No PreRunner? Say it ain't so...

Just read the Car and Driver blog that says Toyota's dropping the PreRunner name and calling them the TRD Sport. I'm sad....

 

It'll still be around, just not in name.

Do you need an Internet hug?

 

Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.

 

The prerunner was so good they went ahead and made every 4x2 a prerunner.

 

I know, but as a kid I used to follow desert/off-road racing. I used to fantasize about turning my dad's old 63 Ford pickup into a pre-runner. Feels like I'm now driving an orphan.

 

Most people didn't read a few months back when Toyota said they were dropping the poverty model and only making PreRunner 'sized' models

 

Lulz

 

What? No 5 lug?

 

Did I read the article correctly? They said they're dropping the prerunner name but calling them the trd sport along with that fake hood scoop???? That hood scoop is ugly to me, are there TRD sports aka prerunner without the hood scoop option?

 

That's the way I read it. The one saving grace (not that I'm about to trade in a truck that's only 2 years old) is that based on photos I've seen on TW, the base truck will be a 6 lugger. It looks like Prerunner with no fender flares. Can't tell wheel/tire size in the photos, but they appeared to fill the wheel wells better than the old 5 lug 15s did.

 

Build up that Ford...

 

*sigh*

Toyota dropped the lowered suspension option, so they are only have to have one configuration provided by their suppliers. It simplifies construction, parts logistics, and training. The demand for the higher suspension was so much greater than the lower that it just made sense to them.

They also no longer have to apply "PreRunner" badging, which saves them at least one Happy Meal per truck.

 

By dropping the 5 lug, what are the low riders and grumpy old men gonna do?

I dunno, seems like with this '16 they are alienating a lot of fringe market, and some of the long time loyal Toyota owners too.

 

The fake scoop grows on you.

 

The red one is the body style that I drove a bunch as a teenager. Y-block and 3 on the tree. As I get closer to retirement, I think more and more about finding one and fixing it up. Don't see many of them around.

 

You can find them in the Southwest, California, Idaho...and Portland/Seattle area....that aren't too trashed or rusted thru. The wife has been buggin' me to grab an early Ford too. I dig the late 60's early 70's trucks.



Here ya go, nice retirement setup.

 

Tire Size for the "New" base truck is 245/75/16, overall vehicle height increase is 4.5", Ground clearance is 1.2" higher at 9.3"
It's going to be a lot harder to load a dirt bike......
Motoretro

 

So everyone gets a pre runner whether they want it or not

 

I have had two 5 luggers in the past, both were reliable basic trucks. But the reason I bought them was they were inexpensive transportation. If the new 2WD trucks are several thousand dollars more than last years 5-lugger Toyota is going to loose a lot of the people who need to haul a little and not go off-road.

I now have a 2012 4x4 and use it for all it is worth from time to time and love it! So where will those who just want a truck to haul a lawn mower around in go? to a fugly Nissan? Ford really needs to bring back the Ranger 2wd.

 

I see Mexican Rangers all the time. They're just as tall as a PreRunner.