Hooniverse Asks: Do you really want a small, base pickup truck?

Kamil Kaluski

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Pictured is something that is no longer available – a base model, regular cab, short-bed, mid-size pickup truck. This one was equipped with a bench seat, manual transmission, and 4×4. It probably had crank windows and manual locks, too. It was also shockingly clean and because of where it was parked I wonder if it is a replacement vehicle for someone who has recently sold an older 4Runner.

In the last decade or two, pickups have morphed from being work trucks to huge family vehicles. Ford has even stopped selling the Ranger for a bit because selling the F-150 to former Ranger buyers made more sense, even if some of those customers went away. At the same, mid-size regular cab pickups seized to exist – only extra cab or double cab models now. Even in the half-ton range, regular cab models are a rare sight and most of them are available as low-spec models. Manual transmission, lol/haha – how about a hard NO!?

Enthusiasts and automotive know-it-alls, however are crying out for those trucks. A quick look at BaT’s recent sales of Toyota pickups confirms this and further shows that there are people willing to pay good money for them. As is the fact that a very base Jeep Gladiator exists, one with steel wheels, manual transmission, and crank windows – your for only $33,545 but with four [removable] doors.

Today we ask those who are shopping for a new or lightly used trucks – do you want a regular cab truck? One with steel wheels, a bench, and crank windows? Making the question more difficult – what if the price between it and a decently equipped extra cab model with an automatic transmission was not so drastic?

About

Kamil Kaluski

Kamil Kaluski

East Coast Editor. Races crappy cars and has an unhealthy obsession with Eastern Bloc cars. Current fleet: 4Runner, Integra, Regal, Lada

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46 responses to “Hooniverse Asks: Do you really want a small, base pickup truck?”

  1. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    I’m a semi-urban condo dweller, so I don’t have a ton of use for a pickup, or the space for a second vehicle (now that I have a kid, nothing lacking a back seat for a long time). For any hypothetical pickup I did have, I wouldn’t want any more features than I have in my daily driver (pretty much anything past AC and a radio is nice but unessential), and I’d want something I don’t mind being abused. I’m more prone to wanting a smaller truck, except that I’d ideally want something that could tow a project car (so, at least 4000-5000lbs if accounting for a trailer?).

    Reply
    1. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      If you choose a really intensive project, you can tow it home in two 3000 lb (including trailer weight) loads.

      Or vacuum out the rust at the seller’s place, and add the Bondo later.

      Reply
  2. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    Hell yes! My first brand-new vehicle purchase was a ’97 Ranger XLT (RCSB, 5 speed, 4 cylinder). That truck cost me a mere $11k (or about $17.5k in today’s dollars). Try finding an equivalent new truck for less than twenty grand today– you won’t.

    And yes, I’ve looked longingly at base 6-speed Gladiators– online. You don’t see them on dealer lots. But even with four doors and 4WD, paying mid-$30s for what is a pretty spartan truck feels a bit disappointing. It’s better than the absolutely ridiculous mid-$50s Rubicons that litter the dealer’s inventory, but it doesn’t scream “value”, either. Too bad they’re not likely to depreciate, or else I’d wait for a used one.

    All of this is making my grandfather’s old brick-nosed F150 look like the truck for me. Hell, it’s not much bigger than a modern Tacoma, has a decent 5-speed, and an unbreakable inline six. I just need to get my BMW’s mechanical needs sorted so I can sell it first. Life has been too busy to give it much attention this summer, and I just keep finding more stuff that needs work…

    Reply
    1. MattC Avatar
      MattC

      I owned essentially nothing but base compact trucks as a 3rd car for the last 20 years. (3 Rangers / ’97 RCSB 5speed / 1999 SCSB 4×4 auto and a current 2010 RCSB with 5speed auto) . For suburban duties, this is all I need. In fact my current 2010 feels downright palatial compared to the 1997 Ranger . Mine has pw/pl /Sirius / cruise. But honestly, I miss the under powered 1997 2.3 5 speed for its inherent simplicity.

      Reply
      1. Zentropy Avatar
        Zentropy

        I eventually traded my 2.3 5-speed for a next-generation 4.0 manual, thinking “more power must be better”. I never enjoyed the big six nearly as much as that little four cylinder. The V6 was torquey, but wasn’t fun to wind-out– it was like a tractor engine. I’m on the fence about i-beams vs. a-arms, though. The newer suspension didn’t really seem to ride or handle appreciably better, and the i-beam setup was anvil-tough.

        Reply
  3. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    No, I want the complete opposite. An opulently appointed HD, crew, 4×4, 6.5 foot bed bro-truck (ok, I don’t really want the bro-truck aspect, but everything else I want/need)

    Reply
  4. Smaglik Avatar
    Smaglik

    Did I miss a pun with the truck seizing to exist?

    Reply
  5. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    I will soon be in the market for a heavily used pickup truck. I’m fine with a base model, manual locks, windows, and transmission. I live in Georgia, so A/C is very high on the needed features list. Growing up my family only had regular cab trucks, because extended cabs were rather rare. But after having an extended cab, I wouldn’t want to go back to a regular cab. The extra weatherproof, lockable storage space is just so nice. Plus the whole car seat laws and kids safer in the back seat thing. I would love to find a 1987-1996 F-150, 4×4, extended cab, I-6, 5 speed.

    Reply
    1. Manxman Avatar
      Manxman

      You’ve just described the perfect truck.

      Reply
    2. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      My grandfather’s ’91 custom has the inline 6, manual transmission, locks, and windows, but not the extended cab or the 4WD. Beggars can’t be choosers, I guess. It does come with an interesting patina, though, thanks to the craptastic quality of that era’s clear coat. And it’s green. As soon as I offload my neglected E28, I’m rescuing the old truck from my dad’s field.

      Reply
    3. Toaster Avatar
      Toaster

      You know how much weatherproof, lockable space you’d have in one of these? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/47fa709ae95091933392ed29eb41cc6ee2c691a9d703309c3fe3b1adefec49ed.jpg

      Reply
    4. Toaster Avatar
      Toaster

      You know how much weatherproof, lockable space you’d have in one of these? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/47fa709ae95091933392ed29eb41cc6ee2c691a9d703309c3fe3b1adefec49ed.jpg

      Reply
      1. Zentropy Avatar
        Zentropy

        Have you driven a Connect lately? I like spartan utilitarian vehicles (and really wanted to like the TC when it came to the States), but that thing is basically an underpowered, under-tired, understeering Focus with a big ass and a snooze-omatic slushbox. Despite its handicaps, a traditional base-model rubber-floor no-options pickup somehow feels honest and charming, but the bare-bones (or even mid-trim) Connect feels like a penalty box.

        If I were going to go the mini-minivan route, I’d sooner pick up a used manual Mazda5. At least they’re a hoot to drive hard.

        Reply
        1. Toaster Avatar
          Toaster

          A fairly recent one with a 1,5l diesel, a divider and a 6MT. It’s like a penalty box alright, but any basic utility vehicle that isn’t, isn’t basic.

          A Ranger isn’t basic, a Ranger costs almost twice what this costs, and has less space, uses more fuel. It’s also much nicer and tows better, but so is and does a Porsche Cayenne.

          A honest, basic Pickup that has more ground clearence, can pull a reasonable trailer and has an open bed would be a Transit dropside, but eroding margins on the F-150 is not in Fords interest, so I doubt they would sell those directly in the states. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a8dd0a116b332420deb33531032d7b95fd9cd5bacb026ad8b1ffe7ddbe4afb48.jpg

          Reply
        2. Toaster Avatar
          Toaster

          A fairly recent one with a 1,5l diesel, a divider and a 6MT. It’s like a penalty box alright, but any basic utility vehicle that isn’t, isn’t basic.

          A Ranger isn’t basic, a Ranger costs almost twice what this costs, and has less space, uses more fuel. It’s also much nicer and tows better, but so is and does a Porsche Cayenne.

          A honest, basic Pickup that has more ground clearence, can pull a reasonable trailer and has an open bed would be a Transit dropside, but eroding margins on the F-150 is not in Fords interest, so I doubt they would sell those directly in the states. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a8dd0a116b332420deb33531032d7b95fd9cd5bacb026ad8b1ffe7ddbe4afb48.jpg

          Reply
          1. Zentropy Avatar
            Zentropy

            I suppose you at least have access to more interesting versions of the Transit Connect. Perhaps with a small torquey diesel and six-speed, it might be palatable. Here in the States, we’re limited to the 2.0L or 2.5L gasoline engines, paired only to the 8-speed auto. Boring as hell.

            I completely agree that the current Ranger is anything but basic, which is exactly why Kamil’s question is relevant. Back as recently as 2012, you could get a four-banger Ranger XL with a 5-speed manual, vinyl seats, rubber floors, and crank windows… for cheap. And I at least didn’t think they felt like penalty boxes. They were simple and spartan, but actually fun to drive.

          2. Mark Thompson Avatar
            Mark Thompson

            I wonder what a Transit configured that way w/ the 3.5 V6 would sticker for in the US. Very interesting option, if we had it.

          3. Mark Thompson Avatar
            Mark Thompson

            I was able to configure a LWB chassis cab Transit on ford.com with a handful of options, the 3.5, and a 9000 lb GVWR for $34,400. Of course that’s without the box. Still an interesting option compared to a run of the mill 2wd V6 F150.

          4. rovingardener Avatar
            rovingardener

            These have become common in the Class C RV sector as they’re less expensive than Sprinter chassis and the 3.2l turbodiesel is an option, maybe still. Reliability is yet undetermined.

      2. P161911 Avatar
        P161911

        Too hard to hang long items out the back, hard to separate the cargo from the passenger (especially something like smelly garbage), very limited tow rating (in the US), only space for two passengers, low ground clearance. I need a truck.

        Reply
    5. SlowJoeCrow Avatar
      SlowJoeCrow

      Those are quite common on my local Craigslist, and generally faded but not rusty. The extended cab is a little harder to come by but I saw one last week

      Reply
  6. outback_ute Avatar
    outback_ute

    I going to say yes, because I’m just getting into fixing up/restoring my ute which has 3 seats (although not a bench), steel wheels, crank windows, 50% central locking (when you unlock the door, half the doors are unlocked), rubber floor etc.

    I could go and buy one of the last Falcon utes which fits the other description; extra cab (although not much extra), auto, all bells and whistles, but I’m not going to.

    Reply
  7. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    A small, base truck is what businesses buy for employees to drive. If I’m spending my own money for something I would be driving the next 5-10 years, I would probably put some options on the order form: upgrade engine, some sound deadening, better suspension, and maybe some dash controls that don’t scream out that something should go there if the owner wasn’t such a cheapskate.

    Reply
    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      Sound deadening is easy to add yourself (and can be of better quality). My only requirement would be A/C. Anything else is just something that will eventually break. I wouldn’t even want power windows or power steering if I could get it that way.

      Reply
      1. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        Spoken like someone who has never driven a truck where headliner wasn’t included at that trim level. I also want full door panels, not just a small armrest attached to the steel door.

        Reply
        1. Zentropy Avatar
          Zentropy

          On the contrary– I’ve had two with sheetmetal ceilings. However, I’ve built headliners from scratch restoring old cars, so doing one in a pickup is comparatively simple. Besides, you can sound-deaden without going full-headliner, if you don’t care too much about aesthetics!

          Reply
        2. outback_ute Avatar
          outback_ute

          Do they still sell new pickups like that? I’ve seen them (Toyota/Mitsubishi) with no trim on the back wall of the cab, but otherwise they are plenty ok and usually have power mirrors/windows, bluetooth etc. Extra sound deadening wouldn’t go astray, the other ‘easy’ upgrade would be alloy wheels from a higher trim version where the owner has gone for aftermarket wheels, but steel wheels have their virtues too.

          I remember back in 2000 a new Falcon 1-tonne had all that with trim on the back cab wall and lap-sash belt for the centre seat, and a CD player. I had that for a week or two before it got the signwriting put on, which also had the benefit of doing some running in before it started to tow 2 ton…

          Reply
        3. danleym Avatar
          danleym

          I like my truck without a headliner.

          It’s also not my daily driver. Maybe it would get old eventually? But I’ve driven it plenty at 65 or 70, and it doesn’t bother me a bit.

          Reply
        4. outback_ute Avatar
          outback_ute

          Do they still sell new pickups like that? I’ve seen them (Toyota/Mitsubishi) with no trim on the back wall of the cab, but otherwise they are plenty ok and usually have power mirrors/windows, bluetooth etc. Extra sound deadening wouldn’t go astray, the other ‘easy’ upgrade would be alloy wheels from a higher trim version where the owner has gone for aftermarket wheels, but steel wheels have their virtues too.

          I remember back in 2000 a new Falcon 1-tonne had all that with trim on the back cab wall and lap-sash belt for the centre seat, and a CD player. I had that for a week or two before it got the signwriting put on, which also had the benefit of doing some running in before it started to tow 2 ton…

          Reply
    2. Batshitbox Avatar
      Batshitbox

      Evidently not, these days. If AT&T’s fleet spec was what it was when GMC built my ’91 C1500, standard cab, bench, longbed, HD chassis w/1/2 ton axles… then we’d be swimming in those spec trucks in the retail and aftermarket. Fleet orders are for crew cabs & stubby beds, and so that’s what Ford, GM and Ram are tooled up to make.

      Reply
  8. longrooffan Avatar
    longrooffan

    I am personally not in the market for one of these but my local small town Oreilly’s has no fewer than eight in their fleet. It would appear that a market does exist in the corporate world.

    Reply
    1. Kernel Panik Avatar
      Kernel Panik

      I see plenty of work trucks on the road in vinyl corporate livery, but I never see any on dealer lots. Must be a fleet spec thing. I wonder if a regular consumer-level dealer (one that doesn’t specialize in fleet sales) would actually be willing to sell one.

      Reply
    2. Kernel Panik Avatar
      Kernel Panik

      I see plenty of work trucks on the road in vinyl corporate livery, but I never see any on dealer lots. Must be a fleet spec thing. I wonder if a regular consumer-level dealer (one that doesn’t specialize in fleet sales) would actually be willing to sell one.

      Reply
  9. JayP Avatar
    JayP

    My old Ranger is doesn’t show it’s age but feels it. Down on power, AC is meh, coolant is going somewhere.
    I’m hoping the new base Ranger comes down in price like the Mustang.

    Reply
  10. danleym Avatar
    danleym

    Late last year I moved out of town a ways, got a small bit of land (small by the standard of others around us, large enough by city standards). Decided I need a truck for occasional use- taking slash to the slash pile, schlepping big stuff from town to my place, you know- pickup truck stuff.

    2 months ago I bought a beat up, 79 K10, single cab, bench seat, 3 speed manual trans (4 if you count the granny low, I guess), no A/C, manual locks and window cranks. Sure, it’s a full size, but it’s not even close in size to a modern full size. I haven’t checked measurements, but I’m guessing it’s close enough to a modern mid size.

    So yes, that’s what I want. To be fair, I’m not really in the market for a new one though. Even if it was the base model of all base models and somehow priced in the low 20s, I still don’t think I’d be looking for a new one. So no manufacturer really cares what I want then…

    Reply
  11. SeattleCurmudgeon Avatar
    SeattleCurmudgeon

    For you ladies who don’t want to chip your nails on the rudimentary manual shifter there are a plethora of extra cab, auto F150/Sierra/Ram trucks out there. For the rest there are a multitude of pre-1985 actual work trucks for sale starting at $400. Manual shifting, windows and locks, carbureted, might have an old NRA or Semper Fi sticker. Seat cover that smells like old dog. That’s a truck. My Tundra Crewmax is an SUV that can load a yard of play chips, but it’s not the truck I’m used to, with compound low and a power takeoff. The real trucks are old.

    Reply
  12. Troggy Avatar
    Troggy

    If I ever needed a ute I would probably get a Hiace or similar. Cab forward means more load space, it’s covered and lockable. It’s also low enough to jump in to the load area with relative ease. A LWB still can have 5 seats too.

    Reply
  13. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    I appreciate them but don’t have much use for something that small.

    Reply
  14. SlowJoeCrow Avatar
    SlowJoeCrow

    I had a couple of Ford Rangers and liked them but these days I’m more in the market for an older regular cab or extended full size truck so I can easily fit a 3rd person, haul large objects and tow a decent sized trailer. Which means an 86-96 F150 is top of the list and relatively common in my area.

    Reply
  15. roguetoaster Avatar
    roguetoaster

    Having spec’d the last two trucks for work I selected the following:

    F150 regular cab, 8′ bed XL
    Power windows/mirrors
    Tow package
    E Locker
    2.7 turbo

    This is the truck I’d buy for myself, in a color other than white, which can do most everything with a generally low future operating cost. They also replaced a pair of Transit Connects, which were horrible.

    Even so, the bed is too high to easily reach in, and the vinyl seats are so so, but at least it’s fast, fun, dare I say, sporty, and fairly economical (lifetime 24ish MPG with ladders on top).

    Reply
    1. Professor BanancyHot Avatar
      Professor BanancyHot

      What was horrible about the Transit Connects?
      I keep looking for short-wheelbase passenger ones despite knowing they’re probably not great, because they’re the only thing that nails the size and shape that I’m after (now that the Mazda5, xB, and Element are long gone).

      Reply
      1. roguetoaster Avatar
        roguetoaster

        Basically, the lack of proper interior access/volume, esp. for plywood/long lumber, and the real difficulty of putting items on top. Mechanically they were fine, but they did return terribly MPGs (22/23 for 2015 models).

        Reply
  16. SeattleCurmudgeon Avatar
    SeattleCurmudgeon

    Yes- I want the small-form 4wd, 4-door manual turbo diesel pickup the rest of the world gets to drive.

    Reply
  17. Professor BanancyHot Avatar
    Professor BanancyHot

    Yes, but you get the stinkeye from too many people and wives for putting a child seat in the front seat.

    So, I guess I need something like a Crew Cab Colorado, but I need it to be around 200 inches long instead of 220+.

    Reply
  18. Mark Thompson Avatar
    Mark Thompson

    I’d be interested in a small, base pickup. The only comforts I really need are AC and cruise. Crank windows are OK, a manual transmission very much preferred. But it’s gotta have at least a 6.5 foot bed. 7 foot preferably. I want to be able to move a streetbike or a quad w/ the tailgate up.

    Reply
  19. Lokki Avatar
    Lokki

    I prefer my pickup to be simple, old and dented. I’m fine with either manuals or automatics, and I don’t worry much about gas mileage. For that matter, I don’t even have true preference for one make over another, not even foreign or domestic. The important thing is that my buddy be willing to lend it me whenever I want it.

    Reply