Battle of the 1986 Compact Trucks!

"ethan drives dumb cars" (helloroad) 08/21/2020 at 17:25 • Filed to: compact trucks

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Fire up the time machine and travel back to the year 1986, when compact trucks were all the rage. Let’s stage an epic battle to determine which small truck is the best!

Eight trucks enter the ring, only one will remain. Which compact truck will win 1986’s truckmania? Will it be the Ford Ranger ? The Chevrolet S-10 ? The Nissan Hardbody ? The Toyota Pickup ? The Mazda B2000 ? The Mitsubishi Mighty Max ? The Isuzu P’up ? Or the Jeep Comanche ?

The rise of compact trucks in the ’80s was a reaction to the oil crisis of the ’70s, and an answer to the economic woes of the early ’80s. Fuel efficiency became much more important—and many of these small trucks delivered on that promise.

Since then, trucks in the United States have grown significantly in size, capability, and luxury. Even modern day mid-size trucks would dwarf these in comparison. The simple, honest trucks from the ’80s are a throwback. Let’s take a moment to remember when trucks were used simply as trucks—when utility and practicality were paramount.

If you want to see how this compact pickup truck battle unfolds, please check out my latest video below! Which compact truck would you have purchased in ’86?

RangerSmith > ethan drives dumb cars 08/21/2020 at 17:32

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Diesel Ford Ranger

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > ethan drives dumb cars 08/21/2020 at 17:33

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2.6L of fury and dents.

Just Jeepin' > ethan drives dumb cars 08/21/2020 at 17:35

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You came so close to picking the right one.

and 100 more > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 08/21/2020 at 17:38

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I have such a love/hate relationship with that 2.6. Mostly hate.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > and 100 more 08/21/2020 at 17:39

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It’s still running 30 years latter and has 130k on it and all I’ve done is adjust the valves around 80k. So it’s been good to me.

ethan drives dumb cars > Just Jeepin' 08/21/2020 at 17:42

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 My runner up would’ve been the Nissan. Still wrong?

ethan drives dumb cars > ethan drives dumb cars 08/21/2020 at 17:43

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I mean, I suppose you’re hinting at the Jeep 

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 08/21/2020 at 18:51

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I think I have a hood for that.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 08/21/2020 at 18:54

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I’ve pulled it out so it’s almost where it was before. I’m past caring tho, hood pins are holding well and it’s worth $500 on a good day.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > ethan drives dumb cars 08/21/2020 at 18:58

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I learned to drive in a 1986 GMC S-15 with the thunderous 2.8L V6 churning out a whopping 115 HP.  It went 0 to 60... sometimes.  

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 08/21/2020 at 18:59

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No longer in rafters of garage, so either someone stole my sligh tly hail damaged Isuzu hood, or I already donated it and forgot. 

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > ethan drives dumb cars 08/21/2020 at 19:12

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WilliamsSW > ethan drives dumb cars 08/21/2020 at 19:44

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1986 me would have given them a hard pass and bought a mid 60s GTO for the same money or less.

2020 me wants the Yota , but really wants to buy cheap muscle cars. 

19JRC99 > ethan drives dumb cars 08/21/2020 at 20:17

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I mean, this ‘87 started my love of cars, so....

onlytwowheels > ethan drives dumb cars 08/21/2020 at 22:33

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I bought a 1987 Mazda B2000 for my 21st birtday, in Sept. 1986. A friend’s dad liked it so much he bought one too. My step dad and my brother’s fiancee both bought Mitsubishi Mighty Max that year. Compact trucks were everywhere, and I wish we had more of them.