While it isn't a full-size, the Tacoma is technically a 1/2 ton and can be had for that price.
Yes... but they are damn rare as base models... damn rare...
Here's 2 - 30 miles down the road. You posted 300+ used trucks under $35k... and two new Tacos...
Base model Tacos are DAMN RARE...
The new truck world of 2022 and 2023 sucks... per the OP.
You asked for a truck you could pay cash for this week for 35k - I found 300 of them within an hour of my house in about 8 seconds. 300 used trucks that should be better than what you want in new because "you trust nothing new" lol.
Then someone claims a Tacoma is a 1/2 ton, can get new for less than 35k. You claim they're rare. I point out 2 of them down the road. Rare? Don't know but for rare I found them easily. These aren't global searches but literally dealers I've bought from locally in the past. IE close to home.