I've had a terrible experience with a 1995 F150 and a 1997 E350. But, the Ranger was a good truck with the 4.0.
For a "smaller" truck, I'd get a Dakota. I had one with the 3.9L V6. I hauled over 1600# in the bed, and pulled over 4000# (At different times). You get all the big truck perks, with the packaging of a small truck.
Get something that'll last a while, though. If $500-1000 is the difference between a rusted 1/2 ton that's falling apart and a decent 1990s truck that'll serve you well, spend the money. I bought a "junker" box truck- it was the worst purchase of my life, and ended up eating a lot of profit.
Make sure to get any truck that you want inspected. Especially for rust. That's what ultimately killed my E350.
Bookmarks