First pickup truck? 10 points!?

I picked up a 1990 Toyota pickup as a work/beater. It's rusted but I paid $1600 with a plow. It starts every time with no extra cranks. Now to answer your question, Typically the american cars from the 80's had some sort of trans or engine problem. If you check craigslist you could find a bunch of fords or Chevys with rebuilt engines or trans with them usually having over 120k miles. If you find a truck that fits your liking, try one with no/little rust and possibly a rebuilt engine/trans then you wouldn't have to spend the money on fixing it and rust usually gets in the way when you are in the process in lifting the truck. Car problems all very by year of production so whenever you find the truck of your liking google the year and model and you'll find some info on the trucks reliability.

Wow from a K10 down to a Ford Ranger, OK one RED Flag stay away from the Ford 4 cylinder. Get either the 3.0 or 4.0 V6 and if you can find one get one with 4 wheel drive.

@Update

Skippy mentioned the S10, stay away from that 4 banger as well. These 4 cylinder engines in these small trucks SUCK in more ways than just power. If you have to have a 4 cylinder then the Ford with the 2.4 liter is, in my opinion, the better choice

You might want to also consider the Chevy S-10. Go to some of of the Ford/Chevy forums for pointers from guys that drive these trucks.

Neither of those trucks will hold up very well. I think you should get a Toyota Tacoma or Nissan Hardbody. Don't be the idiot who buys the big truck and can't afford the gas to drive it.