Why We Can't Have Small Trucks Anymore - Blame the EPA

[@Smedleydog1]

EPA: Your small truck doesn't get good enough fuel economy. Auto Manufacturer: Okay we'll make it bigger and get even worse fuel economy. EPA: That's better.

[@alansloan7784]

EPA, NHTSA, CAFE, and every other infringing bureaucracy---and 'law' on the books---, needs to be abolished. No more government restrictions on what vehicles the public WANTS to buy. This change is long overdue.....

[@_Circus_Clapped_]

​@@alansloan7784 there are politicians that say this every term and they get outshined by the "lesser of two evils" rhetoric

[@frontiervirtcharter]

@@alansloan7784 Clean air and water are things we all need. The problem isn't that we have regulations, the problem is that the guys who wrote them answer to the guy with the deepest pockets. The CAFE formula was a little too clever and the car companies are gaming the system. Tax vehicles based directly on how much pollution they put out, and how much wear&tear they put on the road.

[@mr.frandy7692]

fkn FED rtards. My dad had to deal with those a-holes. Half the time their solution was actually worse for the environment. Maybe they need to pay their employees more to attract smarter people.

[@jefftruckenbrodt2819]

And then let's mandate 10% ethanol for even worse fuel mileage...brilliant.

[@errorsofmodernism7331]

This formula also acts as a hidden tariff barrier on small, imported foreign trucks and establishes a bias towards larger domestic production

[@the_kombinator]

Which is not only better for consumers, it's also a lot better for the environment. Plus, you definitely need a 5.7L V8 to tow your 12 foot sailboat around. Definitely. Otherwise we're questioning your manhood.

[@greyfox78569]

Same goes with safety features. It was never about safety it was always about forcing you to make a part in the US.

[@carholic-sz3qv]

​@@the_kombinatorthe saddest thing is that the Ford f series trucks have been the best vehicles in the USA all the terrible fuel economy and Vehicules been driven daily.

[@the_kombinator]

@@greyfox78569 That I can get behind - keep SOME of the jobs local.

[@the_kombinator]

@@carholic-sz3qv I see it all the time where I live - large 4 door pickups (with a bed wider than it is long) being driven to the grocery store, two kids and a soccer mom in it. Or jacked up on a suspension and tire combo that reduce its functionality (and make it a danger) and some 25 year old pasty skinny kid driving it who's never lifted a tool in their life, past stocking it at the local hardware store. What's the point? Get a small economy car.

[@saxon6]

My brother in law spent 3000 totally restoring his 88 Ranger. 5 years ago i would have called him crazy. Today he's a genius

[@xQuandaleDinglex]

$3000? That's CHEAP. Good on him though. 👏🏾

[@KenzertYT]

We got lucky buying (for $800) a 97 Explorer (you know, the Ranger and Bronco II's cousin,) and then restoring it (completely. full suspension rebuild, engine work, body work, frame rust removal and repair, etc etc etc) and holding onto it. Turns out it's the best of all worlds and you'd be amazed how well it fits down skinny trails versus a modern """""truck""""". Yeah it has emissions equipment but there was a scandal in the late 90s to make these "light trucks, meant for working" possible with their "against the rules fuel margins" and I wouldn't trade it for the world. You may see me pick up a $500 shitbox car to take the load off of my truck but I won't be getting rid of it any time soon.

[@buckseedamerica2743]

That is cheap..I cant remember what the gas mileage Mazda got back then which were rebranded Fords but they had a sharp body style and look great lowered tricked out and all. 😊

[@jackedup447]

3000 is pretty damn cheap for a restoration.

[@agustinequihua936]

I rebuild the engine on my 88 ford ranger on the year 2000 im still driving it today in 2023,oil change every 3000 miles and regular maintenance. I don't think I can afford a new car 😂

[@cranecams6784]

Cash for Clunklers took so many classic, cool trucks away forever 😢

[@xkidmidnightx]

Obama ruined so many things.

[@corvetcoyote443]

There should be a special place in hell for those that made that happen,they wanted me to trade in my 79 Bonneville, I said you wish!

[@rods.3245]

Obama's baby.

[@gregorylyon1004]

This was a government scam to get poor people to trade in good running vehicles that were heading straight to the crusher. Less vehicles means a higher price per vehicle

[@stuartashworth1866]

@@rods.3245 And free cell phones and switching to digital cable TV boxes.

[@martinschulz9381]

Those old small pickups were very useful and were good commuter vehicles. We actually used the small trucks for what they were built for. Most of these modern monstrosity trucks are like luxury vehicles and are only used for things like grocery shopping and never leave the paved roads.

[@honkhonk8009]

Litterally. People only buy them cus its the only shit they have.

[@lucasellyson6872]

Pavement Princess is what I call them

[@DanBrando]

2023 trd Tacoma.. :) 4months old and just broken in at over 3k miles and I finally took it trailing with only 1 plus size tires installed and it does AMAZING. Definitely take it off road.. not bashing or “rock crawling” but off road on muddy gravel trails

[@rg58]

We had a small chain of parts stores and had a fleet of Nissan hardbodies, Ford Rangers, and Toyota pickups. They were extremely useful and much easier to get around town to deliver parts with than a full size truck. They easily hauled many items that would have ruined the inside of a small hatchback or other car. To those that say they are useless, you must have a small experience to pull from for your opinion.

[@danieldryden6644]

Those things cost 50,000-100,000 you wouldn't want to beat up a vehicle that costs that much money

[@kennethmendenhallii1598]

This is actually a story about how car makers and their lobbiests hobbled the CAFE standards so they could pull small trucks with small margins and sell you huge trucks with huge margins. See also: the Chicken Tax.

[@comochinganconesto]

Thank you! I've been explaining this to people all over the comment section. When something doesn't make sense, look for who is profiting and you're likely to find your culprit.

[@kennethmendenhallii1598]

@@comochinganconesto I saw you fighting the good fight, and decided to add another voice of reason haha

[@rustie115]

This comment deserves more attention. It seems all too easy for most to simply follow the "gubmint bad" line of thought without considering the topic any further.

[@spadecake]

makes sense! The govnt didn't think of that itself

[@corey333p]

So essentially small trucks don't make as much money as big trucks? I'm just trying to fully understand because I really miss the small trucks. Also explain the Chicken Tax

[@thepianist7084]

Those very small trucks in the 80s were very useful - especially for teenagers who did odd jobs such as mow yards, cleanup gutters, etc. etc. We used the heck out of these little trucks, which you could buy for a couple thousand or even like 1000 and we were pretty productive with them.

[@Rick-the-Swift]

Ah, back when teens were still expected to do manual labor...I remember those days...

[@p.chuckmoralesesquire3965]

boomer logic aside, the reason why car makers stopped making these is just like they stopped making the ford focus- because they can make boat loads more on massive $80K f150s. This has nothing to do with the "eViL EpA !!!! REEEEE" and more to do with capitalism LOL you dont see this kind of insane crap going on in Europe or China

[@Devious_Reviews]

My lawn care guys and some cleaners bring the little trucks to work. It's all they need to carry the essentials ~ a lawnmower, hedger clippers, weedwhacker, toolbox, and a gas can. There's no reason to have seating for 8 and 100ft² of space. If that's the case, buy a van.

[@thepianist7084]

@@Rick-the-Swift Ha ha yes those were good days. However, I do want to acknowledge that even today there are a lot of teens that are out working hard -- I hire my friends 3 teenage boys to work my 2-acre property and these boys can work! I have seen others in our neighborhood out mowing, digging, trimming, etc; It gives me hope for the future.

[@delucain]

​@@Rick-the-Swift Nothing has changed from those days except your memories. There were just as many slackers 1000 years ago, 100 years ago, 50 years ago. It's just a cognitive bias making you remember the "good" parts and not the "bad." And, there's a lot less incentive for teens to work now than there was 70-60 years ago (the time most people mean when they say "those days). Back then a summer job could enable a teenager to save enough money to pay for their entire college tuition, books, and meals for the coming year. Now, a summer job probably doesn't even pay enough to single semester's tuition at an instate university or community college. I'd also argue that forcing teens to do manual labor instead of focusing on education (high school, college, vocational training, or whatever) isn't a great use of their time. And, they're going to be stuck working for at least the next five decades of their life. Let them be kids and have fun for a couple years before the need to support themselves forces them into a lifetime of what is likely to be servitude to their corporate masters.

[@dDayye]

I have 95, 96, and a 97 S10's and a 98 C1500 WT, all still running great, no cameras, no speakers in the tailgates, the less electronics the better.

[@awparker23]

And those four trucks together are cheaper together than 1 new truck.

[@dereklenzen2330]

The irony is that if you are simply hauling stuff, the older small trucks are so much more practical than the newer big trucks because the bed is lower. A man of normal stature can pick up something bulky like a hay bale and lift it over the side of a small truck. For a big truck, however, it's easier to lower the tailgate and then proceed to climb up into the bed to move the hay bale into position. This requires a lot more effort and carries the risk of falling off the bed or slipping and hurting your leg while climbing up there.

[@bobcostas9716]

Not just more practical because of height either. I have a 2006 Tacoma 4 cylinder with the access cab, and it's rated to 1300lbs. That's a lot of most stuff the average guy is likely to haul. I've gotten up to capacity with compost, stone, hay, demo, moving house, and whatnot, and while it ain't exactly peppy going uphill it always gets there, and still has some spring travel left. Plus Toyota redid the frame for free about 5 years ago, and we do maintenance like clockwork. I figure with only 170K on it, it's probably good for another 8-10 years with a little under coating.

[@Argedis]

This is exactly what I love about my 2001 Tacoma. I can easily load/unload anything from the sides of the truck. This was also true even for older full sized trucks but nowadays the bed on modern trucks is so tall you really can't anymore

[@DFPercush]

We just need to bring back the El Camino :P

[@FtanmoOfEtheirys]

Because that is what trucks were originally for. You can't actually use them as trucks anymore unless you are some beefy-boi of a giant. We just need UTEs in America. I'd love a Holden Commodore UTE or a Ford Falcon UTE.

[@bobcostas9716]

@@FtanmoOfEtheirys Given my druthers I'd take a South African Hi-Lux manual transmission. If I cold get one with 4 wheel drive I'd swoon.

[@LuigiGodzillaGirl]

My dad was a farmer, so he had multiple vehicles depending on his needs. The one he drove the most a little red 1990 Nissan 5 speed manual with an extended cab. Its body was rusting and falling apart badly toward the end, but the engine was a trooper that reached 300,000 miles while never burning a drop of oil. It was also the most fuel efficient pickup in his fleet. They truly don’t make em like they used to.

[@dakoderii4221]

Why make quality products that last? That's like a doctor healing their patient rather than treating the symptoms with drugs that cause more symptoms that need more drugs that cause more symptoms. Job security is most important!

[@InfernosReaper]

@@dakoderii4221 The funny thing is from a practicality standpoint, there is a certain threshold where ongoing treatments costs the doctor more because the patients might die before they can pay

[@PremiumFuelOnly]

@@dakoderii4221 Are you saying a new Nissan pickup truck made today with increased safety features cant go 300K with proper maintenance?

[@skullcrusherdestroyerofsouls]

To be fair, these modern trucks haven't really existed long enough to actually verify whether or not they can last that long.

[@RetroCaptain]

I had one exactly like it. So reliable yet parts price was crazy compared to other brands. It kept rusting off expensive parts and after just buying it and $ and time invested. Yes very efficient and fast. 8 spark plugs 4 cyl. Toyota's weren't quite as peppy or efficient but not as rust prone. The current crop uses far too many flimsy dollar store quality interior control parts and the dealers will only offer entire $$$ control assembly when all you need is 2 x ¢¢ plastic knobs. The Armada is the closest to what the old Nissan used to be back then. Everything else is dollar store quality

[@TheDanavanhuber]

Imagine how fun a small pickup would be with the new engine tech combined with an actual small truck chassis

[@TheMissingxtension]

You dont have to imagine, get you an s10 with a ls or inline 6. You would have a typhon, or maybe drop a 4.6 kia engine on a mazda

[@tngtacticalmiata1219]

Like a 79 or 80 short bed regular cab Toyota pickup with a K-series with a 5-speed... That would basically be the perfect minitruck.... Nearly 200 horsepower and under 3000lbs with a USEABLE bed... A truck like that would sell like hotcakes.

[@georgepruitt637]

You mean an "Interference Engine" that commits "Hari Kari" when timing jumps/breaks ????????????

[@septembersurprise5178]

@@tngtacticalmiata1219 My son and I have this discussion often. In my opinion a truck like that selling like hotcakes, while pleasing the customer, would cut into the more profitable large truck market. Lessening profits for the manufacturers and dealers.

[@bradhurd6097]

You’d shoot your eye out kid.

[@horvathbenedek3596]

Just gonna point out, 48-49 mpg (or 4.8-4.9 liter per 100 km) is absolutely insane. Most compact and subcompact full ICU cars made in the past 10 years have a trouble hitting that, nevermind a full sized car of any type. I don't know what politicians were huffing when they drew up this chart, but it's very obvious they had no idea if what they were doing.

[@insu_na]

Works for cars in Europe

[@horvathbenedek3596]

@@insu_na I'm from Europe, I drive a small engine hatchback made in Europe, and used in Europe. It's not anywhere NEAR 4.8-4.8 liters. For reference: 1.6 liter engine, 74 hp, 1050 kg weight overall. Lowest consumption I ever got out of it was 6.1 liters per 100 km, driving near constant speed on a daily basis during covid, at 90 km/h on the dot. City travel included that consumption blows up to 7.4 liters and more, per 100 km. Remind you, this is a 20 year old Opel Astra F, insanely efficient, low power, low weight. Practically a perfect compact all around car. You won't get 4.8 liters out of a car without some trickery. If you get 50 mpg out of a plug in hybrid, that's not REALLY 50 mpg, becahse the manufacturer charged it ahead of time, and the engine doesn't cover the engine power output of the car. I Iiterally just checked, and the highest mpg for non-hybrid cars available in 2023/2024 is 32 mpg, or 7.35 l/100 km combined consumption, for, get this, a 1.5 liter, 3 cylinder mini cooper. Exact stats: 1.5 liter engine, 3 cylinder, turbo charges, 156 hp, 1260 kg curb weight. Ignoring the impressive 156 hp, this car is not only nowhere bear the 4.8 l consumption, it's also about 300-400 kg short of a truck. Again. How do you expect a truck to have a consumption of 4.8 liters per 100 km, when a subcompact car, with a turbocharged powerhouse of an engine, probably above 40% thermodynamic efficiency, absolutely finetuned to be the perfect city car, can't even get CLOSE to that consumption? You'd need something like a 1 liter, inline 3, 50 hp car, with a curb weight of 600 kg, to hit those stats. Problem is, then there's no A pillar, no airbags, no LED, no stereo. Wanna see a car that can do 5 liters in 100 km? Polski Fiat 126. Literally 600 curb weight, 24 hp. You like it? Will you like it when it gets flattened in a car accident? And again, still not anywhere near a truck.

[@insu_na]

@@horvathbenedek3596 what are you even talking about.. even an audi a3 is getting more than 50mpg

[@horvathbenedek3596]

@@insu_na You're so cute... "Even an Audi A3 is getting more" is it? Sure... the Audi A3 1.0 liter TSFI version... officially. In reality driver experience shows that you can't get an MPG higher than 45 out of it (so that's 5.2 liters per 100 km). It's also 110 hp at 5500-6000 rpm with a turbo charger, and an Audi (meaning your engine will have a VERY short lifespan... talk about pollution), the 5500-6000 rpm means in everyday driving you're getting... about 50 hp out of it, and mpg will plummet. It's also 1170 kg (again, as light as you can get w/ airbags and whatnot, not a truck at all), and did I mention it costs 37000-45000 dollars? Personal testimonials put real MPG at 40 on highway. You can find forums. So for 40000-45000 dollars you can get a torbucharged weed whacker with the lifespan of a coked out cicada, which is STILL not anywhere near 48-49 mpg. And AGAIN. Audi is a premium car brand. They are out of the budget of 95% of Americans and Europeans. EDIT: One more thing. Manufacturers often fake a higher MPG by using higher quality fuel. Obviously it's absurd to claim the car has higher consumption if you use a higher octane, higher, higher energy, lower ethanol fuel.

[@insu_na]

@@horvathbenedek3596 Audi A3 is a lot but it's not premium, lol. I specifically chose it because it's such a common, average car.

[@ClassicnKustoms]

Down here in Brazil, those new “pick up” trucks such as F150s and Rams are considered trucks, because they got so big and heavy. And you even have to get a new type of license to drive it.

[@jp-ui6qg]

looking at some of the idiots i see driving them up in Canada i have to agree with this. i cant count how many times i had some one not aware of the size of their truck go over their lane in to me. i rather drive next to tractor trailer then a 16yo in mommys f150

[@WaverlyJava]

​@jp-ui6qg Same here in the US. These vehicles are way too big for backroads. I live in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes it's impossible to pass a modern f-150, Silverado, and god forbid Rams. I owned a regular cab, standard bed GMC sierra, and it was too big and got horrid gas mileage. I would WAY rather have a Civic or Camry. I wish Ford would bring back the Fusion.

[@Fuzzybeanerizer]

Where I work the company president and vice president have these huge "Super Duty" Ford F250 trucks. If you open up the hood you need a ladder to get up to an angle to see anything inside the engine compartment!

[@Fuzzybeanerizer]

@@WaverlyJava Ford dropped the Fusion? I don't keep track much, but last I remember that was a super highly regarded car.

[@OnePieceSS23]

@@WaverlyJava The GMC Hummer EV makes me think exactly that, there's something wrong with that.

[@spelunkerd]

I had the opportunity to rent a fairly new diesel Toyota Hilux while on African Safari. Over 6 weeks I put 8000 km on it, mostly off road. After that experience I realized why Toyota captured the market in Africa. It is by far the most popular vehicle in Africa, by a huge margin. The truck is robust, reasonably powerful, easy to fix, and everywhere. What a disappointment I couldn't find one in North America.

[@stephenaustin142]

Hilux weapons platform of choice for the entire African continent.

[@HIDHIFDB]

Mexico is in North American continent and Toyota sells the Hilux also the ford and chevrolet sell cheaper versions of the ranger and colorado, yes in Mexico a Diesel ranger is cheaper than a Maverick.

[@bansheedearg]

Hilux is not available in the USA, the closest equivalent is the Tacoma; they are very close in specs.

[@davidhollenshead4892]

The better models of American Pickup Trucks are still better work trucks than Toyota's trucks for several reasons: Toyota Frame Rust, Toyota's use of smaller & softer hardware, and support after eight years. Ford has taken the marker in Africa with their Ranger, which is not the same as the Ranger that Ford sold in the US...

[@josephdominics5935]

@@HIDHIFDB I saw mini pickup made by Nissan in Mexico. It was a diesel and it was shiny and brand new, looked great. Never seen one like that before. Shame we can't get those pickups. Wish we could get Mahindra in here.

[@bonifer2000]

I'll never give up my 1988 Toyota pickup. Great on gas, fun to drive, and easy to work on

[@melvonnar1]

they will bury me with my 1985 toyota pu----i will never sell it. runs like new only 220,000 miles and 0 oil use

[@keithkeller377]

Same with my 89 toyota long bed! Body shot but very reliable!! @@melvonnar1

[@coryb8796]

@@melvonnar1I sold mine back in 2003, biggest mistake ever.

[@poodymeiner3125]

My cousin has an early 80s Toyota pickup as well. 3 engines and a few marriages later, it’s still going strong

[@monkeysign123]

I have a 1991 Toyota, 4 Cylinder, 2RE, over 360,000 miles on it. Yep, and I'm keeping it till I just can't drive anymore. I also have a 2000 Pre-Runner 4 Cylinder and a 2010 Forunner V-6, 4x4. I will never have to buy another vehicle again.

[@drew9738]

I miss my 1991 s-10. Such a good little truck.

[@Biden_Cult_Morons]

I have a '91 S-10. 2 8 engine. I love it

[@tedballsak3475]

Two words, profit margin. The number of quad cab , big tire, no scratches in the bed, pretty trucks out there is amazing. Over computerized,over priced and unreliable, but I have to look cool for the neighbors that I don't like enough to talk to.

[@TheBigEasy85]

This is the correct answer

[@SJDJFJFSKSXNDJWJQI]

What do you drive?

[@deego237]

we buy things that we don't need with money we don't have to please people we don't like.

[@SJDJFJFSKSXNDJWJQI]

@deego237 not necessarily. Not growing up with anything nice, it's having a nice vehicle. I don't care what anybody thinks.

[@duke1281]

​@@deego237thee single best way to say that..

[@niveknospmoht8743]

Been a mechanic for 40 years now and have worked on just about every car available through out those years. Had this same conversation with my wife over the weekend. Told her that if (say gm) built a truck a little bit larger than the Toyota Pick up with a fuel injected 4cyl and a 5 speed would sell the crap out of them. What brought this up was that I was working on a 2012 GM 2500 ex-cab 4x4 HD the other day. That truck weighs close to 9000 lbs. Had to stand on a 24'' high platform and still had to lay on the core support and stretch out as far as I could to reach the rear spark plus. My truck (1968 GMC) with a big block, (4350 lbs) I can stand flat on my feet and change all of them without exerting myself. Funny thing is....your example...('84 toyota pickup) 2.4 carbureted ..mine is the same, only an x-tra cab, and is my daily get around town vehicle. 22-24 mpg without even trying. I get asked all the time if I want to sell it.

[@HIDHIFDB]

They make that truck friend and sell them for less than 25k usd is called S10 max but is only for mexican market

[@mojavedesertsonorandesert9531]

Still driving my 88 Toyota truck, keep it in excellent condition. People asking me to sell all the time...

[@Argedis]

Love my 01 Tacoma. Even though it's small there is so much working room and everything is easy to access. Such simple trucks

[@tiredman99]

And the sad thing is, that truck will likely run forever as long as you take care of it, where as if you bought a new truck it would probably need something fixed at least once a year

[@MrCurbinator]

I’m Napoleon sized and worked in auto glass. Shop got alot of entertainment out of watching me do a running leap into the engine complete with superman plank on the block just to get the cowl off in a timely manner

[@Reziac]

I can tell you here in the Northern Wastes, if someone offered a 2-door, bench-seat, long bed mini-pickup that's as durable as they used to be, the dealers wouldn't be able to keep it in stock.

[@davidduffy2046]

Yes, A pickup has 2 doors and a 6-8 foot bed

[@MichaelWysocki-ks5xt]

And a school bus has more than 10 seats, just like new trucks.

[@andrewdeltoro5296]

I was thinking the same thing! Gimme 2 seats and an 8 foot bed!

[@JohnFourtyTwo]

The problem is due to airbags, you can’t put a car seat in a front row.

[@MichaelWysocki-ks5xt]

@ so... you have to put it in the truck bed?

[@lorihamlin3604]

I couldn’t find a small truck so I bought an older minivan to haul lumber, furniture, pine straw, etc. side doors slide back, hatch door huge. I just couldn’t get stuff out of truck without climbing into bed. Then you can put seat up and haul 6 passengers. Makes a great camper.

[@steelblue8]

As an Australian, where smaller utes are still very much the go-to for pretty much any practical purpose, I had always wondered why the US just has such unreasonably large machines. This is a really interesting answer!

[@konstantinosrope-maker1228]

Now we're seeing all the big crewmans and trucks on our roads and all these freaking suvs. In Melbourne and even in QLD I see them more often!

[@vibrantlightwc]

I was just visiting Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns) and it seems like the modern "small" Ford Ranger sized pickups are the most popular there. of course all considerably larger than their predecessors. I definitely didn't see as many big trucks as in America and I didn't see as many smaller utes as I would've liked. On a different note, it did make me jealous to see quite a few Suzuki Jimnys. Glad to see that little guy still getting some love in 2023.

[@jaimemetcher388]

@@vibrantlightwc We do still get treated to the quite laughable spectacle of people in high density housing buying outsize RAMs and Jeeps that physically won't fit in their parking garages. It's actually a topic of public debate here. Proposed solution? Of course! Make the parking spaces bigger! This is in a city where every inner city street is already permanently choked with the extra vehicles of three car families. I think we must have borrowed some lobbyists from the US. But yeah, go the Jimnys!

[@britishrocklovingyank3491]

In the US big ole' trucks is an ego thing. Truck buyers here have no idea what what a useful truck is they just want it big so they feel manly.

[@JimmyMon666]

@@britishrocklovingyank3491 And then put spacers to make their tires stick out even more. I've been on some narrow 4X4 roads I wouldn't want my truck to be any wider LOL. There's a huge cliff on one side. I'm not about to make my truck any wider.

[@theguy6245]

As someone who’s been wondering why trucks keep getting more massive this video was incredibly helpful

[@AllCarswithJon]

Glad to hear it. It's one piece of the puzzle that includes the Chicken Tax protectionism driving up prices, consumer demand, cheap gas, and lease deals that keep payments lower regardless of how they raise the prices.

[@occamraiser]

helpful? One sided? Opinionated? yes, helpful is in that list, but probably not at the top of it.

[@KenzertYT]

@@occamraiser Did it help him find information he was seeking: Yes Does that mean he gets to list it as helpful: Yes Does that mean you get to change the reality of that situation: No Should you feel correct in your assessment: Fuck no

[@JimmyMon666]

I've been a bit curious on that myself. Even my regular cab Tacoma (2012 regular cab 4cyl 4X4) is fairly big. Even worse they kept the same 4 cylinder engine they always used, so I am trying to push more weight with that small engine. It's a reliable engine though, I expect it to last me another 10 years for sure. The other question I have, is why they don't make regular cab pickups anymore. I was lucky to get my regular cab Tacoma. I don't want to give it up now because I don't think I'll be able to get another one. I want a pickup bed long enough to sleep in. And mine being 6'1" is just long enough for me.

[@kmo9790]

@@KenzertYT Nah. They are correct. Anyone with real knowledge on this issue would have immediately noted that this guy didn't mention 250/2500 and up models that are marketed toward consumers.

[@Darkmattermonkey77]

The S10 my mom had in the 90’s was amazing. It had the tow package and we used to beat the heck out of it with winter wood hauls (typically 3X trips with the leaf springs flattened out). Never batted an eye engine or transmission wise. Plus, we used it to take trips on spring break to visit family in other states and it would easily get 38-40 mpg. Miss that little truck.

[@BromanP47]

There's no way that truck would get 38-40mpg. They were advertised as getting up to 30mpg by 1999, which means you probably maxed out at around 25mpg on the highway.

[@vittoriovuocolo2438]

38-40 mpg if you drive it off a cliff.

[@spf-92.5]

The 90s and 80s model was ok but the early 2000's with the vortec 4.3 and stick shift were really reliable trucks. I guess a older s10 with the 2.8 and stick shift could get good gas mileage but DANG that's alot of mpg.

[@TheRainHarvester]

​@@BromanP47my big 2022 4 cyl Tacoma gets 28mpg on the highway.

[@BromanP47]

@@TheRainHarvester Yeah, that's believable. But in 1990 and before, those trucks were not built to the standard we have today, hence the argument that Obama's policies have actually been a success for increasing fuel efficiency

[@DennisDeal-q3r]

Very informative and well presented. The best truck I ever owned was a 1984 Ford Ranger. Single cab, long bed with a 4cyl & manual 4 speed trans. Crank windows and rubber floor mat. There was nothing that truck wouldn’t haul. Wish I still had it!

[@dirtyharry5320]

What's crazy is that the big automakers lobbied for these draconian CAFE regulations, because it eliminates competition. There is so much red tape involved in manufacturing a car in this country, and having it be street legal. It's only possible if you're already one of the big dogs. It ensures than no mom and pop automaker could ever gain a foothold.

[@shizanepimp1]

Your right. The you become " too big to fail" and get all that gubment money!

[@jamescarter3196]

I'm glad at least some people put the blame in the right place. It's ridiculous how many people are just blindly using this information to blurt out 'wull govermint bad! Govermint regulations bureaucracy and laws and EPA, bad!'

[@AndyWeasel-pu1jk]

Somehow it didn't stop Tesla from happening!

[@joeblow411]

@@AndyWeasel-pu1jk Subsidy Tracker Parent Company Summary Parent Company Name: Tesla Inc. Ownership Structure: publicly traded (ticker symbol Nasdaq: TSLA) Headquartered in: California Major Industry: motor vehicles Specific Industry: motor vehicles and energy SUBSIDY SUMMARY SUBSIDY VALUE NUMBER OF AWARDS State/Local $2,496,769,455 29 Federal (grants and allocated tax credits) $339,597,164 82 TOTAL $2,836,366,619 111 LOAN / BAILOUT SUMMARY TOTAL FACE VALUE NUMBER OF AWARDS State/Local loans, bond financing and venture capital $0 0 Federal loans, loan guarantees and bailout assistance (not including repayments) $466,500,000 2 TOTAL $466,500,000 2

[@Tengokujin]

That's why I can't wholly blame the EPA, when it's clear that lobby money from car manufacturers helped ensure these stupid regulations got codified the way they did.

[@theozonewizard]

I'm from Europe so I'm looking at this maybe a bit differently, but it seems obvious that these rules are really a protectionist trade policy in disguise. They're made to protect the domestic automakers and their workers against international competition. If you let the automakers write the rules, this is exactly what they would look like.

[@schnuerle]

Bingo!

[@987erwin]

Well, a few days ago I heard mini cars like vw up, skoda citigo and others are finishing production because not meeting emission standards. I don't know the details but it probably has a similar background.

[@forplayplay]

Union carmakers and democrat party. A match made in our worst nightmares

[@MildChunkySalsa]

Yeah if US car makers wanted this law gone then they wouldn’t have supported it for decades now. We still have that tariff because US companies benefit from a low competition from foreign competitors.

[@whirving]

Does Europe even make any trucks that would sell in the US? I just don't know. We in the rural US tend to buy trucks or SUVs because the roads are crap and we need a utilitarian vehicle. Which European vehicle fills that niche? Maybe a Japanese truck does, or a US overseas model (hello Ford Ranger) but I can't think of many European 1 ton flatbeds. Please let me know if I'm missing out.

[@TheREALJosephTurner]

And most likely, the reason the auto manufacturers lobbyists aren't raising a stink about this is because larger vehicles equal larger profits. If they lobby too hard for smaller trucks, it might backfire with politicians rewriting everything to make the larger (and more expensive) trucks carry all the penalties.

[@ianperkins8812]

This, exactly.

[@Диего_де_ла_Вега]

You can be sure that any regulation that passes in an industry was lobbied by the large actors in it. Regulations are the best way to avoid fair competition when you are on top.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I'm not against making money, that's why I work. But this is wrong. You'd think auto manufacturers would *"raise a stink"* over what govt. is doing.

[@FinalLuigi]

Like a wise man once said, 'if automakers cared about the environment, they wouldn't be selling nothing but trucks and SUVs."

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

The last thing business wants is a free market.

[@rebelfrog3]

Just adds to my hatred of the Federal Government. I drive a 2022 Maverick at work with the 2.0 Ecoboost engine. Decent truck but I was floored that it only gets on average 18-19 mpg.

[@Unknown_Ooh]

This is absolutely mind boggling that they want more fuel efficient trucks but they wont let small trucks come out 😂

[@iiGingiey]

With my understanding it's more surprising to hear that the smaller trucks would have a hard time meeting the standards without being proportioned ridiculously. I feel like if they looked into it, they could find a areo dynamic enough design that it meets the standards while still being that relatively longer car shaped truck.

[@cconnon1912]

Govt plan backfired a bit. Almost seems like the truck manufacturers are taking the easy way out too. Americans want big trucks. The want the biggest nicest they can afford. Sad but true.

[@davestorm6718]

@@cconnon1912 Some americans maybe, but everyone I've talked to with the giant trucks are not too happy (their payments are quadruple. they're hard to park - take up too much space in most garages, cost more to run).

[@GoingtoHecq]

Well no govt decision that harms the people is done without a corporate entity behind it. If the EPA had actually persued good environmental policy then we would all have as many mini pickups as we wanted. Unfortunately this decision was probably made to serve American car manufacturers by allowing them to remove competition for their larger and more expensive trucks. There is no doubt that they greased those wheels.

[@graysonhill1366]

@@GoingtoHecqit’s about the same with some “right to repair” legislation that’s been on the table for a bit. The manufactures aren’t going to support non-OEM competition, let alone build vehicles that the owners (or a mom and pop auto shop) could repair themselves.

[@guitarnerd19]

I’ve been telling people and complaining about this for years lol. I’m so tired of full size trucks being so big that the tailgate needs to turn into a staircase

[@BritonAD]

True! We had to install a step to get in the F-350. I still have my Ranger.

[@admez2680]

People's egos have far outgrown their legs 🦵 They're willing to get altitude sickness to show us all up.

[@ronn68]

😂

[@STSwhisperer]

Lol! The hoods and grills are so absolutely massive for no apparent reason. No reason a pickup truck front end needs to be the size of an eighteen wheeler’ hood

[@pleskbruce]

For some guys I think it makes them feel "Manly."

[@johnwrobel8445]

I was digging around a few days ago and came with something interesting. A Maverick is only about 2.5 inches narrower (without the mirrors) than an '86 C10. And a 4x8 sheet of plywood would fit between the wheel wells on the C10. The mid-sized can't even do that. The whole "foot print" thing is government stupidity at its finest.

[@donaldshimkus539]

Don't think I ever saw a full size Chevy p. u. that you could lay a 4 foot wide anything between the wheel wells. Nor one with a bed long enough to close the tailgate with 8 foot long lumber inside.

[@thezombie7839]

@@donaldshimkus539 You can close the tailgate on a long bed Chevy with a 4x8 sheet of plywood in it, but you're right about the wheel wells.

[@markp6062]

I have a Maverick. You can lay a sheet of plywood on top of the wheel wells and there is a way to hang the tailgate higher so they sit level. Works great.

[@anvilsvs]

@@donaldshimkus539 Fits in a Chrysler minivan.

[@danielbackley9301]

@@anvilsvs Also fit in between the wheel wells on my 1995 Dakota.

[@dllion3196]

I used to have a 1982 Toyota SR5, and it is still the best truck I ever had. I could tow 600 lbs on the hitch with a payload of another 800 lbs. Once I towed 1968 IHC 3 ton truck with the payload, and the truck did not even snort. It was not perfect, but cost next to nothing to maintain, and was a real workhorse. There is a man who knew how much it looked like I abused the truck and asked me “When did you replace the clutch.” I told hime never, and the next week he was driving one. I would buy one tomorrow if I could.

[@bosse641]

I love the old small trucks. Simple mechanical trucks. Take me back!

[@seththomas9105]

I had a 84 S-10 Blazer 4X4 with a 5 speed, rubber floor, no A/C, it had power brakes and stearing and it was a GREAT TRUCK. The biggest drawback was the POS 2,8 V-6 that died when I got it hot and spun a barring at about 160K. I then bought a 87 Dakota 4X4 long box with the 3.9. The biggest drawback on that was the 3.9 was a dog and no O/D transmission, but it ran to almost 200K before the frame started to rust in two(IOWA). Two good trucks that I would love to have now.

[@xerxespamplemousse6622]

But they pollute like crazy by modern standards. And weren't crash-worthy. And many models broke a lot.

[@hayes831]

@@xerxespamplemousse6622 not true for all. my early 80's Toyota pick-ups with 4 cylinders were clean as a whistle, and the most reliable vehicles I ever had.

[@beaconofwierd1883]

This is a perfect example of why a measure that becomes a target no longer measures the thing it intended to measure.

[@TucsonDude]

Brilliant! Did you just make that up or is that a quote?

[@beaconofwierd1883]

@@TucsonDude It’s Goodhart’s law :p

[@jeffsaxton716]

I think this was a lobbyist boondoggle. Big auto in America has bought Congress, and caused this issue.

[@beaconofwierd1883]

@@jeffsaxton716 Yeah, corruption is a common method to follow Goodharts law :p

[@nickbrutanna9973]

@beaconofwierd1883 It's also why letting the government regulate something is often a bad idea. Make the government specify the GOAL -- _only_ -- not how it is to be approached or maintained. Then encourage industry organizations to turn those goals into reality.

[@davidbarts6144]

A similar story exists when it comes to smaller, more affordable houses: virtually nobody builds them anymore because regulations make it uneconomical. Sad, and it shows just how detached the system is from serving the needs of many citizens.

[@gomahklawm4446]

That's called bribery. Sorry, "corporate lobbying". It should be a capital offense.

[@mj_b23]

Well said. The county Im in wants all newer houses to be at least 1200 sq ft. They can't tax smaller homes as much.

[@jhoughjr1]

@@mj_b23 lol 1200 sq feet is not a large home. Pretty damn average here in the US, outside of a city hellhole. Thats a cheap two bedroom apt even.

[@mj_b23]

@@jhoughjr1 Never said 1200 sq ft was large. However, if I want to build an 800 sq ft house, I should be able to. My land, my choice.

[@lucasward9506]

@@jhoughjr1 yes, but if you were a college student or young adult would you rather live alone or with one roommate in a 600-800 sq ft house that was super cheap or would you rather live in a full sized house with 6 roommates whilst still struggling to make rent? Different people have different housing needs, the government should not regulate that so that Karen's property value remains high.

[@Harold710]

I bought a new 2015 Tacoma access cab two door with 4 cylinders and a 5 speed manual 4w drive. It has never failed to start or had problems. It is a keeper.

[@bottledcow8450]

To be fair, it wasn't an accident. Automakers lobbied for this to happen to they could get around the restrictions. That doesn't excuse the fact that the EPA went through with that, but it does mean that this can also be blamed on the manufacturers.

[@JoeWayne84]

Oh yeah let’s blame the corporations for the regulations.. Not the corrupt government regulators.

[@chronovore7234]

@@JoeWayne84 government regulators rarely do things without lobbyists whispering in their ears and lining their pockets. Who do you think spends millions on those lobbyists.

[@JoeWayne84]

@@chronovore7234 oh so it’s not the fault of the corrupt regulators for being corrupt… It’s the people who bribe them are the real problem. Morons

[@Jebbis]

@@JoeWayne84oh you sweet summer child. The Corpos just write the regulations and hand them to the EPA to be enacted.

[@JoeWayne84]

@@Jebbis so why do we have regulators at all?

[@dodgeman338]

The little Toyota single cab stick shift diesel pickups we're absolutely awesome. Got great mileage. Super reliable. Very simple. I wish they would bring them back

[@ElizabethGreene]

I saw one of these with a Kubota agricultural diesel engine swap in it. That truck will still be going fifty years from now.

[@ahamsandwich588]

And I absolutely could this videos of more than a little bit of BS. A Cummins could have easily gotten him at 48 mph. On top of that you could just increase the wheelbase it's not hard. Triple on top of all of this, you could just put smaller engines an already existing. This guy is loosing the forest though the trees

[@InvidiousIgnoramus]

If you think the regulations here are bad, start looking into why we don't have smaller trucks with diesels anymore.

[@barefoofDr]

I had that exact truck and put 450,000 miles on it.

[@clifthorburn776]

The truck that was very popular here in the Midwest during the late '70s was the Datsun regular cab with a stick shift tyranny. They were cheap to buy, easy to maintain, and practically indestructible. The Japanese auto makers were slaughtering American auto makers then.

[@mapquestHs]

I would totally buy a basic little truck! I want crank down windows and a 5 speed manual. Had a base model hardbody and it was one of the best trucks that I’ve owned. Simple = less problems

[@drjohnsonhungwell5115]

I like them too I have my father's 91 Nissan hardbody 4 cyl with 131,000 miles and it's the perfect daily driver and errand runner , they'd probably sell them fast if they made those simple economical trucks again.

[@xscorpx]

​@@drjohnsonhungwell5115where do you live because those all rusted away years ago in the northeast, reliable or not the rust killed them.

[@drjohnsonhungwell5115]

@@xscorpx Southwest Georgia and the truck has been in Georgia it's whole life has zero rust a laser straight body and completely stock and unmolested .

[@drjohnsonhungwell5115]

@@xscorpx My D21 hardbody has the KA24E automatic column shift swb AC, PS, PB burgundy interior velour seats and carpet but radio and tachometer delete I'm going to give it a restoration it would take very little just a repaint other than that it's in great shape .

[@thomasmcmullen4523]

Another reason they don't want you to fix them yourselfs.

[@Ironstarfish]

Yes, thank you for doing a video on this because nobody is talking about it. I looked at a base Colorado month ago and it needs a step bar to get in!!!

[@davidt8438]

Not to mention the insane pricing which is more than a full size Silverado.

[@csiny88]

Mexico has a very important small truck market (smaller than the Ford Maverick), like the Renault Oroch, the VW Saveiro, the Chevrolet S10 Max, the RAM 700 and others. They sell really well and are very versatile.

[@rrteppo]

Time to buy a car in Mexico then transfer it up to Arizona. Ty I have wanted a small truck for so long up here.

[@nunyabusnas9865]

@@rrteppo I'm with you there. Lots of vehicles and parts are made there anyway.

[@mustachio2]

@@rrteppo What would the logistics of that actually be? Wouldn't it be nearly impossible due to the chicken tax?

[@justotorres8970]

They sell a diesel Ford ranger in Mexico. Supposedly gets good fuel economy and very reliable . It also comes without the bull crap emissions parts that is the main problem with diesel engines here in the states .

[@berettaboi]

you almost need to sneak the vehicle past border protection services, and then switch the VIN on the vehicle with a truck that is available in the present market- to "legally" register it...the are forms to fill out and restrictions on allowable imports.

[@DiamondDustVIII]

I bought an imported 1998 Suzuki Jimny because it ticked all the boxes for me that simply are not available in the US anymore. So far I’ve been quite pleased with it, and I’m really considering just importing whatever I want from now on instead of settling for paying extra for a bunch of extra stuff I don’t want or need.

[@septembersurprise5178]

How many years old must a vehicle be before importation?

[@DiamondDustVIII]

@@septembersurprise5178 25 years since the date of manufacture.

[@HIDHIFDB]

Its funny that is 25 years in the us in mexico is 10 years, so in 2048 you could get a mexican Jimny?

[@greggc8088]

They are not road legal in my state.

[@MrLM002]

So... you'll only be buying 25 year old vehicles...

[@curtgomes]

In 1983 I bought a new Isuzu. I drove it for 15 years. It was a great truck. It came at a time in my life when money was extremely tight. It was 100% reliable and helped me in so many ways. It got really good mileage....

[@harukrentz435]

Its the best.

[@LeeHawkinsPhoto]

This just makes me think that the climate emergency is a total scam to force everyone to buy newer cars because the industry needs us to buy them, not because we actually are improving the health of the planet. If it were about environmentalism, they would disincentivize larger vehicles because it takes more energy to move more mass and a larger wind profile. Fuel efficiency is only a good goal across the entire world fleet of vehicles, not just a vehicle class. If we’re shifting everyone to a larger more energy-intensive vehicle (both to manufacture and to operate), then we’re actually increasing harm and not reducing it.

[@lcgiv4u]

It is a scam. If it’s happening the way the models keep changing to show, then the biggest threat to life is developing nations, not your car

[@geraldfrost4710]

As long as the government can extend its control, and climate emergency gives them that mandate, they will pay for scientists to come up with the results that help perpetuate the emergency. What is the most prevalent greenhouse gas? That would be water. It is both a stronger GHG (per molecule) and there is about 20 times as much of it in the atmosphere. And it does this really cool thing where it evaporates from the surface and wind lifts it vertically to form clouds. Rain comes down is always cold because it shed its heat at the top of the atmosphere, and the water rushes back to earth. It's a cooling system: exactly the same physics as an air conditioner. Add more heat to the system, more water evaporates, and the system is cooled. Automatic moderation. In order to get the models to work, a little CO2 warmth causes more water to be evaporated, and the water is seen as just more greenhouse gas, and only ever adds warmth. This is a flaw in the extremist's logic. It is why the graphs of how bad it's going to get have always been wrong. The graphs are based on bad logic, but that logic gets the government what it wants. As to the fuel economy problem, the footprint of the car is an odd choice of metric. How about passenger miles per gallon? A two-seat truck with a bed that holds a sheet of plywood would be better than a four-seat truck with the same bed size (seat one, 100% occupancy, seat two, 50% occupancy, seat three, 20% occupancy, seat four, 10% occupancy). The small truck has better fuel efficiency because of lower mass.

[@jgringo5516]

Absolutely

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

My dad has a '95 Chevy S10 with the extended cab, and he's been noticing that when that truck dies, there's likely to be nothing comparable to buy. Either they've got a tiny bed, or they're just absolutely massive trucks. Even the ones that appear to have the similar length and width are extremely tall. For how often he uses it to haul things, he'd probably be better off just renting a truck for the day, but owning one is likely to not be an option in the future if nothing changes.

[@TeakKey7]

Kei truck hehe. Slow as christmas but dang they're cheap. Under $5000 depending on shipping

[@fritzthecat9451]

Undercoat it, keep throwing motors and transmissions at it.

[@filthyfrankblack4067]

He probaly having trouble because of the ethenol in the gasoline. It eats away at older vehicles.

[@brym4467]

yea the only thing comparable is a car with a truck bed like the Hyundai santa cruz and god knows how long that thing will last lol and cant tow or pull worth a crap = (

[@guruoo]

Restomod it. Plenty of parts still available, both original, and updated, so you don't have to ever let it die. You can make it better than a new truck. Search youtube, there's oodles of how-tos on the subject.

[@richardjones9282]

I remember in the mid 1980’s those small trucks were advertised on TV for around $5,500.00. It’s crazy to look back at how affordable those trucks were.

[@ElizabethGreene]

The Wuling Zhengtu is under $10k. If GM sold those here at that price, they'd be the #1 truck on the road.

[@tranger4579]

Bought my ranger for 10,000 around 98

[@tylertrego1276]

​@tranger4579 if they sold a truck even double that price now it would be a steal.

[@-__-_-_--__--_-__-_____--_-___]

$5500 in 1989 is equal to $13533 in 2023 by inflation alone

[@chublez]

​@tranger4579 98 Ranger msrp was $11,995-20k adjusted to 2023 that's $22,452-37,436. New Rangers start at $27,400 which is admitted about $2,600 more 1998 dollars than they used to start. I think if you park a pristine 1998 ranger next to a 2023 ranger and tell me I can have either the 98 for free or the 23 for $5k I'll buy the 23 all day. It's easily twice the truck. Has features that didn't exist in 98, makes more power than the f150 of the day, uses less fuel than many of the cars of the day, safer than just about anything from a quarter century ago, and while you head and the sand guys will doubt it to yer graves modern vehicles are in general leagues more trouble free and reliable than that junk y'all got rose tinted glasses for. The reason you could "fix it easy with a simple screwdriver" is cause you had too, constantly, nearly from day 3.

[@AlmadenJeff]

The flip side to CAFE is that vehicles are getting bigger, thus heavier. This means more wear and tear on roads requiring more maintenance which costs cities, counties, and states more money (really taxpayer).

[@jayjaynella4539]

More repair of roads generates even more pollution by unregulated polluting road machinery.

[@graywolf2694]

And they suck to drive

[@bschultz7390]

Exactly!

[@Tibbs_Farm]

Going green(back)... as in it is just a means to make your greenbacks start going to the government

[@ianbelanger7459]

Not to let facts get in the way of a good story, but non-commercial trucks don't impact roadways more then cars when compared to tractor-trailers (passenger vehicles including pickup trucks are in the same category for road and bridge wear). Companies were always going to game the systems and the CAFE standard has consistently delivered better fuel economy. It was the NOx and other environmental controls that made little 4-cylinder engines in small trucks uneconomical.

[@joshuab738]

I miss my little S10, small enough to use every day but can still be used for work. I have seen a lot of large research parks and campuses now getting mini trucks from overseas and not registering them to replace what they used small pickups for in the past --- so is that really better for the environment.

[@Nidhoggrr]

I'm pretty sure these "standards" are also there to completely crush the foreign market for small trucks (aka literally all trucks from Japan). I live in a rural area and almost everyone has one of those small Japanese "mini trucks" now that they are legal to import.

[@guildrich]

*_"...now that they are legal to import."_* And rescinding in 3,2,1,...

[@Nidhoggrr]

@@lunarvvolf9606 What gets me is the prices for vehicles that used to be cheaper cars for the working person, that are now selling in the same ranges as luxury brands but they are still just normal cars.

[@goosenotmaverick1156]

​@@guildrichloads of them have fallen outside the 25 year rule for safety requirements, they've become very common. For 10k or less in most of the US, you can obtain one with the necessary paperwork to title in the states that allow them to be titled as regular vehicles. In my state they can be registered really easy as farm vehicles but have limitations to speed and travel range. They also allow them to be registered as regular vehicles here as well.

[@xzqzq]

Cute little things. Wouldn't mind trying one.

[@goosenotmaverick1156]

@@xzqzq if you can get used to being on the wrong side of the truck, they're handy to have! Especially if you're in a state that's willing to give them a conventional registration. Less expensive than a side by side, but they do have their hindrances, if you're not willing or capable of working on it yourself, maintenance and repairs can be difficult to go about, even finding parts can be iffy. But they can be had, and they can be pheasible for some folks. I personally have been keeping an eye out for one in my area for the right one. My boss bought a terrible one and ended up getting rid of it because he didn't quite fit, he's like 6'2"

[@Banana_Split_Cream_Buns]

I'm Australian and I have always been baffled at the prevalence of these massive trucks in America. Smaller trucks and utilities are just more affordable and versatile.

[@thedavidboyd]

I think so too. I would love to have a small truck. I have no need for a large truck but a small one would be perfect for my use cases. Unfortunately, the EPA disagrees.

[@ChrisSmith-bh2hg]

I'm also Australian. All of our utes are getting replaced by pick ups. I hate going to the car park now.

[@MoisesAguirre-uv4oy]

This video is a huge lie. This guy wants to act like we don’t know Ford and GM bribed republicans like Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan to pass standards that would ban Japanese competitors without violating WTO agreements

[@ericsparks]

Not always.

[@BGraves]

Let's be real. Most American men see the size of their truck as a part of their identity. Utility isn't that important to them, which is why you see so many shiny ball hitches and unscratched beds and receiver hitches. Also, most of the utility is lost by the dual cab and the chest high tailgates. Utility trailer does everything a truck does, anyway

[@martineldritch]

Loved my old 5-speed Toyota pickup but when they played the "no small trucks anymore" game I played the "fine, I'll just use an old mini-van as a work vehicle" game. Took out the back seats and had all kinds of carrying room for tools, material, debris. Came to appreciate the mini-van more than small trucks for work.

[@silentm999]

We had an econoline with the back cut off to make it into a truck when I was a kid. Minivan and a cutting torch=90s pickup

[@SpiralPowerGaming]

​@nancypelosi480 How much did it cost and how did you do it? Also to your question, several minivans like the Honda odyssey can fold down completely flat in the back with the seats removed giving you the space of a long bed with a shell. It's not perfect, but you would he shocked to find out how much space you actually have.

[@grogdocr]

​@nancypelosi480 Some minivans you can pull out the seats and lay 4x8 sheets flat on the floor. I did it with my my friends old van. I think it was an older sienna. Congrats on the Hilux!

[@meminustherandomgooglenumbers]

@@grogdocr The old Toyota Previa could do that. Pull out the back seats and lay down a stack of full size 4x8 between the wheel wells.

[@michaelryan3818]

I work for a major hardware retailer. The amount of minivans I see has been steadily rising over the last few years. They are darn near perfect work vehicles with the seats outs.

[@Cheezitnator]

😭 This makes too much sense. I'm a small person and just want a small truck for garden stuff like mulch and cattle panel and I was so confused I couldn't find a tacoma like my grandma's little single cab. I don't want a huge vehicle that don't even fit in my garage, I don't need to pull tractors or impress any truckhead try-hards.

[@rnt45t1]

My dad had a S15 in the 90s. He bought it new in 89, I think. He loved that truck. He had a yahoo smash into him on our street doing burnouts, and he rebuilt the entire front end. He built a cap for it BY HAND out of sheetmetal. He LOVED THAT TRUCK.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I remember trucks like the Chevy S10 and GMC S15 and SUV versions. I was way too young at the time they were intro'd. But I thought they were awesome vehicles.

[@donaldgregg9250]

What kind of cap?

[@josephsmith3785]

I have a 93 S-10 that is my back and forth to work/take off the garbage truck right now.

[@cdjhyoung]

I had a series of S 10 and S 15 pickups in the 80's, 90's and 00's. Maybe the strangest was a former fleet S-15 with a 1.9L Isuzu diesel engine and five speed. It accelerated like a loaded gravel train and seldom could exceed 70 mph, but every tank of fuel went about 52 mile per gallon over the 100,000 miles I drove that old worn out truck. it would not be for everyone. It almost got me killed on the freeways of Detroit trying to drive in rush hour traffic. It really needed a turbo charger to give it about 20 more horsepower (it only had 58 when new). A small pick up is possible if designed well, but if more than one manufacturer tried to enter the market, I don't thin there would be enough buyers to support two different makers.

[@martinoamello3017]

I worked in several body shops back when those S-10s were everywhere. Pretty amazing just how fast I could strip the entire front ends of them down to the frame with just a 1/4" air ratchet.. Somewhere around 5 per week including all the new panels and parts and reassembly..and paint.. Out the door..whoosh! 😅 One shop built an extra building just to stock S10 body parts and nothing else..

[@davidfitnesstech]

My dad has had nothing *but small trucks for decades.* And until I saw this video, I hadn't even noticed they weren't around anymore ! Wild.

[@jgstargazer]

Me too. I just realized that I haven't seen them on the road like I used to. I should of bought one when I had the chance. Don't have much around the house but you can't haul anything in a car.

[@terrencekanzig4270]

My dad had Datsun pickups in the 70’s and loved them. He’s always asking why they can’t make small pickups like that anymore. Now I can explain it to him.

[@reverendbarker650]

They were not only death traps , but were under powered, also, if you had a heavy load on back their steering was abominable.

[@loki_wolff]

@@reverendbarker650 but they were cool and thats all that matters

[@trevormiles5852]

the law of unintended consequences ; These small trucks were bought up and sent to middle east in 80s. The Datsun in particular was favored. Strong, low center of gravity. Easy to mount guns on back while keeping a low profile. Next time you watch news or old 70s, 80s movies you will see all those small trucks. Had to add, Toyota Tundra long bed. best of the older trucks. More bed space than most new trucks..

[@Rick-the-Swift]

@@trevormiles5852 Exactly. Go to any Middle Eastern country you will see the streets filled with these small pickups, and as you say, often with armed guerilla soldiers or gun mounts in the back.

[@trevormiles5852]

@@zebrazxx Just be grateful that the acronym was CAFE and not STARBUCKS LOL. I agree with you, they could have dumbed it down a little bit more. Blaming it on government has gotten old. If somebody from the CAFE who can make this more of a Bistro and fast food we need to hear from you. The gist I got was Tlhat the government wanted us to have bigger trucks cause the use more gas.

[@UpAndRunning-xz6er]

Bought a 2013 Tacoma which is big as l want. Am very reluctant to give up the little 1996 Nissan that I've driven to 320,000 miles.

[@gregdolecki8530]

I bought a 1986 S-10 in 1986. It had the 2.8L six cylinder engine, one of GM's best. I drove that thing for 270,000 miles. I still miss that truck.

[@Shaker626]

Had the same 2.8 in an '86 Cavalier a while ago. Thing would easily break traction if I gassed it too hard! Torque-y motor for sure.

[@diegosuarez1563]

This is why I held on to my Dakota. Still runs like a champ. Anything breaks, i fix it right away.

[@Orangesjesus]

And there is the rub..

[@davidjones809]

I too, will hang on to my 94 Dakota that I bought new. It is only 30 years old!

[@keithdolezel]

Same with my 93 Nissan D21 Hardbody

[@mcyclonegt]

Except every Dakota I have owned got less than 20mpg.

[@dennisgoodnight2029]

​@@mcyclonegtsame here.

[@motorings735]

I hear this all the time. Analysts always say things like, "There's a limited market for [small pickup trucks]. Nobody is buying [small pickup trucks]" Of course they don't have any data showing demand for small trucks, because there is literally nothing to buy! And then look what happens when Ford just randomly decides to make one.

[@PURENT]

Nah, the analysts are right on that aspect. Smaller vehicles are just selling in lesser numbers even where there are options. For example, CRV outsells the Accord and Civic. The Honda Fit which was even smaller and cheaper than the Civic sold in even lesser numbers, to the point where Honda discontinued it. Similar pattern exists among other manufacturers and cancelled cars, Toyota Yaris, Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta, Chevy Sonic, VW Golf non-GTI/R versions, Fiat 500. They simply couldn't sell em, Ford even went so far as to cancel all cars except the Mustang, meaning you can only buy a truck or an SUV from them. It's possible that the long running Civic and Corolla will come to an end for the American market in this decade.

[@timothymusson5040]

@@PURENTthe small truck is a completely different market than those cars

[@PURENT]

@@timothymusson5040 It's the same market. Economy cars are made for people with less money, small trucks were also made for people with less money. All those less money buyers get better deals on used cars, so they don't buy a new one. Because nobody buys the new ones, manufacturers stop selling them.

[@RottingFarmsTV]

@@PURENTsmall trucks are made for people with less money WHO HAVE TO HAUL THINGS. Small cars are made for people with less money but also people looking to downsize and save, people looking to be eco friendly, etc. not the same market, open bed vehicles exist for tradesmen and similar. Your thinking is the reason people buy oversized trucks with beds the size of an average SUV trunk.

[@PURENT]

@@RottingFarmsTV People buy cars and trucks to do something for them. The behavior in how they buy is the same. People usually buy the best they can get out of their budget. Those "eco" and "downsizing" buyers are so few on the market they don't matter. And people with little money cross shop with the used market as well as new. A new Silverado 1500 regular cab 2 seater with long bed in the absolute basic configuration will run you $37,000. Problem there is you can get used double cabs and crew cabs loaded with more features at low mileages for the same price. So why would you buy that new small one with absolutely nothing in it? You see the problem there? Same behavior as the buyer who wants a car but could only afford a Honda Fit, looks around in the used market and gets a loaded Honda Accord at the same price. They'll just get the nicer car even if it's used, and there's practically no risk as many warranties and are still intact and cars these days are a lot more reliable than the 80s and prior.

[@Poppi-G]

I had a couple of Nissan hardbody’s back in the day. Sold both of them because of a lack of legroom. I can see how not having the option of a smaller truck would suck for smaller guys though.

[@beringstraitrailway]

"This is why can't have nice things!" Or more specifically: This is why we can't have nice things on a smaller scale!

[@northdakotaham1752]

The most terrifying words spoken on the planet. "I'm from the government and I'm here to help."

[@ernestgibson8792]

i was in the market for a newer car and this video explains a lot. wondering why i couldnt find a small truck and why the ones from the 90s are still selling for around $12000.

[@pgbpro20]

Ah, the old "unintentional-intentional consequences" game. It's also interesting how frequently emission systems failures will total out cars these days. From direct-injection, variable valve profiles, to cylinder deactivation and DEF -- every move forward for tailpipe emissions is a step back for reliability.

[@donaldcarey114]

There is NOTHING unintentional about it, it is part of the plan to force us to switch to EV's.

[@happyfireballman9633]

You know these things were made to make vehicles more efficient with the fuel they're given with? Without these technologies, we would have more fuel wasted

[@EagleXYZLibertarianForChrist]

@@happyfireballman9633 1. they don't even have any real noticeable mpg increases. 2. they are far less reliable. Meaning due to the fact they help with planned obsolescence; it means you're going to have to buy another vehicle which means more emissions are used to create another vehicle for you to buy. If my 20+yr old truck can out last your 5yr old or newer vehicle, then my truck is much more emission friendly than your electric car.

[@donaldcarey114]

@@happyfireballman9633 COPIUM

[@RCAvhstape]

And then there's all the safety and emissions standards driving fuel efficiency down. My dad drove a 79 VW Sirocco that got mileage as good or better than a Prius, and it was lighter and way less complicated with a simple 4-cylinder water-cooled engine and a manual transmission. Plus, unlike the Prius, you didn't look like a total dork driving around in the Sirocco.

[@GIJoe-nk2pt]

I had a small truck for many years and it got great gas milage. Far better than my 06 Tundra.

[@dilbertbob5420]

Years ago, a friend of mine had a Datsun pickup with a small diesel engine. The truck had over 300,000 miles on it and got 34 miles per gallon. I wish I had bought it when I had the chance. Not only is it a "classic" now, but very economical to run.

[@michaelkulman7095]

VW and Toyota had little diesels too. The VW was front engine front drive and was good with no load but bad for full load but okay with light to medium load which suited some just fine. MPG was crazy good with these two... Don't remember numbers but better than you quoted for that vehicle... I had a used gas Toyota pickup until it rusted away, couldn't find a diesel Toyota as they were very rare and almost bought a used VW diesel but didn't and regretted it, they were much more common than the others in my experience. I live in MN and had light use in mind and most of the time the bed would be empty for general use so the idea of weight over the drive wheels with an empty bed in the snow was attractive. Yes one can put sand bags in Toyota bed but that's not as slick... Minnesota Winters are no joke so this odd vehicle probably appealed more to me than the norm.

[@nicholaspenland6394]

​@@michaelkulman7095you just spawned the idea of a mid engine pickup

[@assssss3661]

@@nicholaspenland6394 already been done funnily enough with the corvair truck lol

[@michaelkulman7095]

@@nicholaspenland6394 I expect and demand royalties! Seriously though with Minnesota Winters and usually empty beds and light loads most of the time having more weight over drive wheels makes a lot of sense as many aren't really carrying heavy weight often especially in the small trucks like S10, Ranger, Toyota, at least not typically... Lots of people do this so not being optimal for heavy loads isn't so important to many, if it was they'd buy a big truck or van... I've had both, like a 3/4 van and a little Toyota and most of the time a little truck would have sufficed even the old Rabbit (Golf) pick up which would have been better in the snow, Engine over the drive wheels... If cars didn't rust away here I'd probably be running one now but most of them rusted away here... I think they were unibody... however my Toyota frame rusted out too...

[@michaelkulman7095]

@@assssss3661 VW had a pickup version based on their van too, air cooled.

[@vanguard6937]

I'm excited to see all these mini Japanese trucks being imported. Hopefully it will start to revitalize the idea of small trucks in the US

[@dylanstevens5714]

This made me go look up the cost lol they are cheap!

[@a64738]

Very unlikely EVERYTHING When it comes to Co2 and climate hysteria which is a scam to begin with is pure corruption and greed, it has nothing to do with "saving" the environment but all to do with money and power. The car industry and the corrupt politicians will not give up this cash cow larger more inefficient cars give them.

[@andrewbrown6522]

Before long you too can run a tactical through white picket fences!

[@pjm204]

I've owned a couple of these. While they're very useful, the fuel economy is not that great. I averaged right around 30mpg. That's with a 660cc engine where 60mph was about all I could cruise at on level ground. I'm looking forward to more of the fuel injected ones coming in.

[@dylanstevens5714]

@@pjm204 oh, So they’re carbureted?? I guess that explains why people talk about them in cubic centimeters, fuel injected ones would be pretty rad

[@Actheman1978]

So basically the EPA is incentivizing less fuel efficiency. Amazing and somehow not shocking after everything we’ve seen recently.

[@FortyGritSandpaper]

Of course they are... he does a good job of explaining it away as something to difficult to understand just like the EPA intends most people to do... at the end of the day its opposite bizarro world if it comes to a truth.

[@101Volts]

Heck, my 1999 Chevrolet Suburban 6.5 TD was capable of 20 MPG easily. Stick it on the Highway long enough, I'm sure it would get 28 MPG at a consistent 60 MPH. It was slow and was a 6,500 pound vehicle, but it was strangely fuel efficient... And that was an 8 cylinder engine.

[@chaos.corner]

Heavier vehicles = more fatalities too.

[@glenwaldrop8166]

To be fair I'm getting the same fuel economy out of a 2009 Z71 4wd with a 5.3 as I get out of my 98 Ranger 4wd 3.0. I don't like the big trucks myself. I find myself in tight spaces often.

[@ExecMoose]

It makes sense. There's no reason that my 1994 Chevy pickup gets 13 mpg, but a brand new 2023 Silverado (with a 5.3) gets 16. You can't tell me in almost 30 years, a bump of a few mpg is all they achieved.

[@kinarism]

5:30 my dad drove an issusu pup for a long time in the 80s/90s. IIRC it got pretty close to 40mi/gal. If that's true, you're claiming that in 40years, manufacturers couldn't improve that enough to meet the standards? I call BS. This is standard big business resisting progress because it hurts their CEOs reputation.

[@shaidyn8278]

I'm very glad this video crossed my path. About 6 months ago I started looking for a truck to do dump runs, and in my head, I was envisioning those small trucks from the 80s and I was confused why I couldn't find them. Now I know!

[@scottfranco1962]

I have an XLT ranger, 6 cylinders. It pulls my trailer up hills, fits my cargo hauling needs and can still park in a small space. I went down from an F-350 for this. I'm keeping it.

[@chriscon8463]

I’ve got a ‘23 Ranger XL. It’s a great truck for what I need!

[@zincminer]

Wow that's a classic example of law makers getting the exact opposite of what they wanted to achieve. In Europe these huge American trucks are definitely memed on, but nobody knows why this actually comes to pass. Thank you for this information!

[@tomm1109]

I'd like to see those memes. What do I search under? I hate the giant trucks too.

[@antton9623]

No those lawmakers got exactly what they wanted, a shitload of money from lobbyists.

[@blackrifle6736]

*and for decades the Nissan Patrols seen all over the EU and Germany in particular are not American-sized behemoths? Right.*

[@snowballeffect7812]

the EPA passes regulations. if their regulations are not working, it's either because of regulatory capture by the automotive lobby or the net positives win out.

[@snowballeffect7812]

@@antton9623 not sure how much the EPA gets out of lobbying lol

[@deanmartin2332]

I recently saw a Mazda B2200 in Florida all original paint no dents no rust ran perfect. They’re still around if you want one.

[@deanmartin2332]

Amazingly I’ve seen them running around too.

[@Taff1967SC]

Had a 5 speed Nissan truck in 1993 that used to haul 100 gals of water and my pressure washer without too much problem, and was all you needed in a truck. Back then the bumper heights etc were mostly similar between vehicles, but now it's instant death if you get hit by one of these modern monstrosities.

[@johndoe6032]

Right, nothing in the EPA formula about height. That's all consumer ego. And really, that's the biggest component of what makes these modern trucks so much bigger than the old trucks.

[@jackasshomey]

@@johndoe6032 or weight.... which im no physicist but i know that the heavier something is the more gas its gonna take to move said object...

[@overthrone3494]

Big car equal can sell for more so we make all truck and suv big and make big money. Also being tall makes getting in and out a lot easier at stock height from the early 2000’s. Where we are today is pretty high in a full size without a lift you still need to step up or lift yourself in even at my height

[@heribertonevarez-m4f]

In Mexico they use and sell those very small trucks with 4 cylinder diesel engines. They're very economical and very strong trucks.

[@sumblwnup8695]

Toyota hilux with its diesel engine is one I want to have but can’t here in the U.S, it’s as expensive as the Toyota Tacoma I think even with the chicken tax so it may be worth getting it

[@codyofathens3397]

​@@sumblwnup8695are you allowed to buy one in Mexico and bring it into the US?

[@sumblwnup8695]

@@codyofathens3397 i think so, i know there’s a hilux in the U.S somewhere that’s being driven legally, i think they don’t sell it because it would take away from the tacoma, even tho the tacoma is also sold in mexico

[@ralan350]

EPA is trying to kill diesels here as well

[@22addict40]

There’s plenty of hilux’s here in the USA. I don’t know what or how you get them, haven’t tried or looked very hard, but whistling diesel has a few of them and others have videos of theirs. Something worth looking into. Heck even if it costs less than a Maverick let’s say then it would be worth the price. Toyota and a diesel, you can’t beat that for a SMALL truck.🙏🏻🇺🇸💯🤙🏻

[@sirflimflam]

Man I miss small trucks. I grew up with a black '90 ford ranger and I remember my dad being legitimately depressed when we finally let it go. Now I see why. I don't need a giant truck. i don't want an SUV. I just want to be able to haul some stuff.

[@Skylancer727]

My parents just use a 2010 Grand Caravan. The seats flip into the floor giving 143.8ft² of storage space. We've hauled refrigerators, ovens, dressers, etc.

[@Mikefngarage]

there is always the Hyundai santa cruze. they are really cool. IDK how they got approval for that. dont get that great of mileage. maybe that is why they are so expensive. TAXxxxXXXXXed

[@williambrandondavis6897]

1990's ford rangers still exist. You could rebuild one for under $10k. wtf

[@lachlanhenry486]

I was blessed with an original pick up. Little isuzu diesel. With a canopy. Such an awesome little put put truck!

[@AlexeiTetenov]

I also would love to buy a small pickup truck, to haul small loads, and something that would actually fit inside my 1922 garage.

[@Underpantsniper]

Buy a lower mileage 03 frontier single cab. I did and it fits great in my older small garage.

[@AidanS99]

Sometimes I really hate when people don’t understand the consequences of their actions. The road to hell really is paved with good intentions.

[@WaitWhatsMyName]

"They" know exactly what they are doing

[@andrewgreeb916]

Good intentions, like those people actually have any

[@JohnMoses1897]

This is known as "The Law of Unintended Consequences" Politician's & lawyer's ignore & don't care.

[@thebestSteven]

"There are no such thing as solutions, only trade-offs." -Thomas Sowell

[@matthewchavezm.b.s5503]

Its the monkey helping the fish by putting the fish safely in a tree where it will be safe. As humans, its all about the help. But most people are giving harmful help.

[@themarksmn4181]

I was given an 86 Toyota pickup the summer before I started driving. The 22R engine was in the bed, disassembled, with a blown head gasket. I was told that If I could rebuild it/"get it running" that I could have it. My dad and i got to spend so many hours together that year, and I had a "cool" trick to drive to school as soon as I had my license. Damn the government for taking that experience away from other kids.

[@jamescarter3196]

Huh? What is the thing about "government taking away the experience" supposed to mean? People can still 'receive' or purchase used small trucks, and I'm sure there's some with engines in the bed, disassembled. I don't think you're describing anything that's changed because of "the government" and it's weird to use this story as some admonition against "the government" like it's just out to get people and ruin good times. You really think "the government" really cared about the size of personal trucks, and not the auto manufacturers who had been traditionally building large trucks and saw their sales dwindle due to smaller imports that worked better? Come on, use your brains here.

[@broderp]

This video answered some very interesting questions that I never knew I wanted to know about. 🤔 I was lost until you explained the formula and graph, and the light bulb came on. All the info prior to that made sense at that point. Well delivered information, I want to see what else you have done. Thanks for sparking and keeping my interest.

[@deathwrenchcustom]

I love my first generation Tacoma. The funny thing is that it gets 15 or 16 mpg. People always say, "Those little trucks are great! What do you get, about 30 miles per gallon?" Uh... no. No I don't lol... but you know what I DO get? Compliments, into parking spaces easily, and the peace of mind that comes with not having a monthly payment. 😎🍻🇺🇸

[@CerealKiller187]

You are making monthly payments. In the form of the crappy fuel economy, the burden is just shifted elsewhere.😂

[@deathwrenchcustom]

@@CerealKiller187 Absolutely not. If I don't drive it for a month, it doesn't get repo'd. I don't have to carry full coverage insurance. I'm not pissing money away on interest. I am in complete control of how much I'm spending each month. Also, i sleep better knowing that i don't owe anybody. But you can say that it's the same if it makes you feel better about your payment. 😁👌

[@deathwrenchcustom]

@@CerealKiller187 😆👌 Again... if saying all of that makes you feel better about the bank owning your truck, I'm not going to take that away from you. You are free to do as you like with your money.

[@deathwrenchcustom]

@@CerealKiller187 Lol... I don't care if you insult me. It just makes you look like a dick. 👌

[@the_mustache_mechanic]

The amount of people that think buying a new car is cheaper than keeping an old car are stupid. Keep paying $1000 a month i can reolace the engine and transmission in my civic for 4k and be good for another 200k lol its get 30mpg and never quits. I put 2k a month into an investment account instead of giving my money to the dealer every month lol.

[@jessiesorbet2434]

I still drive a 1996 S-10 with 5-speed. It's in great shape, runs even better and well maintained.

[@gundorethemighty]

96 hell i still have a 1980 an it still going . well over a millions mile's on the same engine . lol

[@Stahodad]

My 2003 S10 Crew Cab still runs well, and the 4 wheel drive is very handy in winter...

[@midwestmind691]

Same with my 1990 Ranger, 5 speed 2.3l. I have changed/rebuilt everything but the internal of the engine in the last 6 years as it's my DD. Have an extra engine tore down for the day I need to install a rebuilt engine.

[@Docinaplane]

I wanted a small truck. Couldn't find one. Eventually, I found a kit that converted my 2010 VW Beetle into a pickup. People love it wherever I drive.

[@apersonontheinternet8006]

There is a guy around the corner from my buddy’s house that converted a PT Cruiser. Someone finally found a practical use for that stupid car, I guess.

[@Docinaplane]

@@apersonontheinternet8006 Nice! Since they won't give us what we want, we make it ourselves, lol

[@tiredman99]

No offense meant by this but that seems like it would be weird to see. I'd probably be scratching my head asking wtf I just saw

[@ljevers]

Post a link to pics!

[@Docinaplane]

@@ljevers I did but it's gone. Just Google Beetle Truck

[@bobkelley8291]

I think trucks and cars should be what the customer wants not the government wants. No wonder things are screwed up.

[@Thundarr995]

This is the exact reason why I decided to just keep my 97 S-10 4.3L 5 speed manual transmission. I don't really need a bigger truck. Mine is still in good condition and Its done everything I've ever needed it to do.

[@thomasharvey1151]

I miss the small trucks. I always thought they were cool. Back in the 90s when I was a teen, those small trucks were very sought after. It was the dream of many teenage guys to get himself a 4Runner or S10 their Junior or Senior year. With mileage performance and efficiency reaching high levels these days, I’d imagine trucks like these would do great if they’d be manufactured again.

[@Shaggyladd]

Oh yeah, round off some of the corners and throw a hybrid system on it and you could probably easily get 30-40 mpg

[@thomasharvey1151]

@@Shaggyladd Definitely. I think a lot of people would be buying them too.

[@tacticalmosquitoeater]

​@@Shaggyladdfuck that 🤮🤢

[@Mark3nd]

​@@Shaggyladd No no no, that'll make it worst for the fuel economy, lets add more hp choking and engine choking plus exhaust choking and all the other stuff to not only cut the engine life, but reduce emissions to! All according to EPA standards

[@Seasniffer1969]

I daily drive a beat up S10 4.3. It's handy for sure but yields 20-22mpg highway which is awful. I'm about to try and get some 215-60-16s and ditch my 265-75-16s (probably has a lot to do with my mpg)

[@offgridjack5779]

I still have and drive my 1989 Nissan, king-cab, 4 cylinder, 5-speed pickup and have NO plans on selling it. It still runs great and hauls anything I need it to. It is faithful and very reliable and always has been.

[@kkarllwt]

You don't live where the roads are salted. Or just use it as a summer truck.

[@scoobsmcdoobs5701]

@@kkarllwt tell me you're too inept to maintain or repair your vehicles without telling me.

[@corinne2721]

OMG dude...that's exactly the truck I had....it did everything

[@Cyb3rst0rmIndustries]

Until the gov declares it illegal to drive gas vehicles in 30 or so years.

[@jim-f4n]

Miss my hardbody Nissan. Also later I had a little Frontier z24 engine was amazing. These trucks would run without oil?

[@tommywatterson5276]

My father in law had a Dodge / Mitsubishi Dakota pickup 2 door basic truck. 4 cylinder 5 speed stick in the floor. Looks like the one in your picture. The family used that truck for years putting it through everything you could throw at it. You couldn't hurt it if you tried. Pulling trailers loaded with the truck bed loaded. There was nothing that little truck couldn't do. Gas mileage was high too. He kept it for years.

[@BigWheel.]

The only surviving examples of early dakotas I'll find are thr v6/v8 models. Those were the ones people saved and bought more of. Hence the push to more opulent vehicles.

[@danielbackley9301]

And if it had the V-6 it drove like a sports car when empty and could haul as much as a 1500.

[@sydecarnutz972]

Mitsubishi didn't make the Dakota. They made the older D50 trucks for Dodge. I had an '81 D50 base model when I was a young man. Very capable and economical little truck. But the single wall bed was easily damaged from the inside. In that respect, it was a cheap truck.

[@pattrick9490]

I have an 89 dodge ram 50 . Still running strong. 4cly. It's taken lots of hard use and shrugs it off. Best thing I ever did to it was yank that pos mikumi carb off and replace it with a weber 2bbl. The mileage went from an abysmal 19 to 23 mpg to 30 to 33 mpg.. Hell yes bring these vehicles back.

[@tommywatterson5276]

@@sydecarnutz972 the truck was made by Dodge in a joint venture with a Mitsubishi I thought. The engine bay had Mitsubishi labels and markings in it. I guess Mitsubishi supplied the engines then.

[@GeneralChangFromDanang]

That explains why we're getting these huge trucks with tiny engines and no towing capacity.

[@justinpennington7682]

The towing capacities are actually rated so high I would be afraid to attempt the max . 14k lbs in a half ton truck . No thanks

[@misterbulger]

​@@justinpennington7682even 7k feels too much in a half ton to me even though it's "rated" for twice that Maybe rated to do it once or twice before you need to buy a new truck lol. I sure wouldn't recommend maxing it out.

[@blackhawk7r221]

The towing is easy. The stopping is hard.

[@justinpennington7682]

@@misterbulger yes sir!

[@cornholio114]

@@blackhawk7r221that’s why trailers have brakes

[@RonCurrie-dq3wx]

I loved my 2000 Nissan reg cab, 4 cyl, stick. I got about 28 mpg and was happy with that. Maintenance was easy and cheap. I considered trading it in but there was nothing on the market that was even close anymore. Now I know why, thanks. Btw - My dad now drives that truck with over 200,000 miles on it.

[@jackfunk5765]

I had a Nissan hardbody that went 400000. Change the oil regular and don't over rev it and it will go at least that far.

[@Pslytely_Psycho_GreybeardGamer]

Ah hell, that things got at least another 200,000 in it! Literally unkillable...😂

[@noseboop4354]

Consider importing a truck from the Philippines, they still have small economical trucks (mostly japanese made).

[@kkarllwt]

I drove hardbodies for 20 years. Bought a new one in 86. 12 years 183 k miles. SCRAP. Third one, 14 years, 84k miles. SCRAP. Holes in the frame I could put my hand into. Chicago area.

[@RonCurrie-dq3wx]

@@kkarllwt I've heard that can be a problem where the roads are salted but here in the Phoenix area we don't worry about rust. The only time we see rusted vehicles are when they've come down from up north or if they parked them in their yard for 50 years. I expect when my dad is done with it I may just drive it to Chicago and sell it for a boatload of money.😁

[@I3AUTUM7261]

We're from the government and we're here to help!

[@saviordream]

When we bought a new house a couple of years ago, my wife wanted to get a small truck to be able to do household chores. She was thinking about the size of the small trucks from the 70s and 80s. She was in for a rude awakening when we actually started shopping. We ended up with a new Ridgeline, which is great, but still much larger than what she was envisioning.

[@Fuzzybeanerizer]

It is sad. I remember the small Toyotas from the 1980's, and what a great reputation they had. I personally owned a rusty 1982 Dodge Ram 50 made by Mitsubishi and it was super practical. I've watched those smaller models dropping away over the years, but assumed it was just the overwhelming preference of Americans for big everything. Kinda like Honda won't bother to import the practical 50cc or 90cc "Super Cub" style motorcycles into the USA, even though they are already in production in multiple countries around the world.

[@KenzertYT]

You guys shoulda bought something older! :(

[@saviordream]

@@KenzertYT In our case, we wanted a new car, not a preowned one. This was also my daily at the time, so I wanted some modern creature comforts and conveniences. Just wished they still offered the trucks themselves in smaller sizes.

[@slowery43]

no one cares, this isn't all about you and your family

[@edsumrok9758]

@@KenzertYT try to find one. good ones are snapped up by savvy consumers

[@ciphernemo]

Preach it. I could have been a truck person if they weren't all hulking beastly vehicles. I miss the old Toyota and Mazda four banger pickups.

[@arquivoyager2010]

In Brazil we have all kinds of small trucks derived from sub-compact or entry level cars since the 80's. In recent years they got slightly bigger and more stylish but are still lightweight and not fuel thirsty like the big ones. They are very practical for daily use .

[@OscarOSullivan]

In Ireland the short wheel base landrovers used to be popular work hacks

[@arquivoyager2010]

the short Defender was assembled here in Brazil for a few years at Karmann Ghia facility (1999-2005). they are used as off road vehicles by those who can afford it...

[@OscarOSullivan]

@@arquivoyager2010 In Ireland and the UK and I believe even Italy it was the most affordable Jeep.

[@readlesspraymore4686]

Chevy Montana diesel?

[@arquivoyager2010]

@@readlesspraymore4686 they use 1.2 liter engines... there are legal restrictions for diesel engines: no passenger cars, payload over 1 ton, 4x4..aso. Jeep renegade has a diesel version. the older pickups were much smaller than the current Montana but used 1.4 up o 2.0 liter engines (gas./ethanol)

[@gwb8445]

Back in the mid 80's I owned a small Toyota truck with manual transmission for years. It was reliable and got the job done.

[@dedeborya9015]

I pulled an old 84 ford Ranger out of the field in 2000, put a rebuilt 2.3 in it - new wheels, tires, brakes seat covers and full deep clean - 2K all said & done. I drove that truck for 12 years (when all the small truck have disappeared) ... I sold it for 7K on my way out the country. and it was a feeding frenzy to get it first. It was a great truck - perfect for errands and weekend jobs - no new tech in - no digital hoohas. Just Simple Truck. THAT is what they should build again - and you can get them overseas. The Toyota Hilux 2 door is less than 15K over here. THAT is the most I would ever pay for a new truck. but I can get a used Hilux for half that ... and that is the one that I am on the hunt.

[@Low760]

A base 2wd Hilux or Navara is $30,000+AUD and the Chinese utes are not going below 30k either here. But the market in Australia is for businesses that contract, if you have a diesel ute it's a tax write off.

[@dedeborya9015]

@@Low760 I am in the 'Stans - the old 'state department' toyotas come up often enough- 7 to 10K

[@donaldshimkus539]

I have an '85 Ranger, absolute base model. 4 cyl. 5 spd. 20+ mpg. Pd. $300 for it and first yr. on the road was offered 1k by 3 diff. people. It has 240/340 miles on it and is now having engine rebuilt because of too many highway trips I made this yr. It has more patina than paint and I love it. Plan on keepin' it till I die.

[@Dat_Sun]

Pulled this Datsun from a field, didn't take much to get it back on the road.

[@KarlsLabReport]

Thank you for this!!!! I have wondered for the past decade or so why the “small” trucks have grown to the size of an F150. I had just choked it up to consumer demand. But this really explains a lot. Same reason minivans took over in the 80s and 90s as the solution for those wanting a station wagon.

[@sanseiryu]

Have you priced F150s? $70-80K+. And Ford wonders why their trucks don't sell

[@georgeklimes7604]

@@sanseiryu They sold fine until the cheap money went away. Still, though, I have no clue why most people would spend that kind of money on a truck.

[@dougpatterson7494]

My ex-girlfriends 2020 Ford Ranger had the same horsepower (250) as my old ‘99 F-150. Fuel economy was probably better but size and power wise it was basically what was a “full sized half-ton” 20 years ago.

[@dougpatterson7494]

My ex-girlfriends 2020 Ford Ranger had the same horsepower (250) as my old ‘99 F-150. Fuel economy was probably better but size and power wise it was basically what was a “full sized half-ton” 20 years ago.

[@christalbert722]

This really is sad... I'd really like to see EPA regulations change so they actually achieve the stated goals. I thought I was about to start a fight the other day, I was at HomeDepot and some guy was trying to get some 10' and 12' boards loaded in his "pickup"... a huge, 4 door but short bed model. As I walked by I said "Gee, looks like you need an actual pickup." He got rather upset...

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

Short beds have their place. Not hauling long materials.

[@steelwheels327]

It's true !! lol!

[@donaldshimkus539]

​@@Freedom_Half_Off😂😂😂 now hike your skirt and go get me a beer. 😅

[@donaldshimkus539]

@@Freedom_Half_Off dang what a scary thought.

[@gregorymalchuk272]

The United States government shouldn't even be involved in communist central economic planning of energy consumption.

[@grantog123]

I'm never selling my hardbody 4x4 and samurai. Also, no privacy tracking.