Does anyone remember the mini truck scene in the late '80s to mid '90s?

[MISWFL]

I wasn't into trucks then and only vaguely remember what some of the trends were in my area back then. I was in NorCal around the Sacto area then, but was into VWs. I've got a mini truck now and want to build it as they were then, but nothing too extreme, like being slammed, crazy paint and dancing beds.

 

[Blmpkn]

Are those bigass "fear this" / "no fear" back window decals still available? One of those is absolutely a requisite.

 

[MISWFL]

Lol, I was going to ask about stickers at some point. I never ran them on my cars, but I do remember them. The windshield banner ones were popular, but I don't remember what they were other then auto brands or models.

 

[RobbieD]

The windshield banner ones were popular, but I don't remember what they were other then auto brands or models.

The windshield banner that said "SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT" written backwards was kinda cute.

 

[stmitch]

Pastels, billet grills, and straight flames

 

[Snoranger]

I miss every bit of it.
Suicide doors, forward tilt front ends, split tailgates, targa topped supercabs, convertibles, massive sound systems… and the cherry on top, the Truxarossa body kit!!

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yeah, I never had a true mini truck for it but I caught a little of the tail end of things with my first Ranger, had it blacked out with a windshield banner and stereo but it wasn’t lowered.

My green Ranger is going to be a bit of a throwback to that era, lowered, and whatever goodies I can throw at it. Been pulling out some of my old stuff and found a windshield banner. Trying to focus more on getting it driveable for now, but it’s gonna get tricked out a bit.

 

[Josh B]

I never paid much attention to that, guess I was busy working and partying.
Just before I found my 93 in 2006. I checked out a Ranger probably early to mid 90s and it was nothing but a stereo on wheels. I looked it over but told him it wasn't what I wanted.

Took it for a drive but not really cause I wanted too, this guy was all dissapointed because I guess he expected someone to show up and toss him the money. Somewhere along the way he cranked up the sound and I was just looking for the off button.
I explained to him it was nothing like I wanted, that it was nothing but a party vehicle most likely to suit a high school kid or college. That the speakers were taking up the rear cab area and even sticking out into the bed. That everything they'd paid top dollar to have installed I'd have to toss into the trash. And that it couldn't even get across a country ditch without getting stuck high center

Needless to say it didn't leave him very happy, but oh well, I found my 93 just a couple days later, by picking up the morning paper at their front door paper stand at 4 am and being there before 9, and at 10 it was a done deal, and just exactly what I wanted

 

[svtcards]

I might remember what they looked like.this was mine in the late 90s

 

[Josh B]

That wasn't about them boom boxes was it? Where you'd stop at a red light and a car beside you vibrating the entire intersection

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

That wasn't about them boom boxes was it? Where you'd stop at a red light and a car beside you vibrating the entire intersection

One of these days I might get serious about breaking the 1,000 watt barrier. Once I get a few things fixed anyway. I was really close back in the day, I had an amp that put out 915 watts all bridged down. Unfortunately someone stole that amp off me several years back. Like to catch the thieves around here sometime…

That said, even what I have now doesn’t get turned up stupid loud unless I want to make a point.

 

[MISWFL]

Pastels, billet grills, and straight flames

I just scored a NOS set of Vitaloni Baby Turbo mirrors, as shown in your 1st pic, for the same price as the junky Chinese clones and might get a free good used set for just the price of the shipping.

The truck in the background of the 2nd pic is a Datsun 620, which is what I just bought, but mine's a king cab.

I might remember what they looked like.this was mine in the late 90s

View attachment 91189

What are some of the essential mods that you remember? I remember; lowered or slammed, rims with low profile tires, aftermarket; rubber antenna, mirrors, steering wheels and wipers, different seats, usually buckets, upgraded sound systems, smooth bed toppers like Snug Top shells or caps, loud mufflers or straight pipes with tips. For some reason Super Trap tips seems to come to mind. Tinted windows and stickers.

That wasn't about them boom boxes was it? Where you'd stop at a red light and a car beside you vibrating the entire intersection

I remember some had big speaker boxes in the bed with lots of 15" woofers, under the Snug Top shells. They'd cruise around with the back of the shell open while blasting something like 2 Live Crew to get attention.

 

[superj]

My buddy's dad used to take us to the city park in his little sky blue mini truck. It had the speakers, shell on the back with carpeted interior, lowered, and spoke wheels.

This was socal, riverside and corona area, late 80s to early 90s. We moved to texas in 92 or 93 and they werent doing that here.

We would go to the park and find a spot and sit and watch all the low riders roll through. It was fun to see all the cars and trucks slammed and booming

 

[Blmpkn]

The 'straight flames' are called scallops, and they're bitchin AF. Old school.

 

[superj]

I would love to do my ranger but its edge so no go without getting that kit that doesnt appear to be made anymore that converts the front to coils