Need help deciding on first truck

I am in the market for a new (to me) truck soon. My first option is to buy a 2nd gen prerunner aclb 4cyl with around 80,000mi. This would leave very little in my budget for and sort of mods but would be more than enough for my needs of commuting to work and school and hauling an atv occasionally. My other option is to purchase my grandfathers base 4x2 dcsb 4cyl auto 5 lug with 70,000mi. I could get a family discount on the 5 lug which would leave room for 31 A/T’s, 2.75 in lift, and whatever else i decide to do. The prerunner would still be higher and have a longer bed, but I’m not sure which is the better buy. I am still in high school so I would like to keep mpg above 20 if at all possible. All help appreciated! Thanks!

 

Welcome to TW!

First and foremost, good on you for having (and sticking to) a budget! Assuming both trucks have been properly maintained, the mileage difference between the two is negligible. Knowing the history of your grandfather's truck and the family discount are the biggest things in its favor. Depending on your expected use, the PreRunner's Access Cab and Long Bed probably provide greater utility. In my experience, the PreRunner's 6-lug configuration has greater aftermarket/mod options and parts availability. I've only owned V6s, so I'm not familiar with 4cyl mileage, but 31" A/T tires and a 2.75" lift will undermine your effort to stay above 20MPG.

I think of vehicles as "canvas," with which owners can create individually-tailored "paintings." With that (and your budget) in mind, I suggest buying the truck that better suits your long-term needs, rather than what you can quickly modify. Assuming you care for it, you should have a reliable vehicle for many years, during which you can mod IAW your evolving (hopefully growing) budget.

 

Any 2nd gen prerunner is going to be $9K or more. If you are in high school and have that kind of cash saved up, I'm impressed.

 

I wish I had 9k saved up My parents gave me a budget of 15k to buy a truck, I have about 2500 of my own money to use for mods. I just can’t decide if I want the double cab bad enough to give up the longer bed and better suspension.

 

Your parents are giving you $15K for your 1st vehicle? I'm speechless.

 

Thanks! The history of my grandfathers truck is questionable, he has hit more than a few poles and probably pedestrians. I’m just wondering if it’s worth lifting a 5 lug when a stock prerunner is just as tall if not a little more and has better suspension stock.

 

I was as well i am certainly going to drive this thing into the ground, it’s the only one I’m getting!

 

LOL!

IMO, the answer is no - I'd go with the PreRunner, which gives you a better starting point for what you actually want.

 

Only question now is; do you need a lift to put 31’s on a stock prerunner? and does anyone know what the mpg’s of both would be on 31 A/T’s?

 

Yep, that's what teenagers do to their 1st vehicle. Get the prerunner. It will stand a better chance of hanging together when you take it off road with your buddies that have beat up 4wds.

 

Can't speak to the mileage piece, but I don't think a lift is required. IIRC, OEM PreRunner tire sizes included 265/70R16, which are pretty close to 31" tall.

 

You got me there was considering a Frontier 4x4 before this, but my family has had good luck with toyota trucks in the past so brand loyalty brought me to this decision. I will be getting a truck within the next 2 months so I will post updates when I make the ultimate decision. You guys are awesome!

 

Now I have to decide: Do I want the prerunner as a better starting point, or the base 4x2 with lots of mods? I’m hoping to whittle my grandfather down to around 11,000 so I have plenty left over to get it sitting how I want it and have money left over to do other things like the lce header and winch/bumper. The Prerunner is already part of the way there it would just need tires and wheels. Decisions decisions

 

I can't believe you're seriously thinking about putting a winch on grandpa's 5 lug and taking it out boonie crashing.

 

Just laughed very loudly in the middle of class I just want to be able to recover myself off-road if i or a friend do something stupid (as boys my age sometimes do and have done before). Not planning on beating it too hard as it will still have to be my dd

 

5 lugs are made for taking your lawnmower, edger, and leaf blower to lawn care jobs. They were never intended to be taken off road.

 

Guess I should just swing for a prerunner then and mod it as the wallet allows so I don’t have to worry as much about light off-roading?

 

If those are your only 2 choices, then yes. Personally I think an older $4K beater 4WD would be a better choice.

 

I do to, but the rents’ don’t feel like dealing with an older vehicle

 

Sounds like they don't want this parked in their driveway.