if i was going to run a little truck, i'd think a 4x2 nissan hardbody would be perfect - they're just as cheap but you get the benefit of easier to find parts, and the KA24 is really suited to a truck, its all torque. if you feel crazy you can always drop an SR20 in, although you probably don't want to think about one of those after this weekend.
you can probably talk him down
http://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/4173687281.html
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Bradford Ink art + design service
'05 2.5RS // DD rumble-beater and rally-X dirt slinger
'03 Xterra SE 4x4 // ponderous utility pig