chris

want to run a small truck what kind of small trucks would be good to get

nanzpower36

i've seen dodge dakotas hold up pretty good. avoid nissan or toyota pickups.

jasonJ-1

what about ext cab s-10 4x4 want to

wedge it

423upinya

I ran a extended cab ranger with a small block. Ran it 3 times could of got 4 but busted both real axles and didn't want to fix. I would go Ford if ur gonna run one

triple6garage

how much of a pain is it to put a 2.3 into an explorer? anybody do or try it?

jasonJ-1

thanks

hatchet101

any jeep cherokee tips or dodge dakota tips much appreciated

85Toyota

Just picked up an 80s mitzu aka dodge b ??00. Good, bad, ugly?????

^^^^^^ its a mitsubiti mighty max. has a blown motor so im buildin a plymouth arrow now. mitzu mighty max, dodge D50, and plymouth arrow are all one in the same...

j17carter

If your rules allow you to run compact suvs with the compact trucks...id run a ford explorer. Ive had very good luck with mine. Three 1st place trophys

tuna212

it depends what you run, dakotas ( like mine) do fairly well around here stay away from jap trucks and s10's the back ends sky rocket, ether drop the tailgate, or fold the box sides its really personal preference

nanzpower36

i've seen a s-10 5speed win against dakotas, astro vans, and blazers. thing showed no damage. had the rear of the bed folded and it kept doing reverse shots.

herron45r

heres the dakota i built couple yrs ago


this is how i biult it....i replaced all the body n bed bolts with 3/4 inch threaded rod...welded bed to cab...welded a-arms to the frame...i didnt drop the tailgate down on this one but i would recommend it...i would also recommend suckin the rear down some... ran a 4 point cage with halo and gas tank protector "deff recomended"....i threw my mini car bumper on it witch is n 80's regal bumper....i ran threaded rod threw the core support and thre the frame.....when u replace the bed bolts with threaded rod run them threw the frame aswell.....i didnt put enough time in the rear as it should have been but it was my first mini truck build....but heres the aftermath


like i said i didnt put the time in the rearend but deff add leafs and clamp em.....the frame gave right in front of the front shackles on both sides.....i believe if i woulda at least dropped the rear it wouldnt have dun it but who know lol....i hope this helps some ppl!! Oh and the front never moved!! i used it just as much ass the rear!

K.Baker29k

what do you guys mean drop the tail gate? im new to it haha i always build cars

513monster

I'll try to find some pics, but as a short response..its basically lowering your tailgate over your frame rails and welding to the box/frame as the bumper, instead of using one. It helps tie everything together and puts less stress on the frame.

K.Baker29k

oh ok makes since sorry im a car guy but i wanna try a mini truck for the hell of it haha i have a decent drive train so hell i figured i would give it a go.. any suggestions? any trucks around ohio? haha im looking for something cheap to just toss together quick any ones better than others?

513 monster

It depends a lot on your rules. Local shows(swOH) the rangers usually dominate it...s10's/jimmy's tend to belly really bad, and jeeps are ok if you find one that's not rusted through. That's mainly all I've seen run in this area, other than a few yota's/mitsi's here and there(they place but are usually mangled).

K.baker29k

do most you guys like running trucks?