Advice for Potential Buyer Please

[billblack]

I value your experienced input and advice, so thanks in advance. Bear with me.

I’m getting ready to put my 87 Nissan 4X4, v6 out to pasture. The truck gets used for transportation, light firewood duty (we heat with wood), and towing a 12 foot Al boat. It’s a great simple truck, but it is just rusted away into the danger zone. Not very powerful, but geared low enough that it will move o.k. with a light trailer. I’m not the kind of person who cares if he can’t go over 50 going up a hill with a little trailer on. I just drive accordingly.

I have about 5 k to spend. I like old vehicles (my car is a 69 Sport satellite with a 4 speed and 383). I’m a decent mechanic by hobby.

I could go buy a decent mid 90’s chevy/gmc 4wd truck with 100K or so for 5K no problem,…….or I could get into the vintage trucks. I can’t afford a used Jap truck, I want decent 14+ fuel economy.

I am thinking of late sixties, early 70s c10 or c20 truck with a straight six, 4wd, and a four speed. I don’t want a modified, v-8, 2wd type truck: I want the old-school, steel wheel, bare bones truck….know what I mean?

Given what I use the truck for, Is such a truck practical as a daily driver truck?

What is the mpg of such a combo?

Can you cruise at 65 mph (what gears req’d)?

I assume PS and PB are recommended to make life easy, yes?

Anything else I should look for or stay away from given what I want?

What is the price range for a driver quality, min. rust, "everything works" truck? Originality and rarity not important.

I have no personal knowledge of these trucks, I just like the way they look and I’m wondering if one could fit the bill for me as a practical, simple, 4wd pick up that wouldn't kill me on gas and be practical to drive on a regular basis

I appreciate your answers to the above questions and any advice would give as far as what I should look for/require given that I will be using the truck on a daily basis.

Regards,

Bill