Small pickups

Only ever owned one car from new - 1997 Skoda Felicia pickup. Prior to that, used to buy small, cheap cars - Golfs, Micra's, Minis etc, usually pretty old and always under £1000. So the Skoda was a step up in the World. 1.9 litre diesel, power steering, that new-car smell. Handled very well especially with a couple bags of cement placed above the rear axle.

Because I paid cash, the dealer was amenable to requests so asked them to fit the lovely alloy wheels that were for the Felica saloon car. Looked proper it did and probably the only Skoda pickup in Britain with the alloys - dealer took a photo for his wall.

They gave me the steel wheels too so ended up with nine wheels & tyres; used to fit the steel ones in Winter to save the alloys from the ravages of salt. Can't find any picture so here's one from that internet. This one doesn't have the alloy wheels though . . .

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Deffo counts as a small pickup. The deck was long enough to take a motorbike placed diagonally but couldn't necessarily close the tailgate. Was my only car for ten years.

Have not owned any car since I sold the pickup in about 2007.
 
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I bought a 1986 Toyota basic pickup when it was brand new. It had the tough as nails 22R 4 cylinder engine, a basic 4-speed stick , basic rubber floor covering and the only option I paid for was air conditioning. It was a great, practical truck.
It looked just like this one here,
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I have often thought how much I would love to have another one, but when I look at them….WOW! You can’t believe the money they ask for them. If they are clean and have low miles on them, then they want mid $20K ,
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But most of them have been used as work trucks, they have been beat to hell and have a quarter of a million miles on them!
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I recall the older Toyota puck ups had a single wall bed. I borrowed my uncle’s truck and a battery slid across the bed and left a big dent in the side of the rear fender / box.
 
What no Dakota fans bois here? Well there's one anyways. ;)
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4 of 8? I've had. I STILL like that one where I sprayed the wheels red.
BEST years are 92-93
but any of the first gen are good. They've all disappeared up here, literally,
rusted away.
In Wisconsin the best pickups are disguised as VANS! No reason for 5' of hood in front of the driver.
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Promaster vans are VERY suited for bike hauling.
Toyota is bringing back a small TRUCK that's not just a urban grocery getter.
I've always thought many small pickups go to Mexico in their retirement years. Why used prices are so high.
Too tall modern pickups are just stupid as work trucks.
 
What no Dakota fans bois here? Well there's one anyways. ;)
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4 of 8? I've had. I STILL like that one where I sprayed the wheels red.
BEST years are 92-93
but any of the first gen are good. They've all disappeared up here, literally,
rusted away.
In Wisconsin the best pickups are disguised as VANS! No reason for 5' of hood in front of the driver.
View attachment 342954
Promaster vans are VERY suited for bike hauling.
Toyota is bringing back a small TRUCK that's not just a urban grocery getter.
I've always thought many small pickups go to Mexico in their retirement years. Why used prices are so high.
Too tall modern pickups are just stupid as work trucks.
A van is a good idea. Maybe I should look for one. Great for hauling stuff to the cottage; towing; moving a bike etc. I think they are rather overpriced up here though. I think the other negative factor is poor fuel economy which would make it less than desirable for a daily driver.
 
yes.
The weak spot for (deal breaker) rust is frame back of the cab to the front mount of the rear leaf springs.
Bring a hammer, be prepared for seller screams!
This is a common stress point in all pickups, nothing some metal plate and a nice mig welder can’t quickly address, I just fixed our 2010 Silverado, you could hear it creaking over big uneven surfaces before the fix.
 
I remember the VW pickup of the 80's. Basically a Jetta Camino, much like the Skoda that Raymond mentioned above, since a Skoda is a VW built under license in the Check Republic

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We had one as a shop truck. Don't put a bike on the centerstand strapped down in the bed. It punched holes through the sheet metal. Nothing a 1/2" sheet of plywood couldn't fix though.

Oddly, now I want a Dodge van
 
Had a 93 Hilux 2.8D 4x4 tray back.
Great vehicle, bought it in 2000 with 100,000klm on the clock. Last of the full axle front and back
The weak point in them is when they are bush bashed or driven hard on rought roads the chassis whére the front shocks mount is welded to can crack and break off. Expensive to keep on the road when things like the injected pump needs fixing or on mine the front seals on the wheels kept on leaking, especially the left side. Over all a great truck.

Have a 2004 Mitsubishi Triton 80,000 on the clock when I bought it, 135,000 now. The budget model, wind down windows, 3 speed wipers, 2.4 petrol 5 speed. Previous owner didn't use it long before he had to retire. Engine and cab inside and out in great condition. Tray was/is rusty due to living in MT Isa for its first 5 years. Spent some money to get it roadworthy, timing belts and a proper wheel alignment. Got a good second hand tray for it to finish it off. Proberbly last me. Around 4.5 grand in it. Hate the well deck or tubs as we call them. Can't carry a sheet of 24x12 flat and the everything is on and off by the back
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If buying an older small pickup and considering a Tacoma, Google the years that the trucks had frame rot. Toyota had a recall on certain years to replace rusted out frames. If you find one with a replaced frame that would be great. If it hasn’t been done, be careful. Iirc, late ‘90’s and early 2000’s? Just looked - I was close.

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I have a 96. I never heard anything about it in 2008 but saw it on a you tube video last summer ( a frame snapping in half on a lift). I figured mine had to be thrashed after alll the abuse and miles (375K) I have put on it but it was fine. Even checked the inside with one of those bendy lights you can get from Harbor Freight for free sometimes. It might have to do with salting roads in the winter, my state doesn't, or maybe I just got lucky
 
We call them Utes in Oz - but they are just a small truck.
Built this 1972 HQ Holden, 355 Stroker, 288 Crane, roller rockers etc. 450 HP.
Always wanted to build something hot and nasty - and thats how it ended up, hard to drive, noisy solid lifters, 3500 stall, cop bait - but I got it out of my system and sold it.
Couple of pickies.
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I had a 94 Dakota with 5 speed manual. Sold it when daughter arrived. Lady who bought it moved to Idaho and still has it. Getting close to 400k on it.
I’m checking out a very basic 2014 regular cab Tacoma tomorrow. Roll up windows, manual transmission, 2wd. Only issue is no cruise control which is a must for me as I have foot problems and can’t drive very long without it. I’m not sure but I think it can be added on if Mr YouTube isn’t lying. It’s bigger than I want but low miles. Also considering a V6 RAV4 as it’s way more practical, but motorcycles aren’t exactly practical and neither am I.
 

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