Best Diesel Deals on Craigslist: Little Rock

We continue searching for the “Best Diesel Deals on Craigslist,” through a virtual road trip that started in March 2020. The tour began with a report on a 1994 Ford E-350, which served as a rolling communications center for Bill Clinton, the 42nd U.S. President. Now our database holds 22 stories that highlight results from our ongoing search for diesels being privately sold via Craigslist from coast to coast.

It’s important to note that diesel-powered pickup trucks, while plentiful almost everywhere, are not the primary target of our searches. In an effort to have some fun with this project, we’re looking for uncommon, unique, or even quirky diesel vehicles, equipment, parts, etc. However, there certainly are instances where the late-model pickups we’re all familiar with receive proper credit.

Little Rock was light on candidates when we executed our search. The result was only 28 rides of various configurations, our lowest total to date. However, in that small group, there are several trucks, buses, and cars that we consider really good deals. Our pull for this report highlights five interesting rigs that can be had for less than $10,000.

As always, we want to know details if you follow up on one of these examples. Be sure to let us know about good diesel deals that you come across on Craigslist, too. Send info and a link to: [email protected].

1982 Chevrolet Luv

Although we have included this truck’s “twin,” the Isuzu Pup, in past BDDOC rundowns, this ultra-rare rig has not been highlighted until now. The Luv was powered by a 2.2L I-4 oil burner for one year only. This one also has a five-speed manual transmission (the original four-speed is included). The longbed rig is rust-free, and its original bench seat is still available, too. The novelty of having a Luv and not a Pup makes this one worth trying to score, hopefully for less than the $6,500 ask.

This is what we’re talking about when we say our search is for “different” diesel-powered vehicles. We doubt that anyone would expect to find a 4BT Cummins engine in this $8,400 truck. There are only 14,000 miles on this well-executed swap, which is chronicled on 4btswaps.com. Ask me for the link. I have recently changed the oil, both oil filters, fuel filter, air filter, and installed a new battery.

Early “Defenders” typically are the Land Rover SUVs that are used for diesel swaps. We like this piece because it’s different; it’s a true truck. There’s also another reason why we chose this Series 3 pickup. It currently has a small I-4 gas engine, but we say buy this rig for $7,500 (or negotiate the price down), yank out its petrol powerplant, and drop in a Cummins R2.8 crate engine. This is the perfect platform for building a very unique diesel pickup.

Good old retired fire-service apparatus is always fun. This vintage rig needs to be scooped up for $3,750 and put in service on a farm or as a work truck. For all intents in purposes, it’s still “like new,” with only 89,000 original miles on its 8.2L Detroit Diesel V-8 engine and five-speed manual transmission. The seller says the engine starts easily and runs well, and overall the truck has been kept in excellent mechanical condition.