With all the "small" trucks turning midsize, and the Ranger going away in a few years (by all reports) are we witnessing the death of the truly small truck? Is this necessarily a bad thing?  

You never know,gas prices may bring them back.Yes it is a bad thing small trucks are better on the trail.  

i agree.. better on the trail... last time i was up at cleghorn ridge there was a guy wheel'n fullsize dodge...and the verdict by the end of the day was BIG TRUCK + TIGHT TRAILS = CARNAGE.

in an attempt to sqeeze down a tight trail that was sloped to one side with some dropoffs.. one rear tire was about 3 - 4 ft off the ground ready to rollover when the tire that was on the ground sipped slamming the bedside into the rock and tearing out his tail light as he continued down the trail.... i have a pic of the aftermath .. i'll try to get it up later.  

I heard some Chinese and Indian companies might be bringing over compact trucks & SUVs. It may sound funny now, but not that long ago, people were laughing at Hyundai, too.  

Unfortunatly I too think that the days of the mini-truck are numbered. Its a shame really. We are a society of 'bigger is better'...