Just can't get a good basic truck, like the old days!

[3930dave]

Boss was just shy of 6’7” and didn’t factor the comfort of a full size truck for his stature so I often made deliveries with the diesel… we did one comparison and he said easily 4 times the miles per gallon…

Yep, olde modest, long-running small diesel, likely just mech-inj back far enough... not the 1000 ft# of Tq that everyone "Needs" to have today, but Those mpg's !!!!!!

Buddy used to tow his son's motocross bikes to the Carolina's, for training camps. Used an old Econoline with the IDI diesel..... his friends up here, towing with modern diesel P/U's to the same areas, just about puked when they saw how little fuel he used. ( Progress ?).

For general running-around (not towing a tri-axle), approx 3L TDzl would be of interest.... few options, in Kanada today....

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

A guy I worked with drove a diesel Rabbit until he just wore it slap out, unbelievable mpg and he drove it hard. Just like a Timex it kept on tickin

I figure they were running something like 60mpg (at least, w. Canuck gallon).

Part of that was low-weight (vs. today's safety add-ons), but still.....

Rgds, D.

 

[ruffdog]

This 1982 Chevy Chevette diesel stickered for $8500. Figuring in inflation, the cost today would be over $28,000. Who would pay that today for something so basic?

 

[ultrarunner]

I figure they were running something like 60mpg (at least, w. Canuck gallon).

Part of that was low-weight (vs. today's safety add-ons), but still.....

Rgds, D.

I would love to have it today… lots of torque over the Altamont Pass…

 

[ultrarunner]

This 1982 Chevy Chevette diesel stickered for $8500. Figuring in inflation, the cost today would be over $28,000. Who would pay that today for something so basic?

Only saw one once…

Diesel was cheap then… before the increase over gasoline.

 

[ultrarunner]

Does this count?

 

[RB5]

This 1982 Chevy Chevette diesel stickered for $8500. Figuring in inflation, the cost today would be over $28,000. Who would pay that today for something so basic?

How much more power did the diesel have than the standard 4 banger? I wouldn't wish a chevette with the gas 4 on anyone. I drove my sisters going up and down the hills on I30 in Arkansas when was 19 or so. I had to get up to 75 plus going down the hill or I would hit 40 going up the next one. Never again.

 

[TractorTech]

View attachment 3945290


Bruce

That picture reminded me of a story my dad told about being on the farm in WW2 with gas being rationed. TOur cousin had a Model T and he took a bunch of copper tubing, wrapped it around the muffler and ran it on diesel. It smoked like crazy, but diesel wasn't rationed on the farm

 

[Jstpssng]

Speaking of old diesels, some of you must remember the converted 350s which GM was making for a while. They redefined the term "underpowered but certainly sipped fuel for the size vehicle they were in.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, I guess a better way to say it "How cheap would an absolutely bare bones truck have to be for You to actually buy it new, right now".

What i mean, lets say, a Ford Ranger/S10 type truck, 2.2L Na, 85hp/100ft lbs; vinyl bench, crank windows, AM radio, no cruise, stick or auto; 1 cup holder (maybe), 2 wd. If that was on the dealer lots, for $25k; you buying? What about $20k? (Modeling of a 1995 Dakota i had)

Since I asked, New, at $12.5k; yeah, im probably buying, but not for me, but my son, I'd probably do it. Now; sprinkle some AC (maybe $1500), crusie ($250ish), split bench (maybe $250), extended cab ($1500 maybe), and a modern 285hp, 26 mpg, 8 speed; for $18k, I'd likely be a buyer.

Or if you prefer, lets say, a New, reg cab, 8 ft bed, 4.3L, 160 hp; 2wd, vinyl bench, no ac, AM radio, crank windows, ect, half ton?

 

[paulsharvey]

In 1990, a base model S10, MSRP was $9215 new. For the same vehicle, new, today, Im still right around 9215, maybe 12.5k; and thats as a spare vehicle, or a chore truck; not a daily or a work truck.

That would $22k in today's money, and, at that point, I would rather spend $32k on a Frontier or $27k on a Maverick

 

[3930dave]

Speaking of old diesels, some of you must remember the converted 350s which GM was making for a while. They redefined the term "underpowered but certainly sipped fuel for the size vehicle they were in.

I remember those; small turbos were scarce back then, was part of the problem. Not that the 350 low-end would have liked turbo charging, but it would have bumped the efficiency even more (the only reason I like a turbo, is for dzl).

I highly doubt that ^ from GM was what the powertrain chief-engineer wanted to do, but it likely hit the price point GM wanted. Unfortunately, didn't help the image and confidence that N. American consumers had in light-diesels.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

In 1990, a base model S10, MSRP was $9215 new. For the same vehicle, new, today, Im still right around 9215, maybe 12.5k; and thats as a spare vehicle, or a chore truck; not a daily or a work truck.

That would $22k in today's money, and, at that point, I would rather spend $32k on a Frontier or $27k on a Maverick

Pricing online recently (def not basic truck material, sorry for drift)....

I was attempting to see if anything was still kicking around for small diesels, just for grins.... not much, but did see that VW old Amarok (sp?) pu, is now a Ranger ? I definitely missed that deal being cut.

So gas-engine comparo here:

See lots of new Yukons on the road.... start @ 95k CAD.

So Toyoda pricing here (relatively) doesn't look that bad..... what limits them is Towing. I was surprised that the Sequoia has a higher tow-rating than the Tundra now, by about 800# in the model I'd pick. Tundra is a tick over 8000#, which is plenty for many personal-use applications, but obviously not tri-axle floats, loaded anyway....

Rgds, D.

 

[paulsharvey]

I did a Nissian Frontier build, not to be ask cheap as possible, but as cheap as I would want, and I think it was around $33.5k. That's a lot, but so is everything in life.

 

[paulsharvey]

Not truck, but wife is looking to re0lace her Charger RT with a Toyota 4-Runner; and if you let them, those can run upto $60+; but i think you can get a pretty good build for around $53

 

[Jstpssng]

I did a Nissian Frontier build, not to be ask cheap as possible, but as cheap as I would want, and I think it was around $33.5k. That's a lot, but so is everything in life.

Is that 4wd? I am pondering an upgrade, and Nissan seems to be the only mid sized left with a V-6.
Or an extended vs double cab

 

[paulsharvey]

Is that 4wd? I am pondering an upgrade, and Nissan seems to be the only mid sized left with a V-6.
Or an extended vs double cab

It was 4wd, and if i remember right, extended.

Did a quick Build and Price; and that was a King (extended) cab, 4x4, with the tow package. That was with dealer incentives or whatever rebates,

 

[3930dave]

To get the ext-cab here (my preference, for longer box), looks like I'd have to go Pro4x. Fighting with nissan.ca site.... so can't complete a quote, but should be 4x4, $52.6k plus, CAD.

Haven't compared in a while, but it's not been unusual for new vehicles to be 10k higher here (converted $), just in the "normal" vehicle range. (Not talking nose-bleed vehicles....)

Rgds, D.

 

[paulsharvey]

I was able to start with an S model (base), and select cab type, drive type. Now, with trailer hitch, it did hit me with a tow haul mode switch, at $35, and I think the trailer pin connector for another $35

Note: I was building a 25, not a 26

 

[Jstpssng]

What I found once I built a truck several months ago is that you no longer are able to order it. Rather, they will "find you something nearby."
Their offerings may or may not be close to what you are looking for. If you asked for a extended cab 6 cyl 4x4 it'll give you both body styles, 4 as well as 6 cylinder, and certainly no regard to color or other options you chose.
That's not exclusive to Nissan, they all do it. It's pretty much a waste of time.