Operation find AIM a truck

[AestheticsInMotion]

It's a complicated premise, but it boils down to finding me a truck.

I want a vehicle I can toss a ladder rack on and do some window cleaning jobs from time to time. Or start up a new service business on the side. Fill up at home depot and tackle home improvements. Slap a camper shell on top and build out an adventure rig. I want a vehicle that can do it all basically. A van also has potential.

Cost - ≈$5000. Preferably less. I could swing more for the perfect truck, but I'd prefer as cheap as possible. Whatever I buy will be cash. Being in Seattle, trucks are all spendy.

Drive wheels - unimportant. RWD is probably preferable, simply for cost and mpg's. 4WD is cool, but I'm never going to need it.

Year - I'm not looking for a classic truck, sorry CoFL! I'm definitely not looking for something new (new trucks are too tall, dang it!!). 90's-00's hits the sweet spot for me.

Presentable enough that I could wrap the entire truck without spending thousands on body work.

Extended cab, long-bed rangers are currently the top pick, but they're pretty rare. Tacomas are up there too, but they're consistently 30% more expensive than everything else. A 1500 could work, as could a Tundra or even an F150. If the truck already has a bed cap or ladder rack, that just saves me moolah.

So, what can you find? Ten oppo hyphen points for the best finds!

[S65]

01 F-150 ( $4995)
02 Ranger XLT 4x4 ($4500, new engine too)
97 Ram 1500 ($3800)

[CarsOfFortLangley]

https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/ctd/d/auburn-toyota-tacoma-4wd-speed-owner/7230531472.html

Then you can sell it to Zoidberg

[sn4cktimes]

@AestheticsInMotion Can get a lot done with a Dodge Rampage... Just saying from experience.

Probably won't meet the camper requirement though.

[AestheticsInMotion]

@carsoffortlangley I was going to say that seems entirely too reasonable a price.
Then I saw the mileage.... Makes the Miata look like a spring chicken

[CarsOfFortLangley]

@aestheticsinmotion "rcr voice" ITS A TOYOTA

[sony1492]

@aestheticsinmotion BIG BLOCK
https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/d/quilcene-chevrolet-3500-service-body/7230483786.html
Not long bed or extended cab but, Toyota
https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/d/federal-way-1987-toyota-pickup-2wd/7230237358.html
The most reasonable choice
https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/d/bremerton-2005-chevy-silverado-1500/7229984931.html

[Mark Tucker]

Being a GMT400 fan (and owner), I feel the need to point you in this direction...
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/seattle-1989-gmc-2500-low-miles-work/7218554546.html
Or...
https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/d/yelm-1993-chevrolet-silverado-1500/7223614881.html

[RallyDarkstrike]

@aestheticsinmotion I don't have time to look right now, but I'd say Rangers are your best bet in my eyes!

[WhoIsTheLeader]

@carsoffortlangley For a hefty profit!

[sn4cktimes]

@rallydarkstrike Older Rangers in good shape are basically unobtainium around here. For any amount of money.

[WhoIsTheLeader]

@sn4cktimes
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/atlanta-1993-ford-ranger-4x4-stepside/7228593637.html

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/d/roswell-ford-ranger-edge-v6/7227551616.html

Just to make you jealous. That 93 is crazy clean.

[Spaceball-Two]

@aestheticsinmotion Two words. Subaru Brat
https://skagit.craigslist.org/cto/d/burlington-subaru-brat-hybrid/7227681442.html

[WhoIsTheLeader]

You could do a lot worse than this. It's pretty good for an old Express and it's almost within budget!

https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/d/spokane-2007-chevrolet-express-g1500/7228085525.html

Or, if you just want a big box for cheap, this Suzuki XL-7 is very cheap with lots of room plus it has a side opening door.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/d/port-orchard-2003-suzuki-xl-limited/7230527625.html

[AestheticsInMotion]

@spaceball-two that looks like something that could kill me in many different ways.
But now that you mention it, I do love me some Bajas...

[WhoIsTheLeader]

@mark-tucker "selling out of Idaho"

[AestheticsInMotion]

@whoistheleader ooooooh. I like the express. NP

[WhoIsTheLeader]

@whoistheleader Some others I missed

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/auburn-1998dodge-ram-3500-wagon-15/7230535085.html

Overpriced but great base

https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/ctd/d/marysville-1984-dodge-ram-wagon-van/7229879778.html

Similar car for much less

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/d/south-prairie-1999-chevrolet-suburban/7230498633.html

A massive 4x4 wagon with barn doors!

https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/d/everett-1997-box-truck/7230488380.html

Ideas, ideas. . . .

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/seattle-1995-van-ford-cub-wagon-beauty/7230397364.html

Windowed stripped work van for way less than any other I've seen. Been sitting a while

https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/ctd/d/monroe-2003-mazda-speed/7230312025.html

The Mazda Ranger you are looking for. 5 speed!

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/d/portland-1993-volvo-240-amazing-amazing/7230100157.html

Snuze would approve!

[WhoIsTheLeader]

@aestheticsinmotion See my other comment. The Express is very well priced for how modern (haha) it is and the miles but that Dodge Ram van seems really good for the price and it's a long boi. Might tip over though.

[MM54]

@whoistheleader I am really digging that 'burb

[doodon2whls]

@whoistheleader Yeah, and he could drive around giving out free candy on halloween, too !

[Chariotoflove]

Shoulda kept the Miata.

[Smallbear]

@aestheticsinmotion Colorado Über Alles

[spacekraken]

@AestheticsInMotion
5MT '93 F150? Probably a bad idea but leaves some cash for inevitable problems.
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/d/seattle-1993-ford-cylinder-in-line-5/7226489993.html

Also, they kind of suck vs a Tacoma but are super reliable and like 40% less expensive, 1G Frontier?
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/d/seattle-2003-nissan-frontier-xe-2dr/7227179922.html

[EssExTee]

@aestheticsinmotion How far are you willing to travel? There's a 2009 Colorado with a very neat utility body down near Portland for $4,900.