GM bringing the LUV back?

[Frank Lee]

[UltArc]

A bit dramatic for my taste, but not a bad looking vehicle.

I remember Ford kept advertising the Ranger for a short period.

"Best in class fuel economy"
"Best in class power"
"Best in class ...."

The Ranger, for a while, was the only "Small" truck. So yes, it was the best in class, because it was the only in class. I expect better than that from Ford. I like the Ranger (other than short gearing and no 6th gear), but I thought that was not an ethical advert.

Allegedly, the reason we have the Explorer Sports Trac is so Ford could keep the only Small class truck (the Ranger). Adding the two full doors would have made it too big- don't know the details, just heard this response from several representatives.

One of my all time favorite cars is still the Baja. Four cylinder turbo, five speed model. I'd love to drop the tailgate, make a boattail out to the edge, and just have a blast- hypermile in the city, slide around in the woods.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Who would buy it and why?

The people now driving '80s to mid-90s Toyota pickups, maybe? Even though they last almost forever (my '88 is still going strong), rust and accidents do cause some attrition.

[poomanchu]

All those gm trucks on the first page look estrogen enhanced. Maybe they should have long eyelashes lol.

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by poomanchu

All those gm trucks on the first page look estrogen enhanced. Maybe they should have long eyelashes lol.

Estrogen enhanced like girlie? Or estrogen enhanced like sexy?

I think the latter. lol

[War_Wagon]

I don't know if I'd count a ute as a truck. It's a car chassis with a pickup body on it, like an old Rampage or VW truck, El Camino, Ranchero etc. Fine for light duty I guess, but to me a small truck has at least some sort of fullish frame, RWD, and heavier duty suspension components. Someone that needs to use a truck for a truck would be looking for those, after all look at the Astro van vs any of it's competitors at the time. In a cargo version for a work vehicle, there is no comparison between an Astro cargo and a Windstar cargo for which one is actually made for the job. UTE's are cool and all, but a station wagon version of the same vehicle would probably be just as useful and durable. I would have liked to see a Mahindra pick up truck available here, depending on the finished products quality of course, which may or may not have been really terrifying lol. But they gave up trying to get into North America, so that'll never happen.

[basjoos]

The other thing I like about the compact pickups from the 80's is their low bed height made it easier to load heavy cargo into them. Modern full and mid size pickups have such a high bed that it is a harder job to lift a heavy item from the ground and into the back of their bed. Ditto climbing into the bed to work on the cargo.

[PaleMelanesian]

Originally Posted by basjoos

The other thing I like about the compact pickups from the 80's is their low bed height made it easier to load heavy cargo into them. Modern full and mid size pickups have such a high bed that it is a harder job to lift a heavy item from the ground and into the back of their bed. Ditto climbing into the bed to work on the cargo.

And because they're so tall, you have to get up in the bed to do anything. Used to be you could work on stuff in the bed by reaching over the sides. Now that's gone unless you're Shaq-sized.

[UltArc]

War Wagon, I am not calling you out, I want to clarify this- at least the Falcon, isn't it on a full sized frame? I wouldn't know the difference other than looking at the body- my general knowledge points towards truck frame = bed not attached to body, car frame = attached.

And everyone's needs are different, but these payloads seem pretty good to me.

Ford Australia - Falcon Ute MKII Specifications & Options

I know some people need a ute (for sake of argument) for this:



While I want it for this:

[gone-ot]

How about the 1960-65 Ford Falcon-based "Rancheros"...not the later Fairlane-based model?