Bring It On

[RobertN]

I never understood that one. Why did they change? I still call 'em Datsun's, why, don't know.

My 2500 Cummins/Ram will haul well inexcess of it's 3/4-ton moniker. The '64 Ford F100 that I had years ago held a lot more than 1/2-ton too.

The "1/2 ton" class is still that though, a class. It still does not compare in capacity or beefy-ness to the 3/4 ton or 1-ton class. They are still pretty much three different entities.

The manufacturers could revise thier ratings. They have held them so long though, I do not know if it would be of any benefit.

 

[TresCrows]

That is a nice truck, thanks for the link /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif. I hope this thread does not go into melt down. To me the Tundra top end 4WD trucks are luxury sport trucks, the engine is totally silent, there are no squeaks or rattles, the leather seats are comfy and supportive the multi disc CD changer sounds great, it feels like a Lexus automobile with a bed on it. That is what I meant by luxury sport (4WD) trucks. There are other such trucks from the other companies as well that are very nice I am sure /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. The Dodge in the link is a 2WD "hotrod" truck like the Lightening etc. It is not a very practical machine for everyday driving and I doubt it is very capable off road /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif.
OH, by the way, in one Titan add that sure looks like a Dodge it is passing /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. Look, I already got one Chrysler/Jeep product to maintain, don't need another right now /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, my wifes Liberty. Let me tell you something though about that Jeep, it is the most surefooted vehicle I have ever driven on ice with perhaps few exceptions. It can have the brake pedal pushed all the way down on ice and you can still steer it. The full time 4WD is also very good in the snow and ice. The vehicle itself is also very capable off road. Yes, the brakes are ABS but so are they on the Tundra and several other vehicles I have driven on ice and snow and NONE of them were as confidence inspiring as the Jeep Liberty. It is my wifes car, side airbags, towing package, off road package, ABS, full time 4WD, automatic. The car handles and feels good. It is not refined like a Toyota nor silent or as smooth as my Tundra but it is still a nice car. That said, if it had been my choice and they were available at the time she would have the new 4Runner. Course, the Jeep was sub 25,000, the 4Runner would have pushed 35,000 easy for similar equipment--maybe I would have gotten the Jeep afterall for her. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. J

 

[TresCrows]

Robert, I don't know if the Titan is a 1/2 ton or a 3/4 ton. I think it s a 3/4 ton but I could be wrong. It does have an approx 10,000 lb tow rating, that is pretty heavy duty for a gasoline truck. The Titan is at least as big as the quad cab Dodge, maybe from some vantage larger. It is a big truck. I believe it is, like the Tundra, built in the USA.
Saw a promo for Hondas new Hondajet. It has a Honda built and designed engine and is in the same class as the sussesful Cessna Citation CJ1. It is a very well designed aircraft with impressive looks and capability. It is a Honda airframe with a Honda engine. Yes, it is a Honda made jet engine /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif.
Datsun, Nissan, whatever, I still think the Datsun 240Z was an increadible car in an era of smog controled domestics with 100 horsepower 400 cubic inch V8's and removable door handles. The Z car was extrordinary then and even today looks modern. The current Nissan Z car is a dissapointment as it evokes nothing of the original's character or qualities nor including the modest price tag of the original. J

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue">Robert, I don't know if the Titan is a 1/2 ton or a 3/4 ton. I think it s a 3/4 ton but I could be wrong. </font>
The web site indicates it has a 1,500 pound payload, Dana rear end, limited slip front and rear, with electronic locking available, Rancho shocks. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[RobertN]

The Titan is the Nissan/Datsun entry in to the 1/2-ton full size market; as you mention it is big!

Honda has done cool stuff. Mr. Honda was an incredible engineer. Albeit I tend towards US stuff and all, I will still give credit where due. Mr. Honda did some pretty cool engineering for his company, and changed standards the world over.

The old 240Z was a pretty cool car. That they stuck with a straight-6 for a performance car is interesting. Jaguar stuck with the straight-six as a performance minded motor for years too.

 

[ScottAR]

Until I load one at work, I won't know if it's a real truck or not.

My critera for a real truck is to load a sheet of plywood laying flat and still close the gate. Would be pretty funny to walk into the showroom and test a piece out. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[TresCrows]

"Jaguar stuck with the straight-six as a performance minded motor for years too. "

So did and does BMW. I like the Straight 6. I think the current Nissan Z car is ugly and stupid and I am tired of everything having to be a V design. It is just a word that sounds cool to people. Most people don't have any idea what a Vee engine is or what makes it one or what a valve is much less four of them per cylinder or even what a cylinder is /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.

The sheet of plywood, I think you can put that plywood in a Titan /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. It is a big truck.
Yes, thanks, I am not shopping for a new full size truck. I really want to trade the Tundra for a smaller truck. I like smaller vehicles. The new Toyota Tacoma replacement is coming in 2005 and it will be upsized and will have a V8 option. The current Tundra I understand is going upsize as well to compete with the Titan or at least will offer similar heavy duty options. I recently drove the new S10 Chevy replacement, Colorado, 5 cylinder engine, 220 horses, liked the engine, the truck felt kinda of tinny though compared to the Tundra but I admit the truck I drove was not a loaded out 4WD. The dealer did not have one yet so I will test one of those soon hopefully--egads--did I actually consider a GM product--I must be ill /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. Maybe I will just keep the Tundra but I sure like the smaller trucks better and I prefer a car over a truck. I could get a car and just fix up the little Toyota, it will live forever /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. Just thought the Titan was interesting, not planning on buying one. J

 

[r0GuE]

My first American car ever is now in my garage. It is a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that now has 5000 miles on it. I bought it mainly because I wanted a convertable, and a 4WD, and a 4 seat car, and round headlights, and an inline 6 like my old BMW 528e, and a CD player... There really is only one Jeep.

That said, there are lots of rattles and squeaks, and it doesn't always shift right. I still love it. But if Toyota still made the VERY old Land Cruiser and hadn't luxury'ed it in to the $45,000 dollar range, I'd have one of those.

 

[TresCrows]

Jeep, the one and only /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif, yes, despite my loathing of domestic cars with their landau tops and pimp treatments and vinyl perfomance packages and fake convertable tops I have developed a tender spot for my wife's Jeep Liberty. The thing is a great little SUV /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif. It has some odd quirks but it realy has not been that much trouble to own. The dealer has been able to fix all the original problems and now it is pretty trouble free, just change the oil and fill her up. It realy does not have any rattles or squeaks either, it just does not close up like a vault like a Toyota does BUT--THEN--when the snow falls the Jeep kicks sand on the Tundra and just about everthing else soooo you just have to take the good with the bad /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
Toyota is supposedly going to have a new vehicle called the FJ. It is supposed to be retro and bring back memories of their early 4WD vehicles. I do not know if it will have a removable top, it may have a sliding top. I hope it is a rugged unit like the early machines and not a SUV on a Corrola platform like the RAV. J

 

[RobertN]

The original was a US Governtment request for an all-weather heavy duty GP. The GP did wonders in WW-II, Korea, ect. But, it was light duty, and not a real all-weather vehicle(It could go in all weather, just not at the occupants comfort).

The Land Crusher fit that bill, although few were bought by the US military. They are tough, rugged, have a comfortable interior with heat. They are, undeniably even to this guy who was born in a Jeep, a pretty good vehicle.

They never took off till the late 70's or 80's from what I saw out here. By that time, the CJ7 was around and comparable. The advent of the CJ7 and new style CJ5 saw stronger frames, which was the earlier Jeep weakness. They have a bit more room too.