Question: I’m currently in the market for a small truck. I’d like to hear remarks from owners of the Ranger, S-10, and Dodge D-50 (RAM?). How well do these trucks hold up? What kind of milage can I expect to put on the various engine sizes? What problems frequently occur on the various models? How often does the clutch (I want a stick) wear out? What kind of gas milage do they get? Where do they frequently rust out at? And how reliable would you say the truck is? Plan to buy soon and am real concerned about what is considered high miles on each of these trucks. Although my preference is the Ranger, I’ve been looking at an 85 Dodge D-50 5 speed with 75,000 miles on it. The body is in good shape and the motor is clean, but I wonder how many more miles this type of motor has in it?

Answer: I own both an ‘84 Bronco II with 2.8L V6 and a ‘79 D50. My observation, would be that the Ford is a larger, cushier vehicle with a more powerful motor. The D50’s (Mistubishi built) are an economy rig. The 2.6L 4 cyl has a lot of torque, but has been known to have problems with the head cracking. The ‘86 on up Fords come with a FI 2.9L V6, definitely much more power than the carbureted 2.8L. Don’t even consider the 4 cyl Ranger. Get the FI V6 with 5 spd.
On the other hand, there are scads and scads of D50’s in the papers, so you should be very agressive on price. I wouldn’t pay more than $2000-2500 for the rig you mention. My D50 has a LOT of road noise AND engine noise. Something you might listen for when you test drive.
If you’re in the market for a small truck, Toyota’s are head and shoulders above all the rest.
In any case, I’d carefully check the D50 for compression and oil burning. Pull the plugs and examine them as well. The Fords have a reputation for needing valve stem seals every 30,000 miles. I replaced the seals in my Bronco and oil consumtion went from a quart every 800 miles to practically zero.

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