violent_celerity

well heres my problem... to haul my bike right now, im using a TIRED 1988 chevy S-10. 238,000 miles, 4 cylinder,auto, shortbed. with my yamaha 426 in the back, i can barely run 60 mph. my first car was a 1986 mustang gt convertible that im now selling for $3000. im pretty sure im going to sell it (its been advertised for 2 days and weve got 7 calls already.) so heres my problem.... ive got a 1986 Jeep Comanche with an bunch of mods (lift, 35's, lockers, etc). its a longbed but its got a 2.8 liter V6 and an automatic. it struggles on the highway REALLY bad. i can either use the $3000 to drop a 350/350 chevy combo in it or i can find myself a little V6 longbed S-10 for about the same price. Either way i need a longbed, 4 wheel drive and enough power to magage highway speeds for at least a couple hours without problems. thoughts?

SilverStang00

iTrader: (2)

Hmmm.....choices lol. If it were me, I would take the 3k from the Mustang and put another 2k or so and buy a decent newer V6 S10. It would be reliable, get better gas mileage, and be much cheaper in the long run than a old lifted truck. Just my .02.

PowerShift408

iTrader: (44)

I'm gonna agree with Silver stang. Hell, try sellin the old jeep as well. Put the money fromt those 2 sales together and get you a nice newer S10. It'll be way more cost effective in the long run I'd think.

violent_celerity

yea... well the guy officially bought my stang today... shame to see that car go, it was my first car and it was amazing for what it was.... i think im gonna go with the S-10 or an older full size 4x4.

violent_celerity

figured out the best of both worlds. interior space, V8 tow capable, but 5 speed manual and smaller than a fullsize. im gonna try to find a mid 90's dodge dakota shortbed extended cab with the 5.2l and a 5 speed, 4wd. anyone know about the reliability of these trucks? any experiences or anything?

DubyaSsixTA

iTrader: (1)

I've heard of issues with some dodge automatics but manuals are good to go. My friend has a 98 dakota V6/5 speed with 147k on it and it's still doing a great job. I'm thinking a 318/5 spd combo is a bit rare (I could be wrong), but I doubt it would give you any trouble. Good luck in the search.

slw ls1

iTrader: (6)

We've got a 98 Ram 1500 4x4 with 175k on it and its still got the orgnial tranny and we've never had any problems with the tranny at all, none. We use to tow boats and trailers almost every weekend but we've cut back to about once a month or so and still don't have issues when towing. You can probably get a used ram for between 5-7k if you can manage that. The 5.9's are virtually bullit proof. It'll easily take car of the towing issues and the highway issues, but the MPG won't be great at all. I think intown I average about 10mpg with it 12 if I'm really nice and the most I've ever gotten on the highway is 15.25mpg. My dad claims right after he bought it he was getting 17mpg but those days are long gone.

Shinigami2x4

I have a 97 dodge ram, auto with the 5.2. I has the orginal tranny, and runs exceptionally well. The miles on it right now are 149500, and the only complaint that i have is that it sometimes shift's into drive hard, not crazy hard though just a little jerk. It has the tow package and 4x4, i get about 14 to the gallon if im not throttal crazy, if so its around 9

2000_SS

iTrader: (24)

S-10 FTW can't beat 'em. they're cheap, reliable, and VERY easy to work on. parts are a dime a dozen and the look great. BUT, i'm biased....

Shinigami2x4

My pickup looks like a full size of the same year. About 3 inches shorter then the ram, and 3.5 inches shorter then an excursion.