No one else, aside from older 3V Fords and older VANOS BMWs, has any issues with VVT systems. These have been around for decades and are pretty well ironed out.
Currently my personal favorite simplest basic engine is 2.0L (K20C2) in Honda Civic. 158hp, naturally aspirated, traditional port injection. Has been around since 2016, still comes in 2023 Civics. So far has a clean reliability record and will likely run until the rest of the car falls apart. Very nice and upscale interior on these Civics btw.
For a simple truck engine I'd look into pre-2015 Nissan Titan. Absolute workhorse of a truck. Old school is the best way to go sometimes.