Doesn't exist (My perfect truck)

getut · Nov 17, 2004

Doesn\'t exist (My perfect truck)

I've been looking for a new pickup truck. For the last 5 years I've been driving a Toyota Tacoma 4 wheel drive, 6 cylinder. I was and still am in shock since I downgraded from a Z71 Chevy with the 350. I only downgraded due to getting a new job with a much longer drive, so mileage was numero uno on the list.

What I would really love to have doesn't seem to exist: A 1/2 ton regular cab short bed 4 wheel drive with a TRUE, honest to goodness, diesel. Not a converted gas engine. Every diesel out there seems to be as big as a house and geared toward people who want to take the whole house with them (in environmentally protected space). I want to be able to TOW a house if needed but still be a good daily commuter and keep my personal space (my truck). I also wished they would get back to old straight axle and springs, they didn't ride worth a hoot, but you could get 300,000 to 400,000 miles out of them if you kept them greased, but I'll save that for another post sometime in the future.

I've always looked at a mans truck as HIS space... holding only 3 people max (2 is almost a crowd) and if any more wants to tag along.. well you ride in the back. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Its always been nice to say to the family.. well you all won't fit if I take my truck, and I HAVE to take my truck because I'm hauling something. Instant alone time. hehehe

Enough ranting and back to searching for trucks. Maybe someone can help.

Getut

rdln · Nov 17, 2004

Re: Doesn\'t exist (My perfect truck)

that sounds good, somebody might make something like that in the future except for the solid axle /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

but unless you use the truck bed for work or are addicted to dumpster diving during the commute, you should throw masculinity out the window and drive a POS 4 banger and have a truck to use when you need a truck. I have done the same and am much happier and wiser feeling since.

bontai_Joe · Nov 17, 2004

Re: Doesn\'t exist (My perfect truck)

My perfect truck does not exist either. I want a 3/4 ton truck with a 10 foot long bed (that's right! I said 10 feet), the old style tool boxes that used to come from the factory under the bed floor, with access on the side of the truck. I want wing windows because I smoke. I want a vinyl floor covering that is easy to wash mud off of, enough headroom that I can wear a hat (I'm 6'-3"), and the seat to be upholstered with something my dog's toenails won't rip. And a horn that doesn't sound like it came off a kid's bicycle. It sure would be nice if it got 20 MPG when empty.

MJB · Nov 17, 2004

Re: Doesn\'t exist (My perfect truck)

Don't let Trecrows hear you say that a Tacoma is a downgrade from a Z71. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I'm on your side though. I have an 2004.5 Chevy 2500HD with the Duramax and Allison that I love. I get better milage than my 98 Z71 got, even though the truck weighs about a ton more. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

getut · Nov 17, 2004

Re: Doesn\'t exist (My perfect truck)

Yea... thats still alot more truck (only in size/footprint) than I want and need. I like the tugboat concept... lots of thump in a small package. Cram the engine in your 2500 in a 1500 regular cab/short bed would be fine with me, heheh. Of course they'd have to beef up frame and brakes.. but hey.. engineers are paid to solve problems. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Rather than correct the root cause of the problem (the engine), I think Chevy decided way back that people don't want a 1/2 ton diesel. I think it would be a good seller if they brought it back... only this time use a true diesel, designed from the ground up to be a diesel, instead of those horrendous gas engine conversions.

Getut

hobbyfarm · Nov 17, 2004

Re: Doesn\'t exist (My perfect truck)

( engineers are paid to solve problems.

Rather than correct the root cause of the problem (the engine), I think Chevy decided way back that people don't want a 1/2 ton diesel. )

Hi getut,
I agree 100% with you, but its not just pickups. It seems to be everything. I get tired of the bean counters and lawyers deciding what we get to buy these days.
Maybe I want my (brand new) jeep to not have air bags or cost $20k since its just driven around on the ranch at low speed riding fence and such. What happened to the say, a $4k jeep. This is one of my pet peeves.
There are no more variations on the same model, only a "general" model that is supposed to fit "almost" everyone.
phil

kokopelli2 · Nov 17, 2004

Re: Doesn\'t exist (My perfect truck)

i may have an answer to some of your needs!
i was talking to a ford guy the other day and was told that a 3 liter f150 was on the way in the next 12 or so months. they are choping the powerstroke in half. he said it was all about the commute. something like 150hp and 300 pft though! larger tubo. didnt know the mpg though.

getut · Nov 17, 2004

Re: Doesn\'t exist (My perfect truck)

Hobby, I am not entirely sure we aren't brother seperated at birth.

Other than myself, you are the only person I have ever heard that has a pet peeve of safety nazis designing in "features" and "bloat" that drive the costs up. I don't wear a seatbelt even though NC has laws. I pay on average 4-5 seatbelt tickets per year. The funny thing is that I don't even question the fact that they save lives, I know they do. It just really should be my own prerogative. Given my prerogative, I would buy a truck that had no safety devices other than seatbelts (to save money).. good steel panels everywhere... no zones that crumple at 5 MPH, pay 10 K for it and drive it 500,000 miles before its toast (but then rebuild it and run it some more). Conveniences are nice in a truck... but nothing irritates me more than to have buddies that cringe to take their trucks on a hunting trip because we'll be dirty getting in the truck. Sell it and go buy a Beemer and take your wife to the country club. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

In high school I had a 55 chevy pickup (I'm not that old - 34.. the truck was already old when I started with it). After football practice one day I was groggy from the heat driving home. I fell asleep and hit the side of a concrete bridge at somewhere around 30MPH. Broke my jaw and poked a few teeth through my lip when my face hit the steering wheel. I had to put only a little touch up paint on the front bumper of the truck. I healed sufficiently. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If the wreck would have been more serious a new vehicle would have protected me better but that is a risk I am willing to take to get machinery that lasts and just works long past their owners.... hehe even if it is the machinerys UN-safety that shorted the work liife of the owner.

People sue too much.

getut · Nov 17, 2004

Re: Doesn\'t exist (My perfect truck)

Thanks for the info. I will DEFINITELY try and find more info on that. I hope the power to weight ratio ends up being even better than the mile long big guys.

cowboydoc · Nov 18, 2004

Re: Doesn\'t exist (My perfect truck)

3 liter f150 was on the way in the next 12 or so months 

This plan was axed several months ago. The engine that International was designing wasn't a chopped in half powerstroke but a new design. Problem was they couldnt' get it emissions compliant. Currently there are no plans from Ford to put out a diesel. I'm sure it's in the works somewhere but there are no plans to put one in production at this time.