So there is talk of Toyota bringing out a compact Pickup over at tundrasolutions.com on the Tacoma forum. I've put in a bit of input.

I'm just curious if you guys have some input. Remember, our goal is to just get Toyota to come out with another compact pickup that is on the inexpensive side for the guys who want want to go to a new Tacoma, but who want something that is relativley basic, no frills, and is something we can "play with," and isn't as pricey as the new Tacoma.

One of the idea's I shot around was bring the 3.4 back, but give it VVT-i so it would have around 200-210 HP and 220-240 ft-lbs of torque. R & D costs would be streamlined on this proven motor if they only had to give it VVT-i.

But then after having tought about it, I kinda like the idea of a nice little peppy 4 banger that is geared well, dragging around a compact xtracab truck. Or maybe make it a small access cab.

Here is an idea I threw around - Make the truck narrow like the previous Compact Tacomas & Pickups, and make it in the xtracab configuration, or the size of the xtracab but with an access cab rear opening suicide doors. The Previous editions of the Tacoma had 74.5" beds, my truck has a 75" bed. Give it a 72" bed and put the 3" from the bed into the rear/extended cab to make it more reasonable for the odd person sitting back there, and then extend the wheel base & length of the truck another 3" and put that 3" into the rear/extra cab portion as well, for an additional 6" of front/backward space in the leg room of the rear portion of the extra cab so the odd passenger can at least have a bit more reasonable room back there and you'll have a nice compromise overall for a compact truck in utility.

Give the truck front coil springs, a descent frame, and a 3 leaf spring pack with an overload. Make it tough & durable, no frills, with the only convenience feature air conditioning and maybe power mirrors. Stock 31" tires, 4.30 or 4.56 gears, a 5 speed manual for NO BS, etc.

I honestly mentioned the idea of a 3.4 liter with VVT-i, but the 4 cylinder appreciation in me also comes out - it would be cool if they came out with a higher output 4 cylinder engine than the current 2.7 with VVT-i (159 HP, 180 ft-lbs of torque). IF they had maybe a slightly higher displacement, like a 2.8-3.2 liter, with an inline 4, maybe give it dual VVT-i, they could probably squeeze 170-190 HP and 200 ft-lbs of torque easily. That would be a rock solid offering and probably get some nice fuel efficiency to boot if the truck weighed around 3500 pounds give or take.

 

Much like an FJ-Retro revival, how about a Solid Front Axle 1985 style X-tra cab with the SR5 optioning a cushioned rubber floor, 5spd, 3.4 VVT-i and A\C with 4.56's and 31X10.5X15 AT's. The SR5 would come standard with sweet hood and door decals. Manual windows and for sure front sail windows, no stereo, and a lockable glove box/center console.

I know I'm dreaming...but can you imagine? Farm/hunting/beater trucks right off the lot, AWESOME.Price it around a Camry 15-17,000.

 

Forget the gas motor. Give us a diesel! And solid axle! (yea right)

 

thats like asking them to mix oil and water......ain't happening. :cry:

 

Yep.

 

I think the compact pickup market segment is going to waste now that most all the companies have up-sized their smallest pickups. A smaller-format truck would probably bring a lot of sales to whomever gets on the market first.

I believe Toyota transferred a lot of their prior-generation Hilux designs to the Chinese company Great Wall, whose pickups are indistinguishable from earlier Hiluxes. This could provide an economical manufacturing source once Toyota is assured the quality is sufficient for export.

 

Actually, I'm surprised that the Korean manufactures haven't jumped on this segment, since all of the other companies have moved upscale and bigger.

Maybe the Chinese are thinking about taking a run at it?

 

Whoever does, they would catch my interest. My biggest problem with the newest tacoma is it's size. I don't need a big truck. I don't know if its just an optical illusion or not, but it seems like the newer taco is a lot bigger than the previous generation tacoma. A bone stock truck would be great. Fingers crossed...

 

im confused... whats wrong with a 1988 for $1500 and put $20K (or less) into and youll have the product your looking for....

or do nothing to the 1988 and you STILL have the product your looking for.

Ive toyed with the idea of cutting my truck up for years, but cant bring myself to because it works just to damn well as a small compact. I use it WAY to much as a small pickup to bring myself to make it more of a trail vehical, and i dont see myself bying something to replace it anytime soon.

 

I'd like to see one that looks like the '79 to '83 4X4 pickups. I think the FJ Cruiser should have resembled the flat fender trucks a little more. Like Ford's mustang looks like the old one.

 

I can dream cant I?

SFA would be awesome..

 

Diesel might actually be and option, considering a recent uprise of deisel technology in america...
And the sfa....well...im sure they will "seriously" consider it

 

But remember the goal of this pickup guys - it would be to offer something on the more inexpensive side like 13-18K for a 4x4 capable compact truck. The other goal of this truck would be to keep it simple. Also, I know I would buy one, and I'd like the idea of having Toyota quality, a new vehicle warranty, a vehicle built along the heritage of the compact pickups and older Tacoma's, that still has a transfer case, and is no frills, no BS, and does what it does well. If you're talking Diesel, well a Diesel option alone in a truck like this would be probably around a $4000 or more option.

 

Diesel doesnt have to be more, they already have such engiens for the 4runner over seas.

 

Truck tarriff on the diesels was the big deal, but I imagine that issue is gone since they now produce Tundra's (full size trucks) here in my hometown.

 

Main thing is the overseas diesels don't meet US emissions standards.