Ford to introduce another pickup, smaller than the new Ranger.

[Oaktree]

At 29K for an entry level 4WD I thought that the new Rangers were affordably priced, I just found the concept of another addition to the line to be intriguing. If it is indeed a unibody and can pull down an honest 30 mpg, I will consider buying one.

I'm not sure a unibody truck would be rugged enough for what I'd want it for, but the new Ranger (or for that matter Colorado/Canyon) are just about the right size. Yeah, they're bigger than the previous models (which I thought were a little too small), but still not the monsters the full size trucks are. I just don't need that kind of capacity.

Don't really want a new truck, but when it comes time to replace the Dakota (I figure 5 yr. or so), I'd consider used ones of either of the above.

My '83 and '85 Rangers both got 23.5 consistently, with the 2.8 V6, manual shift. My '04 gets 17 if the wind is right and I put an egg under the accelerator, generally it gets around 15-16. Going down the interstate with a 5' tiller in the back I barely got in 14 mpg... not much of an economy truck.

I got 20-ish with my old '88 Dakota (3.9 V6/5 speed), I'm lucky to get 17 with my '02 (4.7 V8/automatic). Strangely, I don't notice a big difference between around town/highway driving or whether or not I'm pulling a trailer. Biggest difference seems to be summer vs winter tires.

 

[Jstpssng]

You did good with your Dakota. I had two, a '91 and a '93... both with the applicable V-6s. If I got 15 I was happy.

I was just speculating about their next edition. I have 2 4WD pickups out in the dooryard, but sometimes it would be nice to have something with better mileage.

 

[bigtiller]

I'm in the look & wish mode for a new Gator. I would like to take a look at the new little Ford.

 

[Ford850]

My brother was just telling me of a friend of his who bought a side by side, but not sure of the brand. Over $20k and the windshield was an accessory, and it's some sort of plexiglass that is scratching easily. I told him he should have bought a stripped down Ranger, but this new Courier makes even more sense.

 

[crazyal]

The problem is that safety standards have changed. I had a mid 80's Toyota pickup that had had a piece of sheet metal on the outside of the door and one on the inside. If the window was down the glass would provide a little extra impact protection. That's how Trucks were made back then. Over the years the side impact standards have changed which adds lots of weight. Then there's the creature comforts. For example, the bench seat was about as basic as you could get. If it weighed a 100 lbs I would be surprised. Now just one bucket seat weighs more than that. A clock was an option and now a large display GPS is almost standard. A thin piece of vinyl on the doors and floor didn't add much weight. Good luck finding a truck like that now. Those nice light trucks are a thing of the past (at least until composites come down in price). Granted the motors made no power what so ever so you just pushed the go pedal to the floor all the time. Other than physical size I don't think a new compact truck will share much in common to the old pickups.

Even the size grew simply because people wanted more room. That 85 Toyota just had a small bench and to access it you flipped the front seats forward. Now even the suicide doors like the 1st gen Tundras had are gone and 4 full doors are what people buy. After owning a full size truck even today's Tacoma feels too small. The seats are narrow and the center console is tiny. If both driver and passenger rest their arm on the rest it's like fighting over the arm rest in a passenger jet. A truck smaller would work for an autoparts store where there's only a driver. But most people are going to sit in it and then move on to the Tacoma sized truck. It's cheap price will tempt people but today's pickups need to be more than a 2 person regular cab truck with a bed. Now people want a truck to do more than just be a truck.

 

[4570Man]

Even the size grew simply because people wanted more room. That 85 Toyota just had a small bench and to access it you flipped the front seats forward. Now even the suicide doors like the 1st gen Tundras had are gone and 4 full doors are what people buy. After owning a full size truck even today's Tacoma feels too small. The seats are narrow and the center console is tiny. If both driver and passenger rest their arm on the rest it's like fighting over the arm rest in a passenger jet. A truck smaller would work for an autoparts store where there's only a driver. But most people are going to sit in it and then move on to the Tacoma sized truck. It's cheap price will tempt people but today's pickups need to be more than a 2 person regular cab truck with a bed. Now people want a truck to do more than just be a truck.

One of my family members has a pretty new 4 door Colorado. I’m not a huge fan. The drivability of it isn’t much different than a full size. The mileage isn’t any better. The front seats like you said are pretty crowded and the back seat is close to useless for adults.

 

[YLee Kioti]

an electrical co-work has one that is a diesel...and still refuses to let go of it....just won't quit......
those were the days...little isuzu also.....I could use one instead of UTV to spray fence line, limb out trees yeah..oh 20k....never mind....

 

[kthompson]

I had think a 92 Dakota with the v 6 and 5 speed manual and got about 20 mpg. It was geared rather high for it would run about 50 in second gear. Had Nissan diesel the body was so thin i bent bumper and fender parking and did not make the building I bumped.

I agree with all the comments about lack of options in size out there today but one thing think we have forgotten is the American Consumer. Seems not only did the compact pickups get bigger but they did it for the "bigger" consumer. Know this body would not like to ride on those Nissan seats or the Ford Courier seats today. Not sure would even fit on them.

 

[AchingBack]

Remember the Ford Courier?

I've had my long bed '79 for 40 years. Grandson is checking tires on it. He actually went around and looked at every wheel. I don't know what he was looking for.

 

[Oscar1]

I've had my long bed '79 for 40 years. Grandson is checking tires on it. He actually went around and looked at every wheel. I don't know what he was looking for.

Thoughts on the Honda ridge line ?