Trucks for Dads

"MacGyver1138" (MacGyver1138) 01/09/2014 at 07:19 • Filed to: None

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I will soon be in the market for a used truck. This is something I have wanted and needed for some time, but then we added a 6lb 10oz variable last year. Suddenly I need something that can not only haul a bunch of stuff, but also a child (preferably in a safe, child seat-friendly way. Seeing as how this is one of the best places I have found to find knowledgeable car people, I thought I could ask what everyone's best ideas are.

My requirements are: 4 doors (for the aforementioned kid,) 4x4 (it just needs to be competent in snow for a few months a year, and the occasional muddy field,) and in the 10K ballpark used. Reliability is also a big must for me, as this will become a DD. I'd love a manual, but that may be a pipe dream with my other requirements. I prefer a short bed, but I'm not too picky here.

I figure that I'm not the only guy who has this type of need, so it would potentially be a collection of posts useful for other similar Jalop-dads. So what are everyone's thoughts?

Storz > MacGyver1138 01/09/2014 at 07:28

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Nissan Frontiers are awesome, on par with Tacomas without the Toyota Tax. Really when you're shopping in the used market get the nicest, newest and cleanest thing you can find for 10k regardless of what brand it is. Most modern trucks are going to serve you well.

Are you specifically looking for a truck with low range? If not something more pedestrian like a Subaru Baja or Honda Ridgeline might work better for you.

Nibbles > MacGyver1138 01/09/2014 at 07:35

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Dakota and Frontier both have the ability to tick all your checkboxes

Bricks > MacGyver1138 01/09/2014 at 07:37

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Well you have a little too many variables for your requirements, reliability and 10k don't go hand in hand, haha. there are a lot of options though in the 4 door short bed (I secretly can't stand shortbeds). if you don't want full size my buddy had a s-10 4 door short bed that served him well for many years til he went full size. I love the tacomas but finding a 4x4 manual 4 door may be hard under 10k. There are a lot of options, I'd just keep looking and keep driving til you find one you like best.

My Truck is my favorite vehicle, but I bought and old cheap truck and I'm a mechanic so reliability wasn't something I needed. I love the heck outta my Dodge ram and have it for over 5 years and the only things I've had to repair were due to rust. The thing is a beast and goes anywhere and everywhere. Good luck in your search, sorry to ramble a bit

Dirty Harry Callahan > Storz 01/09/2014 at 07:38

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Though if you are doing the maintenance and repair yourself, pay the "Toyota Tax" because they are easier to service. Except the rear drums on a Tacoma, they fit so snugly you need to use a bolt to walk them off the axle hub.

MacGyver1138 > Bricks 01/09/2014 at 07:45

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The manual isn't a requirement, just something I'd love to have.

I don't feel like getting something reasonably reliable at 10K is too crazy. That's what I paid for my current DD car 2 years ago, and it's been quite reliable for me. I'm not opposed to something older either, so long as it's big enough for a car seat in the back and 4x4. I'm just trying to get some good ideas from people on here. I figure there isn't much better of a place to look!

Currently, an '03-06 crew cab Nissan Frontier is at the top of my list. I may go a bit over my 10K mark, but they seem to have everything else I want (except the manual.)

MacGyver1138 > Storz 01/09/2014 at 07:48

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No, I'm really not needing low range. I won't be doing any serious towing or offroading. I just want something that will do well with the occasional traverse through fields on my parents' farm, as well as a couple of snowy months per year. Nothing crazy.

The Frontier is at the top of my list now. I like the Ridgelines as well. I hadn't considered something like the Baja. I like those, though my wife hates the way they look, and ground clearance could be a minor issue there. I'll keep it in mind. Thanks for the ideas!

MacGyver1138 > Nibbles 01/09/2014 at 07:49

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The Frontier is currently my top pick, so it's good to hear that backed up by everyone here, so far.

I'll look more at the Dakota. For some reason, I hadn't really considered those yet.

Storz > MacGyver1138 01/09/2014 at 07:51

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My father in law drives a Ridgeline and loves it, he came from a long line of fullsize pickups and for his needs (which sound similar to yours) the Ridgeline fits the bill. With the center diff locked its actually fairly capable in light offroading situations, he uses it in Michigan's UP for deer hunting with no issues on the forest services and two track type roads up there.

. . > Storz 01/09/2014 at 07:53

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My dad has ran a Navara (rebadged Frontier) for a few year now and it's been anything but reliable. It's very badly made and the back seats are horrible (the seats are too low and waaaaay too upright + there's little legroom).

MacGyver1138 > Storz 01/09/2014 at 07:54

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Thanks for the information. The 4x4 use you described sounds like it would suit me just about perfectly. I'll definitely keep that in mind. Most of the Ridgelines I have looked at so far were a bit higher priced than I hoped, but I may end up bumping my budget up a bit if it means getting the right truck.

MacGyver1138 > . . 01/09/2014 at 07:55

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What year was that truck?

. . > MacGyver1138 01/09/2014 at 07:59

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Its year of production is 2008, but it was purchased new in 2009. It's the current bodystyle.

Storz > MacGyver1138 01/09/2014 at 08:03

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Ask this same question on www.expeditionportal.com

Klaus Schmoll > MacGyver1138 01/09/2014 at 08:17

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I don't see the problem with a regular cab.

ColoradoTaco > MacGyver1138 01/09/2014 at 08:25

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Not sure what they go for around you and it may be a bit more than you'd like, but I love the 4 door Tacomas. I'm hoping to pick one up for fishing/camping duties this year

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > MacGyver1138 01/09/2014 at 08:32

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Honda Ridgeline.. one of my favorite trucks ever.. extremely solid ad reliable since it is based off the Honda Pilot.. good 4WD system, big interior, short bed and manuals are an option...

Nibbles > MacGyver1138 01/09/2014 at 08:43

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The Frontier is a great truck. Interior is a little plasticky and the steering wheel is too rubbery, but the 4.0 is a great motor and the 6 gear they mate to it is delicious.

I don't have much experience with newer Dakotas, but I hear the 4.7 is a great powerhouse. It can be had with 6 cogs as well, from 2004-2006 IIRC.

Who needs sway bars anyway > MacGyver1138 01/09/2014 at 08:43

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I don't know how big you are looking to go, but the 04-06 f150's can go for about that range. I know a couple of guys that use them for landscaping vehicles and have herd nothing but good things about them. Plus in my opinion they are the best looking F150 in the past 10-15 years.

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/427228…

MacGyver1138 > ColoradoTaco 01/09/2014 at 08:56

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So far they have been hard to find, and they are pricey when you do. I love them, though. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a reasonable one around me.

MacGyver1138 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/09/2014 at 08:59

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I like these a lot. My wife isn't a fan of the styling, but if we find one at the right price, I could probably talk her into it. I like that it is generally reviewed as driving like a car, but with the utility of a truck.

MacGyver1138 > Klaus Schmoll 01/09/2014 at 09:00

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Looks like a good idea to me! We could easily put some tie-downs back there to strap the little one in.

deekster_caddy > MacGyver1138 01/09/2014 at 09:18

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I always had a truck or van until recently. With two kids, my mother in law and sister in laws family to occasionally carry around, a car trailer and we were considering a travel trailer, the answer clearly came down to Suburban. If I'm getting a Suburban to tow with, I'm going to get a 3/4 ton (2500) version. And since I was already getting a gas pig, I discovered there was an 8.1 V8 which got basically the same milage as the more common 6.0 V8... so I ended up with an '05 GMC Yukon XL 8.1. What an awesome truck!!!!!

Now back to reality... I was able to borrow a friend's camper trailer for a few summer trips as we were preparing to buy one and realized a few important things: 1) The kids didn't really do that well with the whole camping thing (2 girls) and 2) we decided that for the money we would spend on the camper and gas in the truck, we could buy an awful lot of hotel nights.

More reality: The sis-in-law's family bought a minivan as they had another kid and now have another on the way (so they are 5), so THEY get to haul MIL around. I recently got my '73 LeSabre running great and it's one of the best non-truck tow vehicles I've ever had. So I sold the truck and bought a 4 passenger commuter car instead (Chevy Volt). My car payment and the tiny amount of gas the Volt uses adds up to the same as my old monthly payment for my Yukon plus gas.

Turns out my LeSabre is doing just fine for occasional car trailer use. As long as I don't need to put IT on the trailer I'll be good to go!!!

I can't rave enough about the Yukon. Ultimate road rig, as long as you don't mind 12-15 MPG. Feed it and it will take good care of you. That was an amazing truck. I sold it to my dad, who is using it to tow a 30' Travel Trailer full time.

8.1, 4wd hi, low, 2 and Auto, leather everything, heated seats, 3 zone climate control, DVD player, factory Bose system (which sounded great, but the touch screen head unit and NAV was awful), just awesome. The ultimate truck. Except for the gas milage.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > MacGyver1138 01/09/2014 at 09:21

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We have an 07 Pilot and it is very car-like... they are also very capable off road...

down in my area the Honda dealer shares a building with a VW dealer (strange, right?) and my dad was down there getting service done on his Passat... the Ridgeline just came out and we were looking at it... dealer walked over and said this was the first one on the lot and wanted to give us a test drive... obviously we said yes... he takes it down the main highway there and floors it to about 65; then drives it right into a drainage ditch that was all muddy and full of water to show its off road capabilities... we were quite impressed.. mom just shot down the idea of a truck though...

really smotth ride and a lot of power though make it a great truck

ColoradoTaco > MacGyver1138 01/09/2014 at 09:41

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Yeah i'm hoping the same. a buddy here at work just a brand-new one and it is really nice. Has the TRD sport pack with all the interior amenities. Nice forest green metallic paint. It's a shame there aren't more options for a truck this size.

MacGyver1138 > ColoradoTaco 01/09/2014 at 12:51

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The TRD's are nice. I have a neighbor that drives a model a couple of years old that would be perfect for me. Maybe I'll get lucky and he'll be deciding to sell in the near future.

As a sidenote, I giggle every time I see a TRD because I read it in my head as "turd," though.