Hi LWC
If you were to continue going down the pick up route then I would consider the Navara or the Ford Ranger or the Mazda which is the same as the Ford. The loading bay on other vehicles is much smaller, if your going to to it look at the loading area rather than the badge on the front. The nissan navara is the best over all by a long shot though but also the priciest.
The reason why I wouldn't recommend it though is maintaining the system. Last week I had to get right into the back to do some stuff, I had to take the top off. Well the bolts to the truckman are in the most impossible to get to place because of the tank. The job took me 3 hours in total but 2 of those were undoing and doing up 4 bolts for the truckman top.
If need a 4x4 for the country road and your going to fit the system yourself and make sure you don't have any complications in maintaining the system, then get a Navara or a Ranger.
Simon