I was driving the other day and saw a new Tacoma near a 1st gen Tundra. The size difference was negligible from my vantage point. It got me to thinking. There is no true "small" pickup anymore. The closest might be the Chevrolet/GMC Colorado/ Canyons, I think they are a bit smaller than the Ranger, and can be had with a 4-cylinder and 4x4. Also, Ford has intended to discontinue the Ranger for some time now. I know the Mahindra is supposed to be coming, but it looks like something only a mother could love, and, well, it isn't a Toyota for cryin' out loud.
I know, most will say the old, and even the current, 4 cylinders are low on power and torque, and having owned an 82 with the 22R, I would say they didn't have a lot, but mine had "enough" for what I needed. BUT, that is beside the point. The technology is there NOW to get reasonably good power out of four cylinder gasoline engines, and what about things such as four cylinder turbo-diesels? The Mahindras are looking at possibly 300 ft.lb of torque from their diesels.
Can someone please build me a NEW mid '80's Toyota, maybe an extended cab with a 6.5 foot bed, and something like the current 2.7 four cylinder stuffed inside OR a comparable diesel... all for a reasonable price? Yes, I suppose it will have to have all the whiz-bang electronics, but if you're going to do that, can you throw in an electric locker too? Please?
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If Buddha is burning in hell, I'd better pack my summer clothes.
"Courage is being scared to death… and saddling up anyway." - John Wayne.
"A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts." Steve Prefontaine
Don't get me wrong, I like horsepower and mountains of torque as much as the next guy, but when I had my '82, which was a 4WD, of course, I got nearly the same gas mileage on the highway as I got with my RX-7, which meant I was in the low 20s. Seems to me there is no good reason we couldn't have a "relatively" inexpensive small truck, with decent 4WD capability, reasonable power and torque AND still get solidly in the mid-twenties highway, if not better.
Maybe I am alone, but if they built it, I would buy one.
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If Buddha is burning in hell, I'd better pack my summer clothes.
"Courage is being scared to death… and saddling up anyway." - John Wayne.
"A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts." Steve Prefontaine
What about lopping off two cylinders from the 4.6 and keeping around 250-270 hp. That way a performance stance is maintained, plus the latest engine technology is used. Having a bigger stick also allows some very tall gearing. It could loaf around on the highway barely above idle rpm, thus minimizing friction and pumping losses. I bet this could achieve your efficiency goals easily.
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Attention environmentalists, reduce emissions from this:
What about lopping off two cylinders from the 4.6 and keeping around 250-270 hp. That way a performance stance is maintained, plus the latest engine technology is used. Having a bigger stick also allows some very tall gearing. It could loaf around on the highway barely above idle rpm, thus minimizing friction and pumping losses. I bet this could achieve your efficiency goals easily.
Not a bad idea, and part of my thoughts on using the 2.7 or a modern diesel were due to the technology aspect. I wonder what the weight differences between the different engines would be.
Although I have to admit, a diesel like they are claiming for the Mahindra getting 145-150 hp and 300 ft.lb of torque... That would be fun, especially when the transfer case goes to "4Lo."
Oh, and while I'm on the subject, am I the only one who misses having a transfer shift lever instead of a knob?
__________________
If Buddha is burning in hell, I'd better pack my summer clothes.
"Courage is being scared to death… and saddling up anyway." - John Wayne.
"A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts." Steve Prefontaine
lots of things have gotten bigger...have u seen the new Taurus SHO photographed next to the original SHO? looks like a sport ute compared to it...over a foot taller....
the demand for anemic tiny small trucks just isnt there. i had a mazda b2200 back in the day and i would hate to be in it now with all the mammoth suvs and trucks on the roads....
but then again, there is a place for 4 cylinder good MPG utility types....look at the HHR panel....several plumbers and other tradesmen have gone to those for still quite a bit of room and way better fuel econ than their old econoline or chevy express van....
and fords new transit connect thing or whatever its called....
i bet they may bring back some mini type trucks after all...they are going to have to i think to keep up with the mpg demand/requirement...
i'll stick to my tundra and its 14mpg though and have room for whatever i want.
Last edited by 07DCwhiteSR5; 10-31-2009 at 07:50 PM.
subaru had their brat....didnt chrysler/dodge have a rampage or something...the VW rabbit truck looking thing.... several of those in the 80s...
they should bring us something like that. i know its not a yota but a HHR el camino type thing would be kinda cool to have...small cab for sure though...
The latest Taurus SHO has the "EcoBoost" twin turbo V6 and can manage a mid 13 second quarter mile. No more stereotypes about the Taurus and rental car fleets.
__________________
Attention environmentalists, reduce emissions from this:
Funny you should bring up the subject since my daily driver is a 03 frontier w/2.2l extended cab which was smashed by a 18 wheeler last monday. All I can thank was thank god I wasn't in my 08 tundra still all but like the day I took her off the lot. Talk about gettin your blood pressure up as this idiot decides to make a left turn outa the right lane, which would have been fine if the scumbag hadn't been towing a 45ft trailor. Anyone have a passenger door for a 99 to 04 frontier xcab can chime in now. 25+mpg usualy run well for 150 to 200,000 miles ,cheap to operate, easy tofix(thank god) & youd be surprised what ALL i'VE HAULED AROUND. Handy little truck bought real cheap, only liability ins. so well see if the truckin co is gona man up or if it'll get ugly.
Last edited by waiting tundra; 10-31-2009 at 10:58 PM.
I was driving the other day and saw a new Tacoma near a 1st gen Tundra. The size difference was negligible from my vantage point. It got me to thinking. There is no true "small" pickup anymore. The closest might be the Chevrolet/GMC Colorado/ Canyons, I think they are a bit smaller than the Ranger, and can be had with a 4-cylinder and 4x4. Also, Ford has intended to discontinue the Ranger for some time now. I know the Mahindra is supposed to be coming, but it looks like something only a mother could love, and, well, it isn't a Toyota for cryin' out loud.
I know, most will say the old, and even the current, 4 cylinders are low on power and torque, and having owned an 82 with the 22R, I would say they didn't have a lot, but mine had "enough" for what I needed. BUT, that is beside the point. The technology is there NOW to get reasonably good power out of four cylinder gasoline engines, and what about things such as four cylinder turbo-diesels? The Mahindras are looking at possibly 300 ft.lb of torque from their diesels.
Can someone please build me a NEW mid '80's Toyota, maybe an extended cab with a 6.5 foot bed, and something like the current 2.7 four cylinder stuffed inside OR a comparable diesel... all for a reasonable price? Yes, I suppose it will have to have all the whiz-bang electronics, but if you're going to do that, can you throw in an electric locker too? Please?
.
Doc,
I would love to have one of the old style Toyota pickups like the 22R again. Had one and I loved it. The only downside was its' single wall bed sides and single wall rear tail gate.
As far as Mr. C's comments ... I would also be torn between a base truck (like a 22R gas burner or even a HiLux type diesel) and something like a 4.6 with 300+ HP (w/ a S/C) ... even though those trucks are at different ends of the spectrum. I do have a HP addiction too.
Maybe I could have 2 trucks and drive one ... depending on my mood ... (HP or practicality ) . ... lol ...
Footnote ... since my wife has been listening to Dave Ramsey on the radio ... I am now lucky to buy anything. She wants to have "Zero Debts" in a few years.
.
__________________
SOS
"Common sense is not so common" ... Benjamin Franklin
If you or a relative is in the US Military ... make sure you get ALL important info. (injuries & medical treatments) documented in your SMRs.
(Service Medical Records).
ALWAYS keep a COMPLETE copy of those SMRs in a secure place that you can access.
This is super important later when a "claims issue" or etc. arises.
.
Last edited by SOSHeloPilot; 11-01-2009 at 08:02 AM.
Reason: typos
Where did they go, indeed, Doc. I sometimes miss my '92, and more often miss my '83. Neither of them was a drag racer, both were 4x, and they never failed to do what I asked of them; and I ran them to death: over 500K on the '83, and near 300K on the '92. I only got my Tundra because I wanted more room inside; in the old ones, me and one of my boys or my best friend were a crowd; literally rubbing elbows, and the foot room was chancy for a guy with size 13 shoes, or 14 with the brace. But those older trucks were absolute workhorses. I have thought a few times of finding a couple of '84 or '85s, an extra cab, and a long bed, and cutting and grafting to make an extra cab long bed. While at it, I'd most likely do something to increase the oomph, and versatility, say a 4.3 Chevy with a 700R4 and an Advance Adapters transfer case setup, some Dana axles - you know, just hot rod the he&& out of it. Like I need any more projects.
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Rrumbler - Wrenching and banging on stuff for over sixty years.
Oh, I've often sat and day dreamed about what I would like to do with one. I would love the extended cab configuration for a bit more room than my old '82, enough bed length for me to sleep in when camping with the tailgate up, maybe a Marlin Crawler...I could go on and on and on...
__________________
If Buddha is burning in hell, I'd better pack my summer clothes.
"Courage is being scared to death… and saddling up anyway." - John Wayne.
"A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts." Steve Prefontaine
didnt the old toyota pickups come with either an "american" bed (smooth sides) or the "japanese bed" (exposed cleats down the sides and a sunken ridge there)....seems i recall something about that....
didnt the old toyota pickups come with either an "american" bed (smooth sides) or the "japanese bed" (exposed cleats down the sides and a sunken ridge there)....seems i recall something about that....
.
I think so ... perhaps someone knows for sure if that design (with outside tie downs) was Japanese built beds only ??
Doing this from memory and if I remember correctly ...
IMO ... Toyota pickups used to have a 25% tariff on them and many of the pickups were shipped to USA without beds. Many (not all) of the beds were installed at SET (Jim Moran at SouthEast Toyota) for this region.
I used to import military equipment & etc. into and out of USA and I think that I remember this temporary weird import restriction ...
Later this pickup truck tariff was dropped and the Harley Davidson Company was given more tariff protection from Japanese motorcycles.
My base 22R (can't remember exact year, but it was an off white color & a stick in the floor) had a Japanese style bed with outside tie downs hooks, single wall bed & tail gate construction and strap & hook tailgate latches.
That was one fine (and stripped down) truck ... .... It had a radio & A/C as only options .. if I remember.
.
__________________
SOS
"Common sense is not so common" ... Benjamin Franklin
If you or a relative is in the US Military ... make sure you get ALL important info. (injuries & medical treatments) documented in your SMRs.
(Service Medical Records).
ALWAYS keep a COMPLETE copy of those SMRs in a secure place that you can access.
This is super important later when a "claims issue" or etc. arises.
.
Last edited by SOSHeloPilot; 11-01-2009 at 06:18 PM.
Reason: typos
Where Have They All Gone?
haha that could be cool.....
or practicality 
) . ... lol ... 
Re: Where Have They All Gone?
Linear Mode
