I curretnly have a 97 tacoma and I'm thinking about upgrading to the v-8. I put on a lot of miles since I live two hours from my work so I want something reliable and durable.
I've been looking into the dodges and I found a 99 Dodge slt single cab 4x4 with 49,000 miles for $13,995 It seems like a pretty good deal. Are these strong trucks? will they be able to with stand the mileage?
If I don't get this I might get a Ford Explorer and stick with the v-6.
Any info you might have is appreciated.
-Northern

 

Good Price on the dodge. I wouldn't sell mine for anywhere close to that. Be aware though that you're only going to get about 16 mpg or so on that dodge. Don't let anyone pull your leg, that ford exploder won't do any better. Your toy is doing better than that I'm sure. If gas doesn't matter, the dodge will do you well. Between my son and myself we own 4 of them right now.

 

Ive got a 97 Dodge 1500 with a 318 it has 100400 miles on it with no problems yet. Ive not pulled anthing over 2000lbs yet but 318s are known for being tough motors and it feels like it could drag anything. I think its rated to pull 7000lb. I get 16-16.5mpg normal city or highway driving. Ive got it up to 18mpg driving it real easy but not many people drive like that normally.

 

Good morning.......I've had both....a '97 toyota 4x4 x-ttra cab....6 cyl auto,loaded.....and a '97 dodge 3/4 ton,long bed 4x4,360 5spd....here's the deal.....Both were ausume,the dodge would pull it a little easer,remembering that the dodge is a LOT heaver to start with,and there was a monster diference in miliage....dodge being 8-10 loaded....toyota was 12-15..pulling 2 wheelers on a 6'5''x16' 2 axle trl....good luck

 

If you're driving two hours each way to work then you really need to look into the mileage of these engines a little closer. I have a 96 Explorer XLT 4 door 4x4 with the 4.0 and the thing has a real drinking problem, I get around 14 mpg day to day driving with a 6 mile drive to work. Another thing you may want to look at is the reliability of a V-8 compared to V-6s, I-6s, and I-4s. To be honest with you I've seen the best reliability from inline engines especially the Toyota I-4 seen those things turn 300K before and do it getting 25-30 mpg too.

 

I had a 95 Dodge 1500 extra cab 2wd, 360, and the trailer package. we pulled a 2 horse trailer (4k lbs loaded) for almost 90K miles. Only thing we ever had to fix was the catalytic(sp) converter and the starter. I would buy another one.. We traded it for my present truck a 98 S10 Zr2 extra cab with the 4.3L V6. I get better than 23mpg on the highway and it has plenty of power. Another good choice so far. My neighbor has an Explorer with the 4.0L that couldn't pull an old sick woman off the toilet...

 

Get the Dodge, you won't regret it. If you get the FORD make sure you get it with rear window defrost, it will keep your hands warm when you are pushing it. Stay away from the ford. If you are towing a toyhauler you really should be using at least a 1/2 ton v-8 if not bigger.

 

thanks everyone for all the reply's. I think I worded the question wrong and possibly the topic of the thread.
The most wheelers I would ever haul at once would be two. One in the back of the truck and one on the little 4x8 trailer. Obvioulsy if I was going to get the explorer I would have to get a larger trailer to tow them both. I think what I might end up doing is buying the v-6 tacoma or get a Dodge V-8.

 

Yea, that's probably what I'll do to when it's time to trade. I like the 4dr Dakota 4X4 with the lttle v8[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

BUY A CHEVY!!!!!!!!!!