petsch · · Chattanooga, TN · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 45

There's really no choice but a tacoma. A stock 4wd will get you everywhere you need to go.

LeeAB Brinckerhoff · · Austin, TX · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 10,288

For the record the newer 4 door Tacoma can be had with a 6 foot bed, the same length as the regular and extended cab, the trade off is a longer wheel base which means a slight loss of 4x4 capability.

I had a 99 Tacoma for 10 years and sold it with 230,000 miles on it and now have a 4 door Tacoma with the longer bed, can't complain, great truck.

Chris90 · · Unity, Maine · Joined May 2010 · Points: 10

2008 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 6 speed manual. BF Goordich All Terrain Tires. Cap on the back with carpeted platform built above the wheelwels to sleep on and store your stuff under

Ol' Blue

Camper set up

Justin Brunson · · Tacoma WA · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 2,266

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful. A tacoma would be awesome, but think i'll probably go with a ranger until i get out of school and a little more established.

alpinejason · · Minneapolis · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 176
T.C. wrote:This is the truck. They don't get any better. cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/…
Gosh these are awesome! I own a old J-3000 and I can literally drive over most cars on the road today.
Nick Przybysz · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 45
John Maguire wrote:I like my 97 2wd ranger.
But you make me drive anytime we go anywhere with a dirt road.....
John Maguire · · Boulder, CO · Joined Nov 2008 · Points: 195
Chris Plesko wrote: Lolerskates. My E is better off road than that thing! :p
Exactly. Get a 2wd drive and get a friend with 4wd.

Nick Przybysz wrote: But you make me drive anytime we go anywhere with a dirt road.....
That was back when you had 4wd.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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