Used 1/2 ton pick up recommendations

[Duck-Stew]

Stu-you need this:

http://slo.craigslist.org/cto/4754246675.html

Yes, yes.  I fella named Stuart Baker ought to at least have 1 Studebaker in his lifetime.  Of this I am sure...  Just not now.  Too many things going on to afford a hot-rod and the eternal dinkering that comes with it.

[Mulletbiker]

Had my '96 F-150 for 8 years, bought it with 96,000 on it sold it with 199,000
Had the 5.8L 8 cyl and auto trans.
Only repairs were upper & lower ball joints on both sides and upgraded suspension to 3/4 ton springs to more easily pull my 32' camping trailer.
Other than that, just routine fluid changes, tires & brakes... even with pulling the trailer @ 10 trips a year.
I loved that truck , wished I had never sold it !

[Skybarney]

Used?  Dodge!

1996 Ford 1500 Ext cab long bed.  It was the least reliable truck I have ever owned.  After owning a Land Rover Discovery that is really saying something.......

Sold the Ford at 70k after 14 times in the shop.  Blown head gasket, cracked doors outer door skins, failed injectors, rear end, steering box leaks and play and a transmission issue.  It did not get treated near as poorly as my current truck.

Currently I have a 2003 Ram 2500 4x4 (granted not a 1/2 ton) with 130,000.  Ball joints (went aftermarket) and a replacement dash cap are all that I have done to it.  It gets real off road miles and many different crew drives it.  Been the best yet.  (Add a 500lb liftgate and 1200lb balloon often).

The Ford and dealing with the issues was so bad that it soured me to the brand.  I just won't buy another Ford. 

[Grampa]

I had a 2004ihs company owned f150. It had 3 transmissions in it before I gave it back.

And after having worked at a GMC dealership, I've been soured on the GM line especially the trucks ever since.