In a couple of years I'll finally give up on my '91 Explorer (and its
endless litany of problems - see numerous posts in this ng :) and start
shopping for a regular cab, regular bed pickup (which will better suit my
current and future needs than the SUV - if I get another SUV as well my
spouse will drive it). My only real requirements is that it (a) must be
reliable, (b) have four-wheel drive, and (c) cost me no more than $16K or
so. A back seat would be nice but is not necessary. I would really be happy
if the bed could take 4x8 sheets flat. I am not prejudiced for or against
any make, foreign or domestic. However, it will spend much time on ratty
dirt and gravel country roads, so it needs to be fairly rugged (and
navigating those roads during the rainy season - particularly if pulling
trailers - does demand 4WD). What are your recommendations, new and / or
used?

If you want to recommend new trucks in the 20 - 22K price range, they'll be
priced about right in two years, so please feel free to do so. However I
would prefer to buy new if I could. I see new regular cab, regular bed
pickups all the time in the paper for 12 and 13. I'm sure that no one ever
actually gets to buy one for that price but given that I don't think hoping
to buy new at 16 is too unreasonable.