Toyota Tacoma

After updated styling and a barrage of new model, comparatively calm throughout Toyota Tacoma’s all embracing compact pickup lineup. Maybe that’s good thing, as it gives us a breather to sort through all the Tacoma variants and choices.
Those choices begin with three cab configurations: the regular cab; the Xtracab with its pair of forward facing, fold up rear jump seats; and the 4 door Double Cab, introduced and an optional fiberglass bed cover that Toyota calls the Super Sport Shell. Not to be confused with the 4 door HiLux pickup that Toyota offers overseas, the Double Cab was designed and built entirely for the US market.
Forgetting special models for a moment, ‘regular’ Tacomas come in either 2wd or part time 4wd form. Rear wheel drive models (expect the PreRunner and S-Runner specials) receive a 142 bhp 2.4 liter inline 4 as standard equipment, while 4x4s get a longer stroke 2.7 liter, 150 bhp four with balance shafts.
A 3.4 liter 190 bhp V6 is non-compulsory in either case, and this can be boosted to 260 bhp with a dealer fixed but fully warranted super charger. More decisions to make involve the choice between 5 speed manual or 4 speed automatic transmissions, and whether you want a conventional or StepSide box.

Nissan Frontier

Remember when piling into an import pickup was a “knees and elbows” maneuver? In the old days a compact pickup was just that. Today’s versions have grown considerably to their predecessors and nowhere in this more evident that with the Nissan Frontier. Last year, when Nissan gave its Frontier pickup a significant restyling, that “modern industrial” look is difficult to miss, three basic platforms were offered: Regular Cab, King Cab and Crew Cab. Okay, make it four if you count the Desert Runner, a light weight version of the King Cab.
These platforms are represented in the lineup as well, but not the same ones as before. In keeping with consumer demand for more spacious digs, Nissan has ditched the Regular Cab making the 2 door, 4 passenger King Cab the Frontier’s entry level model. Added to the lineup, however, is the new Crew Cab extended Bed.
The Crew Cab Extended Bed is the answer for those who appreciate the Crew Cab’s 4 door access and 5 passenger seating, but need a bit more hauling space than what the standard Frontier Crew Cab’s 56.3 in. bed provided. The Crew Can Long Bed’ cargo Box is 18.3-in. longer for a total length if 74.6 in. That’s just over the 6ft. mark, and the same length as the King Cab bed. To back up in the increased hauling capability, the payload capacity has been increases by 110 lb. with the GVWR bumping up another 220 lb.

Ford F-150

Now that the Dodge Ram has been revamped, Ford’s curvy F-150 is suddenly the old man of the full size truck club. Chevy’s Silverado was remade, the same year Ford rolled out its line Super Duty Pickups. Difficult as it is to believe, the current F-150, introduced as a model, has achieved seniority over its rivals.
Still, the F-150 hardly qualifies for AARP membership. Despite the spate of new competition, the F-150 appears as fresh, and has maintained its robust sales lead. Part of the F-150’s popularity can be traced to Ford’s aggressive creation of specialty models for niche markets. Fittingly, the changes are mostly at these margins.
Thanks to a new super charged 5.4 liter V-8, the Harley Davidson Super Crew now has the muscle to back its tough guy image. Horsepower jumps to 340 at 4500 rpm; strong although less than the SVT Lightning’s 380 bhp. The Harley F-150 also sports a new color, Dark Shadow Grey.
Base price is $36,495, with no more than 12,000 scheduled to be built. Naturally, there will be ample cross promotional co-branded accessories. The SVT Lightning is mostly unchanged, although a True Blue color option has been added. The leather wrapped King Ranch F-150 is now available in SuperCab configuration as well as SuperCrew.

Chevrolet Silverado

The full size Silverado pickup has been GM’s sales leader for years now, its makeover ensured that position won’t change any time soon. Still, Chevrolet continues to improve the breed with each model years. As in the past, the Silverado comes in a huge choice of chassis configurations, from the Regular Cab Sportside Box to the Extended Cab Fleetside Long Box, and everything in between.
To make things a bit easier on customers, some base Silverado option group packages have been combined based on past customer preferences, and chrome bumpers and grills are now standard on all models. Radio options have also been narrowed and for the first time a CD player is offered on the base models. In similar spirit, the Extended Cab now comes standard with an automatic transmission.
Driveline options for the Silverado mirror the rest of Chevrolet’s truck and SUV models. Four wheel drive versions get the Autotrac transfer case that automatically shifts between 2wd and 4wd depending on road conditions. Two wheel drive buyers with V8 automatics and a locking rear differential can enhance on road performance with the optional Electronic Traction Control system.
The biggest cause for celebration among Silverado fans will be the introduction of the Quadrasteer system. Developed by Delphi and first used in GMC Sierra Denali, Quadrasteer is an electronically controlled front and rear wheel steering system that gives full-size trucks a turning radius similar to that of a small sedan.