Can you recommend a reliable pick-up for driving offroad in my work as a forester?

I wish to purchase a 4x4 pick up for my work as a forester, driving on rough forest tracks as well as the public highway. With a budget of approximately £4000 I was thinking of an older Ford Ranger, preferably diesel for economy. What is your opinion? Or can you suggest another make/model ? Any advice greatly appreciated.

Asked on 28 January 2012 by BG, Northampton

Answered by Honest John

All pick-ups are covered here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/ The one I recommend (I've bought both Isuzu and Chevrolet versions) is what's called in the UK the Isuzu Rodeo (elsewhere the Isuzu D-Max) from 2007 when it got an excellent chain-cam engine, but I doubt you’ll get one for £4000. You might get a chain cam Nissan Navara for £4000. Everything else apart from 3.0-litre Mitsubishi L200s and Nissan have belt cam engines. Toyota HiLux pickups have near legendary reliability (Top Gear), but the timing belts need to be regularly changed.

Tags: diesels pick-ups offroad reliability chain cam

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