The amount of old rangers I still see on the road around here, despite the salty rust conditions making older vehicles kinda rare on the road, makes me think people still really really want non monster pickups.
Naw, those jump seats were only for emergencies and Toyota, Nissan etc had them for years too.
The Dodge Dakota was the first of the compact trucks to get big. Rangers were the last small American* truck sold, S10s went out just before it. When they replaced the Ranger with the Explorer Sport Trac is when the second row of seats got usable. Those things suuucked though.
I guess it’s area dependent to an extent, I grew up in a rural area and any truck that seated more than 3 people was viewed similarly to how a lot of people view emotional support trucks now. Complaints about how that’s room that could be used for more bed space, they never have to take more than 2 people anywhere 99% of the time anyway, etc.
My first car was my dad’s clapped out ex work truck. And 85 F-150 with a quarter million miles, an extended cab (back bench seat but no back doors), and full 8’ bed. Nobody thought there were unnecessary in my rural neck of the woods, and most contractors had something similar even in the late 70s full size fords. Also it basically flexed in the middle over bumps.
Toyota popularized the extended cab minitruck in the 80s in my recollection. But when we lived near Detroit back then Yotas got a ton of shit from the buy America crowd. I don’t think the US brands offered them until a lot later (later gen S10s and Rangers).
Mine was the first vehicle I bought with my own money, and I still drive it every day (although it’s getting a little more painful to fill up since it’s not great on gas).
A word of warning for you Ranger owners: if you have one with the 4.0L SOHC engine, especially an earlier model, take it in and have the timing chain tensioners replaced, or you can do it yourself if you have the tools. It will help prevent the dreaded “death rattle” that could lead to an engine-out repair or even a destroyed engine.
The amount of old rangers I still see on the road around here, despite the salty rust conditions making older vehicles kinda rare on the road, makes me think people still really really want non monster pickups.
Congrats on the HRT tho
There was a time Rangers were considered larger trucks because they have an extra row of passenger seating.
I’m not old, you’re old!
Naw, those jump seats were only for emergencies and Toyota, Nissan etc had them for years too.
The Dodge Dakota was the first of the compact trucks to get big. Rangers were the last small American* truck sold, S10s went out just before it. When they replaced the Ranger with the Explorer Sport Trac is when the second row of seats got usable. Those things suuucked though.
*Even though it’s a Mazda, sort of.
** I’m old too.
I guess it’s area dependent to an extent, I grew up in a rural area and any truck that seated more than 3 people was viewed similarly to how a lot of people view emotional support trucks now. Complaints about how that’s room that could be used for more bed space, they never have to take more than 2 people anywhere 99% of the time anyway, etc.
My first car was my dad’s clapped out ex work truck. And 85 F-150 with a quarter million miles, an extended cab (back bench seat but no back doors), and full 8’ bed. Nobody thought there were unnecessary in my rural neck of the woods, and most contractors had something similar even in the late 70s full size fords. Also it basically flexed in the middle over bumps.
Toyota popularized the extended cab minitruck in the 80s in my recollection. But when we lived near Detroit back then Yotas got a ton of shit from the buy America crowd. I don’t think the US brands offered them until a lot later (later gen S10s and Rangers).
Mine was the first vehicle I bought with my own money, and I still drive it every day (although it’s getting a little more painful to fill up since it’s not great on gas).
A word of warning for you Ranger owners: if you have one with the 4.0L SOHC engine, especially an earlier model, take it in and have the timing chain tensioners replaced, or you can do it yourself if you have the tools. It will help prevent the dreaded “death rattle” that could lead to an engine-out repair or even a destroyed engine.
They are fun little trucks to drive. I had one a long time ago for work.
Can’t wait for Slate