The 4.0 Ranger and Tacoma are good recommendations but I don't believe either of them are the most practical or cost effective options.

My recommendation would have to be the 1999 Classic body (not the more rounded Silverado) Chevrolet 1500 or older and the 1996 and older F-150, in that order. I am a die hard Ford guy but the Chevrolet wins out for those years in my opinion. Mainly because it is just a little bit easier to work on versus the Ford and is going to be better on fuel mileage versus a similarly equipped F-150. The reason I recommend these full size trucks over the smaller ones is the fuel mileage difference between these and the smaller pickups is going to be negligible especially if you get either of the smaller ones with a v-6. Also, so many more of the full size pickups were produced compared to the Ranger and Tacoma, not to mention the premium the Toyota is going to cost you just because it is a Toyota, that you are going to most likely be able to find one in a lot better shape for less money. In my opinion you are going to end up with considerably more room and capability for less money by going with one of the full sizes vs the smaller pickups.

I would stay away from the gas powered Dodge products for these years even though I had a 1996 3.9 5 speed Dakota that gave myself and it's first owner little trouble for 300,000 miles.