OT-my new vehicle rant

[jnyork]

I cant buy what I want. I have had a 1992 Toyota pickup, 4wd with the 4cyl engine, since it was new. It is getting pretty shopworn and I have in mind I would like a new little pickup similar to my old one. No such thing available!

I want just a plain jane little 4WD truck. I dont want all the bells, whistles, foofooraw, electronic gadgets, plush upholstery, electric windows, computer controlled everything, but that is all that is available. It's like buying a nicely appointed car with a bed on the back.

Whatever happened to the truck for the sportsman or the workingman- vinyl upholstery, window crank handles, rubber flooring you can hose out, manual hubs, you get the picture. I guess truck buyers now just want a softriding nice boulevard cruiser.

rant mode off

[bsaride]

I feel your pain

[brucew44guns]

I know your pain. I bought a brand new Dodge HD 1/2 ton in 1967. 318 engine, 3 speed column, radio, heater, 8 ply tires were on it from the factory, and a nice rear bumper for towing. Out the door new for 2660 bucks including sales tax in Downey, California. I had a 2 year contract to pay it off, I recall the payment was 82 a month. In late Sept of 08, I got a new Dodge Ram 3500 4 WD dually, Cummins of course. The sales tax was almost as much as that 67 truck. Yeah----I identify with your problem.

[J Miller]

If it's not rusted out, you'd be money ahead to refurbish your old one.

Joe

[2ndovc]

I know what you mean.

A year and a half ago I traded my F150 w/ 170k miles for a new jeep.
I wanted just a plain ole OD green Jeep with a 5 speed and a soft top.

Then my wife got involved.

Ugh!
I didn't think it was possible to spend 40k on a freakn' Jeep.

I love the thing but I would have been happy with a '79 CJ7!

jb

[jeepnik]

Tell me about it. I got the plainest truck I could find to replace my work F-250. Didn't need that big a truck, or the V-10. I ended up with a V-6 (I don't think they make 4's for trucks anymore. Even a base model had electric windows, door locks etc. Just more stuff to break.

[adirondakjack]

Psst: the fru fru is where the profit is.

My '96 Dakota has a bench seat, standard cab, crank up windows. None of the above is currently available.

Before I'd spend the kinda dough they want for a new plushmobile, I could have a local hotrod builder BUILD me a brand new EMMISSIONS EXEMPT car or pickup (use an old dash and old registration from the 60s or early 70s) He's got a '32 Ford coupe with a 350 Chevy in it almost done right now I could get for under $16K in almost done condition, brand new frame, running gear, engine, tranny, etc. glass body. It would end up around $22K all done, upholstered, wired and painted.

A "Model A" pickup would be soooo cool, and you could choose powerplant, gearing, etc.

[Slick]

If it's not rusted out, you'd be money ahead to refurbish your old one.

Joe

That's just what I was gonna say, because that's what I do...

I'll keep my 1983 Toyota pickup forever, because they don't make small trucks (Jeep-width) that have live (solid) front axles and can go on jeep trails for camping or pull stumps out of the ground on my ranch.

[wilko]

my ford ranger is pretty low tech just like you that is how i like it..

[Warhawk]

Toyota still makes a basic standard cab 4x4 pickup, 4cyl motor and a 5 speed.

Probably have to order one, I doubt that many dealers stock them.

[Tycer]

I wanted a small truck too. I got this:

4cyl, 5-speed, 4:11 gears

[Barcelona Rick]

You can still get a Ford F150 work truck just like that with a 4.6L V8......most will be long beds but the oil/gas service companies buy 'em all the time.....

jumberaux

[RIHMFIRE]

Ford has plenty of work trucks.....and at a pretty decent price....

Just paid off my F-350! feels pretty good too!

[GonnePhishin]

Why don't you try Hemmings for something older?

[Old Savage]

You might be able to special order such an item.

[Rusty]

I remember my first vehicle. It was a 1950 Jeep. It had two options... windshield up or windshield down.

[Pete44ru]

[Whatever happened to the truck for the sportsman or the workingman- vinyl upholstery, window crank handles, rubber flooring you can hose out, manual hubs, you get the picture.]

Buy American - You've described my Ford Ranger, except for slightly better upholstery in my Ranger.

IIRC, the Dodge Dakota was also so available, when I was shopping - but I'm not sure how "American" it is - or anything other vehicles, "made in America" these days, what with corporate outsourcing and some foreign makes manufactured here.
Hey, even new Harley's are half foreign (Japanese) parts.

.

[piller]

Here in the Dallas area there are so many Pickups with all the bells and whistles that it appears most Dallasites are required to own a Pickup. The sad part is that maybe 1 in a hundred ever goes off the pavement. That is part of the reason that you can't find the plain work trucks, all the yuppies want a Pickup to look cool in. I drive a Toyota Camry to and from work as I don't go off the pavement in my daily drive.

[RJS]

I don't think the Toyota Tacoma comes in 4wd with a 4cyl eng .
I'm looking myself, can't get over the money they want or the gas mileage

Edited to say: Sorry I was wrong you can get a 5peed manual tranny with 4wd and a 4 cyl .
I'm shiftless myself much prefer automatics in trucks. I only shift my rifles .
Ron

[olyinaz]

You're absolutely right in my view. Since everyone else has abandoned the small (as in tiny small - not the new Tacoma), very inexpensive new truck market I keep wondering why Hyundai or Kia hasn't gotten into it with something. I'm also hoping that Jeep will give us something on the Wrangler platform (and unfortunately the Wrangler keeps getting bigger/wider).

In the mean time I'm with the other guys: if you can get a loan from your local credit union at good rates (assuming that coming up with a pile of cash is a difficulty) consider refurbing your current rig or buy a solid basis project truck and have it done. You'll be into it for less than the highway robbery sums that they want for a new one, that's for sure.

Cheers,
Oly

[jeepnik]

Toyota still makes a basic standard cab 4x4 pickup, 4cyl motor and a 5 speed.

Probably have to order one, I doubt that many dealers stock them.

Tried to get a bare bones standard cab Tundra. They don't exist, even if they say it does.

[stretch]

My 2004 GMC 2500HD is in "work" trim, which is as basic as it gets.

They still give ya an electronic light switch and anti-lock brakes.

I do have crank-down windows and a rubber floor mat, though.

Radio is AM/FM. One of these days I might put a CD player in it.
(I've been saying that since.....yeah - 2004!)

I wish more companies made a 'basic' truck. $40K or 50K for a
pickup is insane. Shopping on ebay, I could buy 2 (TWO!) used
Bentleys for that kind of money - and I mean NICE, low mileage
cars!

-Stretch

[jnyork]

Toyota still makes a basic standard cab 4x4 pickup, 4cyl motor and a 5 speed.

Probably have to order one, I doubt that many dealers stock them.

Tried to get a bare bones standard cab Tundra. They don't exist, even if they say it does.

Toyota dealer here in Yuma has some but gone in a couple days. Wish they would make the Tacoma the same way.

[Old Time Hunter]

My kid has a Ranger extended cab with crank windows, 5 speed manual, V-6(small), vinyl seats and floor. It does have A/C as the only option on the line setting ticket. He was going to buy a Toyota, but I told him if he did, he would never be allowed in his Mother's house again 'cause he wouldn't be my son.

[Coldfingers]

For the money you are going to have to dump on a new one, you could probably restore the one you have and have some serious change left over.

I just put a fresh motor in my 81 Toyota this fall and have enough scavenged parts to last my lifetime. The truck is my basic chore boy. I am working on a couple 85's (pu & 4runner) for my winter project. I have had both of them for over a dozen years now. Both have given excellent service and GREAT value.

I also wish that Toyota would make a more basic/utilitarian truck but doubt I would get one since my old ones just will not give up the ghost.

I hear the Tundra is going to be avaliable with a diesel next year. May consider that option in another ten years or so when I can get a used one

I fess up to being un-american when it comes to getting my money's worth out of the vehicle that gets me there and back again in an unforgiving country.
Scotty