I would go for a Toyota Tacoma (early models are simply called Toyota Pickup) or a Ford Ranger. The current Ford Ranger is very similar to a 10-year-old Ranger, so parts are pretty interchangeable. The Ranger is also very safe. Both trucks are cheap to fix.
A four-cylinder, two-wheel-drive Ranger or Tacoma will easily manage 26-30 MPG. Both of these trucks are incredibly reliable.
I would avoid full-size trucks such as the Chevrolet Silverado, the Ford F-150, and the Dodge Ram. Unless you need to do heavy hauling, these trucks are pretty impractical. They have poor fuel economy and are difficult to handle in traffic.