[SuperTrooper]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

But the Ranger is not a small truck, it's a mid-sized truck. Small trucks are the size of the 75-76 Toyota models pictured at this link: Toyota compact pickup trucks - Hi-Lux and Tacomoa

When you compare the dimensions the Ranger is within a couple of inches all the way around. When you add things like side impact protection (none in 1975) and other safety systems required by goverment or the market (sound insulation) even the 500 lb weight gain is right in line with newer vehicles. Those older Toyotas were rust buckets made from recycled steel. In any climate other than the dry western states they no longer exist. Anyway, the Ranger is the CLOSEST thing to the small pickup available today. Given the demands of the modern truck owner there is limited interest in the basic cab/box on wheels. Ford Supercab Rangers outsell standard cabs 5 to 1.