Learn me little trucks

the extra wheel base is cool.

what is that, an iron duke?

AMC 2.5L

Nobody has mentioned the 1st generation Dakota. And by 1st gen I'm saying '87-96. I don't break the updates from '91 into another generation.

The '91 got a V8 option, and in '92 the Magnum engines were released. I've had several of these gen Daks (and a couple right now). They are my favorite trucks.

I also have a 2WD '87 Comanche here with a dead 2.5L. I'm rebuilding that one into a nice little shop truck. I don't think I'd want to tow with the Comanche, it's a very light truck. But I've towed plenty with my '96 Dak.

I'll second the 87-96 dakota. IMO, vastly superior to the s10/ranger of the era (unless you count turning radius).

I have towed both with those dakotas (i have 2) and with cherokees (i have 1) and i honestly recommend against towing with a cherokee. Way underbraked, rear springs too soft, and gets pushed around easily.

The Dakota (96) gives me no problems other than the back brakes seem to be useless and only having 2 wheel braking sucks in the wet, etc. Could easily be fixed. It's had 10k lbs behind it and while i dont recommend that, it's never felt horribly unstable (unlike the cherokee).

Ok so right now I have on my watchlist G-Body Elkys, '70-'71 Ranchero, '71-79 Mazda B-series (I swear I am not thinking about a rotary swap ), 1st generation Dakota, 1st generation S10 and Jeep Comanche. What about '78-'85 Mazda B-series and Nissan and Datsun 720 pickups?

I had a 93 B2200 (the last year of the real Mazda truck). It was far more powerful, and better for towing than either of my 4 cylinder S10's, but it was probably the worst driving vehicle I've ever owned.

Dumb question, but why a "small" truck. A single cab short bed GM 1500 isn't that big. Plus, the aftermarket is huge and cheap. Like, lowing kits starting at $99 is usually the C1500.

Lowering kits? Check.
5-speed? Check.
Suspension upgrades? Check. Sway bars, springs, shocks, etc.
Engines? From V6 to LSx. Sky's the limit.

You could make a heavy hauling, fast truck fairly easily.

-Rob

Raze wrote: There's a fella Randy over here in the ATL region who used to run an El Camino or Ranchero and after selling it runs his Dodge Dakota RT, lowered on fatty tires. That was a hoot to get chaffered around the course in

I be the guilty party.

It does pretty good for a 4140 lb truck, needs more tire and spring/shock though. BTW the Dakota, S10 and Ranger are all classed in C-Prepared as well, although only the Dakota can run a V8, the others are limited to 4 and 6-cyl.

What about the Plymouth Scamp/ Dodge Rampage? Will these take a turbo 4-cylinder easily?

93EXCivic wrote: What about the Plymouth Scamp/ Dodge Rampage? Will these take a turbo 4-cylinder easily?

I don't see any reason why they wouldn't Finding one might be a bit difficult. Can't really town much either. I was going to suggest looking at the Toyota pickups (pre-tacoma) and the Nissan Hardbody, but since most are 4cyl, you aren't going to be doing much towing with those either.

Rob_Mopar wrote: Nobody has mentioned the 1st generation Dakota. And by 1st gen I'm saying '87-96. I don't break the updates from '91 into another generation. The '91 got a V8 option, and in '92 the Magnum engines were released. I've had several of these gen Daks (and a couple right now). They are my favorite trucks. I also have a 2WD '87 Comanche here with a dead 2.5L. I'm rebuilding that one into a nice little shop truck. I don't think I'd want to tow with the Comanche, it's a very light truck. But I've towed plenty with my '96 Dak.

Funny- I could have written this response, except my Commanche was 2.5 4 wheel drive. It was a gutless turd, but the PO had added several leaves in the rear springs, so it would carry 2500 lbs of busted concrete to the dump. Slooooowly.

My dak was one of the first 318 powered ones, and had no trans when I bought it. It gave me 150km, which brought it to 325,000km, and the guy who has it now still uses it all the time. Probably my favorite truck, other than my 69 Chev i had when I was a kid.

What about the Plymouth Scamp/ Dodge Rampage? Will these take a turbo 4-cylinder easily?

Pretty much a complete bolt-in, and even a stock version of any of the turbo motors automatically makes a 2200lb rampage fast.

Ive driven one turbo/5spd rampage. Loved it. If i didnt already have my '80 Plymouth Arrow truck i'd be looking for one.

I loved mine. Bed is rated for more weight than the Elcamino of the time (1000lbs)

Loaded the back end with a 2.5L drivetrain and a bunch of other parts. Front end got a little light, so freeway driving was done carefully.

Rear brakes have a weight-sensing bias valve that fails pretty easily because so few would actually haul enough weight to make use of it.

Slightly longer wheelbase than the comparable Omni/Charger, made for a pretty good auto crosser when combined with the stiff rear springs and the rear suspension didn't bind as badly.

I know a couple of people here in the Pacific NW that have more than a couple in their yards that they are willing to sell if anyone was interested.

BTW, the early Dakota's had a 2.5L motor from Chrysler. A DOHC 2.5/turbo swap makes for a decently potent little truck.

It doesnt have to be dohc to make power, it all depends on what you are going for.