That Fiat appears to have the ground clearance of a skateboard. I don't think that would even make it up my driveway.

LOL

I guess we get to choose between "breathing clean air or having trucks or trucklets with 50MPG"

THAT GREAT WALL PICK UP REMINDS ME OF THE CHEVROLET COLORADO. SO NOBODY EVER GOT SUED OVER THIS AND THE CHINESE F150?

The Steed is what the Colorado should have looked like, instead of that having that Traverse front end.

The Doblo is supposed to come to America AFAIK. what versions we'll get is unclear- probably the LWB. The 2200lb payload is cool though.

2200 lbs ON that little thing. Narrow wheel track and a high load is a problem waiting to happen.

I do see some utility in it though. For many businesses, it would make a fine truck. I will wait until Fiat has a better reliability record.

You'll be waiting awhile then!

Aerodynamic blobs.

That white one is real macho. I can just picture a 6’2” guy from Texas climbing out of that thing with his cowboy hat on.

The reason that these smaller trucks will not be brought over to America has too do with the price, not even factoring chicken tax and canges to meet EPA standrards, they are so expensive, the base model steed cost $22000 a base silvarado cost $22195, The Ford Ranger xl 4x2 2.2TDCi starts at GBP 14,753, or 23,417 USD and tops out for a wildtrak 3.2TDCi DOuble cab at GBP 24,278 or 38,536 USD. these are pre tax values, most people still need to pay taxes additionaly most europeans do not negociate auto prices unlike americans. An f150 4x2 xl which includes things like AC sterio auto transmission has an MSRP of 23300 USD with a 3.7 l motor. For an MSRP of 38760 you can get an f150 suppercrew xlt 4x4 with an elocker 3.73 axel ratio. If I search online and use a company that does fair pricing i.e. zag, i can get an fx4 SCrew ecoboost with luxury pkg for $38913 the average paid on a truck with that equipment was $39667. So what is the point on paying more $$ for a smaller vehicle that after the EPA is through with it will return the same millage, it just doesnt make sense to bring these vehicles to the US . I would have loved a ford Ranger wildtrak manual transmission TDCi but not at a post tax cost the prices it above the Ford Raptor , Tundra Platnuim, Larimi Limited Denali etc. We all know that the EPA hates desiel so we will never get trucks like this, i hope im wrong. I also think as for moves to the one ford concept and that the ranger keeps growing that the next Global Ranger and the F150 will be almost identical (different Drive trains) but essentialy the same vehicle since it would seem that the F150 is cheaper to produce, and Maybe the next Tundra and Hilux will be the same, then we could smuggle TDI engines in from Europe and swap out our Gassers.

@Tom With A Ranger

The Steed is what the OLD Colorado (US and global) and Isuzu DMax looked like. In that area the trucks and cars are cheap ripoffs of popular brands and designs...ie the JAC "F150".

@everyone
I hope that Doblo comes with a REAL pickup bed, not some generic tin foil dump bed that's going to get smashed dropping a mattress into it!

I get the feeling some people can't read and the others have poor observational skills. The Fiat clearly has at least 5' of ground clearance at the nose, and that assumes a wheel diameter of no more than 15" for those relatively low-profile tires. The bed is also reported to be almost 5' wide which means the entire cab has to be only marginally narrower, which makes it at least as wide as most compact sedans and coupes today. That may be too narrow for some, but I love the fact that you can fit a 4'x8' sheet of plywood between the rails and still have room left over. The drop sides will also make loading and unloading significantly easier than these high-sided road whales most people are driving today. Add to this a near 50mpg mileage and 2200 pounds in-bed load capacity and suddenly you have a remarkably usable truck--even if it can't win any races down the drag strip.

The Great Wall truck? Still two too many doors for my taste.

@Carilloskis: While I may not argue with you about price, I will definitely argue with you about size. I have never owned a full-sized pickup truck and never will; I simply have no need for something that big and don't want something that I have to see-saw back and forth to turn around on a three-lane road and can't fit into my off-road parking without hanging 2 feet out into the street (even when blocking the sidewalk.) A truck like this is perfect also for urban deliveries of all kinds where streets are tight and alleys tighter.

Most definitely there is a need for something like the Fiat Doblo here in the States. I, personally, see this as a very strong possibility, given time to clear the EPA and NHTSA regulations. The EPA should be easy enough with a simple fluid-based scrubber on the exhaust. The NHTSA regs could be more difficult.

@billy
no the old colorado and dmax and canyon did not look like that, at all.

That Fiat is low slung and it doesn't look durable for rough terrain. But still it could be a viable option for some if the price was right.

The Steed looks like a ripoff of the Frontier to me. Nothing original about it.

Ideally all Pickups should have a box like structure at the rear and its volumetric capacity (length * width * height) should be specified so that we can compare it with a van.

Even if that plastic box cover is expensive, atleast a wooden frame with a tarpaulin cover should be applied to measure the dimensions. This will be helpful to many business to stack things 1 above another.

Also if they have a CNG / LPG cylinder, still it will give more space to store stuff. Otherwise pickup with just a cargo bed is a space inefficient concept.

The Doblo Cargo looks interesting. The utility tray would be okay for light duty business but the "fashion conscious" would prefer a NA style p/u box. If 50 mpg is based on a UK gallon then that would be around 42 mpg US gallon. Build it in Mexico with the Fiat 500, call it a Dakota and do an end run around the chicken tax. (The Ram HD's built in Mexico don't pay chicken tax). Ram had talked about a unibody Dakota. This could be it. Just slap a big Ram crosshair grill on it.
Greet Wall....
All I can say is prepare for the onslaught of Chinese motor vehicles.

The Fiat Doblo is a FLEET CITY DELIVERY Vehicle. Few if any are used for private transport.
The VW Caddy does the same thing it has a 2 Litre Diesel.
http://www.privatefleet.com.au/images/upload/Image/vw-caddy-maxi-life.jpg

The GREAT WALL is a Walmart version of a Nissan Pickup. Pretty cheap, much better build quality than a MAHINDRA, but crash standards have to be constantly monitored.They have a rating of 4/5 for their SUV. A Ford and Holden Ute have 5/5 ratings.

@Vulpine im sorry of the confusion i was refering more too the Great wall and global Ford Ranger. The US Ford Ranger reg cab 6' bed 4x2 is 189.4 and 69.3" wide an f150 6' bed is 213.2" 2 ft longer width is 79.2" The global ranger is 216 in long in all configurations and is 72 inches wide so its longer than an f150 and is 7 inches thinner, let be honest here most trucks are arround the same size when comperably equiped. My Truck is a raptor which is 8 in wider than a standard f150 and it does not feel like alot. It can make a u turn in a tight spot, it depends on the vehicle. My mom test drove a new focus on the same road i was able to make a u-turn with a raptor and it needed to do a multipoint turn . It looks like if the Fiat come ashore it would we a good vehilce for work / delivery with a similar market as the transity connect, but i dont think that it will replace the private pick up truck, used as a commuter / weekend warior, it will be relagated to fleets and urban delivery.

More dork mobiles. If your going to buy a new car or truck, go big, I wouldnt want to be caught in these puny little things but beauty is in the eye of the beholder and to each their own, so oh well!

if you look at just the cab, and the rear spring perch it is clearly a GMC Canyon Chevy Colorado mock-up Rip-off, if GM has nothing to do with it, I would like to se the interior. if the Chinese can make a Colorado wiht a nice small Diesel, why can't GM do that here? wouldn't that be great! a Colorado that would get almost 30MPG!!! THIS IS NOTHING BUT A KNOCK-OFF

I wish the big 3 would offer a choice of flat bed like this Fiat from the factory, but with out the crap under the bed. You could bolt a tool boxs on it on the sides under the bed, and still have bed space. The fold down sides and tailgate you could quick pin a pipe vise or normal vise to the bed, and have a good size work table. It would save all the trouble of buying a after market bed, and probably be cheaper a lot less metal.

That little fiat is kinda sneaky. It would be nice to drive back and forth to the job to pick supplies. It definitely has a place. It would be nice for my dad who only drives his truck when he needs to pick up materials and drives a cobalt the rest of the time. I'm amazed how much stuff he crams in that thing sometimes. But at least acupel times a year he buys to much and someone has to get him in a truck.

@Johny doe. They already do in Australia a flat bed option . Called a Tray Top here.

Im not compensating for anything. I have a preference of not wanting to be squished in a car or truck so while it may be great on gas, if its tiny and cramped, i dont want it. I need room to stretch my b*lls and if you like yours being squished, more power to you, that is how prematurely you become infertile. So i am not "compensating" anything, if you want a small truck great, but i want to be comfortable.

From what I've been hearing, the Great Wall will likely appear in the States within the next three years. I remember when the Steed first appeared at the Barcelona show in 2006 as the Wingle, on a display right across from Mahindra, who was just debuting the Scorpio. That set off a rivalry as to see whose truck will make the largest impact on the world market.

I'm not sure who's winning that race, but it looks like Great Wall beat Mahindra into the UK, while Mahindra got to Italy before GW. But last I heard, GW has stolen market share from Mahindra in Australia, so maybe someone down there can correct me on that.

Now that Mahindra has blown its chance to enter the US for now, GW will likely take advantage of the situation. The three year startup time has many reasons. Reason 1 has already been pointed out by many here, the Steed is indeed a copy of the GM Colorado/Isuzu D-Max, because the D-Max has served as the basis for most Chinese pickus, as well as the Nissan Hardbody/Frontier and Toyota Hilux. We here in the US are more sensitive to copycats than mos other countries, and with the new Colorado just around the corner, GW's plan is to hope that the current Colorado will be a memory once the Steed hits the market. Second is US testing and certification for safety and emissions. Third is to find a manufacturing site in North America, since the chicken tax will make the truck too expensive. Mexico is the preferred site, although they may scout abandoned US plants also. And then they need to set up a dealer network. That may be the easiest part, since there are a lot of dealers anxious to get a cheaper brand to sell. I wouldn't be surprised if any of the intended Mahindra dealers toss their hat into the ring, as long as John Perez and Global Vehicles don't get involved.

I'm not feeling the Fiat, though. If Chrysler chooses to bring this thing over and refuse to let Jeep offer some pickups, then something's mighty wrong here.

@imoore

what i believe is that THE ONLY WAY FOR GW TO BELIEVE THAT THE TRUCK BUYERS WILL FORGET THE COLORADO IS IF THE STEED IS OFFERED IT WITH A DIESEL OPTION.

AND IN AMERICA THAT IS STILL HARD TO BELIEVE.

BESIDES THE COLORADO WAS A FAILED PROJECT, SHOULD OF JUST KEPT BUILDING THE S10. GIVE IT A REFRESH TUCK IN A DIRECT INJECTION I4 TWIN TURBO AND SUCCESS!!!!

@Johny doe. They already do in Australia a flat bed option . Called a Tray Top here.

Posted by: Robert Ryan | Mar 29, 2012 6:46:09 PM

Yeah I know I just shake my head, it's a good idea but no one over here will do it.

@Carilloskis: even if your Raptor is the shortest wheelbase(what counts in this case) supercab 5.5 bed, 133 wheelbase it will still be a 44 foot turn vs. a 36 for a Focus. About 47 feet if you get a super crew with 5.5 bed.

@imoore said:
"But last I heard, GW has stolen market share from Mahindra in Australia, so maybe someone down there can correct me on that"

The Mahindra is a distant memory as far as I know they are not selling them anymore here.
'Current Pecking Order"
(1) Nissan Navara or Hilux
(2) Mitsubishi Triton

Then much further down GW,
In no particular order after that ; Ranger, BT50 and Amarok. I would give the nod to both the Ranger and BT50, slightly over the Amarok,
Holden Colorado have not see one for ages. Overall I have seen as more F250's, Silverado's than the Ranger, Mazda and Amarok.

OK what is surprising everyone at Ford Australia? It is the Ford Territory CUV/SUV with a 2.7 diesel, it INCREASED it's Sales 52% in 2012 so far!!! It has become so successful Ford is looking for export markets.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/165268/ford-territory-export-hopes-for-thailand/

@TRX4 Tom i have read the same info from Fords web site but im not buying it, having test driven a 5.4l raptor in 2010 and the new focus at the Same dealership on the same test route, I was supprised given that the stats said we should have been able to out turn a raptor, maybe it has to do with different trim pakages with different size wheels and tires cannot make the turn as tight as what ever car they tested when they came up with the 36ft number. THink about it if you have a larger diamiter wheel and tire combo in the same size wheel well there is not as much clearnce allowing the wheel to turn without rubbing, so maybe ford limited the turning radius on some of the focus models.

@Big Roy I agree that the S-10 should not have been discontinued and a 4 cylinder with direct injection and a turbo would have been enough with a slight refreshing of the exterior and the interior. I have a 99 S-10 with a 4 cylinder and a 5 speed manual. Better hardware and a new 4 cylinder with what you mentioned would have made a good truck even better. I really don't care if Chevy calls it an S-10 or a Colorado but sometimes you lose loyalty when you change to much. I doubt if these trucks covered in this article come to North American but I would not mind it if they did.

@Allistar Evans I am glad that you like your big trucks but I really don't need or want a big truck. Let Ford keep making F150s and larger for their loyal customers and Toyota, Nissan, and GM can offer a midsize or compact truck for those of us that don't need or want a larger truck. If Ford decides to change their mind and offer a smaller truck that is great but if not then there are other choices. I don't see any harm in a smaller truck being offered with a clean diesel if there is enough demand. Actually I think the truck market is large enough to offer full size, midsize, and compact trucks and not make any truck owner have to compromise on what they want.

@Big Roy,

I agree with you about the S10. My 1994 X-cab beater has nearly 270,000 miles on it is finally starting to show rust spots that can be fixed, and still runs solid. The body still looks good. I only had to replace the starter, alternator and ignition switch all last month. I'd be a fool to get rid of it.

AND IF ANYONE ASKS, NO, IT'S NOT FOR SALE.

@ Robert Ryan,

Thanks for the update on Mahindra. I didn't know they folded there already. Good thing they didn't come to America.

Small Fiat pickup in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVXXfxhw3oM

@imore-I have a 99 S-10 extended cab LT model with the alumnum wheels (pewter color) with the 2.2 4 cylinder 5 speed manual with 95,300 miles and I am the original owner. When I bought a new truck 4 years ago they offered me 3k for it in trade in with only 82k miles in it. I am glad I kept it. Mine has no rust and no dents and looks like new. I drive it more than my other truck and it is not for sale. It was a mistake for GM to discontinue the S-10.

I mean LS, the LT is a Sonoma.

@Carilloskis: I haven't driven the Raptor but have drove a few Focus'. The tires should not have and rubbing issues from factory, that's their job to figure out what rubs and doesn't. And for them to adjust jam nuts to prevent rubbing. Now my 2007 Dakota had a slight tire rub only when it was on an uneven area. One front tire very compressed. Flatground no problem. The very first Focus I drove was a 2003 SVT 2.3 and although it cornered great, it had nowhere near the torque of my old 87 Shelby Z Daytona 2.2 Turbo II. So it needed the extra gear.

It's apparent that many of you guys in the US are ill informed on what goes on in the world. The USA represents only 1/20 of the world.
1. Any pick-up/light commercial vehicle incurs a 25% import tax when imported into the US. Fair trade?? In Australia we have a 5% import tax.

2. In Australia most work pickups have a 6'x8' tray on back with removable/hinged sides. These pickups are what you call small to mid sized. Anything bigger is good if you really need it. We also call them one tonners because they can carry 1 ton or more. Why have a 1/2 ton truck if a Ford Focus can carry the same weight. And use roof racks to carry that 4x8 sheet of plywood that weighs 30lbs.

3. Don't convert another countries vehicle cost and think that is what it will cost in the US. You used to import our V8 Holden ute (Chev) and sell them for $29 000, we used to have to pay $42 000 for the same vehicle!

4. The reality also is that your US built vehicles are of a lower quality than Euro, Australian and Asian built vehicles. True, your Japanese trucks are made in the US and the build is not as good as what we have in Australia. But this is improving.

5. We also have had Great Wall trucks for the last 5 years here and the body is based on an Izuzu platform, chassis is from a Toyota Surf and the drive train is Mitsubishi. We also have an Indian truck called a Mahindra which is agricultural but extremely capable off road.

6. Another thing is diesels in small trucks, it seems everyone wants a gas engine. Why? It's has to be US centric. I just bought a 2012 4x4 Mazda BT-50 dual cab truck with a 3.2liter diesel in it and it uses about 30mpg and it does over 100mph, tows 7,300lbs and can carry 3500lbs.

Don't get me wrong I just came back after 5 weeks in the US and drove a F-250 Super Duty around, fantastic but to what ends. I could carry little more than a Nissan Navara (frontier) 2.5 diesel with a tray back.

When in the US I noticed lots of complaints about the price of fuel, well big trucks might start becoming passe. They are like horses and beast of burden----there was a time in history for them.

@Big Al from Oz -
1. Agreed - But I don't see the chicken tax going away. The USA auto industry and government wouldn't want to hurt domestic pickup sales and therefore profits.
2. "Flat decks" or what you call "utility trays" are common here but on 1 ton and larger trucks. The specifications on "global" trucks are all rated with higher cargo capacites than NA trucks.
I suspect that is because of the litigious nature of western society. We do have a "bigger is better" mentality.
3. Agreed
4. I don't know about Australian build quality, but overall quality ratings by geographic region are as follows: 1. Asia (not including India) 2. North America 3. Europe (Does Australia count as Europe?)
5. None of the vehicles you mentioned are in NA.
6. Perhaps. Some have commented that the USA government is anti-diesel. I also think companies are anti-profit. Compact and 1/2 ton pickups are price sensitive. A pricy diesel won't sell. Add the fact that current emission laws have also killed any advantage a diesel has.

@Big Al from Oz: Once you max that thing out at that weight and run it done the road at 65MPH, let us know how that feels. And stops. What have you got there, 11.88" rotors? 126" wheelbase? It doesn't sound like the kind of wheelbase or brakes I would want to tow 7,000 with. I had a V-8 Crewcab Dakota I want to say was 130" wheelbase, it was a bit lacking in heavy towing. Although it was RATED to about 6850 pounds.

It seems trucks here in the states are so underrated while some in other places seem over rated. On the other hand, had Dodge had a diesel like that with that great low end powerband, great mileage, and they stuck it in a Dakota crew cab with a 6-6.5' bed, and slightly longer wheelbase, it be another story! I had the 63" bed, way too small.

@Lou,
Build quality is basically Japan/Korea, then Australia(Built for the conditions and use a lot of Asian parts), then US or European(the Europeans are improving, quite a few are better than the US products , but they tend to build "throwaway vehicles" like PSA /Fiat produces}. Wooden spoon India.

@TR4Tom.Yes they do stop and pull 7000lb. Unfortunately too many US 1/2 tons are not capable of doing that unless you get a HD option.

@TRX4 Tom
You are partially correct in saying that you wouldn't tow to the maximum capacity, that would be any vehicle. Just like a Jeep Grand Cherokee can tow 3.5 tons. Maybe vehicles in the US are over rated as well. And I wouldn't tow 3.5 tons off the back of mine or would I max out a F-250 for towing.

The brakes are 302mm x 32mm twin pots in the front and 335mm drums on the back. I own a 2 ton twin axle trailer with 4 brakes to stop it, as it is law in Australia to have a braked trailer if it can carry more thant 1/2 a ton. So most of my braking is done by my trailer, not the truck.

Suspension systems play a significant role in towing as well, my truck is rated to carry 1.3tons. So, if I'm towing 7,000lbs I'll need to have 700lbs draw weight. This would load your 1/2 ton Dodge quite alot. And remember you add a tank of gasoline, a few things, yourself and friend and your 1/2 ton trucks suspension loads up quickly.

When it come to engines I'll have a diesel over a gas engine anyday. My diesel puts out 6cyl power and V8 torque (peak torque is 1500-2750rpm) when needed. My Mazda is a variant of the new Aussie designed Ford Ranger T6 that you guys will not be getting unfortunately. More on this later.

As Lou pointed out diesels are a costly alternative to gasoline engines. But the extra money is worth it as you'll recoup the money sooner or later. I don't think adding a blower to a smaller gas engine is the best answer.

Ford in Detroit stated that it doesn't want the new T6 Ranger in the US as it is too close in size to the F-150. Most of the readers are probably aware of this new Ford truck, it is a game changer and will be sold around the world except for the US and Canada, what a pity as North Americans miss out on a lot of unique and great trucks because of politics, Detroit and unions. No wonder Detroit is bailed out by the tax payers.

As the price of fuel rises you guys in the US will have to re-evaluate how you assess your trucks. There will be less of the big trucks and more smaller trucks. And maybe Ford will allow the T6 and BT-50 into the North American market.

Fiat will use England’s Commercial Vehicle Show to represents its new Doblo mini truck

@TRX4Tom, Big Al
Usually the tow rating includes the number of passengers in the vehicle plus the load in the cargo area, plus the engine and mechanical and electronical components of the vehicle, so towing the maximum rating ie a 7000lb trailer would go over the limit if you factor in at the least the driver of the vehicle. With all today's vehicles have more airbags, computer equipment, etc, a vehicle that is rated to tow 7000 pounds may actually have a net tow of 5000lb.

Well, while I really wanted a compact truck, my needs outweighed my desires. I now own what is called a "full sized" truck. A Ford F-150 XLS Lariat.

A 1990 Ford F-150 XLS Lariat.

Interesting thing is that it's visibly smaller than its new full-size brethren--in fact, little if any larger than most of today's "mid-sized" trucks.

Still, I'm happy to say I saved 90% over what most of you have paid for your road whales.

@Vulpine. Some of the diesel "Mid Sizers" are larger than your 1990 F150. I am amazed how things have grown .I saw this cute looking Sports Coupe with narrow wheels. Looking closer I noticed it was a 1965 Mustang. Seeing a lot of people here drive large SUV's, and "Mid size" Pickups add to that the "Moving Apartment blocks" that make up European and Japanese MDT/HDT Trucks as well Conventional HDT's, cars like the mid 60's Mustang look tiny now.

@Vulpine - I owned a 1990 F250. Bought it brand new. I'd much rather have my 2010 F150. Absolutely no comparison between the 2.

Thanks for all the such helpful information here.

@Billy: way off. Manufacturers have a Gross Combined Weight Rating. So you have the choice of sometimes payload or slightly more trailer weight. They might say 13,000 pounds total. For instance. So all the passengers and whats in the bed weigh in against the trailer weight. They already know the curb weight with all computer and airbag stuff. Dodge for one rates theres to tow with a 150 pound driver. I guess I better diet! Anyway, they might have a BASE model, and say what the tow rate is. The options (not computers and airbags) can cut into the payload and tow rating. In my case, my truck has skid plates, tow hooks, heavy tires (8 vs. standard 6 ply) a console, fender flares from the factory plus I added running boards and a backflip. It all comes off the payload, as it has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and works against trailer tow ratings. So I am down to about 9700 actual pounds I can tow.

But people in the know don't buy a truck to tow 7400 pounds if that's it's max rating. I would give some cushion, rated to 7400, buy to tow 6000 or so.

@Robert Ryan: I don't think you are up to date on brake sizes on full size trucks here in the states. The typical rotors on the front of a half ton here are 13 inches and get to 13.8". The size rotors on Big Al's truck are maybe 1/8" bigger then the size rotors we used Dodge Chargers in the mid seventies, 4000 pound cars. Wow, meanwhile my 2010 Ram has rotors that are the size of 3/5 ton HD rotors not even 5 years ago. The paylead ratings are down here yes, but I bet my truck can out stop Big Als truck both at GVWR, or actually, if I had 300 over I would bet. Probably 500 as well. Hey thats fair right? If it can carry 3500 pounds, then it's GVWR must be near 7700 pounds. Hey, would you rather stop 7200 pounds (that would be my truck 500 pounds over) with 13" rotors, or 7700 with less then 12" rotors? It's a no brainer. And where would Big Al put all that weight? Maybe 1200 pounds max inside the truck, they would be kinda crowded, but whatever. I have loaded near 1100 pounds of rotors, drums, cast iron intakes, bumpers, axles, and such in above Dodge Dakota crewcab. I coulda got maybe 100 more pounds in bed but it was at gvwr with my 210 pounds in it. So yeah theres room for more payload, but 3500? The bed is a bit smaller then my Dakota. So 1200 in Big Al's cab, and his bed might hold 1200, maybe 1400. So 2600 pounds leaves 900 pounds for the package tray I see on SUVS, or tongue weight from a trailer. Or a rack. Now I bet you all won't drive it at 75% or even 50% GVWR like they do these US trucks to see how they corner or stop in these shootouts. I get the idea you load a truck half way down there, ya'll drive real slow. Not that we go speeding with a load here, but hey if the speed limit is 75mph, what do you think we are doing? I hauled a 350 Chevy complete with the 700r4 trans and a couple hundred pounds of car parts, me and a friend, Washington state to Utah, no, we didn't putz along at 55! WE drove 75 or some places, 79! No control issues! But yet load Big Als truck to 75% with a good portion of the weight either on the rear axle or behind it,two people in the cab and you drive the legal limit here, 75, or 70. Tell me how that feels? Cause your weights over there are optimistic! Ours here are conservative. And what are we supposed to put in the bed? not much, those little trucks. What can I put in a Focus? Can I put a fully assembled engine and a few transmissions? Well a Focus prob has a payload of 800 pounds, good luck getting that assembled engine out! although I once got a bare 340 Dodge block with my Dodge Daytona!

As for your diesels, I like low engine speed grunt too! If you make them run clean enough, bring them on over! Course, in my town diesel also costs 15 % more then gas, atleast. Everybody is obsessed with holding a phone, manual trans went by the wayside.

Is Hey Charger! magazine still going there??