When I started interacting with a non-binary person more often, the only reflexive pronoun that came to mind was ‘themselves.’ As in, “They bought themselves a pair of socks for their birthday.” It felt a bit awkward since I couldn’t shake the plural association in my head, but I still used it to be respectful.

Then I remembered that the word ‘themself’ exists and I felt stupid.

They were designed so that the wheels would be the same width as the tracks on an Abrams tank.

And this is exactly why we don’t see small trucks like Rangers or Dakotas anymore. I don’t know if it’s because it’s impossible to make an engine that efficient or if manufacturers are just lazy, but the consequence is that they can avoid stricter efficiency requirements by simply making bigger (larger wheelbase) and heavier (body on frame vs. monocoque) vehicles.

Yup! It’s an ‘09, and I got it from some old guy who barely drove it so it was practically brand new. I’ve put over 150k miles on it since then, with the only major maintenance being a new clutch. It’s got a manual transmission, manual locks, manual windows, and a plain-Jane radio with an aux input - it’s all I need and nothing more.

I did get the chance to drive a 2020 Ranger once, and it was very nice and cushy, but didn’t feel like a Ranger, if that makes sense. Didn’t help that it was just as big as an F150.

I’d probably do the same if I had a four wheel drive vehicle, but it doesn’t snow too often where I live so my little 2wd ranger performs just fine. Sandbags in the bed, drive slowly and deliberately, and keep a set of chains when shit really gets bad. It bugs me how some people in my area have a mindset where they think they need four wheel drive in the snow. No you don’t, you just can’t drive like a moron.