Faults:

Very little has gone wrong with my '89 Pup, it has just been solidly reliable for all this time, aside from an alternator replacement, new brake pads, tire replacements, and a few timing belt seals.

It is however due for a starter replacement, and long overdue in having an oil leak fixed on the engine cover, which has been there since 2001. But when I gather the finances for parts replacements and a general overhaul, I'm going to do it all.

All the frame and suspension bushings need to be replaced, all brakes, lines and wheel bearings, engine valves, rings, rods (short block) sensors, new radiator, air and water, pumps. At least I'll have old parts if new ones fail, and this truck deserves lots of TLC.

The only times I've been towed was a failed alternator and a flat tire. I bought it for $1100 bucks.

General Comments:

For a 5 speed 4 cylinder, this little 4ZDI engine rocks. It can haul full loads of sand across town and up 30-40 degree inclined streets.

0-60 is in about 6-7 seconds, and it can shift fast... it does take a lot of rpm's to go through the gears from 0-60, and fourth is good for a passing gear before lunging it into fifth gear. It can peg the speedometer past 110 mph, and sounds like a powerhouse generator at that speed.

The 4ZDI is a very racy engine, very hyper in 1st gear, and a very strong engine... I think it can outperform many six cylinder engines.

The mileage is still very exceptional, probably around 25-28 mpg on the highway, 12 gallon tank... she drinks only Castrol 10-30, Marvel Mystery oil, Lucas, and some other additives. And it's seen lots of California and Arizona Highway. Say from Sonora to San Francisco on less than half a tank, a very good notch above the half mark. But it will eat gas climbing grades like the Sonora Pass or trips to Yosemite. And it's 22 years old.

Faults:

Needed new heater core at 100,000 miles.

Had to have head gasket replaced 3 times, which seems to be a problem with this model year truck.

All other problems have been wear and tear, and age related e.g. (rust)

General Comments:

This is a great little truck that is a go anywhere, do anything with okay power and gas mileage. Fairly reliable.

Faults:

CV boots on front transaxle rotted.

A/C pressure switch blew apart.

Very rough/low idle when cold-started.

Brake caliper seized crooked, scored brake disc.

General Comments:

I didn't have this truck very long because of my 6'4" height and back problems; I don't think they intended anyone above 5'8" to drive one of these, and the bench seat wasn't very ergonomic, either. After a two hour trip it was unbearable.

However, everything else about this little truck was exactly what I wanted, and it never let me down. It was sharp looking and unlike the GM's and Fords of the era, the paint didn't bake off in the sun. It did have a jarring ride quality, but if you popped it in 4-wheel and went off-road it would tear through mostly anything the 16" tires could handle. I even put it to work one summer pulling out modestly sized tree stumps.

The 2.6 4 cylinder was actually kinda torquey and wasn't that bad on gas, although it seemed like I was always filling it because it only held 12 gallons. It would accelerate decently if you wound it up hard, but the 5 speed tranny didn't like to be shifted fast, and I think the clutch was getting worn out by that point anyway.

I eventually ended up selling it in favor of a newer Hombre (aka Chevy S10) because it needed new front CV's and axles, a new clutch, and a few other nickel/dime items that would have required an investment exceeding the resale value of the truck.

I had bought it for $1,500, I sold it for $1,500 with only $500 invested in upkeep over 2 years, minus fuel and oil changes. Can't complain!

Faults:

Exhaust system needed replacing when I got it.

Brakes/master cylinder went out after 7 years.

General Comments:

Amazingly reliable.

It has not once, in eight years, failed to start or broken down on me. I've never had it towed anywhere.

Not very comfortable for long trips.

Faults:

Fuel pump blew @ 150000 km.

Frame rusted out completely (spare tire and bumper fell off, and rear axle disconnected from frame) @ 320000 km.

It is a little slow off the start line, and is sometimes difficult to pass with.

Fuel pump failed @300000 km.

General Comments:

This was an awesome truck in that it was super cheap to drive (gas etc.) It is a pretty little thing, and the cab is good for 2 people, but it sucks to be the guy stuck in the backseat. It does cost a little to get it fixed, as there are not too many of them around, and parts are expensive.