Pickups, then vs now: From workhorses to lifestyle machines

In 1986, pickup trucks were not unusual on Philippine roads, but not for the reasons they are today. Back then, they were basic, no-frills machines meant purely for work.

- By JACOB OLIVA

In 1986, pickup trucks were not unusual on Philippine roads, but not for the reasons they are today. Back then, they were basic, no-frills machines meant purely for work. A pickup then was a tool, not a status symbol, meant to haul rice, construction materials, or livestock.

Fast forward to 2025, and that same type of vehicle now comes with leather seats, massive touchscreens, adaptive cruise control, and even plug-in hybrid technology.

Clearly, there was a huge change in the span of 39 years. But what exactly?

AT THE CRANK

1986: BUILT TO WORK, NOT IMPRESS

In the mid-80s, the popular pickups were names we still know today — the Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi L200, Isuzu KB (which later became the Fuego before the D-Max), and the Nissan Power Pickup, the forebear of the Frontier, and then the Navara. But these were barebones vehicles.

Most were two-door, single-cab models with hard suspensions, underpowered diesel engines, and interiors that made the Toyota Tamaraw FX look plush. Manual steering, no air-conditioning, crank windows — these trucks were as basic as they come.

But they were tough. The engines were simple and could run even on bad diesel. Repairs were cheap. If something broke, you didn't need a diagnostic scanner, just a mechanic and some elbow grease.

Many of these trucks ran for decades, bouncing between provinces, often with homemade beds or hastily patched-up panels. For most owners, comfort didn't matter. What mattered was that they could haul half a ton of load through muddy barangay roads and still start the next morning.

2025: FOR THE BOULEVARD, NOT JUST THE BUKID