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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » The top most honorable Japanese pickups

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April 30, 2009 5:30 p.m. RussellH Reader

Top 10 most honorable Japanese pickup trucks

As I get older I'm starting to appreciate things like compact pickup trucks for their utility, practicality and usefulness. This was an interesting article. I almost never see the Japanese pickups older than the 1980s models.

I so want to buy a brand new 4 dr compact truck so I can keep it for the next 30 years but alas no one sells one anymore. Every truck these days is giant, the previous generation Tacoma was the closest to what I want to buy today
April 30, 2009 5:38 p.m. jimbob_racing HalfDork

I like the BTTF reference on the Toyota truck. If Nissan would crank out more Hardbody pickups I'd be down at the dealer with cash in hand to buy one. Everything new is just too friggin big. I'll bet a new honest to goodness mini truck would do well with high gas prices and tight budgets.
April 30, 2009 5:52 p.m. mad_machine UltraDork

I agree.. we need minipickups again.. I would take a hardbody or a brat.

I used to drive a hardbody at the furniture store whose warehouse I managed when i was in college. No AC, no Radio, no P/S.. just a five speed and a torquey 4 cylinder that could see the truck sideways for half a block in the rain...
April 30, 2009 5:59 p.m. ignorant PowerDork

I want..

A Diesel UK or Australian ford ranger.. 4x4.. 4 door basic truck.
April 30, 2009 6:45 p.m. benzbaron Reader

The nissan puts out more power than the toyota, but I don't know about longevity.

The toyota pickup is by far one of the best rounded vehicle on the road and the fact you can carry a 1000lbs makes it pretty damn usefull.
April 30, 2009 7:09 p.m. Datsun1500 HalfDork

I got #1 YEAH!
April 30, 2009 8:09 p.m. RussellH Reader

Datsun1500 wrote:

I got #1 YEAH!

You suck! Seriously...you do...I mean...ok I'm jealous.

That's such a cool truck. Any more info or pics? inside/outside/before/after/repairs/upgrades?
April 30, 2009 8:09 p.m. pinchvalve UltraDork

My buddy is keeping one of those Marty McFly Toyotas on the road. Besides the fact that it has been a good friend since college, he just can't find anything in the same size range with such classic lines. Someday, it will get a full restoration.
April 30, 2009 8:12 p.m. Datsun1500 HalfDork

1965 320. 62k miles, original paint, chrome, etc. No upgrades or restoration needed or planned. Bought for a Home Depot runner to match my Datsun Roadsters..
April 30, 2009 8:32 p.m. RussellH Reader

the last remaining compact truck is the Ranger and actually I like it too especially because it's been around for so long now but it doesn't offer 4 doors (so I can use it as a daily driver or ski/camping trip vehicle). But they're planning to kill the Ranger and go with an F100 or something bigger...

Edit: Just saw your reply Datsun...how do you find parts for it? is ebay really the only source for parts?
April 30, 2009 10:12 p.m. NYG95GA Dork

Brat, or even better, Rampage.

Good luck on finding one.
May 1, 2009 12:12 a.m. neon4891 SuperDork

the truck bug is bitting me again, this time it is a dakota.must. resist.
May 1, 2009 3:27 a.m. TR3only Reader

In some markets, Nissan sold the 620 and 720 series trucks with 4 "full" doors/as crewcabs. I doubt they would have sold here tho, when new, as no one wanted a minitruck with a bitty bed.
May 1, 2009 4:26 a.m. Jay Dork

You can still buy small car-based pickups over here. Maybe not the best for towing, but if you're just hauling firewood around and want something more practical I imagine they'd be great.

Here's a Fiat Strada:

I've seen similar cars from VW (the Caddy lives!), Skoda, Seat, and some others.
May 1, 2009 4:43 a.m. thatsnowinnebago HalfDork

I'm glad the REPU made that list. One day, I will own one. For now, I'll happily stick with number 2 :
May 1, 2009 5:04 a.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

Woho! #6 & #2 for me.

Used to have a Rampage at a job some years ago. Darn good and useful vehicle.
May 1, 2009 6:08 a.m. blaze86vic Reader

If you search really hard, there are factory turbo 22RTE engines available in the Toyota Helix. Pretty sweet setup, a budy of mine has one in great original shape.
May 1, 2009 7:09 a.m. alfadriver Reader

ignorant wrote:

I want..

...... Australian ford ranger.. 4x4.. 4 door basic truck.

Paitence, my friend.

Eric
May 1, 2009 7:28 a.m. spitfirebill HalfDork

jimbob_racing wrote:

If Nissan would crank out more Hardbody pickups I'd be down at the dealer with cash in hand to buy one. Everything new is just too friggin big. I'll bet a new honest to goodness mini truck would do well with high gas prices and tight budgets.

Pretty sure Nissan still makes the D-21 overseas. And puts a diesel in it to boot. I guess we are not to be trusted.
May 1, 2009 7:37 a.m. spitfirebill HalfDork

I can't believe they put the T100 on the list, but left the hilux off.
May 1, 2009 7:58 a.m. mtn Dork

spitfirebill wrote:

I can't believe they put the T100 on the list, but left the hilux off.

uh.... It was number 2
May 1, 2009 7:58 a.m. mtn Dork

alfadriver wrote:

ignorant wrote:

I want..

...... Australian ford ranger.. 4x4.. 4 door basic truck.

Paitence, my friend.

Eric

Diesel?
May 1, 2009 8:33 a.m. aussiesmg Dork

How did the REPU rate 8th, they are the coolest Japanese truck ever, I also will own one.
May 1, 2009 8:53 a.m. Jensenman MegaDork

Loved the REPU, I had a 1974 Ford Courier which was a rebadged Mazda, basically the same truck with a piston motor. Bulletproof, capable, fun to drive. The cab was a bit cramped for my 6 foot carcass, not good for long trips. I had a Hardbody extended cab 4x4 with a V6 and 5 speed, loved that truck. When the lil' one came along it had to go, no way to get the wife/kid/car seat/me all in dry storage for trips to Gramma's house. That's what brought the Rodeo to my house.

Now that she's older, if I were going older riceburner pickup truck it would have to be an extended cab T100. For me it would be the perfect size: big enough bed for a 4x8 sheet of plywood (the gold standard of bed size) small enough to fit in the average suburban garage and still be able to move around inside with an interior big enough to stretch out in.

I wonder why the Isuzu P'UP/Chevy LUV and/or the later pickup didn't make the list? Tougher than nails and last forever.
May 1, 2009 9:38 a.m. 93celicaGT2 Dork

Jensenman wrote:

Loved the REPU, I had a 1974 Ford Courier which was a rebadged Mazda, basically the same truck with a piston motor. Bulletproof, capable, fun to drive. The cab was a bit cramped for my 6 foot carcass, not good for long trips. I had a Hardbody extended cab 4x4 with a V6 and 5 speed, loved that truck. When the lil' one came along it had to go, no way to get the wife/kid/car seat/me all in dry storage for trips to Gramma's house. That's what brought the Rodeo to my house.

Now that she's older, if I were going older riceburner pickup truck it would have to be an extended cab T100. For me it would be the perfect size: big enough bed for a 4x8 sheet of plywood (the gold standard of bed size) small enough to fit in the average suburban garage and still be able to move around inside with an interior big enough to stretch out in.

I wonder why the Isuzu P'UP/Chevy LUV and/or the later pickup didn't make the list? Tougher than nails and last forever.

TRD T100 DO WANT!!! Supercharged goodness!

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