Compact Diesel trucks that we can't get here

[3930dave]

While i wish the manufactures could bring these here, i may have to build one before long.

But i doubt one will be available by the time i need it. Been thinking about doing a small Cummins swap into an old blazer. Simple, relatively easy, and probably can be done under $10k.

If you want it Done Right...... or in this case....... At All !

That would be a sweet swap.... post pics Please if you do it !

Buddy of mine put a cummins into a late 80's Chev CCab 1 ton, to use as his race hauler.

If the truck is in any kind of decent shape (meaning mechanically sound) when you are done with it, you can sell that combination in a heartbeat, for decent money.

Rgds, D.

 

[jonnyc1999]

I had the opportunity to buy one of those Diesel Scouts when I was 16 years old. It was in great shape and "only" needed a new starter motor to run. Unfortunately I was waist deep in a '57 Willys Jeep rebuild and my dad told me I couldn't have another project. I still regret not getting that Scout, I've never seen another one like it in the 17 years since. I think if I could find one now I would HAVE to make it my daily driver, just out of coolness factor. BTW, the price on it was $600.

 

[oliver28472]

Don't forget the 1/2 ton Dodge pickup with a 6-cylinder diesel. A combination that was best forgotten. My Dad had one and it stayed in the shop. Had a big "Diesel Power" decal on the side of the bed near the back. I think it was a '78.

 

[Sysop]

There was a small run of Ford Rangers in the 80s that had a small diesel engine. The non-US Rangers had diesels for years and still do. Ford decided for us that we don't want small trucks in the USA...

 

[3930dave]

I had the opportunity to buy one of those Diesel Scouts when I was 16 years old. It was in great shape and "only" needed a new starter motor to run. Unfortunately I was waist deep in a '57 Willys Jeep rebuild and my dad told me I couldn't have another project. I still regret not getting that Scout, I've never seen another one like it in the 17 years since. I think if I could find one now I would HAVE to make it my daily driver, just out of coolness factor. BTW, the price on it was $600.

If I could fix my Flux Capacitor, that one would be Mine !

This thread is probably going to drive me crazy, get me divorced, or both ! :laughing:

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

My friends dad had an 80' scout II diesel, what a great truck, we would go road hunting all day and wouldn't burn a half tank of fuel, between 30-35 mpg
and it would go any where. the only downside, it wasn't a speed demon by any means, topped at at 85, but i'd sacrifice that for all the other pluses.
Mahindra is supposed to be selling a nice SUV in the states soon with a nice turbo diesel, 32 to 36 mpg.

Conspiracy, what anti-diesel conspiracy ?

Let's see, IH Scout, designed in the 70's, heavy truck and drivetrain, and getting mid 30's back then !

Back to fixing my Flux Capacitor..... :blacksmith::wizard::magician:

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

There was a small run of Ford Rangers in the 80s that had a small diesel engine. The non-US Rangers had diesels for years and still do. Ford decided for us that we don't want small trucks in the USA...

The Mazdas we had back then had I think a Perkins diesel in 'em. Contractor down the road from me had one, as his light runabout - worked the heck out of that engine and couldn't kill it.

Rgds, D.

 

[aczlan]

I've been driving my Saturn to work daily, and the 35mpg is great. But I need better ground clearance and 4x4. And realistically i may only be able to keep the Saturn going for another 2 years with the miles i put on. A CRV wouldn't be bad, but a little diesel truck would be great. 5 spd stick and four doors. Or a medium sized diesel SUV would work as well.

TDI a CRV?

There was a small run of Ford Rangers in the 80s that had a small diesel engine. The non-US Rangers had diesels for years and still do. Ford decided for us that we don't want small trucks in the USA...

IIRC, it was the Courier which was actually a re-badged Mazda B2200 or something like that. Dad had the Mazda variant and used the Courier manual.

Aaron Z

 

[wmonroe]

Conspiracy, what anti-diesel conspiracy ?

Let's see, IH Scout, designed in the 70's, heavy truck and drivetrain, and getting mid 30's back then !

Back to fixing my Flux Capacitor..... :blacksmith::wizard::magician:

Rgds, D.

A diesel scout...I want one!

 

[dfkrug]

Here is a late 90s Chevy LUV, sited in Ecuador in FEB of this year. These were based on the
Isuzu Faster pickup truck, but assembled all over the world, and under different badges, incl
Holden, Opel, etc.

The LUV badge was used in the US from 72-81, and was dumped when the S-10 came out
in 82. Isuzu then used their own name, and "P'UP" badge. Also, "Rodeo", but that was not
a pickup in the US.

Now the Isuzu pickups are called the "D-Max", but I saw none on this trip.

Diesel was available on these LUVs, but this one is gasoline. Note the similar vintage
Toyota HiLUX 4-door behind it.