Gen III Tacoma Compared to a 1970 Full Size Pickup - How "small" are our trucks really?

Next to a vintage Tundra the/my Tacoma isn’t that small. If only I could get a V8.

 

Nope, thanks to emissions you’ll get a full-size sized Tacoma with a 4 cylinder

 

This.

Rode around in a buddy's early solid front axle Toyota pick up. Totally different animal. Ford is building an actual small truck destined for the US in the Maverick.

 

3d Gen got a Lexus engine

With Toyota logic 4th Gen will probably get a Prius motor

 

Honestly, this is probably accurate - or more likely the RAV4 Hybrid treatment.

 

I wouldn't mind 10% better fuel economy and instant torque.

 

Check out that 4x4, that is hot!

Someday jennifer... someday.

Aside from the BTTF reference, I have nothing useful to contribute to this thread.

 

The OP compared the GVWR of the C20 (3/4 ton truck to that of the Tacoma. The GVWR of the C10 (1/2 ton) was between 4600 - 5400 depending on the options. i.e.: short/long bed, step/fleet side, 250 or 292 I6 vs 307 or 350 V8. IIRC there was even a 305 V6 option available in the early C10’s.

 

If the new Tundra is going to a six cylinder, Toyota will give the Tacoma an engine smaller than it

 

I think since so many of us old dudes (I had just broken my leg and went to see BTTF in the theater opening weekend) could totally relate to Marty's Toyota 4x4 lust. So BTTF references, I think, are always welcome!

 

Thanks! I think I should change my graphic to reflect this! Since the graphic appears to be a long bed, I'll go with 5400. Sound right?

 

How about that GVWR of 7,500 lbs! Imagine how much more Broverlanding kit I could bolt to my rig with that much payload!

 

Updated with accurate GVWR for 1/2 Ton thanks to @Chap79

 

Okay...so not as high of a GVWR. But only 850 lbs payload for the Tacoma. 1890 lbs payload for the C20. Id imagine the C10 would be even less though.

 

2021 Tacoma dimensions
212-226" L x 74-75" W x 71-72" H

2000 TUNDRA dimensions
218" L x 75-79" W x 71-72" H

2021 TUNDRA dimensions
229-248" L x 80" W x 76-77" H

The 212 length of my Tacoma leaves barely enough room to walk past the front of it in my garage without having to turn sideways. People with newer model full size trucks must have pretty deep garages.

 

I had a 2019 Tundra for 6 months and it was big and comfortable and I loved that 5.7. But, it was like driving a bus and parking was usually a nightmare. I kind of bought it on impulse and regretted it. The Tacoma is pretty much the perfect size truck for my needs. Everyone else around here seems to think they need a full size that they can’t park or even keep on their side of the road. Of course, I see people driving compacts that can’t do much better, so maybe driving is just harder than I thought.

 

Gasoline use to be under a $1/gal too, back in my early years.
It's in the rear-view mirror. Why compare? It will always be debatable.

 

My 2020 Frontier seems a lot smaller than my 2018 Tacoma, but when I parked em side by side at the dealer they looked about the same. The ground clearance was higher on the Tacoma.

 

Well, I think in this case, memory was clouded by nostalgia. "Trucks back then we're awesome. Trucks today are small and underpowered"

Were they "that" awesome and are today's trucks that small and underpowered?

Honestly, the similarities surprised me.