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A True Sports Truck


Lefty

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2022
Messages
2,080
City
Saint Paul, MN
Vehicle Year
2003
Transmission
Automatic
I remember when the Splash was first introduced. The bed was unique, a nostalgic look backward at old those old step sides from the 30s. 40s, 50s, and 60s. The old Ford Roadster coupes had long since disappeared from this great nation's best junkyards. Guys were even trying to resurrect grease spots in their grand daddies' barns. Shade tree mechanics and weekend warriors wanted project cars, but had no choice. They turned to trucks. Regular cab step sides were the next best thing.

And why not? A regular cab was a little like the old coupes. Those bodies were small and light. The rear axles were plenty strong, strong enough to handle a V8. They were often geared like mountain goats, great for jack rabbit starts and burnouts, too. They were easily lowered for better handling. And most important of all, parts were abundant and cheap. All that was required was a few thousand hours of elbow grease. Vintage step sides became cool, very cool.

Screenshot 2024-02-11 160534.png


The designers at GM chimed right in and built a little lowered short box, and souped it up, way up: 280 HP and a 0-60 time that beat a Ferrari roadster in 1991. It was a wonderful idea, but it never really caught on, maybe because that engine was just a little too much.

Screenshot 2024-02-11 161702.png


Maybe this was what got Ford to thinking. They took a different tact. Why not just make a truck that looked retro? It certainly worked for the Mustang. And, lo and behold, through the miracle of time, they came out with the Splash in 1993.

The Splash was not a true street rod. It offered the same three engines as the standard Ranger: a 2.3 liter 4 cylinder paired with a manual, the 3.0 Vulcan V6 or the 4.0 Cologne V6 both with the 4-speed automatic. When optioned with the 4.0, the Splash came with power-bolstered sport bucket seats and was rated at 160 horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque. This resulted in the Ranger Splash doing a sub 9 second 0-60 time and close to 6000 lbs of towing and 1,250 lbs of payload.

The flareside really was what made it cool, an homage to all those Ford's F-100 trucks from the past. The idea caught on quick.

Screenshot 2024-02-11 160042.png


A bright yellow version soon appeared on Bay Watch and, never mind Pam Anderson, teenage boys soon fell in love.

Screenshot 2024-02-11 164311.png


The Ford boys hit the nail right on the head. The Splash simply morphed into a flareside and remained a favorite until 2009.

Still I can't help but wonder what that sweet little sports truck could have been if they had built one with a V8. Maybe too, they could have scrapped those 60/40 bench seats and offered leather buckets, maybe too a moon roof, or something that appealed to the fairer sex.
 
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something that appealed to the fairer sex.

You did look at the pictures you posted right? You've got Pamela Anderson, the OG Tool Time girl, driving a Ranger on the beach and another hottie jogging along checking it out. What more can you ask for?
 
You did look at the pictures you posted right? You've got Pamela Anderson, the OG Tool Time girl, driving a Ranger on the beach and another hottie jogging along checking it out. What more can you ask for?
Maybe disc brakes on all 4 wheels too.
 
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Maybe disc brakes on all 4 wheels too.

They did that... in 2010. I was just referring to the part I quoted though.
 
But you do know the first true "Sport" truck was the Chevrolet 454SS. Followed by the Ford Lightnings (93 - 96) and (99 - 04). Then that V-10 contraption that Dodge built.
 
But you do know the first true "Sport" truck was the Chevrolet 454SS. Followed by the Ford Lightnings (93 - 96) and (99 - 04). Then that V-10 contraption that Dodge built.
Yes. I picked the Syclone because it was faster than a Ferrari, and like a true sportscar, it wasn't just a dragster. It was light in weight for greater handling.
Screenshot 2024-02-12 214814.png


The Ranger reg cab has similar potential. It weighs 500 lbs less than a Mustang.
 
Of recent Ford resurrected the Splash, but it is a beast. It is a family truck that lacks the reg cab/coupe as well as the retro styling. I'm sure it's a very nice truck, but it doesn't seem like a real sports truck.

Screenshot 2024-02-12 215608.png
 
Perhaps Ford's closest thing to a modern sports truck is not a pickup at all. Perhaps it's the Bronco 2 door sport. It does have a back seat. We came real close to buying one this week.

Screenshot 2024-02-12 221609.png
 
But you do know the first true "Sport" truck was the Chevrolet 454SS. Followed by the Ford Lightnings (93 - 96) and (99 - 04). Then that V-10 contraption that Dodge built.
Actually...you gotta go back further then the 454SS

Dodge offered the lil red express in 79...

1979-Dodge-Lil-Red-Express----Mecum-Auctions.jpg


Factory 440 and the quickest domestic production vehicle of 79...even beating a vette to 60.

Earlier on they had the 413 wedge trucks, that im sure coulda held their own in a street brawl, but they werent billed as "performance" trucks
 
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Dodge offered the lil red express in 79...
I liked the 78 better with the round headlights
1978_Dodge_Li%27l_Red_Truck_Trucks_9acb874b-2adc-411b-8bad-212a36c7cd23.jpg


78 Lil' Red Truck

Dodge released the Lil' Red Express Truck In 1978 it was one of the most unique Dodge trucks that had ever been produced. The Lil' Red Express was not only a real looker but these trucks were also real performers also. In 1978 The Dodge Lil' Red Express was the fastest American made vehicle from 0 to 100 MPH as tested by Car and Driver magazine.
 
I liked the 78 better with the round headlights
View attachment 106000

78 Lil' Red Truck

Dodge released the Lil' Red Express Truck In 1978 it was one of the most unique Dodge trucks that had ever been produced. The Lil' Red Express was not only a real looker but these trucks were also real performers also. In 1978 The Dodge Lil' Red Express was the fastest American made vehicle from 0 to 100 MPH as tested by Car and Driver magazine.
Shit i totally forgot they were around in 78 too. I agree the 78's looked better
 

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