What happened to small trucks?

[ultrarunner]

^^ Is it 4wd with manual or auto Sawyer?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

2WD, auto, AC, PS, tow package, locking diff ect...everything "I" needed to have a decent small truck with out making it a drug store cowboy truck...

I get 23mpg or close to it all the time, a bit more on a trip, EMPTY... Start pulling a loaded trailer or have a heavy foot, and the millage goes down fast.

SR

 

[ultrarunner]

15-16 was the best I could do back in the day...

I liked most the size of my S10... not a problem to park it inside and the lower bed height for loading.

 

[Bird]

Ranger had no discernible suspension and had horrid fuel mileage from their undesigned Pinto engines.

I don't guess I've heard of them having a "Pinto" engine before. I'll admit that I would likely not be happy with a 4 cylinder Ranger, and I don't know for sure about engine options in other years, but in 2001 they had a 4 cylinder and a 3.0L V-6, as well as the 4.0L V-6 that I have. Horrid fuel mileage?? I keep much more detailed records than most, but I bought my 2001 Ranger on 12/20/2004 when it already had 36,086 miles on it. But since then it has averaged 18.387 mpg, nearly all "city" driving and I DO use the air-conditioner. The EPA ratings did change from what they were originally. So I'd say I don't get GREAT mileage, but under the circumstances, I have no complaints.

18 mpg 2001 EPA City rating
22 mpg 2001 EPA Highway rating
19 mpg 2001 EPA combined rating

16 mpg 2008 EPA City rating
20 mpg 2008 EPA Highway rating
18 mpg 2008 EPA combined rating

 

[ultrarunner]

My Uncle has never bought a new vehicle... he was born in 1938.

In March he was going to see some friends 700 miles away and thought his old 71 Ford Pickup would not be up to the task... he was also delivering some race car parts he had sold...

Out of the blue... he decides to buy a new 2015 Toyota Tacoma with a 4 cylinder... said the trip was great... liked driving it so much... he added a 700 mile detour on leg back to home...

He is the same Uncle that is a retired race car driver... owns an original Ford GT 40 and a Cobra and just sold his 2005 Ford GT...

As mentioned... he has no regrets going with the 4 cylinder Tacoma

 

[Loadstar]

I don't guess I've heard of them having a "Pinto" engine before. I'll admit that I would likely not be happy with a 4 cylinder Ranger, and I don't know for sure about engine options in other years, but in 2001 they had a 4 cylinder and a 3.0L V-6, as well as the 4.0L V-6 that I have. Horrid fuel mileage?? I keep much more detailed records than most, but I bought my 2001 Ranger on 12/20/2004 when it already had 36,086 miles on it. But since then it has averaged 18.387 mpg, nearly all "city" driving and I DO use the air-conditioner. The EPA ratings did change from what they were originally. So I'd say I don't get GREAT mileage, but under the circumstances, I have no complaints.

18 mpg 2001 EPA City rating
22 mpg 2001 EPA Highway rating
19 mpg 2001 EPA combined rating

16 mpg 2008 EPA City rating
20 mpg 2008 EPA Highway rating
18 mpg 2008 EPA combined rating

The 2.3l first appeared in the pinto engine. It is an extremely stout engine. I have tortured many a D.I.S. 2.3l and they hold up. Easy to work on and well known in industry because it is in ALL different types of equipment. I would love to find a little 4wd stickshift 2.3l 1990ish ranger for a toy.

 

[RobertN]

Little trucks like that were all over the place when we were in Barbados last week.

One of the developments we have not seen here yet are the cab over mini's prevalent overseas. I see them on DOD auctions frequently but I think they are not blessed for highway use.
Example:

 

[RobertN]

Just spent a week in Barbados diving. Small truck were everywhere, many with diesels. Saw a number of new Rangers, some with diesel. Saw Izuzu compacts, with diesel and "Dmax" on their side. Lots of Toyota diesels; our dive master picked us up every day in a compact Toy 4x4 crew cab, diesel/auto. That thing sure had a tiny bed though... Oh, and lots of stick shift vehicles.

Mini-trucks seem to be doing fine, outside of the US market...

This trip was first time I have seen a Mercedes Benz fire engine too...

 

[kcflhrc]

Well, the new Colorado is very nice. But for the money, I'll keep my full size crew cab Silverado. I have no use for a small truck. I owned 2 S10's over the years but cant say I miss them.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Toyota makes their Tacoma, Nissan makes their Frontier. I think Dodge is still making their Dakota. Ford got out of the compact truck business a year or three ago (stupid, because their 1/4T Ford Ranger was a near perfect starter truck. Don't know if Chevy is making any more S10s, or Mitsubishi either.

I ended up buying a Tacoma. My wife didn't really want me to beforehand, but since, that truck has turned her into a true believer from moving cords of fire wood, appliances, various folks apartments, heck, even moved a safe with it last year.

Yeah, they're light and bouncy, hop all over the road, skid easily on gravel, packed snow, and ice (unless you have them loaded down), and they're a little light on frills (I've got Bluetooth capability in mine for gosh sakes and I don't even use those things.) Just the standard silver color. But I do have a idea to repaint it in the future with a zillion layers of a super deep blue with a touch of metallic so you could think you were going to fall right into it...