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

Mid size of today were full sized 30 years ago !

1989 Silverado 4x4 reg cab 8' bed V6
Engine 4.3 L V6
H.P. 160 @ 4000 r.p.m.
Torque 235 @ 2400 r.p.m.
Wheelbase 131.5"
Width 76.8"
Length 212.9"
Height 73.9"
GVWR 5600 Lbs.
Max Payload 1496 Lbs.
GCWR (combo) 9500 Lbs.
Curb weight 3933 Lbs.

2019 Tacoma Access cab 4x4 V6
Engine 3.5 L V6
H.P. 278 @ 6000 r.p.m.
Torque 265 @ 4600 r.p.m.
Wheelbase 127.4"
Width 70.6"
Length 212.3"
Height 70.6"
GVWR 5600 Lbs.
Max Payload 1295 Lbs.
GCWR (combo) 11360 Lbs.
Curb weight 4300 Lbs.

 

Wait till you have to read fractions off a tape

Metric it's just 1236mm and done, not 48 inches and 17 whatchamacallits

No wonder imperial sized drills come in # instead

 

A.C. would be closer in cab size and bed length.

 

I can work with them all but have some scales and tapes in both systems, Freedumb Units in tenths, plus some in Eng and Architecture scales. LoL!

 

4'-21/32"

 

I have a 2003 Ford Ranger "Edge" that's been in my family since new. It doesn't get driven much these days, but my son is getting his learner's permit this week so.....

Anyway, I was looking at the listed dimensions for that truck compared to a '21 Taco and they are all within an inch or so of one another. The Ranger has a half cab in the back so it isn't a direct comparison, but still.

The one thing I really notice, though, is how much larger the Tacoma feels. It feels like there's a lot more interior room even though there really isn't. The dash appears larger. The center console seems more spacious. And it feels a lot larger than the Ranger in a parking lot, even though it really isn't.

 

Walk up to any old truck and reach in the bed. Now do it with a new truck. Especially 2wd ones.

 

It is nutty how high the bed sides are. I don't understand the 2wd distinction though?

 

Here ya go. go to website in snip:

 

The older I get the better I was.

 

Mainly was pointing out how butched up trucks have become since the old 2wd versions were sedan height and now they all are 4wd height essentially.

 

Ah! I get you now. I was surprised that the 3rd Gen has only one ride height, other than the Pro. Up to this point, I would say that is a big benefit to the SR, SR5, and Sports, but I can see that a lower ride height is helpful for folks doing real work / hauling.


It is a perverse joy, but I do like to shovel out of the back of my little trailer. Esp with the wood floor, it is half the work with quick clean up.

 

Video compilation of old truck TV commercials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7UEoM-mOqE

 

I also find it curious that the truck cost about 26% of the median household income of 1970 while the Tacoma today and cars in general have ballooned to about 46%

 

Bedside height is directly proportional to the increase in percentage of household income I guess.

 

Also note that you would be lucky to get 150,000 miles out of a 1970 while we get twice that out of a new Tacoma with twice the gas mileage and many times more comfortable, safe, dependable, and clean running.

 

Some good Hilux commercials from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa

The commercials weren't banned, some were pulled because they weren't PC

I really like the Hilux in the last commercial, it looks like an OR or TRD complete with a snorkel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3SFDa05v7Y

 

Top Gear or The Grand Tour had an episode (or several) around this, except re: super cars. Technology and manufacturing has advanced to where you make more power more reliably and efficiently with less displacement. Factor in all the creature comforts, and cars are just better today.

I love my Supra, but the mk5 is better in almost every way - even the i4. Hell, the 86 may be comparable. And this is only talking a 30 year difference. 50 years? Forget about it.

 

When I was a youngster only the top of the line cars had fuel injection, electric windows, power steering etc.

A radio was considered an upgrade

Later when 4 valves per cylinder appeared it was the same, only the most expensive cars had like the Mercedes S-Class

Eventually it came to compact cars, again only to the top models like the Golf GTI (man we had fun with my buddies GTI)

Now you can buy a Yaris or little Kia and it will have a multi valve engine, most likely with some type of VTec or VVTi, power steering, climate contol, electric windows and airbags

And more fuel efficient than the previous model despite all the extra equipment