small diesel trucks

[ralph]

thinking about a small diesel truck for work. i know they built some in the 80s but dont know much about them. anyone with knowledge, comments, or sites? thanks in advance.

[Badfish740]

Originally Posted by ralph

thinking about a small diesel truck for work. i know they built some in the 80s but dont know much about them. anyone with knowledge, comments, or sites? thanks in advance.

Unfortunately you're limited to an obscure diesel version of the Chevy S-10, a Mazda, a Volkswagen, or a Datsun. The problem with these vehicles is that most of them are pretty tired and worn out now. Toyota used to (and may still) sell great compact diesel Hilux pickups in Canada and some folks have had some luck either importing them or buying a wreck and transplanting the engine into a compact gasser here. I have a 1991 Toyota compact pickup (4 cylinder, 5 speed, 4WD) and they're tough as nails. Even though its a 1/4 ton I've hauled 1000lbs with it on more than one occasion. In 150,000+ miles I've not done more than change the oil/regular maintenance. Check this forum out for more info:

ToyotaDiesel.com Forums - Powered by vBulletin

Either way you're jumping through hoops to get a small diesel pickup in the U.S.

[Snowman66]

Didn't Izuzu build a small diesel truck?

[TexasR.N.]

Following along the lines of what Badfish said, I think it's going to be difficult to find one in good shape or bing one in from outside the states.
Craig

[skip97IH]

Originally Posted by ralph

thinking about a small diesel truck for work. i know they built some in the 80s but dont know much about them. anyone with knowledge, comments, or sites? thanks in advance.

Some time ago there was an article on this foroum about Mahindra trying to put an assemly plant here in the US for a mid sized Diesel Truck.

[mrnecsteve]

There used to be an 88 bronco II diesel, but it was sold overseas. Ford still sells and builds them overseas in the Philippines with compatable right side of the road driving.....but i have no idea what it would take to import.

[ralph]

thanks for the info. considering there aint many, what about a good swap into an S10 chassis? ive got an 84 i'd butcher.

[bigwhite7.3stroker]

A buddy of mines dad had a early 80's Chevy Luv 4X4 w/ a diesel in it it was a pretty cool little truck as far as I know he still has it last I knew it had around 325,000 miles on it and gets around 25 mpg it would be nice to run around in

[2001Thunder]

Originally Posted by ralph

thanks for the info. considering there aint many, what about a good swap into an S10 chassis? ive got an 84 i'd butcher.

A VW diesel would be a good swap..

[twhouse]

Remember the Chev Chevett diesel?
Drove a new one once, thought Iwas going to have to push it up the hill from Puyallup to Lake taps.