Ok, as the title suggested, I know nothing about trucks, but if my dad were what I like to refer to as a "real" man, he would have been able to teach me how to assemble and disassemble an engine when I was 12. With that in mind, I'm trying to buy a used truck that I can customize a little bit to increase power. I have no idea where to get started but my questions are these:

What's the best truck to buy that I can actually work on? I imagine the newer models are pretty computerized, but I don't want anything earlier than 1998. Also, any good tips for where I can start learning about truck engines? Books, articles, etc?

Thanks a lot.  

Well, do u want a compact or a full-size?

I've owned (and my parents) have owned toyota trucks all my life. They getting ready to buy an 08 tacoma some time in january. The last truck they had was an 98 tacoma. Its not to big and there's tons of after market parts out there.

We've never had problems with our toyota trucks. My first truck was an 87 toyota extra cab long bed. I want to find another one to play with. I miss that truck.  

if i was just getting into the truck seen i would try to find an older C10, you can lift them, drop them, and with a small brock 350 there is no end to the parts you could throw on it. if you wanted to go the mini truckin route, i suggest an older yota or S10. you can also lift, lower, and make a fair amount of power with them.  

I am on my 5th toy pick-up. 88 4 banger, 97 taco v6, 99 taco v6 sc`d, 02 tundra, and now a 06 taco v6. easy mods and the least expensive hp are performance exhaust and cold air intake. that should get you about 10% more hp. after that it gets expensive. I have made those mods to almost all my trucks and they feel `lighter` and get a little better mpg`s. a well maintaned t-100 with the 3.4 v-6 (make sure it wasn`t a work truck)is also a great choice. good luck. LauferDM.