How about something like this for a farm utility vehicle?

[Wayne02]

I would love to have a Kawasaki mule/polaris ranger/john deer gator/kubota rtv but they are really expensive new and most of them have not been on the market long enough to build up a stock of used ones. The used ones that are available are still $7,000 or so minimum from what I'm seeing around here (if you can find one).

I can't bring myself to spend that kind of money right now for a vehicle that will stay on the farm property and be used sporadically for people and tool hauling out to the back forty and other miscellaneous tasks around the farm. We have an atv and a couple of those little trailers but am looking for another people/tool/material hauler. Not interested in getting another atv, the next atv I get will be one of the utv's listed above, when I hit the lottery...

Given that, I've been thinking about an old Nissan or Toyota pickup. I need 4x4 and I need narrowness. The truck will not be licensed or insured as it will not be used on the road. I have been monitoring craigslist list for the last 4 months or so and never see a Toyota come up for sale that is under about $2500. But I occasionally see the nissans show up like this one for $900:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/795581236.html

I like that his has a canopy so we could leave some tools in it and not get wet here in the pacific northwest, on the other hand putting a flatbed on it might be handier for around the place.

Anybody have experience with these older nissans? I guess I should look at the older rangers and S10s as well? Any experience with those??

Thanks

[Common Tator]

That looks like a winner!

[MushCreek]

I would think any old 4X4 in working order would fill the bill- it's not like you're going to put a lot of miles on it. An old Suzuki Samurai would be great if you could find one- they're a lot narrower.

[Old Vet]

There is a place in Greenbrier Arkansas that sells used 4x4 trucks from some Asian country. They are in good shape and are not roadworthy but can be used as you proposed. They have a small 3 cylender diesel engne and are narrow enough to load into a regualr pickup If it was long enough. I havent stopped to talk with him but they come and go so fast that he only has a couple at a time.

[billooo2]

I can't speak for Nissans.....I have an S-10 that is a 94....and is still running very well with 310,000 miles on it (4.3 L. V6 engine). It is only 2 wheel drive....and my neighbor is amazed at the stuff this little truck has managed to do with only 2WD.

[vicker]

Suzuki samraris and Geo Trackers are the bomb!
I have a 95 tracker and just love the little thing. It will go dang near anywhere a 4 wheeler will. They are built on a strong, light truck frame and tough as nails. About 30 mpg. In the late 90's they changed to a lighter frame and front end with rack and penion stearing (smoother ride and more street worthy); stay away from those, as the front ends are easily damaged and expensive to repair. I just bought a second one for parts ($500), and it has 100,000 less miles than mine and only neads a clutch ($200). They are way tougher than they look.

[nathan104]

I wish that little 4x4 you posted was down here near me, Id snatch that up in a heartbeat. You cant even buy a decent used 4 wheeler for that.

[PyroDon]

4x4 japanese mini trucks can be found ranging from $2000 and up.
many have a high low tranny and 600 cc engine .

[watcher]

Originally Posted by Wayne02

I would love to have a Kawasaki mule/polaris ranger/john deer gator/kubota rtv but they are really expensive new and most of them have not been on the market long enough to build up a stock of used ones. The used ones that are available are still $7,000 or so minimum from what I'm seeing around here (if you can find one).

I can't bring myself to spend that kind of money right now for a vehicle that will stay on the farm property and be used sporadically for people and tool hauling out to the back forty and other miscellaneous tasks around the farm. We have an atv and a couple of those little trailers but am looking for another people/tool/material hauler. Not interested in getting another atv, the next atv I get will be one of the utv's listed above, when I hit the lottery...

Given that, I've been thinking about an old Nissan or Toyota pickup. I need 4x4 and I need narrowness. The truck will not be licensed or insured as it will not be used on the road. I have been monitoring craigslist list for the last 4 months or so and never see a Toyota come up for sale that is under about $2500. But I occasionally see the nissans show up like this one for $900:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/795581236.html

I like that his has a canopy so we could leave some tools in it and not get wet here in the pacific northwest, on the other hand putting a flatbed on it might be handier for around the place.

Anybody have experience with these older nissans? I guess I should look at the older rangers and S10s as well? Any experience with those??

Thanks

We picked up an old beat up 1988 S10 for $400 several months ago. We have gotten our $400 out of it and then some and it is still going. Keep looking around and you can probably find a beaten up truck for under $500 or so. If you are handy with tools you can keep it running good enough for a farm truck (i.e. if it stops running it won't be too far of a walk to the house to get the 'real' truck or tractor to pull it back to the shop).

[OntarioMan]

Yup - if I needed a working 4wd small vehicle, the Tracker would be my choice. Here, they're dead cheap and parts are everywhere. Only downside to the Tracker is rust.

Cheap JDM engines and transmissions for the Tracker are available as well.

Originally Posted by vicker

Suzuki samraris and Geo Trackers are the bomb!
I have a 95 tracker and just love the little thing. It will go dang near anywhere a 4 wheeler will. They are built on a strong, light truck frame and tough as nails. About 30 mpg. In the late 90's they changed to a lighter frame and front end with rack and penion stearing (smoother ride and more street worthy); stay away from those, as the front ends are easily damaged and expensive to repair. I just bought a second one for parts ($500), and it has 100,000 less miles than mine and only neads a clutch ($200). They are way tougher than they look.