Will trucks ever become awesome again? Discussion / question
I bought my first truck recently, a 2017 F-150 SCSB with the 5.0 and the 6 speed. 4x4. It has NOTHING. Manual windows, manual locks, I consider the A/C system to be the most luxurious aspect of the vehicle. I love it to death.
Is that era totally over and have I scored the last of its kind? Will we ever see boxy, simple, spacious trucks again? The free market is supposed to dictate what gets produced but between government regulations and what people are buying, it seems like every new truck is just amber running lights, plastic everything, complicated and expensive tech...
I feel a little bit hopeless about what the future holds for pickups, but I also think that if they made a real pickup for the pickup crowd, like literally brought back bricknoses and square bodies with nothing more than a modern power train (not too modern; a naturally aspirated V8 will do just fine) and modern suspension, they'd be knockouts with trades companies, simple people like myself, broke blue collar guys... How do we get them to put 4 wheel drive under metal boxes again without ipads for climate controls?
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u/762_54r 5d ago
Gonna be real with you chief I want power windows
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u/hells_cowbells 2016 Nissan Frontier 5d ago
Yep. It's a pain if you want to roll down all the windows and have manual windows. Give me a nice button to roll down windows any day.
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u/priuspollution 5d ago
I enjoy my pano sunroof and heated/cooled seats. I use mine as work trucks and haven’t had an issue with electrical accessories. Backup camera’s make hooking up to a trailer a breeze, this whole post is ridiculous.
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u/SlartibartfastMcGee 5d ago
It’s a cost thing. It’s always a cost thing masquerading as a weird brand of macho “I don’t need amenities, I’m tough as nails”
They want a brand new full size truck for the same price as an old one, because a brand new truck is a status symbol.
The sad thing is that a 6 year old $40k truck is waaay nicer than a brand new $40k truck. You can get a gently used Denali for that money vs a brand new single cab stripper model that’s gonna be annoying pain to life with.
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u/cakeba 5d ago
What was your truck's MSRP?
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u/priuspollution 5d ago
I don’t buy new, and I normally buy and sell quite often. I pick trucks people want, buy them at good prices and sell before I tank the price.
My family has been in the car business for 70-80years, 3 generations. So yeah I don’t spend a lot per truck purchase to sale.
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u/RR50 5d ago
My MSRP is up, but so are incomes.
The MSRP of my current truck is up slightly when factoring in inflation, but not horribly out of wack quite honestly. The new truck optioned the same, honestly is probably cheaper, I’ve just added more bonus stuff now.
My pretty loaded lariat in 2007 was 44,700, factor in inflation and that’s 66,950 today. The MSRP of a base lariat today (which is way more featured than a 2007, is 68k.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/200838/median-household-income-in-the-united-states/
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u/SpecularSaw 5d ago
As someone who drives all crank window trucks at work, one of which is a 1997 F-350 with the 7.3. I am 100% with you. You can’t even adjust the backrest on the seat in that thing. Great truck though.
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u/cakeba 5d ago
Ok when I'm Ford's chief design officer, I'll make a model with power windows, power locks, AND power mirrors just for you.
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u/joelfarris 5d ago
When you get hired there next year, can you make them produce a power window with a manual hand crank override, so that, no matter what, I get to decide exactly how open or closed my window is at any given time?
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u/cakeba 5d ago
Don't ask me to do it, I'm hiring you to be co-CDO.
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u/joelfarris 5d ago
Oh, way to hire down-the-ladder!
"It was your idea, so you're the one who should make it happen. How soon can you get to work, padawan? Don't give me that, you've been thinking about solving this problem for years!"
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u/Theoldquarryfoxhunt 5d ago
Omg I would love this option. Dealt with broken power windows for months in a truck I knew I was trading in. No fast food or bank teller windows. Thank god for EZ Pass. Major pita.
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u/RR50 5d ago
I don’t understand…I’ve owned vehicles with power windows for 28 years now. The last one I had any issues with was a 1983 Lincoln town car that the switch broke from getting water spilled in it.
What are you guys doing to your power windows that they’re breaking often enough to need manual overrides?
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u/texasroadkill 5d ago
Exactly this. People bitch but every ford truck I've had since 93 had power windows, locks, and mirrors and not once had an issue with one. I run em all into 400k or more and only thing I had to do is replace the clutch things on the 93 and 96. I had a 2000 f250 for a short while that was crank and manual everything and I traded up to an 01 f250 power everything.
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u/Cranks_No_Start 5d ago
My old 9th gen XLT has pwr windows locks and mirrors.
The ac is the old 3 knobs of awesomeness, it has a 5 speed, manual t case and manual hubs.
It will outlast the cockroaches.
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u/PyroZach 2018 Nissan Titan 5d ago
Can we go back to having options? Like stand alone, tick one thing at a time options. Not where I have to step up to a mid trim that includes 30 features I can live with out just to get a limited slip rear. Or how I can't get a extended cab with heated seats at all, not only that but I have to go up to a high end trim in the crew cab to get them now.
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u/Drzhivago138 2018 F-150 XLT SuperCab/8' 5.0 HDPP 5d ago
They took a lot of a la carte options away recently because not enough people were buying them to justify the expense of keeping them.
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u/eyecandynsx 5d ago
If you consider “awesome” a stripped down, featureless truck, then no. Manufacturers build what actually sells, not what a very select few want because they’re completely averse to technology and convenience features.
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u/Lizpy6688 5d ago
It always reminds me when people kept asking for wagons and we got them...then no one bought them..
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u/cakeba 5d ago
It doesn't have to specifically be a lack of electric amenities. Honestly it could just be a lack of dials and buttons being on a screen, or the truck being the size of a nuclear submarine but with the same useful space as a truck from 20 years ago, or just a truck that's not 40% plastic grille, 40% origami tailgate, and 20% LED's and badging.
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u/When-Lost-At-Sea 5d ago
You just bought yours 8 years old. People always say they should make this or that again but then want them 10 years old. The person buying the used vehicle does not make the manufacturers any money. And the people buying them new don’t want bare bones.
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u/RR50 5d ago
If you want a truck with the same space as a 20 year old truck, buy a ranger….
The new pro access tailgate (assuming that’s what your talking about with your origami tailgate comment) if fricking amazing, and I’ll admit I was very skeptical about it.
What is there possibly to be annoyed with LED’s?? You liked changing light bulbs??
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u/Drzhivago138 2018 F-150 XLT SuperCab/8' 5.0 HDPP 5d ago
A 20-year-old F-150 (2005) is the same size as today's.
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u/RR50 5d ago
I’m assuming he’s talking about the generation before that, which were smaller.
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u/Drzhivago138 2018 F-150 XLT SuperCab/8' 5.0 HDPP 5d ago
The jellybean '97-03s were a whopping 6" shorter, all in the cabin (139" vs. 145" WB). Same bed sizes, widths, and heights. People forget that they were still full-size trucks that could hold 3 adults comfortably. Can't do that in a Ranger, even the bigger mid-size model.
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u/texasroadkill 5d ago
This 100%. As a person that has an old ranger and 60s ford f100s. Too many people try to say there the same size and I can tell you they most definitely are not. There is a huge size difference.
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u/Drzhivago138 2018 F-150 XLT SuperCab/8' 5.0 HDPP 5d ago
The mid-size Rangers are taller than they used to be, which makes them look bigger. But they're not as wide as a '61 F-100.
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u/texasroadkill 4d ago
Yup.
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u/Drzhivago138 2018 F-150 XLT SuperCab/8' 5.0 HDPP 4d ago
I've come to find that when people say they want "small trucks" (or cars) again, what they really want is low trucks. Look at how low the 2WD compacts sat compared to the 2WD mid-sizers of today.
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u/Montreal4life 5d ago
by 2017 trucks came standard with a lot of once expensive options, including your automatic transmission truck
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u/SockeyeSTI 5d ago
Here’s the thing…..they won’t.
People want features. People want tech. Everyone on the internet can bitch and moan about not being able to buy a stripper truck for 30k new, but those people aren’t the majority of people buying trucks new. They’ll buy a better option truck used with a heavy discount.
As bad as the electronic, emissions, physical size and price are, they’re 100% safer, more comfortable, more stable, more powerful and handle better than anything of the past.
Vans are more practical trades vehicles for anyone who doesn’t tow.
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u/A_Scared_Hobbit 5d ago
A lot of the features are legally required these days too. In Ontario, you have to have ABS, traction control, ESC, rearview cameras, and child seat tethers. Even the most stripped down passenger truck has to have these features to be safetied.
I can't say I'm a fan of the trend, but I know I'm an outlier for preferring older, low-tech vehicles. I can't expect the wider market to cater to my niche needs.
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u/Scared-Loquat-7933 5d ago
What exactly is it that you’re asking for? This Reddit circlejerk of cars being too nice or “tech-y” is so boring.
Manual windows? Manual locks? Are you on crack? It’s 2025, you don’t need to live like this anymore. The power windows and locks in a 1995 Camry will probably still work today nearly 30 years later.
Complicated and expensive tech? 99% of these base level trucks have basically cruise control and some minor safety features. Most of these things you complain about are safety and driver assistance related.
This circlejerking and race to the bottom of who can be happiest with the shittiest interior is ridiculous. Every truck manufacturer offers a work truck trim like the RAM Tradesman, 1500 W/T, F150 XL, etc. with what you’re asking for and you literally want less. It’s like false modesty but worse.
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u/TruckTires 5d ago
Well said! OP is crazy for thinking 2017 was the last year of the real man's "simple truck". What a line of bull.
Why doesn't OP go back even farther to the even simpler and "real-er" trucks with a carbureted engine, no power brakes, no power steering, no crumple zones in the chassis, no air bags or shoulder strap seatbelts, and a 6 volt electrical system and starter. Now THAT'S the simplest, realest, manliness turned up to level 100 kind of truck!! Lol
This whole post oozes the energy of "I couldn't afford a better/nicer truck, so I'll just argue that my basic cheap truck is still better... somehow".
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u/macs_rock 5d ago
Psh, your truck has electric start? Break your arms cranking it by hand like a REAL MAN!
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u/TruckTires 5d ago
Bro, you're right but now I'm looking for a lorry that runs on coal and steam. Internal combustion is witchcraft magic and therefore must be a modern sissy man's way to get around.
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u/macs_rock 4d ago
A buddy of mine is a real prepper type guy, and after the battery in his Camry took a dump last week he started looking into how to DIY one (he's not remotely knowledgable about cars). After I shot that idea full of holes, I told him to start researching early steam engines since anything ICE is not gonna be feasible over the really long term, mostly because anything remotely modern won't like whatever oil is left 40 years post apocalypse.
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u/ThiqSaban 5d ago
It's the the new wave of hipsters, "I like it because it sucks", nostalgic for a time most of them weren't even old enough to experience, fragile masculinity begging to be validated by a "work truck" that won't do any work harder than moving a couch
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u/Scared-Loquat-7933 5d ago
Literally. Then they're like it'll "last forever" disregarding the fact that something as stupid as the power windows breaking or infotainment shitting the bed don't affect its ability to start up and drive.
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u/Minuhmize 5d ago
Ding ding ding. These basic trucks (which are still available from most manufacturers), also cost about the same as the basic trucks from the 90s. The only difference is, the interior is nicer, they have more power/torque, they tow more, and you won’t die if you hit a car at 40 mph.
Yes, there are 100k trucks which is insane, but the market demands it. They sell. Regardless, you can still purchase a $40k f150, which adjusting for inflation is pretty much what they cost in the 90s.
The only real outliers here are RAMs and Jeeps, and their sales numbers are hurting because of it.
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u/RR50 5d ago
You can still buy a 30k dollar f-150.
I thought you would like this New 2024 Ford F150 XL for $30194 on Autotrader http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/2B08EAED.
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u/Minuhmize 5d ago
That’s a great deal, but the MSRP is ~40k still. Can’t really add discount is in this because 90s trucks also had discounts.
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u/CondeNast_yReddit 5d ago
New base f150 work trucks start at like $35k msrp
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u/Minuhmize 5d ago
No, they start at $38.7k, excluding destination. I think in 2024 there was a big increase in price.
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u/VonsFavoriteChicken 5d ago
I just want a truck with a bed, seat, and steering wheel. Walls, windows, roofs... those are just more things that will break.
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u/Drzhivago138 2018 F-150 XLT SuperCab/8' 5.0 HDPP 5d ago
Sounds like what you really want is a SxS UTV.
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u/Montreal4life 5d ago
I wouldn't even buy a daily without ABS, fuel injection, power windows and locks... but some of these safety aids I absolutely abhor, I always disable anything related to lane keep, frontal colission, etc... and if you could still spec a stick shift I'd go that route too
So there's definitely a sweet spot but the modern truck, at least in work trim, avoids a lot of the silly farkles
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u/AquaPhelps 5d ago
Ngl i could go for manual back up windows. Ive had 4 vehicles in my life. ‘94 jimmy (replace 3 power windows), ‘03 trailblazer (4 power window replacements), ‘11 1500 (2 power replacements), ‘79 f150 original cranks still work
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u/Pkock 1977 C10 5d ago edited 5d ago
The power locks, windows (okay, except for one), seats, sunroof, and headrests still work on my 88 5-series. The rest of the car itself is borderline scrap.
They are comedically simple and stout features when they're powered quality electric motors made in countries that actually gave a shit.
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u/TalkyMcSaysalot 5d ago
Thank you for finally putting my feelings towards these posts into words better than I could
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u/Seamus-Archer 2022 RAM 3500 Cummins HO 5d ago
The free market spoke and nobody wants them like that anymore. I like my truck being luxurious for long road trips towing.
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u/Alextryingforgrate 1991 GMC Syclone 5d ago
Hate to say it but a lot of the time it comes down to the bottom line if profits. The trucks still sell bit because they can't make X$ from said configuration they cancell them.
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u/CaptPotter47 5d ago
“The free market is supposed to dictate what gets produced but between government regulations and what people are buying, it seems like every new truck is just amber running lights, plastic everything, complicated and expensive tech...”
You are confusing me. You say that the free market should dictate what is available, and it should, but then complain that between government regulations and what people are buying, the free market isn’t dictating what’s available. What people are buying IS the free market dictating what’s available.
Yes, there are some government regulations, emissions, safety, etc that have to be included. But just because backup cameras are required doesn’t mean that the infotainment system needs to exist or that you even need a radio at all.
But the free market has spoken, people buy the packages with lane keep, with parking sensors, with adaptive cruise, with Apple CarPlay, with climate control, etc. the free market has shown that people want those features. That the majority of the market doesn’t want manual transmissions, they don’t want manual windows or locks. The market shows that the majority don’t want single cab.
You might not be the majority of the market, but what people are buying is dictating what’s available. That literally how the free market works.
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u/cakeba 5d ago
What people are buying IS the free market dictating what’s available.
I'm not disputing that. Obviously the people want SUV's with tiny beds and lots of amenities. But I'm certainly not alone in wanting the classic simple pickup to make a comeback, either. I know it's unlikely because those make less money for manufacturers AND they're less in demand. But read the title of the post: Is there any shot in hell that trucks could be the classic hunks of practical utility and durability that they once were, without all the fluff? Or am I going to have to buy a turbocharged ipad with wheels for my next vehicle?
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u/CaptPotter47 5d ago
It’s great if you and 3 other people want trucks from 1970. But the great thing is, you can still get that. There are plenty of old trucks on the market that you can rebuild to get what you want.
And you can still get a very basic truck with very few features.
Ram 1500 tradesman is $38k. With no dealer incentives.
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u/RR50 5d ago
Here ya go….big bed, no frills. Are you going to buy it??
I thought you would like this New 2024 Ford F150 XL for $30194 on Autotrader http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/2B08EAED.
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u/Drzhivago138 2018 F-150 XLT SuperCab/8' 5.0 HDPP 5d ago
But I'm certainly not alone in wanting the classic simple pickup to make a comeback, either.
"There are dozens of us! Dozens!"
Are you familiar with Nixon's "Silent Majority"?
Or am I going to have to buy a turbocharged ipad with wheels for my next vehicle?
Which model is that?
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u/CondeNast_yReddit 5d ago
But I'm certainly not alone in wanting the classic simple pickup to make a comeback,
They never left in the first place. You can easily by work truck trims from each of the big 3. They all still have v8 options if you don't want your turbocharged ipad
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u/m1dN05 5d ago
For real, also fuck starters, bring back winding in front to start the truck!
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u/Spartan57975 '23 Ranger XLT 5d ago
Personally I start my truck by striking a blank shotgun shell with a hammer
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u/MilesBeforeSmiles 5d ago
You can still get trucks with no frills on them, they're called fleet vehicles and you know what? Nobody outside of businesses buys them. You could go order one from Ford, they'll sell one to you, but no one does. People like comfort, they like power windows, they like apple carplay, they like heated seats. That sells.
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u/dochoiday PT MOTHERFUCKING CRUISER 5d ago
You can still get a single cab truck with a V8 and an 8’ bed, still have buttons for climate control, vinyl seats. Why do people act like these aren’t a thing anymore?
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u/BoursinChicken 5d ago
The free market spoke, nobody wants a single cab truck with crank windows… and as much as I love the V8s these new turbo V6’s are just better.
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u/CondeNast_yReddit 5d ago
and as much as I love the V8s these new turbo V6’s are just better
Talk that shit. People just need to tow with the 3.5 or 2.7 ecoboost one time and they'll be hooked. Even if they aren't a ford guy it'll make someone consider it
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u/Allrightnevermind 5d ago
And you can still get the single cab with crank windows! Especially a used fleet vehicle. You don’t even have to tolerate the luxury of carpeting.
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u/Drzhivago138 2018 F-150 XLT SuperCab/8' 5.0 HDPP 5d ago
Cranks are gone as of 2023, and now even the base models have a 12" touchscreen, but still manual HVAC controls and a lovely vinyl floor.
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u/Allrightnevermind 5d ago
Ah I see I’m behind the times again. Guess it’s just cheaper to go that way
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u/Grand_Cookie 06 duramax, 16 tundra 5d ago
Not as long as people are buying them as daily drivers and luxury vehicles.
If soccer moms went back to minivans and the commuters just bought a Mercedes like they used to you’d probably get a more stripped down pickup, but pickups have fully transitioned to luxury commuters and nothing else.
But if you think power windows and locks with AC makes a pickup not “awesome” you’re just delusional. Leather seats and surround sound is dumb but I’ll stab you if you want to take my AC.
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u/CheezWong 5d ago
I miss cheap, small trucks, to be honest. I had a 96 S-10 that was a gutless turd compared to most things and had no special comforts or fearures beyond a cassette player and four-wheel drive, but she was my baby. Everything was so simple and easy to fix/maintain. I went from that to a loaded Envoy with heated leather seats and all that jazz. Was nice, but I couldn't help but wish I could have swapped the drivetrain into the S-10 and put discs on the back wheels. That little thing would have been a beast.
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u/CondeNast_yReddit 5d ago
Quick research shows the 1996 s10 msrp was $11,755 which I assume is the base model. Inflation calculator says that's around $23,636 in today's money. A new ford maverick msrp around $23,920.
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u/CheezWong 5d ago
I bought it used for a couple grand. It wasn't new. I wouldn't drive a Maverick if it was given to me, though. They don't even come close to being a similar vehicle. AWD Mavs start at like $36k, anyway, and it's either a four cylinder turbo or a hybrid, neither of which are as easy to work on or as reliable as the ol' Vortec.
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u/CondeNast_yReddit 5d ago
A base s10 had none of that either. My point is that truck prices really haven't changed much. They're in the same category, the maverick has a better payload but the s10. Can tow 2x as much. I'm sure people with a late 70s pickup would have the same gripes about the 96 s10.
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u/CheezWong 5d ago
That's utter nonsense. The entire premise of my original comment was simplicity and cheapness. For a price comparison, modern accoutrements withstanding, you could get a RAM 1500 for roughly $12-14k in '96. The base model RAM now starts at $45k, and that's for a Tradesman model with absolutely no extra features and is probably 2wd. With mark-ups, you can expect to pay around $100k+ for a top of the range model. That shit is ridiculous.
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u/CondeNast_yReddit 5d ago
The base model 2025 ram starts at 40k and the 2024 tradesman are going for as low as $34k currently. Also the current fullsize trucks are much more capable than 1996. A base model truck in 1996 was 2wd too. You're just throwing shit out there, base model trucks aren't 100k, maybe if you get a trx, platinum, raptor, Denali 2500. Trucks have way more features and higher level trims also more capable. You can still by basic trucks with basic features that aren't far off in price adjusted for Inflation to similar trucks of the past and you get things like AC, rearview camera, radio, cruise control as standard and not upgrades
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u/CheezWong 4d ago
You sound like a salesman, not a consumer, and are still entirely missing the point of my initial comment, as well as glossing over a few details provided therein. I understand you enjoy your jacked up toy box, but it's not my thing. End of discussion.
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u/CondeNast_yReddit 4d ago
No you just refuse to realize your comments are just relative to the time you're currently in vs when you got the truck you like. Someone could make the same statements about missing cost and simplicity about the model t, also a small truck, which would cost around $25k in today's dollars... surprisingly close to how much a maverick would cost 🤔
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u/wrenchandrepeat 5d ago
The market does dictate it...
And the market is luxury trucks that can haul a family and a bed that rarely gets used.
The people that buy base trucks strictly for work are a minority or company fleets.
Also, the switch for trucks moving from a bare-bones work horse to more luxurious people movers started in the 90s.
Your truck certainly won't be the last of its kind, as fleets still buy base trucks all the time. Some companies even keep a subset of those trucks practically unchanged from a previous iteration just for that purpose (Ram 1500 classic).
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u/Drzhivago138 2018 F-150 XLT SuperCab/8' 5.0 HDPP 5d ago
Also, the switch for trucks moving from a bare-bones work horse to more luxurious people movers started in the 90s.
Or even the '60s, when the camping craze took off and people demanded carpet and A/C. The '70s and '80s just accelerated the trend.
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u/Kordidk 5d ago
"The free market is supposed to dictate what's gets produced and people are buying stuff I don't like so now the free market is dictating in a way I don't like" buddy nobody wants what you like. Keep buying old trucks. People paying new car money want new car features I don't really get what's so hard to understand about that.
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u/moist_corn_man 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE 5d ago
The real answer is those trucks still exist. I drive a 2023 Chevy 2500 W/T for work. Got straight up no features. I drive my Boss’s 1500 whatever trim is right above W/T sometimes and it’s pretty barebones too. People buying new trucks for non-commercial purposes just don’t buy bottom trim levels because they can already afford a new truck, a few grand extra for features really isn’t much to them. It’s been that way forever.
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u/idontremembermyoldus '22 Ford F-150 Powerboost/'22 GMC 2500HD Duramax 5d ago
The free market is supposed to dictate what gets produced
and what people are buying
Sounds like it is then...
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u/PlaneReflection 5d ago
I’ve daily driven trucks for over a decade.
No, I don’t want manual roll up windows and locks. I do want a backseat or frunk for cargo that won’t be exposed to the elements. I also don’t want to spend $100k on one.
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u/IrreverentCrawfish 5d ago
I think Ford XLT or Toyota SR5 from the mid 2000s is about the right level of fit and finish for a truck. Power windows, nice cloth seats, and automatic headlights are worth having. Who really wants to sit on a vinyl seat like they're a 9 year old on the school bus?
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u/cantcatchafish 5d ago
I’m sick of the “there’s too much tech” bullshit. Does anyone understand the amount of engineering that has gone into the years of systems placed in cares, honed over generations of models and implemented in every SINGLE BRAND!
I have a 2017 gmc maxed out. It has 150k miles on it. Sunroof doesn’t leak, the big infotainment screen still works, the rear window slides, the computer that runs the truck is flawless, the gauge cluster screen still syncs my Navi and my music and on and on. The tech isn’t the issue. The tech is fine.
We don’t want the tech because it’s TOO MUCH. It’s not because it aucks. Hell90% of drivers need that shit because drivers are so distracted by phones that they designed cars to drive while using your phones because we couldn’t just put them the f down. You want less tech? Fix the problem not the solution!
Don’t like the tech? Buy used! But until the masses stop fucking up because Becky just posted she’s in Bali and you should buy her moisturizer she is pedaling to afford her million dollar mirage, that tech you hate is a necessity.
And I hate that tech. It is good shit though.
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u/rDevilFruitIdeasMod 5d ago
This is probably what grandpa said about 1998 models when he pulled up in his 1962
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u/hedgehoghodgepodge 5d ago
The “free market” would sell you the same thirsty V8 for 30 years with barely any power increase, no airbags, ABS, or seatbelts and sell those things back to you at a much, much higher cost than the small cost it adds to the insane volume of vehicles required to have those safety items in them today.
You’d go from say, a million vehicles having a $100 higher cost for all those things to “Oh, only 10k people ordered this safety package? Cool. Charge em $1500 for the privilege.
And no matter the era, there’s gonna be a subset of buyers who think and say the same things you do...who bitch and moan about the little civilities that make these vehicles livable on a daily basis.
Sure, I could see doing with hand crank windows and manual door locks. There’s a charm to those things for sure. But the power windows rarely die in modern cars.. (Not saying they don’t-replaced a few switch mechanisms in my day, but they’re largely a long lasting item.) A V8 is great. I have a Hemi and love it. I had a 4.7 in my last truck. I have an air suspension and while it’s nice, it’s the single piece of modern tech I tell people to avoid like the plague. That said…I could do with a base V6 and be happy. Or a turbo V6 or turbo 4 so long as I still had 4x4. Hell, my next vehicle is probably gonna be a Honda Passport because Chrysler currently won’t make a Jeep I give a fuck about, and the “projected” Maverick competitor is just a rumor rn.
All that to say yeah man, there’s a point where too much shit in a vehicle just becomes opulence for the sake of opulence and bragging rights than nobody truly gives a fuck about save for some C-suite running the company. Trucks could top out with decent leather interiors that don’t have elaborate patterns sewn into em, with leather dash covers, and quilted leather door cards like the F-series heavy duty line is getting for 2025. But you take Joe Blow off the street, have em drive a modern say, mid-tier trim pickup with a turbo 6 and V8 sound subtly piped in via the audio system…guarantee they wont realize it’s not a V8, won’t care because the power is there, and while they may gripe about the idea of not having a V8, the money saved at the pump is more of an issue than the tough guys on the internet saying “I don’t care about fuel economy” would care to admit.
Modern trucks don’t suck just because they’re modern. Trucks are as awesome as they’ve ever been. The TRX exists. Raptor R exists. Maverick exists. Ridgeline exists. Ram has a straight six turbo that is insanely smooth and powerful. Ford has a throaty Coyote V8. GM has a small turbo 4 in a full size that’s surprisingly agile and quick if you ever bother to experience one for yourself, but are still developing a sixth gen small block V8. You’ve got bedside storage molded into the beds, trick tailgates that genuinely save your knees hopping in and out and offer a ton of flexibility in bed use scenarios, onboard power, composite bed construction, storage molded into the floor of the bed that gives you a spot to put a whole shitload of stuff while keeping it dry-man, trucks have never been so fuckin cool.
There’s so much variety and cool things that differentiate these trucks from each other, even if aerodynamic challenges have started largely pushing the sheet metal shapes toward one fairly similar solution. But hey man, that “free market” makes this possible. There’s a niche for folks like you who dig classic looks and modern V8 power. Unfortunately, that’s an expensive club where resto-mods exist. Think $100k 70s Broncos with modern drivetrains, and options to have manual-looking windows that are actually switches for power ones. You just gotta be a lawyer or doctor or a single guy working oil fields, living in a shitty camper, eating beenie weenies saving every dollar to get one. The market largely likes livable, multifunction trucks that can serve duty as a family hauler. And yeah, I hate that a bit. Crew cabs are ridiculous to me, personally, when a lot of these dudes buying those trucks should be buying an old beater Tacoma and a minivan but can’t put their egos aside to do it. I dig short cabs, long beds. How my last truck was. But damn, the functionality of four full doors is kinda nice.
The market spoke and largely said “Nah, not unless you got shitloads of money” to guys like you. And I hate that for you, I really do, but you gotta accept it, and either buy older trucks and swap powertrains into em like a third or fourth gen Ram and cram a fifth gen Hemi into it with a basic radio and get a guy to do a buncha ECU work…or buy a new reg cab F150 and rip the radio out and replace it with a plastic panel.
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u/brisket_billy Duramax 5d ago edited 5d ago
Why is this sub just this post over and over and over again
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u/Psychological-Tear78 5d ago
"The best trucks were made back in (state year between your 8th and 18th birthday)"
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u/poonhound69 5d ago
I’m with you, OP, though it seems we may be in the minority. I love when my climate control is a dial pointing either to Blue or Red. Beyond my love of simplicity, I’d be happy with fewer fail points and much lower base costs. My next truck might be a 2000 Silverado. 😅
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u/zsreport 2021 Chevy Silverado High Country 5d ago
Fuck that shit, I like not having to reach all the way across the cab to roll down a fucking window or unlock a fucking door.
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u/3rdgenerX 5d ago
Just bought a 94 Toyota Landcruiser with a solid front axle and no air bags, love this thing. I wish it had manual windows and door locks tho
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u/Atlanon88 5d ago
I like those trucks the best but as you said, the free market dictates where it’s going and the free market likes comforts. Even in the type of truck I think you’re talking about I still want power windows, and remote start fucking rules.
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u/MaPaTheGreat 5d ago
I mean if I had to buy a truck I would get one in your time frame from. 2015-2018 mostly because I want power windows and locks but I also don’t want start stop and lane assist.
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u/moist_corn_man 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE 5d ago
The real answer is those trucks still exist. I drive a 2023 Chevy 2500 W/T for work. Got straight up no features. I drive my Boss’s 1500 whatever trim is right above W/T sometimes and it’s pretty barebones too. People buying new trucks for non-commercial purposes just don’t buy bottom trim levels because they can already afford a new truck, a few grand extra for features really isn’t much to them. It’s been that way forever.
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u/knobbedporgy 5d ago
I’ll settle for cam phasers, lifters, and transmissions commuting acts of suicide five minutes out of warranty. Some features are welcome, but give me tactile controls.
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u/pogofwar 5d ago
Every day I get in my truck and see that stupid Jumbotron light up it feels like another day with a sword over my head that hasn’t yet been dropped.
I’m all for modular tech that I bring into the truck, just don’t make the built in stuff so critical to the function of the vehicle.
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u/Farmer887 5d ago
I've been thinking about this lot lately. A few buddies always say how much simpler the old basic trucks were and reliable. But they always seem to need attention, they are typically fairly easy and cheap fixes, but they seem to always need tinkering. I personally feel older trucks are kind of overated. I love the look of the obs chevys etc and wouldn't mind one for a weekend vehicle. But my 2015 ram (not that brand matters) seems so much better too me. The newer ones are more fuel efficient, tow more, typically more comfortable. I will say when the newer ones break they seem to cost quite a bit more to fix. The 90s trucks were good for their time especially compared to 70s stuff.
I went from a 03 ram to a 15. And the 15 feels better put together, rides better and smoother 8 speed vs the old 5 speed auto. Better fuel economy. But I felt the 03 was still pretty nice. I thought about finding another clean 3rd geb but the newer 4th gens just seemed that much of an improvement still.
Like a few others have said, the people that typically complain about wanting a basic stripped down work truck, usually aren't the ones buying a new truck anyway. Like myself, I'll most likely never buy a new vehicle. So I just pick what I want in the used market, and I'm happy people do buy me optioned trucks, as I enjoy power windows and a/c etc
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u/Drzhivago138 2018 F-150 XLT SuperCab/8' 5.0 HDPP 5d ago
I have an '18 with manual seats and no touchscreen.
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u/Time0ut0fMind 5d ago
I love my 2020 Army Green Tundra. I'd stay away from newer V6 Tundras, but 2021 and earlier are perfect trucks imo.
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u/graytotoro 5d ago
My dad felt this way until he bought a Lexus GX in retirement to replace his 1985 Toyota 4x4. Driving to the trail was a lot more fun with leather seats, a decent stereo, and working A/C.
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u/RR50 5d ago
I’ve had trucks from the 90’s, 2000’s, 2010’s and 2020’s now with my 2024. There’s no way I’d go back to when a 2018. My 2024 is so much better in every way. It’s got more power, it’s comfier, it’s smoother.
I get that there’s a small crowd that want simple basic trucks, but less and less people buy them every year, so they keep going away. It’s just like the crowd that claim they all want long beds, but at the end of the day the 5.5 foot bed is the most popular by a long shot.
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u/charvey709 5d ago
Order work trucks. Those are always going to be few frills. Not completely without, but fewer. That or buy old and rebuild.
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u/LethalRex75 5d ago
I guess you’re just built different OP. Still a special boy just like your mom said you are
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u/_kpop4life 5d ago
Feel you I have a '08 Silverado SCSB, manual windows with AC. No fancy bullshit it's perfect.
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u/jujbnvcft 5d ago
I never understood why people prefer to work harder instead of smarter. Why tf would I choose to roll down my window manually? Or have an old ass radio/center console.
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u/cxerphax 5d ago
I disagree entirely with you. To me an awesome truck is a luxurious interior with lots of cabin space. I’m in the era of awesome trucks right now.
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u/olov244 Chevrolet 5d ago
you can buy a stripped down trucks https://youtu.be/yKzRY3easp0?si=knOv1VpDD3eS4OMy&t=260 you just won't find it on a lot because they love markups. you'll have to order it
that said, your truck it too new for me
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u/justalocal803 4d ago
Dang, even my 94'F150 has power windows and locks, lol, Gosh I love my truck!
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u/Caboose302 3d ago
A few years ago I had taken my car for service to the dealer and walked over to the Ford dealership to look at the trucks. I asked why they didn’t have any “work trucks” (base model, single cab, 8’ bed, etc) and the salesman said they never get them for the lot. There’s no demand outside of fleet vehicles so I would have to special order one and at the time, there was at least a 6 month wait since they were backlogged on their fleet orders.
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u/BRich1990 5d ago
The market has decided they want a minivan with a bed
I don't like it, but that's what dudes are honestly buying these days
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u/Drzhivago138 2018 F-150 XLT SuperCab/8' 5.0 HDPP 5d ago
When your truck has to do double duty as a family hauler, it's so much easier to have a crew over a single or ext cab. And that pretty much requires a 5.5' bed, since the 6.5' beds are something like 5% of production and can't always fit in the garage. Not everyone has the luxury of indoor parking for a 21-footer.
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u/mohodder 5d ago
My 2017 silverado sucked because of modern amenities. Too many bells and whistles. Water coming in the shark fin antenna. Transmission failing because of afm cylinder dropping fuel saving bs. Anytime the check engine light came on (fairly often) it automatically disabled remote start to annoy you into bringing it in... all under 70,000 miles. Straight up money pit. Fuck that truck
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u/Jimbo380 5d ago
Totally agree the extra stuff is nice but a truck should be simple and manual everything.
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u/HighClassProletariat '16 Silverado 5d ago
Literally every choice made by auto manufacturers is a bid to make higher profits than last quarter and last year. The things that you are suggesting are not viable to them because they would end up costing more money or earning them less money. Physical buttons? More expensive than software behind a touchscreen. Metal parts? More expensive than plastic. V8? CAFE (fleet average mpg sold per manufacturer) gets stricter each year and the automakers want to avoid the fines from selling too many V8s. The automotive market isn't as free as you're suggesting.
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u/Drzhivago138 2018 F-150 XLT SuperCab/8' 5.0 HDPP 5d ago
V8? CAFE (fleet average mpg sold per manufacturer) gets stricter each year and the automakers want to avoid the fines from selling too many V8s.
Even then, Ford and GM will keep the V8 going for as long as possible. There's no CAFE to worry about in HD trucks (yet).
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u/HighClassProletariat '16 Silverado 5d ago
Right but at the 1/2 ton level that's absolutely why they build so many 2.7s and 3.5s with the upcharge for the V8s.
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u/Drzhivago138 2018 F-150 XLT SuperCab/8' 5.0 HDPP 5d ago
IIRC the 5.0 is an upcharge over the 2.7, and the 3.5 an upcharge over both (in models where all 3 are offered). Still, the 2.7 and 3.5 are more popular since they're more fuel-efficient and responsive. If I could have ordered mine new, it would have the 2.7 and not the 5.0, but such a combo was never available on mine.
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u/knight_in_white 5d ago
Would love it if they stopped putting big ole touch screens in vehicles. Gimme some buttons and dials not some lcd screen that’s gonna get fried in the heat
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u/Brucenotsomighty 5d ago
I think a lot of people would argue the era of simple trucks was over long before 2017 lol