Will Toyota ever make a true 1/4 ton again?

What do you think? I love my first gen but I know the day will come that I have to get something else as a dd. The 2nd gen's are growing on me but I would love to see them go back to making a compact truck again.

Will the market come back around for smaller trucks again or are they just going to keep getting bigger?

 

The current second gens a really a split between compact and Mid-size. The double cab is definitely mid size while the access cab and regular cab are more compact

 

Do a side-by-side comparison of an first gen Hilux (79-83) and the current Tacoma. Compare length, width, weight, wheel-base. The new ones are definitely mid-size to me.

I'd love to see Honda come out with a compact, body-on-frame 4x4 pickup.
It would a quality rig, and likely get around 30mpg

 

The access cab and the double cab short bed have the same exact dimensions. Width-wise, the regular cab is the same as the others also. Arguably, the 5 lugger is a more compact pickup although not by much and no 4wd.

 

I know the size difference isn't really that drastic. It just seems to me like the 1st gen Tacoma was the perfect size. The focus seems to have shifted to making a visually appealing (which I think Toyota has been dropping the ball on) and a larger yet more fuel efficient truck.

I realize they are following trends and that the way I use a truck is now the minority, but I would like to think there will be a day that they go back to making a compact, realistic, functional 4x4. Rebranding it as the Toyota Pickup would make me feel even better but that might be stretching it a little to far.

 

Maybe. Smaller and more effiecent is the trend these days...

 

At the way things are going they will continue to get bigger and bigger until everyone is driving around in semi trucks... The current gen taco is bigger than a first gen tundra!

 

This. Everyone now a days needs a bus to haul their fat butts around. Now that's not really the reason, but people are wanting more room in every which way possible in and outside of the vehicle for their uses. So if you like the compact size and you have a compact size truck, keep it until it dies because they will only get bigger.

 

I think there is a decent chance they will make a compact truck again, but it will be a car platform based design. A UTE, as they are called in many places. of course if people will buy them, they would make a real compact truck again, but toyota isn't in a place where they need to innovate and risk.

 

I've got a '13 Baja double cab. The other day, I was parked at work next to my boss' full sized dodge 4x2 and the front end was almost identical in size. Obviously the cab and bed are smaller, but I was really surprised to see how large the front end of the Tacoma really is. Still like it though.

 

its just gonna get bigger with all the new safety features and creature comforts that everyone expects as standard along with the fact that people keep getting fatter and bigger

 

First gen Tundra Access Cab

WIDTH 6 ft. 3.2 in. (75.2 in.)
LENGTH 18 ft. 1.5 in. (217.5 in.)


2nd gen Tacoma Access Cab

WIDTH 6 ft. 0.2 in. (72.2 in.)
LENGTH 17 ft. 4.1 in. (208.1 in.)

 

This is getting more into dream world here as a liquor settles in more, but how do you think something like a anniversary edition would sell? Something they put out for one year that resembles either the 1st gen Tacoma's or even going back to the 80's pickups. I know they then have to support the model for years to come with parts and such so it may not be worth it. I would think that if it came out at the right price point that sales would do well.

 

2:27pm here.

 

Really though, I just threw out the "anniversary edition" as a example. If they do ever come out with a true compact truck again I can't see it happening for a while. The 1 year edition deal would seem to be a good way to test the market.

 

honda and pickup = this

 

I doubt we will ever see another "truck" the size of the first gens. No real market. People want bigger and better. I'm sure there are people here who claim they would spend $30k on a new 1st gen tacoma if they did some type of anniversary or retro edition, until they sat in a new 3rd gen and drove it. The softer/smoother ride, fancy features, more roomy interior, more power, etc...... It would sell 9 out of 10 people to spend their 30k on the new technology instead of 15+ y/o technology.
Then they'd have to extend the frame recall too.

Maybe years from now, some Coloradan or Californian will do what they are doing to old muscle cars now and build a new truck with new technology with a first gen body. Don't expect it to be cheap though.

Your best bet would be to drive your truck until it needs replaced due to mechanical failure. Then rebuild it (frame off restoration) back to new. Replace everything, repaint body, etc... Probably be cheaper then a new tacoma. Plus this way you could have real leaf springs from the start. Maybe even source out a diesel transplant if you're into that sort of thing.

 

These stats are for the 2wd, std cab, short bed, 4-cyl.
Keep in mind that 1984 was the first year of the FOURTH gen toyota hilux.

Model Yr: 1984 2014

Wheel Base 103 110
Length 175 190
Width 64 75
Height 61 70
Weight 2800 3765
HP 97 159

Quite a difference. If 1984 is considered 'compact', how can anyone say
that 2014 models are 'compact' . I say they are now mid-size .

 

and getting more expensive. I was looking at new FJ's and toyota has them listed at 34-35k Those are pretty basic vehicles too (no leather, no heated seats, no nav, no heated mirrors, no remote start) compared to some of the other vehicles on the market now at the same price point.

Thanks, I knew someone would post up the numbers
Pretty dang close! 2" in width and 9" in length difference

 

thats inflation for you that and the cost of living increase in turn the factory workers that make each part have to be paid more and we see that through the prices of these cars