The Trucks We Forgot: Under-Appreciated Pick-Ups
There are some amazing trucks that have existed over the years that have withstood the test of time but never gotten to the heights of popularity that some of its counterparts have. With so many different truck options to choose from and dozens of car companies trying to win your attention and money, there are some trucks that simply go unnoticed.
It could be that they didn't have any special features or look liked every other similar truck on the road. Even if they were overlooked then, here are some trucks that worth appreciating now.
Mazda-B
Their first series of pickup trucks manufactured by Mazda was in 1961. The Mazda B series got its name from the displacement used to determine the model's name, B1500. As a model collaboration with Ford, the B-Series went by the name Ford Courier as well.
While it isn’t an incredibly popular truck, its production time ran from 1961-2009 and went through numerous changes over its five-generation span. A compact truck, the Mazda B was most popular in foreign countries where fuel efficiency and compact vehicles were wanted.
Mercedes Benz X Class
While most of us know Mercedes for making both luxury and sports cars, Mercedes also makes pickup trucks as well. The X-Class is a premier luxury pickup truck that combines both power and style in one unique package.
It is capable of off-roading and towing but is intentionally designed to also give a sense of premium class and build. The X-Class mid-size pickup is not only an all-wheel drive, but it also has a 6-cylinder engine making it close to perfect for the urban environment.
GMC Syclone
With a turbocharged engine that was faster than the Ferrari in 1991 when it first debuted, the Syclone was a one of a kind truck that hardly got the recognition that it deserved.
The GMC Syclone was designed by Specialty Vehicle Engineering; a group of people who also designed the 1000-HP Yenko/SC Corvette Grand Sport. The Syclone has a wide stance and recently was made to be revamped in 2019 by GMC starting at roughly $63,000.
Lincoln Blackwood
Introduced as the first pick up truck marketed and sold by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company, the Lincoln Blackwood ran a short production stint from 2001 to 2002.
Classified as a large luxury pickup truck, Lincoln was hoping that they could make a large impact on the pickup truck market after their success with the Lincoln Navigator. Lincoln had planned on selling over 18,000 units but due to its high price tag and limited cargo options, only 3,356 units were sold over the span of 15 months with the last few selling below invoice.
Jeep Honcho
Based on the Jeep SJ Wagoneer, which was sold from 1962 to 1988, the Jeep Honcho was the basis for the post-war Army trucks and was designed for both civilian and military use.
Also known as the Jeep J-10, the engines were 6-cylinders and capable of producing 225 horsepower. The Honcho was part of a Jeep initiative to make the pickup trucks more appealing to consumers and it included branding and a step on the side for drivers.
GMC Canyon
Introduced in 2004 to replace the GMC S-15, the GMC Canyon is a mid-size pick-up truck. Buyers had the option of buying the Canyon as a manual or an automatic, and either as a rear-wheel drive or a four-wheel drive.
While it wasn't incredibly popular, it still was considered a success by GMC and went on to sell for over 7 years with the most recent generation being released in 2020.
Jeep Gladiator
A newer edition to the midsize pickup truck line, the Jeep Gladiator is everything great about both a Jeep and a pickup. Jeep hadn't had a pickup truck since it discontinued the Comanche in 1992 and put a lot of design and ideas curated over the years into the Gladiator.
Released in 2019, the Gladiator has been a work in progress since 2003 but wasn’t finalized and sold to the public until over a decade later. Buyers have the option to buy from a variety of styles including the Sport, Sport S, Overland and Rubicon Launch Edition.
Ford F-100
We are all mostly familiar with the F-150 and F-250's but before those ever became the popular powerhouses that they are today there was the Ford F-100. The F-100 was manufactured as a replacement for Ford’s car-based line and started in 1948.
The F-100 came from the Ford-1; a half-ton wide set truck with a school bus chassis. While the F-100 started losing its popularity with the buyer base, the other models in the lineup started to become more appealing and Ford shifted focus to those models instead.
Dodge D-100
Until the introduction of Ram in 1994, the Dodge D-100 was the forward-facing pickup truck of Dodge. Built with a Chrysler A engine which was the smallest V8 engine at the time, the first generation of the D-100 offered buyers a narrow bed, single headlights, and even customization options like racing stripes and bucket seats.
After buyers started to favor the pickup trucks of Ford and Chevrolet and D-100 sales became stagnant, Dodge switched focus to a new line of trucks, the Dodge Ram.
GMC Indy
During the 1970s and 1980s, GMC and some other manufacturers produced what could be described as workhorse trucks. These trucks had little to offer in the way of luxury or style but were a perfect size as an everyday work car or a pace car in racing on the track.
The GMC Indy was designed specifically for the track as a pacing car with replicas being sold to the public. While this generation of workhorse cars weren’t much to look at, they ended up being great for marketing as the car companies used them to banner their names and bring attention to their brand.
Ford Ranchero GT
The Ford Ranchero was the perfect blend of everything great about a pickup truck and a car. The initial idea of the Ranchero's stemmed from farmers who wanted a car that they could use both on the field and go into the city without having to buy multiple cars.
These hybrid cars saw their best years in the 1970s when they hit the height of their popularity and sales. As the generations went on, newer designs included longer beds and lower to the ground chassis before the desire for these types of cars started to die down.
Nissan Frontier
Always a few steps behind from its bigger competition from Chevy, Ford, and Dodge, the Nissan Frontier is a gravely under-appreciated truck that deserves praise for being an awesome piece of engineering.
Going by many names depending on which part of the country you are in, the Frontier has been Nissan's frontrunner for pick up trucks since 1997 and doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. While the Frontier continues to have modest sales in the US, in other countries like Thailand, the it has been growing in popularity since 2014.
Hummer H2 SUT
The idea for the Hummer H2 SUT came as an attempt to pick up slowing Hummer H2 sales during the early to mid-2000s. The SUT in the title stands for "sport-utility truck" and not only did it keep the robust shape of the Hummer as we all knew it but it also now had a pickup bed where it once had an enclosed cargo area.
Coming in only a thousand dollars more than its counterpart, the SUT was Hummer’s next best shot at staying afloat. Unfortunately, poor fuel economy kept the SUT from ever seeing its best days with consumers.
Honda Ridgeline
One of two pickup trucks manufactured by Honda, the Ridgeline is classified as a lifestyle pickup truck designed to haul, tow, and provide a smooth clean ride.
The Ridgeline hasn't always been well received with some reviewers and truck enthusiasts calling it "the anti-truck" because of its unique build and industry-first features including an in-bed trunk, a truck bed audio system, and ultra-low emissions just to name a few. While Honda still produces and sales new models today, since the truck’s debut in 2004, Ridgeline sales have continued to decrease.
Ford Courier
Over the course of its production, the Ford Courier has gone by many names and gone through dozens of upgrades and changes to its look and style.
Some of the same themes for the Ford Courier stayed with it throughout its run including fuel efficiency. And it always remained an affordable compact pickup truck most ideal for everyday workers in comparison to its full-size competitors. The next generation of Couriers is set to be released in 2021 with an updated look and body.
Chevrolet C10
A full-size pick-up truck that was produced from 1959 to 2002, the Chevrolet C-10 is a long-standing truck that stayed under the radar for most of its production time.
When it was first introduced to the market in the 1950s and early 1960s, the C-10 was a truck of many firsts including a drop-venter ladder frame and an independent front suspension. If you needed a truck that was going to last you a long time and was a good work truck then the Chevrolet C-10 was an amazing ride.
Ford Skyranger
A subcompact truck, the Skyranger never became the hit that some of the other larger Ford trucks have in the past few decades. The Skyranger was a special edition truck that was based on the Ford Ranger so it appealed to the same market but never necessarily got the same amount of interest from potential buyers.
One of their most recognizable features was the convertible hood that was and still is a one of a kind feature on a pickup truck.
Chevy 454 SS
The Chevy 454 SS was Chevrolet's response to other competitors in the form of a performance truck and it came with all of the cool performance features that would make it great.
It had a 7.4-liter big-block V8 engine with 230 horsepower, 280 lb-ft of torque, and it could go from 0 to 60 in just 7.7 seconds. Some buyers and reviewers compared the Chevy 454 SS to the GMC Syclone of that time which was faster but cost almost $8,000 more.
Mitsubishi Triton
Moderately popular in some parts of the world the Mitsubishi Triton is another smaller compact pickup truck manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors. Around since 1978, the Triton was first sold in Japan but was canceled there shortly after and was then sold in other parts of the world.
The first few generations were very fuel-efficient but offered little power when it came to speed with a 2.6-liter engine that produced only 105 horsepower. Unfortunately, the Triton's failure in the Japanese market hindered its ability to grow in popularity in other countries as well.
Chevrolet Colorado
Designed to compete with the likes of the Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline, and Nissan Frontier, the Chevrolet Colorado is a mid-size pick-up truck built for hauling and a small family.
Related to the GMC Canyon, the Chevrolet Colorado doesn't offer much in terms of looks but with the skyrocketing prices of full-size pick-up trucks, a mid-size option has become more appealing to more buyers. Buyers who are interested in the Colorado have the option of buying it with either 4 or 6 cylinders, rear or all-wheel drive and with manual or automatic transmission.
Lamborghini LM002
Intended for military use, the Lamborghini LM002 was a far reach from Lamborghini's typical vehicle type though it wasn’t the first pick-up truck that Lamborghini had designed.
Two other prototypes, the Cheetah and the LM001 came before the Lamborghini LM002 but neither of those were well received by the public. While the LM002 is big and heavy, its V12 engine gave it the horsepower to outrun most sports cars. With a small fuel tank, however, it wasn’t incredibly practical even for the wealthiest buyers.
Mazda Rotary
One of the first pickup trucks to be introduced to Americans, the Mazda Rotary hit its popularity peak in the 1970s and was oftentimes compared to Datsuns and Toyotas light pick-up trucks of that time.
Due to a national wide fuel shortage, lightweight and smaller vehicles would sell better than their heavier counterparts and the Rotary was exactly what the people needed at that time. One of the unique features of the Rotary was its silent engine which barely made any noise no matter how hard the driver stepped on the gas.
Dodge Dakota
Losing out in the popularity contest to the Dodge Ram, the Dodge Dakota was another mid-size pick-up truck sold from the 1980s to the early 2000s.
Being a mid-size pick-up truck, the Dakota never made any huge waves because it wasn’t a very special or unique car in any way. Though it was a never huge hit with the public, the Dakota was frequently used by police and fire departments as off-road vehicles and even patrol trucks.
Datsun 620
Another small compact truck, the Datsun 620 had a strong reputation in some places of the world but never globally was as large a success as some of its other competitors.
Some reviewers of the truck describe it as a good looking truck with its square bumper and low profile. While it may have looked small from the outside, the interior of the 620 was spacious and roomy. Though its production cycle ended in 1979, this Datsun has been rumored to make a comeback.
1993–1995 Ford Lightning
Designed as a response to the Chevy 454 SS, the Ford Lightning was a high-performance pick-up truck designed especially by the Special Vehicles Team.
To keep the truck lightweight, the engineers redesigned and modified Ford's 5.8-liter small-block V8 engine which resulted in 240 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque. It was a lower truck with a dropped suspension which ultimately helped it with its handling and racing. Initially, the Lightning was well received by the public with 11,000 units made at its 1993 debut.
1977-1981 Dodge Macho Power Wagon
A predecessor to the Dodge Ram, the Power Wagon was the four-wheel-drive medium-duty truck that paved the way for one of the most popular trucks we have today.
It was the first mass-produced 4x4 medium-duty truck and originally started out as a 3/4 ton military truck used in World War II before it was modified and redesigned for civilian use in the 1960s. Over the years, the Power Wagon would change and get upgraded until it resembled what looked like a modern-day Dodge Ram.
Chevrolet K10 Sno Chaser
Offered with mandatory all-wheel-drive, the Sno Chaser was a limited edition powerhouse manufactured by Chevrolet during the 1980s.
Marketed only in snowy states and wintry areas where drivers might encounter some slick and icy roads, it was designed to be the ideal truck for safety. Some of its distinguishing features include a two-tone paint job with the lower paint acting as a protective layer, a bed-mounted cab spoiler, and side cab rails.
Rod Hall Signature Edition Dodge
Made in collaboration with Carroll Shelby and named after the famed racer Rod Hall, the Rod Hall Signature Edition was a compact pick-up truck made for speed.
Based on the Dodge Ram 150, the Rod Hall edition came with pre-runner bumpers in the front and rear, a light bar on the bed and special Rod Hall driving lights. It was equipped with the powerful V8 engine that Dodge was using in other models and produced 170 horsepower.
Chevrolet Avalanche
This 4-door pickup truck was built on the base of a Chevrolet Suburban and Cadillac Escalade and spanned 12 production years from 2001 to 2013.
Its debut in 2003 brought some of Chevrolet's new designs including full-chrome strips which split the lamp assembly as well as the Chevrolet bow tie in the center. Due to a sharp decline in popularity and dropping sales, Chevrolet decided to drop the Avalanche from its lineup in 2012.
Subaru Baja
A utility pick-up, the Baja was an all-wheel-drive, four-door compact pick-up truck. The body style of the Baja was an homage to rally-race trucks and it was designed to look funky and not like anything else that you would see on the road.
Based off of the groundwork of the Subaru Outback, the Baja included a "switchback" which allowed the rear passenger seat to fold down and open up to the tailgate. Unfortunately, the Baja wasn't well-received by the general public due to its plastic cladding and yellow and silver introductory color scheme.
1985–1995 Suzuki Samurai
One of the smallest entries on this list, the Suzuki Samurai was a force on wheels. A four-wheel-drive designed for off-roading, the Samurai weighed nearly 2,000 pounds less than one of its biggest competitors, the Jeep Wrangler.
It was inspired by the Suzuki Jimmy 4WD which came out years before with larger tires and leaf springs. It was until 1995 when Suzuki introduced the Samurai's replacement, the Suzuki Sidekick, that they finally stopped production.
Chevrolet SSR
A retro-styled 2-door pickup, the Chevrolet SSR was a convertible pickup truck manufactured by General Motors from 2003 to 2006. Its body style was modeled after and inspired by the 1940's advanced design trucks with round fenders and low profiles.
The SSR, which was short for SuperSport Roadster, ultimately failed as a truck despite a robust marketing campaign. It sold under the 9,000 units that was initially expected over its three-year production run.
1986.5–1997 Nissan Hardbody 4x4
Part of Nissan's D21 pick-up, the Hardbody 4x4 was a pioneer to the compact truck market and brought with it a ton of new designs. It had a suspension that allowed it to go off-roading and all models came standard with four-wheel-drive.
Buyers had the option of choosing the Sports package which was equipped with 31-inch tires, fender flares, light bars and the choice between a 4-cylinder or V6 model. Which one would you have bought?
Dodge Power Wagon
Similar to the Willys CJ-2A, the Dodge Power Wagon was a large military truck that was converted and modified to be made suitable for civilian use.
While it was large in size, the Power Wagon ran on little power and initially only produced 94 horsepower. To compensate for the slower speeds, the truck was great for ultra-low gearing and was mainly used to haul large loads and clear rough roads due to its massive tires.
1978–1979 Dodge Li'l Red Express Truck
With its odd exhaust pipes and fire engine red coat of paint, the Dodge Li'l Red Express Truck was an eye full. It was a very fast truck and was designed and intended for the biggest truck enthusiasts who wanted a pickup that they could both race and show off.
The Li’l Red’s engine was a V8 that was originally used by police officers and was redesigned by the engineers to produce 225 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Only 5,000 units were ever produced before Dodge discontinued the model.
1981–1985 Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler
Designed by Jeep as a pickup truck version of the Jeep Wrangler, the Scrambler was an enthusiasts dream. The 1980s was a big time for small pick up trucks and Jeep wanted to stay competitive so they designed the Scrambler based off of the CJ-7 with a few body and suspension changes to make it suitable for hauling.
Its long wheelbase made it a nicer ride than the CJ-7 and 30,000 units were built and sold in its four-year production run.
Dodge Midnite Express
The Dodge Midnite Express was a part of Dodge's D/W Series lineup which ran from 1961-1993 and included a variety of body styles that went through different name changes throughout the years.
Modeled after the Dodge Li’l Red Express, the Midnite Express was painted all black and was powered by a 440 V8 engine. It was marketed to buyers as a lifestyle truck designed for a consumer base that wanted specialty and personal use trucks.
Toyota Hilux
One of the first pickup trucks to offer four-wheel-drive, the Hilux was a trailblazer in new truck features that would remain popular for years after the model was discontinued.
A taller truck, it was suspended high so that it could be used for off-roading and clearing ground. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Hilux was a pickup that most drivers chose over others but, even with its popularity peak, Toyota stopped production on the Hill and shifted their focus on other models.
Ford Bronco
Expecting to make its comeback in 2020, the Ford Bronco was a light truck staple for Ford from 1965-1996. Manufactured and marketed as an off road vehicle to compete with the Jeep CJ-5, the Bronco was small, compact, and durable.
Buyers had the option of also getting a Sport Option package for the Ford Bronco which included both backup lights and side marker lamps. The Bronco was only discontinued in 1996 to make room for the Ford Expedition.
GMC Typhoon
Based on the GMC Jimmy, the Typhoon was classified as a high-performance SUV with a V6 engine. At its peak, it was compared to the Ferrari 348TS, Chevrolet Corvette and Nissan 300ZX Turbo.
Although its popularity never took off, the Typhoon went through three different models each garnering most customizations and color options for the buyer. For its two year production run from 1991 to 1993, their 4,697 units produced and sold with no revamp insight.
