Seems like you'd be best suited for either a 3/4 or 1 ton rig to get the job done. Depending on your ride preferences a standard or extended cab is reasonable and not too hard to negotiate around most places, just remember the short-bed will get you a shorter wheelbase and a more "VX-like" ride. The long-bed will give you more hauling room and a smoother ride. Prior to buying the Dragon VX I had a new 2001 F-250 crew-cab long-bed 4X4 and had no problems with it in either parking garages or downtown metro Tampa, Orlando, Miami or Atlanta and even enjoyed driving it to Key West. Even though there are some great deals to be had from the ashes of GM and Chrysler you'd be hard pressed to overlook the history, track record and advantages of buying a Ford. The 6.0L diesel is now a proven powerhouse now that the early bugs have been worked out (cavitation) and in the older models it's hard to go wrong with the proven 7.3L engine. I'm about to sell a 1998 E-350 van with the 7.3L and just serviced the fuel filter ($45) and oil change (15.8 quarts). It's got over 200K miles on it and doesn't leak a drop of oil and gets about 23MPG not towing, and that seems to fairly typical from other owners I know in the area with 7.3L Ford trucks and vans. I buy Rotella 40W by the 55-gallon drum but it's still very reasonable by the gallon from your local discount house and about the best non-synthetic diesel oil. Most of my antique equipment leaks too much to lavish Delvac-1 (Mobil-1 equivalent) but you may want to spring for it on your daily driver provided it doesn't have the desire to mark its territory like a 70's vintage semi tractor with a two-stroke supercharged diesel V8!

If you're a tinkerer and like to have something "different" like many of your brethren VX'ers, then you may want to consider looking for a military CUCV either in the M1008 or M1028 flavor. Basically it's the Army's version of a Chevy K-30 4X4 with beefed-up suspension and other militarized bits. They also have the venerable Detroit Diesel 6.2L engine that was designed the have the power of its contemporary small-block V8 gassers while getting mileage in the mid to high 20's. They're rough and tumble but you'll have a hard time finding something easier to work on and find parts for than these! Plus there are some great web forums for 'em as well with all sorts of tips-n-tricks to make 'em better and keep 'em running great. All it takes is just a little time hunting for the right one and for less than $4K you'll have about the best pickup you can get that no one will park within a mile of.