Smaller Trucks - I Know, I Know

[ramonesfreak]

Love my Colorado ZR2. It’s my favorite truck…ever. Despite comment above, the turbomax engine is great as is the interior, though limited in interior storage. When I was shopping, I limited myself to the Ranger Raptor, the Gladiator Mojave X and the ZR2 and ZR2 Bison. Jeeps….i have first hand experience with their corrosion issue and the Ranger Raptor has the cam phaser issue….the cons outweighed the pros, for me. Even if they didn’t have those issues, I still would have chosen the ZR2. I will never part with it I love it so much. That said, all these seem way overkill for you since the original post said 4x4 isn’t really necessary and my interest is in off-road trucks. ….also, 5 ft bed poses some challenges if hauling kayaks etc…you’ll need a bed extender or rack system

The ZR2 is great on the highway and has a ton of torque….same as the Ranger Raptor. It is a delight to drive and the heated and ventilated seats are very comfortable.

I do not like the current direction of Toyota unfortunately. Love the prior generations.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by gacook

I have a Colorado with a 6ft bed. I like it, it does its job. Had our 2 kayaks in it just this past weekend; plenty of room.

I had a friend who had a Colorado (R.I.P. Paul) really liked it, after his Granddaughter passed the Florida Bar, he moved her to Orlando for her new job, and he used it to go see his daughter in Alabama about every holiday.
Something to consider.

[syncroid]

I am and always will be a Toyota truck guy. I am on my fourth one. The last one was the 2001 version of my 2024 Tacoma and had just under 200k when I sold it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I will caveat my previous Colorado comments that this was circa 2022 so the previous generation. The new one is all new so some of my criticisms may be irrelevant.

[ramonesfreak]

Figured. Didn’t care for the prior generation either.

[911 Rod]

My real problem with smaller trucks is that you can buy a full size one for pretty much the same amount of money. At least that is with the Tundra/Taco

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

My real problem with smaller trucks is that you can buy a full size one for pretty much the same amount of money. At least that is with the Tundra/Taco

That is exactly right...I have had enough Toyota's in my life that Kiichiro named his son Tombe Toyoda.

True story.

The Tundra stays in the family...it has less than 160k on it so I am thinking 10 more years. But the Tundra will stay here on the farm.

I want as small a "truck" as possible that I can lower the drivers seat in. Next up will be the Santa Cruz, which if I get one will be named, "Meadow" after a dalliance I had at UCSC.

It is fitting.

[cabmandone]

All this talk of "small trucks" makes me REALLY wish the talk of a new Subaru Baja was true.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

That is exactly right...I have had enough Toyota's in my life that Kiichiro named his son Tombe Toyoda.

True story.

The Tundra stays in the family...it has less than 160k on it so I am thinking 10 more years. But the Tundra will stay here on the farm.

I want as small a "truck" as possible that I can lower the drivers seat in. Next up will be the Santa Cruz, which if I get one will be named, "Meadow" after a dalliance I had at UCSC.

It is fitting.

How about a maverick?

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

How about a maverick?

100% on the list. A good friend of mine has one and I spent some quality time in it during the Steeplechase in South Carolina a month or more ago.

Frankly, that is what got me started on the smaller truck search...the Maverick is nice piece of kit I would have no issue with. It just, like the Ridgeline, fits where I am headed.

Barry, my buddy with the Maverick, was a Steeplechase race horse trainer and, like me, has lived in Tacoma's, 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks for the last 45 years. He is the Starter now for most East Coast Steeplechase Meets.

Again, I'll have access to the Tundra if need be...don't think I will!

Edit: Dimensions:

- Ranger: 210 inches in length, 75 inches without mirrors (which I use for all vehicles)
- Ridgeline: 210 inches in length, 78 wide
- Mav: 199 inches in length 76 inches wide
- Jeep 218 inches long 74 inches wide
- Colorado 212 inches in length 80 inches wide
- Tundra 229 inches in length 80 inches wide
- Old LC: 190 inches long, 76 inches wide

I know, I have target fixation.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

Figured. Didn’t care for the prior generation either.

I have to say that the new ones look pretty damn good. Big improvement in styling. The suspension on the one I drove was spectacular, better than the Gladiator Mojave which was also very good.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

100% on the list. A good friend of mine has one and I spent some quality time in it during the Steeplechase in South Carolina a month or more ago.

Frankly, that is what got me started on the smaller truck search...the Maverick is nice piece of kit I would have no issue with. It just, like the Ridgeline, fits where I am headed.

Barry, my buddy with the Maverick, was a Steeplechase race horse trainer and, like me, has lived in Tacoma's, 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks for the last 45 years. He is the Starter now for most East Coast Steeplechase Meets.

Again, I'll have access to the Tundra if need be...don't think I will!

Edit: Dimensions:

- Ranger: 210 inches in length, 75 inches without mirrors (which I use for all vehicles)
- Ridgeline: 210 inches in length, 78 wide
- Mav: 199 inches in length 76 inches wide
- Jeep 218 inches long 74 inches wide
- Colorado 212 inches in length 80 inches wide
- Tundra 229 inches in length 80 inches wide
- Old LC: 190 inches long, 76 inches wide

I know, I have target fixation.

Do any of the dealers near you have a rental program?
Rent for a week, the different trucks that are interested in, after that, compare the notes, likes and dislikes and go from the results of each. I understand, it a extra expense, but is there truly a better way to figure out what you like best, and that’s a small price to pay before you commit yourself to the cost of a new truck.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I have to say that the new ones look pretty damn good. Big improvement in styling. The suspension on the one I drove was spectacular, better than the Gladiator Mojave which was also very good.

The dssv shocks are great but they do fail and are not rebuildable and quite expensive to replace. I’m not confident that they like the cold temps we get here and have read of some seal failures due to extreme cold. We shall see….gotta say every time I walk up to the truck and see them I get happy

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

The dssv shocks are great but they do fail and are not rebuildable and quite expensive to replace. I’m not confident that they like the cold temps we get here and have read of some seal failures due to extreme cold. We shall see….gotta say every time I walk up to the truck and see them I get happy

Well that sucks. The external reservoir Fox dampers on the Mojave are rebuildable, but there was a lot of internet rumor that they wear out after about 50k. I ruined mine with bumpers, a winch, and a topper, it desperately needed HD springs. I always tell people to get a Mojave if you plan to leave your truck mostly stock, otherwise you’ll probably end up replacing the suspension so what’s the point?

[Cloggie]

Friend of mine has had 7 Nissan Frontiers, latest is 2023.

He loves them, had virtually no issues and he feels the price point is better than Toyota - his second choice.

I drive it when I am in CDN, its seems nice, well equipped.....and he keeps them for a lot of miles, like 200k km and has never replaced a major component, just brake pads, tires and such.

D.

[vash]

if my truck was stolen, I think I would take a hard look at the new Frontier.

[shinrai]

Love my Maverick Hybrid. 43 MPG average in the summer.

[Scott Douglas]

You might want to take a look at this thread from another forum. It's a review of the Maverick that a guy bought.

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/oops-i-did-it-again.1087216/#post-17861655

I think the conclusion I draw most from it is the Maverick vs Ridgeline is comparing apples to oranges in that the hauling capability of the 'line is so much greater than the Mav why would you even look at a Mav if that is something you value?

My brother has a Colorado V-6 and tows with it a lot. I've ridden in it enough to know I don't want one just based on the ride alone. The 'line is a lot more my style of comfort when it comes to time spent on the road going places.

YMMV of course.

[vash]

Chevy is coming out with interesting colors. I saw this the other day. I could smell the new car smell from my truck.

[flipper35]

Hyundai Santa Cruz?