10 Cheap Used American Pickups With Bulletproof Reliability

These used American pickups are cool, and they don't cost an arm and a leg to own and run.

Pickups are undisputedly the most practical body style of them all thanks to the added space and comfort it offers that can suit a wide variety of purposes from commercial to lifestyle. For this reason alone, you'll find pickups anywhere you go. But you'll also find the most number of pickups in America because America loves pickups just like it loves the SUVs. If you doubt that for a minute, you should know that the Ford F-150 is the best-selling car in the U.S.

Cars have gotten expensive over the last decade and if you want to buy a full-size pickup like the Ford F-150 today, you are looking at least $33,695 for the base bare-bones trim. A kitted-out version will hurt your bank balance even more, and that is how things are today. However, if you want a reliable, no nonsense bulletproof workhorse without burning a massive hole in your wallet, you should look at the used car market. There have been so many fantastic pickup trucks over the years, and these gems can be found on the used car market.

But despite being this old, these trucks refuse to die because they were engineered well and have proven to be utterly reliable and ready for whatever you throw at them. So if you want an affordable pickup truck that can do it all, here are 10 cheap American pickup trucks that offer bulletproof reliability.

The Ford F-250 and F-350 sold between 1999 and 2003 are badass trucks that can surprise you with their reliability. These trucks made use of the legendary 7.3-liter Power stroke diesel engine that developed solid numbers - 275hp and a peak torque north of 500 lb-ft. It is regarded as one of the best diesel engines in the world and also one of the most robust engines thanks to its cast iron block and head. For 1999, these engines got an updated intercooler that improved efficiency and compared to the previous versions, this engine also became less noisy thanks to an uprated fuel delivery system.

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The second classic American tuck on this list is the 2001-2004 Chevrolet Silverado, especially the one with the 6.6-liter Duramax LB7 diesel engine. Similar to the F Series with the Powerstroke, this was Chevrolet's diesel mile muncher that delivered a potent 300hp and 520 lb-ft of twist. This engine was introduced for the 2001 model year as it replaced the 6.5-liter diesel engine. This is a robust, no nonsense and simple engine devoid of any fancy tech such as EGR or DPF. For this reason alone, these engines are extremely forgiving and refuses to die.

The Chevrolet Avalanche is a pickup truck based on the Suburban. It was introduced in 2002 and was later discontinued in 2013. The Avalanche might be long gone, but it is never forgotten, especially if you want an affordable pickup truck that can do it all. The best thing about the Avalanche is that it feels and drives like an SUV, making it a more practical choice. The last generation of the Avalanche is what we recommend and the same (2010 - 2013) has also scored good ratings at the J.D.power, Kelly Blue Book (4.7/5) and Edmunds (4.5/5).

Out of all the classic pick trucks on this list, the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning sticks out like a sore thumb. Not because it is the most reliable, but because it is the most exciting of them all. This is the classic pickup truck to buy if you want something fast but also surprisingly reliable. Powering this red-hot truck is a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 that sends 360-380 hp and 440 to 450 lb-ft of twist to the rear wheels! The fuel economy is going to be dismal, but who can say no to a near 400hp pickup truck that will also last?

Related: This Is Why The 1990s Ford F-150 SVT Lightning Is Skyrocketing In Value

Following the footsteps of the 2001 Silverado, the updated 2006 to 2007 Chevrolet Silverado also finds its way on this list, since it a durable truck with a durable powertrain setup. Under the hood is the 6.6-liter Duramax LBZ, an updated version that packed forged conrods, and stronger internals for added durability. This engine developed 360 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, which was also a step up from the previous generation. This is one truck that won't let you down and hurt your wallet a lot.

The 2012 GMC Canyon is one of the most reliable American pickups and the most reliable pickup truck from GMC. This truck came with different engine options that also included a 5.3-liter V8. This is a decent truck with good design, stellar reliability, and capable engines. J.D. Power rates the 2012 Canyon highly with a score of 82/100 for reliability, which is pretty high for a pickup truck. Consumer reviews also have positive ownership reviews on the 2012 GMC Canyon.

The 1994 to 1998 Dodge Ram is one hell of a pickup truck that ranks high for reliability only thanks to its legendary 5.9-liter, 12-valve Cummins diesel engine. This engine is something and has featured in multiple lists of the most durable and long-lasting engines ever made. There was little to no electronics, this Ram is just an old school truck with an archaic diesel engine. The engine was down on power, but it more than made up with its durability. The 1994-1998 Dodge Ram is so reliable that it can easily surpass the 500,000-mile mark.

Related: 10 Classic GMC Pickup Models Worth Restoring

The Jeep Comanche is basically a pickup truck that is based on the Jeep Cherokee SUV. It was only in production for a short while, between 1986 and 1992. Currently, the Comanche is a classic pickup that has some desirability to it. These are robust trucks and there have been examples of some reaching 300,000 miles serving as a testament to its robust construction. Over the years, only 200,000 were sold, and if you want a cheap but cool and classic pickup that will hold its value over the years, this is it.

If you want a classic pickup truck but also something that is too old and outdated, the Ford F-150 from 2008 might be a good bet. According to vehicle history, the 2008 F-150 is one of the most reliable trucks from the F Series as it has fewer reliability complaints than other model years, and it can last over 250,000 miles easily. Furthermore, J.D. Power ratings from 2008 also give this truck a good rating and solidify its image as a robust pickup truck that can be nought without shelling out a ton of money. Kelly Blue Book has also given a solid rating of 4.6/5 for the 2008 Ford F-150.

The 2003-2007 Dodge Ram features an updated body style but retained the best thing about it and that is the Cummins diesel engine which now featured Bosch fuel system, and an updated common rail system which increased the engine's reliability even further. The 2003-2007 Dodge Ram with the diesel engines are capable of easily surpassing the 200,000-mile mark, and that is also why prices for these trucks have gone up over the years. Nonetheless, a great buy if you want to hold on to that Cummins diesel engine and enjoy its reliability.

It has always been cars for Adithya that he drifted from his engineering career to become a full-time Motoring Journalist. He has over 5 years of experience working for a leading automotive publication (ZigWheels) in India as well as a prominent search engine (Bing). His hobbies largely revolve around anything that is associated with a touge.