Contemporary trucks have all of the creature comforts we're accustomed to seeing in cars, so it's easy to forget that vintage trucks were mostly utilitarian -- built to help us do a job, not cart us around in style. But I like those old trucks, and it makes me feel good when I see one that's been restored. Do you have a vintage truck? I'd like to feature it in the Trucks galleries.

• Vintage Jeep Trucks
• Pictures of Classic Ford Trucks
• Ford Trucks Timeline
• Datsun Brings its Compact Truck to the US
• 1974 British Leyland Mini Pickup Truck
• 1957 Land Rover Series I - 107 Pickup
• 1937 Seagrave Safety Sedan Project

_{Photo © Jeep}

Ford, GM and Dodge are all coming off of major design revamps to their core truck lineups. That, combined with the poor economy, means we can expect enhancements to 2010 pickups -- but no huge changes. Avalanche went through a complete redesign in 2007, so major updates wouldn't be on the agenda this year, even if the economy was on a roll. But Chevy did tweak a few Avalanche features for 2010, and made changes to the truck's standard equipment.

_{Photo © Chevrolet}

Toyota Financial Service is offering recent college grads a $1,000 rebate on some Scion and Toyota products, including Tacoma pickup trucks. There are several ways to qualify for the program:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college, university, or registered nursing degree program during the last two years (or graduation within the next six months)
  
• Graduation from a two-year college during the last two years
• Graduation from the Toyota Technical Education Network (T-TEN) Program or another two-year post secondary automotive program accredited by the NATEF
  
• Completion of a NJATC or IBEW electrician apprenticeship/certification program during the last two years

Eligible graduates can apply for Toyota's College Graduate Finance Program, a no-money-down, competitive rate program that includes a free year of roadside assistance.

Full Program Details
2009 Toyota Tacoma Highlights

Don't expect exterior changes to the 2010 Ford Ranger, because next year's truck looks pretty much the same as the 2009 model. But Ford did make some alterations, adding important safety features as standard equipment. Ranger pickups are scheduled to roll onto dealer lots sometime this summer.

2010 Ford Ranger Updates