New $10,000 Toyota pickup

[WinterDeere]

pfffffffft. Real Men® don't use heated steering wheels... Gotten kind of spoiled by power windows & automatic transmission.

See, we're all different. I am not exaggerating when I say I'd pay an extra $5k to "downgrade" back to a manual transmission. If there's one thing I despise more than all others, it is an automatic transmission. I kept my prior truck longer than I should have, simply because it was the last of the manual transmissions.

But I sure do appreciate a heated steering wheel on a cold morning in January.

 

[Rockbadchild]

As for me I agree with a lot that have been said... I like to have a key you have to put in the switch and turn, I like power window, power mirror and power steering and a back up camera although I can live without them... and ho real knobs that you can feel and turn, none of these touch screen BS ... no electric power steering or gas pedal or break pedal ether I want too feel what the wheels are doing. The rest I don't care, like cruise, power seat, heated stuff even stereo and 360 cameras, voice assist self this and that I've never owned and hop will never own.

If you want safe roads none of this sh!% is required just make all vehicle standard and the roads would be a lot safer...

 

[jyoutz]

See, we're all different. I am not exaggerating when I say I'd pay an extra $5k to "downgrade" back to a manual transmission. If there's one thing I despise more than all others, it is an automatic transmission. I kept my prior truck longer than I should have, simply because it was the last of the manual transmissions.

Fuel economy standards killed manual transmissions. The newer 6-10 speed automatic transmissions are much more fuel efficient than a 4 or 5 speed manual.

 

[WinterDeere]

Fuel economy standards killed manual transmissions. The newer 6-10 speed automatic transmissions are much more fuel efficient than a 4 or 5 speed manual.

I believe that was part of it, but maybe not the greatest part. I think it was actually the cost of testing manual transmissions to new efficiency and safety standards, that was the biggest nail in that coffin. Not only did it require duplicate testing, but I think the cost of testing a manual is actually higher. Combine that with lower demand, and it becomes an unattractive option for manufacturers.

 

[CliffordK]

Now I wish it had the power-folding trailer tow mirrors for those times when the road is narrow and I don’t want to smash a trailer towing mirror lol

For the most part I'm happy enough towing with the stock RAM mirrors, although I'm mostly towing a flatbed, 7' wide bed, 8'6" wheels.

I did try towing my nephew's travel trailer recently. My stock mirrors are just barely wide enough to peek around it, but it was annoying to back up by mirror. The thing is much different to tow than the flatbed!!!

RAM has a fold up, fold out mirror that appear to work well. I may try putting some on my 1500 for the next time I have to tow the nephew's travel trailer. It shouldn't be too hard to swap out, I would hope.

 

[jyoutz]

Around 2000, one could still buy a new Ford Ranger for $9,995, I think. Then Ford decided to stop making the pickup.

There have been smaller pickups from time to time. The VW Caddy, Chevy Luv, Ford Courier, Subaru Brat, etc. However, most of those have been gone since the mid 1980's in the USA, but many have endured very long production lives in other places around the world.

My old Ford Ranger was pretty basic. I don't remember the exact year. Maybe 89. I bought it used in the around 2000. Little 4 cylinder engine, 4 or 5 speed manual transmission, vinyl floor, no AC. I think it even had window cranks. Yet, it was quite a little work horse. It was OK with no AC in Oregon, except I promptly drove it to the Midwest.

I still like to roll down the windows a bit while driving. However, the modern electronic world makes talking on the phone much more difficult with the windows down. And, the old Ranger got sweltering hot with the windows up while trying to talk on the phone.

AC is also nice for dirt road driving. The positive pressure keeps dust out of the cab.

 

[Rockbadchild]

I believe that was part of it, but maybe not the greatest part. I think it was actually the cost of testing manual transmissions to new efficiency and safety standards, that was the biggest nail in that coffin. Not only did it require duplicate testing, but I think the cost of testing a manual is actually higher. Combine that with lower demand, and it becomes an unattractive option for manufacturers.

It is probably true but you go in Europe (relatively same strict safety testing) and most models are available in standard, even if you go at a dealer and ask them to get one from Europe for you they can't probably because like you said it wasn't tested but you can order one and do it by yourself for a arm and a leg... at some point manual transmission simply stop selling, if that wouldn't be the case they would still be available dealers stop ordering some because they stay with them, after many years of no interests they stop providing it for North America, but only cross the border to Mexico and its all standard.

 

[jyoutz]

They were about 3-4K less than a comparable Chevy S10 or Ranger!

In 1983 I bought my first vehicle as a teenager, a brand new Toyota longbed, 2WD 5 spd "deluxe" pickup for $5500, The Ranger and S10 were both around 9500 at multiple dealers.

A few months later, I took it back to the dealer and had A/C installed for $600.00 (None came factory with A/C the were only dealer installed).

That Toyota managed 28-30mpg on average on country roads and highway. On a long highway drive it got 33mpg.
My Dad ended up driving it more and I drove the 4/4 ton to feed cattle.

The big cult appeal of those older Toyota 4x4 trucks was their solid front axles. Terrible for ride quality, but good for off road rock climbing. The people who like those things made them a cult classic (along with the older Jeep Cherokees).

 

[Bearsixty7]

The big cult appeal of those older Toyota 4x4 trucks was their solid front axles. Terrible for ride quality, but good for off road rock climbing. The people who like those things made them a cult classic (along with the older Jeep Cherokees).

Same goes for the fullsize trucks today, Many people avoid GM and their independent front axle while Ford and Ram still have solid front axles.
I'm in that camp as well, The GM axles just don't hold up to larger, aggressive tires and agriculture/construction use.

 

[jjeff]

Imo using a cell phone when driving a stick killed the desirability of manual transmissions for mine and younger generations. When the time comes I hope to teach my kids learn to drive a 5 speed. Despite objections of those close to me. As long as it runs pretty good, stops safely and has airbags.

 

[jjeff]

good for you. like yourself, have a '92 pre Taco (deluxe they called it) 4x4 reg cab long bed i bought new that year. still driving, original engine (4cyl) 316k never been opened up save valve adj & rear seal replace.

i'm up there in yrs so won't look new anymore. i laugh to myself to see the 60+k rigs struggle w/a sheet of ply. i think the current truck owners have changed over the years as much as the vehicles themselves. that's ok. totally satisfied w/my rig. tight as a drum.
regards

You had the 22re motor in your pre taco?

 

[CalG]

In the early 80's, I bought a late model Datsun pickup. (late 70s m.y.)

As I recall, it was pretty much equipped like this "new" Toyota.
Heater, (no A/C) , Floor shift, crank windows, no cruise. Painted dash, Bench seat.
What a nice little truck. I wish I had it now.

eta
My previous pickup was a 1954 Ford . That was sparsely appointed, but I drove that coast to coast on the diagonals several times and more. Ugly though ;-)

Now I have a Tacoma. Had to look long for a standard shift. Most of the doodads go un used and unnoticed. Fine by me.

 

[two_bit_score]

but only cross the border to Mexico and its all standard.

Funny thing is a lot of used cars are exported into Mexico from the US but very few used vehicles that were originally sold new in MX seem to come back this way.

 

[dfkrug]

The big cult appeal of those older Toyota 4x4 trucks was their solid front axles. Terrible for ride quality, but good for off road rock climbing.

I bought a used '80 4x4 Toyota Pickup back in '83, the first generation of 4x4s for the US. Brutal ride, and horrible gas mileage (best was 18MPG with carbureted 20R engine). What's not to like? I took it on several long 4WD trips in CO, AZ, Mexico, and CA.

Also had '76 2WD Toyota Hilux. Very rare now. Miss my '71 and '74 Datsun PUs. All manual trans, 4 or 5sp.

 

[WinterDeere]

It is probably true but you go in Europe (relatively same strict safety testing) and most models are available in standard...

True, but I think there are two factors at play:

1. Europeans traditionally create higher demand for manual than Americans, so there are sales numbers to support the cost.
2. I think the American tests are uniquely expensive to perform on manual transmission. Europe may have high standards on emissions and efficiency, but also testing methods that aren't quite so costly for the manufacturers.

At least this is what I've heard, second- or third-hand. I don't work in that industry, so even if accurate, my information may be a little old.

 

[Jstpssng]

yes indeed, 22re fuel injection, imho the most rock solid engine Toyota designed to date. embarrassed to say, throtle body never serviced, but functions flawlessly. regards
(decided to pass on the heated steering wheel op)
View attachment 831295

I lost the head gasket in my '91 which eventually killed it. It never overheated, I noticed the heater was blowing cold and immediately knew what had happened. I took it to the local garage where they took it apart, replaced the timing (belt? Chain?) as well as the timing gears. They had the head planed and put it back together.
After that it would overheat sporadically on warmup. All that I had to do was throw the clutch in, shut the engine off, turn the key back on and dump the clutch and it would be fine. A new thermostat didn't help. One night on the way home after a long day I must have forgotten to watch the guage. By the time that I got home the engine was surging at idle. I pulled the dipstick and the engine was full of antifreeze. Presumably it overheated and either blew the new head gasket or cracked the block...
I found a used engine but had just dumped my available cash into the previous repair bill. I bought a newer GMC and sold the Toyota for the value of the tires I had just put on it. At the time I was driving 50k miles per year travelling all over northern New England and needed something I could depend on.

 

[Jstpssng]

True, but I think there are two factors at play:

1. Europeans traditionally create higher demand for manual than Americans, so there are sales numbers to support the cost.
2. I think the American tests are uniquely expensive to perform on manual transmission. Europe may have high standards on emissions and efficiency, but also testing methods that aren't quite so costly for the manufacturers.

At least this is what I've heard, second- or third-hand. I don't work in that industry, so even if accurate, my information may be a little old.

30 years ago manufacturers were saying that only 10% of new truck buyers wanted a manual transmission. I've always suspected that was their way of saying "We don't want to make them so if they aren't on the lot people will "want" what's available.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I much rather prefer driving an AWD in the winter. 4x4 is not meant to be driven on dry/wet roads. Off road and snow allows tires to "slip" vs getting chewed up. So, as I'm driving in 2x4 dry roads, so I don't chew up tires, I hit a snow patch. Trouble can happen before I can hit 4x4...
Not a relaxing drive in winter.

 

[jyoutz]

Funny thing is a lot of used cars are exported into Mexico from the US but very few used vehicles that were originally sold new in MX seem to come back this way.

In Mexico, they run their vehicles until the wheels fall off.

 

[jyoutz]

30 years ago manufacturers were saying that only 10% of new truck buyers wanted a manual transmission. I've always suspected that was their way of saying "We don't want to make them so if they aren't on the lot people will "want" what's available.

I think the fact that the majority of vehicle buyers are urban/suburban residents is the primary reason why manual transmissions don’t sell well. A manual transmission is fun to drive on the open road or off road, but can be annoying in stop and go city driving.