Ya wonder why EVs are so popular here in Silicon Valley...
Where is the modern mini-truck?
- Thread starter Nessism1
- Start date
Seriously? No. I never gave Silicon Valley vehicles a thought.
But now that you mention it, I bet they're popular because they're well suited to the short tripping commonly done by so many of us.
I stayed a thread on something similar to this. I would buy one too.
But the car companies would not make enough money, so unlikely to happen.
Toyota has a universal frame and drivetrain, of course not available in the USA
Sure, but I was referring to gas prices.
My first new vehicle was a stripped-down 1981 Toyota 4x4 with a 22R and a four speed manual. It didn’t have AC nor power steering. It featured plenty of hand and arm exercise with the hand crank windows, manual steering, and manual locking front hubs. It was, of course a regular cab because I don’t think Toyota had started making them yet. I think I paid $8700 total.
Other than adding AC, a five speed, and fuel injection I would absolutely love to own another just like it today. Thanks for nothing EPA.
Totally wishing here, but with the end of Chevron deference maybe someone can force EPA to ditch the stupid “footprint” rule that has made trucks so huge.
Other than adding AC, a five speed, and fuel injection I would absolutely love to own another just like it today. Thanks for nothing EPA.
Totally wishing here, but with the end of Chevron deference maybe someone can force EPA to ditch the stupid “footprint” rule that has made trucks so huge.
My '05 Canyon regular cab 4x4 was close. I loved that truck. I5 with 5-speed manual, 4x4. Looks like the GMT355 went through 2012. It was increasingly difficult to find them with manuals though. Of course also look for the Isuzu i-series (same truck, different badge)
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
And how are you going to meet all safety requirements with that product?
Airbags
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Lol. Airbags are not the only thing here. Vehicles got bloated bcs. of ever more increasing standards when it comes to crumbling zones.
If it was that simple…
If a Fiat 500 can be made to pass crash test, a mini truck will be a walk in the park.
On a serious note: I'm not kidding. Crash test is not the problem. Based on that earlier video about CAFE, that IS the issue. Stupid bureaucrats making stupid rules.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
But FIAT500 is not a truck.
Even though it is mini ruck, you have to made it to do, well, truck stuff, regardless of the fact that is it small (and that tjing is not small as 500).
So, we are talking FORD maverick size. But bcs. weight, bcs. safety standards you are looking at complex engines to meet mpg requirements.
Yes, mpg would be easily achieved with such old trucks, bcs. by today’s standards (and many were by those standards back in the day), they were death traps.
We have small trucks, Maverick. That size. But even they pack close to 4,000lbs.
Crazytown! Buy why? Why won't the policy makers right this wrong? I thought they want more efficient vehicles? A mini truck with a NA 150hp engine could be made to get excellent gas mileage.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
This seems to be seriously complicated for some people.
Cars are heavy bcs. safety standards! If you don't have safe cars, people won't buy it bcs. competition will offer one!
FORD offers Maverick. My friend just bought one. Basic version, AWD. But still packs almost 4,000lbs bcs. safety standards, and since he has 8 year old, it was actually important to him not to drive his kid in a death trap.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
People want both! People want safety and efficiency!
Hypothetically, if you offered that small Nissan truck, you would probably sell at best 2,000 of them a year. People generally don't like unsafe stuff. Nissan can offer that, Ford can offer Maverick, and Maverick would kill it sales-wise. Than, truck develops reputation of being death trap, and that affects overall Nissan brand.
I disagree with you. There are lots of vehicles in the 3000 lb range with perfectly fine crash test ratings. You are speculating.
Mahindra backed out of coming to North America ~15 years ago, with a small, durable diesel pu.
It was due to NTSA regulations.
There are Maverick-similar vehicles here now and more are coming.
It was due to NTSA regulations.
There are Maverick-similar vehicles here now and more are coming.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
You cannot built truck the size of that old Nissan that weighs 3,000lbs and pass all crash tests! Maybe, if you use Titanium!
My BMW 328 is actually shorter than that old Nissan which you are talking about and weighs 3,650lbs and would not be able to pass current crash tests.
What do you think is the size of that old Nissan? Like FIAT 500? It is 4.8m long, or 15.7ft.
