UK based pick up NOOB, info please.

[toastmuncher]

The jap trucks have only two front seats while the double cabs are too short on the beds, so as three up front is ideal, its likely that we need a vehicle from YOUR side of the pond.Considering a 1500 dodge ram magnum. I like the silverado too but know nothing of how 'fixable' they are, or how heavy on the gas they might be. Fuel here is at 1.35 per litre, I guess that works out at $2.12 which is approx $8.50 a gallon. Anyway, I need something presentable that the wife wont be ashamed to ride in, shes REAL fussy, three seats up front if poss, a bed long enough for bikes, so 7ft?, and lastly a vehicle that can be home-spannered and not need booking in to the shop for complex computery issues that need diagnostic crap. 70 mph capability would also be real handy if needs be. We do not need 4x4, but although 3 seats would do us, I guess 4/5 would be more practical if we need to take one of his friends out with us.
Been looking at these.....................
The first one seemed real simple will suit our needs and would still be an unusual head turner in these parts.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260890683807
couple of others
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1606734454...84.m1438.l2649
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1707235663...84.m1438.l2649
this one the wife really likes..............
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1606802633...84.m1438.l2649
and this would be my choice............
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3207923886...84.m1438.l2649
Here in the UK there is a road tax where post 2001 vehicles are taxed per CO2 emmisions, pre 2001 its engine size, £160/$251 below 1600cc £210/$330 above that level. Pre 1973 vehicles are deemed historic and are exempt from road tax. As a post 2001 will be hammered with tax, as much as £450/$708, due to the nature of the vehicle, so i need to stay pre 2001.
I have a 67 beetle which I guess is worth about £3000-£3500, that would be my ideal budget, I can throw in some more if I find something really ideal.

I am a complete novice at this stuff and open to ANY input at all.

Fixability MPG and Useability are the main concerns, I am all ears.

[Grreatdog]

As far as "fixibility" that would be the F250. I had that exact truck back in the day except mine was red under the white. A tool kit for it would consist of pliers, screwdriver, hammer and adjustable wrench. It is about as high tech as a stone ax. But that 390 isn't exactly gentle with the fuel.

But compared to those Dodges it will be an economy car if you keep your foot out of the gas. Mine had a 360, three speed and managed 20 mpg on the rare occasions the teenage me managed to not be standing on the gas. That ugly white Chevy is the only one you posted with a prayer of breaking 20mpg and it is doubtful.

That said, could you buy the F250 and ship it "home" to me? It has sentimental value. Mine steered like crap with seriously over boosted power steering. Even with power brakes a prayer was more effective for stopping. But it was comfortable and rode great. And it was the best truck I ever owned.

No way would I part with the Beetle for a crap pickup truck though. They were just too much fun to drive. Besides, it is a man's right to own at least one crap pickup no matter what else is in the driveway.

[Joz]

Based on what you listed, I'd vote for the 71 Ford. Fixability is dead simple - no computers. Well, it might have an ignition control module but I doubt it. MPG will be a bit worse than the newer trucks but the money you save in road tax will put a lot of fuel in it. With some decent tuning you can probably get respectable mileage out of it. Of course the creature comforts won't be there but most can be added: power windows, power locks, A/C, etc but those can be added. Also, interior noise will be higher, but there are cost effective solutions for that too.

What's wrong with one of the 4 door compact pickups that are plentiful? Just not interested in them?

Don't forget that a driving a left hand vehicle in the UK will be interesting. Passing is the biggest pain since you pretty much have to commit to the on coming lane before you can even see if the road is clear. And, of course you have to play all the silly games with extra reflectors, lights, masking shaped beam headlights (on a newer vehicle) and you'll need a friendly MOT shop that can deal with foreign cars.

Even with all that said, I can't see anyone in the US paying £4500 ($7100) for a 1971 Ford pickup! Maybe £1500 if it was in fantastic shape. Guess it's all about demand and location.

[toastmuncher]

Originally Posted by Joz

Based on what you listed, I'd vote for the 71 Ford. Fixability is dead simple - no computers. Well, it might have an ignition control module but I doubt it. MPG will be a bit worse than the newer trucks but the money you save in road tax will put a lot of fuel in it. With some decent tuning you can probably get respectable mileage out of it. Of course the creature comforts won't be there but most can be added: power windows, power locks, A/C, etc but those can be added. Also, interior noise will be higher, but there are cost effective solutions for that too.

What's wrong with one of the 4 door compact pickups that are plentiful? Just not interested in them?

Don't forget that a driving a left hand vehicle in the UK will be interesting. Passing is the biggest pain since you pretty much have to commit to the on coming lane before you can even see if the road is clear. And, of course you have to play all the silly games with extra reflectors, lights, masking shaped beam headlights (on a newer vehicle) and you'll need a friendly MOT shop that can deal with foreign cars.

Even with all that said, I can't see anyone in the US paying £4500 ($7100) for a 1971 Ford pickup! Maybe £1500 if it was in fantastic shape. Guess it's all about demand and location.

Need to seat 3 and have enough bed fro bikes. The compacts are not long enough with the bigger cab. I have a few mates here with the l200 mitsubishi things and they seem to spend time getting them fixed and rarely see over 25mph anyway. With ref creature comforts, not too bothered about that myself, wife likes things a little plush but happy to rough it she says.

[Doc.Snyder]

Why not buying a nissan navara Double cab with long bed? It's a fantastic mid size pickup truck. available in europe also with diesel engine. spacious CrewCab or King cabin and alot of space in the back.
If you don't need a full CrewCab, the King Cab also seats four, but with limited legroom.
Great design in&outside, too.
I'm driving a Nissan Frontier/Navara here in the US. 4l/6cyl. King Cab with long bed and 4x4. fantastic truck.

This is the smaller king cab :-)

[toastmuncher]

Originally Posted by Doc.Snyder

Why not buying a nissan navara Double cab with long bed? It's a fantastic mid size pickup truck. available in europe also with diesel engine. spacious CrewCab or King cabin and alot of space in the back.
If you don't need a full CrewCab, the King Cab also seats four, but with limited legroom.
Great design in&outside, too.
I'm driving a Nissan Frontier/Navara here in the US. 4l/6cyl. King Cab with long bed and 4x4. fantastic truck.

This is the smaller king cab :-)

That is the one option I do quite like those, however, the depreciation is a factor too. The old american stuff always seems to hold their price, the insurance too is something to think about, the navara is classed as a commercial vehicle whereas specialists insurers will cover all but the newest yanks as classic vehicles, limited mileage of course. The king cab, as opposed to the bigger double cab, would suit us though, it would be nice to have him, our 7 year old, ride up front with us though.

[Doc.Snyder]

i really thing the crew cab, long bed navara (4x4 or not?) would be a good choice. reliable, good looking and tough (based on the bigger nissan titan cassis)

What about the defender 130 crew cab?

I drove a 110 for years and had to sell it because i moved to the us :-(
Too bad we cannot get them here...

[GP640]

Buying a small truck would make more sense to me. The big stuff is attractive but fuel and the potential hassle of piloting
such a cruise ship in places not designed for it may be a factor.
The Japanese stuff tends to be more reliable and heck, you can get diesel engines.

What's wrong with a trailer? Or did I miss that?

[Grainbelt]

Regarding bed length on smaller trucks, just lower the tailgate if the bikes are in it.

Knowing how expensive gas is there, there is no way I'd buy an old heavy V8 truck. I wouldn't buy one here, and gas is half as costly.

[Grreatdog]

Originally Posted by GP640

Buying a small truck would make more sense to me......

Remember, a 1971 full size truck IS a small truck by current standards. That is why they got roughly the same mileage compact trucks get now.

5th generation Ford F-250 Styleside: 211" x 79" at 3800 pound curb weight
Current Tacoma double cab: 221" x 75" at 4200 pound curb weight

As absurd as it may seem, a current Tacoma four door is actually larger and heavier than a 3/4 ton full size pickup of the 60's and 70's.

My only issue with buying a truck from those decades is safety. I love the look and I like driving them. But I don't really want something that old for any significant amount of driving. IIRC, mine only had lap belts. And those old truck bodies don't bend much in a crash. So if you crash one your own body is the crumple zone.

[rallybug]

Originally Posted by Grreatdog

Remember, a 1971 full size truck IS a small truck by current standards. That is why they got roughly the same mileage compact trucks get now.

5th generation Ford F-250 Styleside: 211" x 79" at 3800 pound curb weight
Current Tacoma double cab: 221" x 75" at 4200 pound curb weight

As absurd as it may seem, a current Tacoma four door is actually larger and heavier than a 3/4 ton full size pickup of the 60's and 70's.

My only issue with buying a truck from those decades is safety. I love the look and I like driving them. But I don't really want something that old for any significant amount of driving. IIRC, mine only had lap belts. And those old truck bodies don't bend much in a crash. So if you crash one your own body is the crumple zone.

You'd have to choose the right one, though - my father-in-law's 1976 F250 Ranger with a 460 gets 6mpg on a good day....

For comparison, the LR Defender 130 noted above measures in at 199" x 70", so a foot shorter and 9" narrower than the F-250 mentioned by Grreatdog, to help visualize (the 110 is 188" x 70", the Navara is 208" x 73", roughly)

[toastmuncher]

Originally Posted by rallybug

You'd have to choose the right one, though - my father-in-law's 1976 F250 Ranger with a 460 gets 6mpg on a good day....

For comparison, the LR Defender 130 noted above measures in at 199" x 70", so a foot shorter and 9" narrower than the F-250 mentioned by Grreatdog, to help visualize (the 110 is 188" x 70", the Navara is 208" x 73", roughly)

6mpg, crikey, itb be cheaper to take a taxi.
So, you guys think a jap truck is the way forward? A 130 high cube landrover, not sure if you get those, with a 200tdi would do us, a 300tdi is not so home fixable and I DO NOT WANT A TD5. 2 bikes wont go in a 110. The v8s are returning around 16mpg Im told.
The first truck on my original post, a 1500 ram magnum, tell me more about that V6 please chaps?

Happy to drive a 'left-hooker', I had a 65 Zepher 6, it was an ex british military staff car from germany. 2500cc ford straight six, loved that thing, really miss it.
Like this.

[Tweaker]

Originally Posted by toastmuncher

I have a 67 beetle which I guess is worth about £3000-£3500, that would be my ideal budget, I can throw in some more if I find something really ideal.

Cool. Another thread where many will tell you to buy exactly what you said you didn't want.

Curious about that '67. Is the single reverse lamp integrated in the taillight original? 67 was a transition year but I never saw that variation.

[toastmuncher]

Originally Posted by Tweaker

Cool. Another thread where many will tell you to buy exactly what you said you didn't want.

Curious about that '67. Is the single reverse lamp integrated in the taillight original? 67 was a transition year but I never saw that variation.

yes, 1 year model. end of 67, 68 spec so an early release it seems. I have ordered bits for a 67 and had to send them back before I realised. It had euro bumpers on when it was restored, the later ones were fitted with indicators in them, I fitted the blades/rails in stainless which meant the car had no indicatore, they SHOULD be on top of the wings. I cut a plate and put them either end of the license plate to save cutting/drilling the wingtops. The conversion irons to allow the blades to go onto a car that has euros, what a headache it has been.




just done the interior with a TMI kit.

The stock rims are going back on. It was a 1500 single port, it was swapped for a 1300 twinport unit at some point, it goes well. Being a 1500 it has disc brakes too.

[Kubla]

Originally Posted by toastmuncher

yes, 1 year model. end of 67, 68 spec so an early release it seems. I have ordered bits for a 67 and had to send them back before I realised. It had euro bumpers on when it was restored, the later ones were fitted with indicators in them, I fitted the blades/rails in stainless which meant the car had no indicatore, they SHOULD be on top of the wings. I cut a plate and put them either end of the license plate to save cutting/drilling the wingtops. The conversion irons to allow the blades to go onto a car that has euros, what a headache it has been.




just done the interior with a TMI kit.

The stock rims are going back on. It was a 1500 single port, it was swapped for a 1300 twinport unit at some point, it goes well. Being a 1500 it has disc brakes too.

why does your car have 66 front fenders (wings?) my first car was a 67 beetle, was the first year of non-covered headlights and the last year of the bow tie bumpers, also the tail lights are 68, 67 had smaller oval taillights with no yellow of back up light in them, back up lights were separate units on the bumper

and to make life real fun, the fenders on a 67 are unique to 67