Comments on: Trucks Like They Used To Build ‘Em http://blog.motorists.org/trucks-like-they-used-to-build-em/ News For Drivers Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:16:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Mike http://blog.motorists.org/trucks-like-they-used-to-build-em/comment-page-1/#comment-11385 Mike Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:59:31 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/trucks-like-they-used-to-build-em/#comment-11385 My favorite was my '81 Toyota SR-5 5 speed long bed. It got 25MPG in real use, had A/C until it died. I had to replace the transmission twice in 327,000 miles, not surprising when I typically doubled its rated load in lumber or gravel. Sadly, at age 14 its body and frame rusted out at the same time and it was relegated to parts car. It was cramped inside and the frame was too light for what I demanded of it, but it never complained. It had carpet (Yuk!) but was otherwise utilitarian. Give us an all-metal, slab sided real man's work truck with built in storage available, rubber floor matts and smooth vinyl seats, four-banger engine with along enough bed to actually haul something. To hell with the family cab and fancy plastic interior. It would sell like hotcakes but the girly-men who run Detroit won't hear of it. My favorite was my ‘81 Toyota SR-5 5 speed long bed. It got 25MPG in real use, had A/C until it died. I had to replace the transmission twice in 327,000 miles, not surprising when I typically doubled its rated load in lumber or gravel. Sadly, at age 14 its body and frame rusted out at the same time and it was relegated to parts car. It was cramped inside and the frame was too light for what I demanded of it, but it never complained. It had carpet (Yuk!) but was otherwise utilitarian.
Give us an all-metal, slab sided real man’s work truck with built in storage available, rubber floor matts and smooth vinyl seats, four-banger engine with along enough bed to actually haul something. To hell with the family cab and fancy plastic interior. It would sell like hotcakes but the girly-men who run Detroit won’t hear of it.

]]> By: Todd http://blog.motorists.org/trucks-like-they-used-to-build-em/comment-page-1/#comment-11298 Todd Wed, 28 Jan 2009 04:39:40 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/trucks-like-they-used-to-build-em/#comment-11298 To Fleet Admiral Autobahn I really like cars such as VW, Land Rover, and BMW. I just don't think you can really use a Audi Suv off road because of its low profile street tires. To Fleet Admiral Autobahn

I really like cars such as VW, Land Rover, and BMW. I just don’t think you can really use a Audi Suv off road because of its low profile street tires.

]]> By: Jeff http://blog.motorists.org/trucks-like-they-used-to-build-em/comment-page-1/#comment-11206 Jeff Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:26:42 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/trucks-like-they-used-to-build-em/#comment-11206 Eric Peters should look at a Ford truck. They have manual locking hubs. One rarely needs 4WD on a dry, paved road. 4WD sure comes in handy when there's several inches of snow on the road. The auto companies already sell trucks free of cost padding. They are called "work trucks". Eric Peters should look at a Ford truck. They have manual locking hubs. One rarely needs 4WD on a dry, paved road. 4WD sure comes in handy when there’s several inches of snow on the road.

The auto companies already sell trucks free of cost padding. They are called “work trucks”.

]]> By: Fleet Admiral Autobahn http://blog.motorists.org/trucks-like-they-used-to-build-em/comment-page-1/#comment-11192 Fleet Admiral Autobahn Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:02:29 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/trucks-like-they-used-to-build-em/#comment-11192 Charging people $2,000 for their license like Germany, you mean? Most people who go over there don't qualify for a license until they pass a test as only a few US states have reciprocity. Oh, and Porsche does offer AWD, along with ESP (Mercedes invention). Charging people $2,000 for their license like Germany, you mean? Most people who go over there don’t qualify for a license until they pass a test as only a few US states have reciprocity.

Oh, and Porsche does offer AWD, along with ESP (Mercedes invention).

]]> By: Norm http://blog.motorists.org/trucks-like-they-used-to-build-em/comment-page-1/#comment-11189 Norm Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:32:25 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/trucks-like-they-used-to-build-em/#comment-11189 I don't think you would know a real truck if you fell over it. You talk about your piece of sh*t Nissan 'truck'. When was the last time you looked at a U.S. built Ford F 250 or larger truck???? You have to look at the front hubs [that would be the ones below the engine] now look close and you will see manual hubs there. Now look further back and see a real frame. Under the hood can be a several engine choices. Yes 2 different ohc gas engines or a pushrod diesel any of which would tear that Nissan half pint to peices. I don’t think you would know a real truck if you fell over it. You talk about your piece of sh*t Nissan ‘truck’. When was the last time you looked at a U.S. built Ford F 250 or larger truck???? You have to look at the front hubs [that would be the ones below the engine] now look close and you will see manual hubs there. Now look further back and see a real frame. Under the hood can be a several engine choices. Yes 2 different ohc gas engines or a pushrod diesel any of which would tear that Nissan half pint to peices.

]]> By: scott http://blog.motorists.org/trucks-like-they-used-to-build-em/comment-page-1/#comment-11176 scott Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:10:15 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/trucks-like-they-used-to-build-em/#comment-11176 Hay you couldnt be more right. what happen to me this morring proves it . raining here lightly comeing around the lop to get on the free way again someone in frount doing 30 and the trucks cars are going 70 at us theres a opening he goes on and thentrys to speed up I give it the gas so to be at lest 45 onto the free way and hit a bad oilly spot 2 door 95 turns in a spin going into trafic stier right now sideway reading to hit under bridge the wall turn left going back turn right now going off the road backwards and a big suburben comeing stright at me slide it up the hill backwards and stop and wall away guy stops to see if I m ok nice right we shake heads I m sure the new trucks would just roll into trafic or like my brother 2005 truck went across into trafic and allmost over the gard rail into the river truck was toldal out thank angels for watching over me and that race track class I had years ago we went on wet payment had a great teacher too well all drive safe ya maybe the next oil road tested I m keeping my tahoe now !!! 10 to 12 years thanks the man upstears still crashes 4 th one in years I ve walked or drive away from californa here is just nuts drives on the phone texing eating makeup driveing right threw the stop lights have a walkway great day scott Hay you couldnt be more right. what happen to me this morring proves it . raining here lightly comeing around the lop to get on the free way again someone in frount doing 30 and the trucks cars are going 70 at us theres a opening he goes on and thentrys to speed up I give it the gas so to be at lest 45 onto the free way and hit a bad oilly spot 2 door 95 turns in a spin going into trafic stier right now sideway reading to hit under bridge the wall turn left going back turn right now going off the road backwards and a big suburben comeing stright at me slide it up the hill backwards and stop and wall away guy stops to see if I m ok nice right we shake heads I m sure the new trucks would just roll into trafic or like my brother 2005 truck went across into trafic and allmost over the gard rail into the river truck was toldal out thank angels for watching over me and that race track class I had years ago we went on wet payment had a great teacher too well all drive safe ya maybe the next oil road tested I m keeping my tahoe now !!! 10 to 12 years thanks the man upstears still crashes 4 th one in years I ve walked or drive away from californa here is just nuts drives on the phone texing eating makeup driveing right threw the stop lights have a walkway great day scott

]]> By: Schwinn http://blog.motorists.org/trucks-like-they-used-to-build-em/comment-page-1/#comment-11174 Schwinn Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:58:26 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/trucks-like-they-used-to-build-em/#comment-11174 Unfortunately, just because it costs less to make, doesn't mean they will sell it for less. Heck, trucks today are overpriced already... drop the cost and they will simply keep the margins for themselves (remember, they're in dire need of money these days). As for the dumb "pussifying" of cars these days, I wholly agree. Too many idiots on the road think and expect the car to save them from their own stupidity. It's time to put the driver back into driving. Hang up the cellphone, use your turn signals, look in front AND behind you, learn how to adjust your mirrors, and then hand over the keys. Of course, this also necessitates driver training, which this country sorely lacks. Make it harder to get a license, and make people learn how to drive. THAT will reduce accidents and fatalities more than any electronic gizmo can. Unfortunately, just because it costs less to make, doesn’t mean they will sell it for less. Heck, trucks today are overpriced already… drop the cost and they will simply keep the margins for themselves (remember, they’re in dire need of money these days).

As for the dumb “pussifying” of cars these days, I wholly agree. Too many idiots on the road think and expect the car to save them from their own stupidity. It’s time to put the driver back into driving. Hang up the cellphone, use your turn signals, look in front AND behind you, learn how to adjust your mirrors, and then hand over the keys.

Of course, this also necessitates driver training, which this country sorely lacks. Make it harder to get a license, and make people learn how to drive. THAT will reduce accidents and fatalities more than any electronic gizmo can.

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