If it came with the small mirrors does it maybe mean that it doesn't have a tow package or isn't rated for as much weight?
No, not at all. These things come ready to tow, the mirrors are just an option.
A few more questions...
I see some with a turn switch for the 4wd engage, and others (not many) have the standard shifter on the floor. Whats the story there?
Option as well. The switch works, but its prone to problems with the vaccum lines losing suction, which leads to an inoperable 4WD system. I'm a fan of the manual one. If you can get it, go for it.
I am seeing a few manual tranny's out there, is there any problems with these, they good for 150k miles, or will the clutch need replacing at 70k? I'm sure there are lots of variables but what seems to be the average?
Manual tranny's are solid. If you plan on adding any hp, the clutch wont hold up, and I would say thats the weak point. Auto tranny's had their issues as well, but the key with them is maintenance...ive got 170k on my stock auto and its still in good shape.
If you had to guess one major thing to break down what would it be? such as tranny, injectors, major front end work, etc? From searching ones for sale seems like tranny's are common, one truck was listed for sale with a dead cylinder, don't know if it was lack of compression or maybe injector bad.
Same story with injectors as it is with tranny's...maintenance is the key. Make sure you get good clean fuel, change the filters often, and keep up with your oil changes. General rule of thumb is about 200k on injectors, although some have gone up to 500k. On the truck you are looking at, im guessing the dead cylinder is probably a bum injector.
I do like the strait front axle rather than IFS which is why I'm attempting to convert from a 90s chevy 6.5.
