Ive decided that i really want the convienience of having a small truck or SUV, but from my experience in the mechanics shop, i dont really care for any of their reliability.. none of them seem very reliable, and mostly on the same level of quality.

What do you guys recommend? Im on a budget of $5000-8000, which unfortunately really limits my options.

Late 80'* - early 90'* K-5 / K-10 Blazer. Get throttle body and a solid front axle

It may not be the reliability of the vehicle you've experieince, but the reliability of the owner. Too many people buuy a truck or SUV and think they can beat the crap out of it. It'* a truck after all, right? Most of them are just reconfigured mini-vans these days.

I'd recommend you go with a used GM or (shudder) Ford SUV. Nothing less than a half ton. (A real truck, not a "cute-ute"). But, at your price range, you're still looking at used, which means you don't know what the previous owner did to it.

a 95+ S10 Blazer has have been knon to be good

i like them, but im concerned about the guaranteed balljoint and steering linkage issues, atleast with a newer one i shouldnt have to worry about the injector wiring harness

Stay away from the Dodge Durango'*. They are highly reliable, but the MPG'* will kill you. My dad has a 2003 (last of the 1st generation) and it kills him on gas. His city mileage is about 11.5 to 12. I will reccommend a 96 and up S10 Blazer... not the 95. It has the garbage 1st gen CPI injection (not TBI, which is still garbage). I also reccommend a used (don't hurt me) a 95-02 Kia Sportage. From the people I know that had them, they are highly reliable and gave them little to no trouble.

What about a late 90s Jeep grand cherokee?

I disagree with your quote on the TBI being garbadge. I had an 88 with TBI and currently a 91 with TBI and have not a a single problem with either

im more concened with reliability than gas mileage.. what motor does your dad have for a motor in his? And no, i wouldnt ever touch a S10 with CPI.

I would be saying Toyota Tacoma (3RZ-FE, 2.7L I4, 150hp/177tq) , but it might be a little hard to find a decent model that fits your budget. Pay to play for these trucks...

They also came with a 3.4L (5VZ-FE, 190hp/220tq) V6, but they have been known to occasionally (nowhere near as common as your L36 UIM or 3100/3400 LIM) pop a head gasket, might be a voluntary recall by Toyota for that, dunno.