2003 4x4 Trucks And SUVs - The Four Wheeler Guide To 2003 Trucks And SUVS

COMPACT TRUCKS

Trucks In This Category Include:
Chevrolet S-10
Dodge Dakota
Ford Ranger
Ford Sport Trac
GMC Sonoma
Mazda Truck
Nissan Frontier
Toyota Tacoma

Chevrolet
This is the last year for the Chevy S-10, sort of. In 2004 the S-10 will be replaced by the Chevy Colorado. But one last vestige, an S-10 Crew Cab, will still be offered. Regardless, the '03 S-10 has been improved upon with a new fuel-injection system for the 4.3L V-6, the only engine offered on 4x4 models. The four-wheel-drive S-10 is available in either extended-cab or crew-cab body types. The crew cab is available with one transmission, a four-speed automatic, while the extended cab offers that transmission as an option, with a five-speed manual as standard equipment. Once again, Chevy offers its ZR2 off-road package for the S-10, which includes extra-wide wheel flares, Bilstein shocks and 31-inch all-terrain tires. S-10's extended cabs are rated with a maximum trailer capacity of 5,500 pounds, and a maximum payload of 1,362 pounds.

GMC
This year GMC offers the Sonoma, based on the S-10, as an extended-cab shortbox or crew cab with two versions of the SLS trim level. The 4WD model is available with the standard 190hp 4.3L V-6. As expected, towing and payload numbers are identical to those of the S-10.

Ford
For '03, Ford has improved and refined the Ranger pickup, offering two body styles, several trim levels and either manual or automatic transmissions. The Ranger's FX4 continues to be available, but the really exciting package is the FX4/Level II package, which comes with 31-inch BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO tires, a Torsen limited-slip diff, Bilstein shocks, front and rear tow hooks and skidplates.

Ford offers the Ranger with three engines: the scarce 2.3L inline-four, which you don't want anyway; a 3.0L V-6 and a 207hp 4.0L V-6. Each is available with any four-wheel-drive model. This year Ranger braking has been improved with larger rotors (now 305mm, up from 286mm), new front brake calipers and larger rear-wheel brake cylinders.

In an attempt to lure the extreme-sports crowd, Ford's Explorer Sport Trac claims to offer drivers the room and ride of an SUV with the bed and cargo capacity of a pickup.

This pseudo-SUV is powered by a 210hp 4.0L V-6 mated to either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The Explorer Sport Trac can tow up to 5,300 pounds and has a maximum payload of 1,520 pounds. Standard Sport Trac models use torsion bars, gas shocks and an antiroll bar up front, with leaf springs, shocks and an antiroll bar in the rear.

Dodge
If you're a Mopar guy looking for a smaller truck, consider the Dakota. You can order the four-wheel-drive Dakota as a Regular Cab, Club Cab or Quad Cab, each available in three trim levels. This year, the Dakota features the new 5-45RFE five-speed automatic transmission with the 4.7L V-8 engine. Besides the 4.7L powerplant, Dodge also offers the Dakota with the 3.9L V-6 and the 5.9L V-8, still the only V-8 in this class. Dodge discontinued the 2.5L engine. The Dakota has great towing and payload numbers, with a maximum towing capacity of 6,600 pounds and a top payload of 2,160 pounds.

Four-wheel disc brakes with rear-wheel antilock brakes are now standard on 4WD models 5,350 GVWR and over.

Mazda
Based on the Ford Ranger, Mazda's B-Series of light trucks, which last year featured the B3000 and B4000 models, was consolidated and renamed the Mazda Truck in 2002. New features that accompany the truck include the optional Off-Road package for the 4x4 Cab Plus 4. The package includes 31x10.5R15 BFGoodrich tires, side step tubes, and tie-down rails on top of the bed sides. The Mazda Truck is available only with a 207hp 4.0L V-6.

Nissan
If you're shopping in this group and cargo space is your main concern, check out the '03 Nissan Frontier, offering the longest bed in its class with the Crew Cab Long Bed. The Frontier Crew Cab is available in four trim levels, while the King Cab offers five. Nissan offers the pickup with a 210hp supercharged 3.3L V-6 or standard normally aspirated 3.3L V-6.

Never afraid of innovation, Nissan will offer the Frontier with a retractable top, a first for the compact market. All normally aspirated V-6-equipped Frontiers will earn an additional 10 hp (now 180), two extra lb-ft of torque (now 202) and an additional one mile per gallon.

Toyota
The Toyota Tacoma remains mostly unchanged from the '02 model, with the exception of standard ABS brakes added across all trim levels. As in past years, the Tacoma is offered with the TRD off-road package, which includes more aggressive tires, better shocks, progressive coils and, most importantly, an electric rear locker. Available powertrains include the 2.7L I-4 or 3.4L V-6. A-arm and coils support the front, while a live axle with leaf springs supports the rear.

Abbreviations:
4A = four-speed automatic
5A = five-speed automatic
5M = five-speed manual
6M = six-speed manual