Trucks today

[Loudram]

Another thread got me thinking about the options available in today's trucks. I had a 2001 SLT Laramie. It was two options away from being fully loaded. Those options were power leather seats and a compass in the overhead console.

My old Express and this Express have all the options my old truck had and then some and these trucks are considered low to mid tier trucks. And then I remember that the 2020 Ram won cars.com luxury car of the year.

And then I flash back to my dad having a late 70's Ram. I think it was a '78. I was young. He didn't have it long, when the gas crisis hit he couldn't afford the gas so he got rid of it but he loved it. I remember climbing up in it and being able to see over all the cars. I don't think that truck even had a headliner. It did have a vinyl bench seat. I thought it was so cool. For the short time we had it, I loved that truck. My dad started me out right.

I'm just amazed how far trucks have come.

 

[NJMOPAR]

Cars are so jealous they've turned into "crossovers"

 

[Neil E]

Yes, it is. I will be surprised if the 5th gen even comes without power windows. Another reason the Classic is still around. Just wondering how much longer it will be.
Also, are they really going to make a RC 5th Gen.

 

[Murdock188]

Yes, it is. I will be surprised if the 5th gen even comes without power windows. Another reason the Classic is still around. Just wondering how much longer it will be.
Also, are they really going to make a RC 5th Gen.

I think the classics will stick around untill they start making the Dakota again. Plus lots of people aren't fans of the redesign and want the "classic" look

 

[Docwagon1776]

Raise your hand if you remember cars/trucks from when seat belts and rear view mirrors were an option.

 

[sandawilliams]

What used to be expensive options are now standard. I bought a new 2011 mustang with only base equipment. It has p. windows, door locks, steering ,brakes, and radio with Sirius and cd. Oh- and cruise control. Decided it had everything I wanted.

 

[Loudram]

Raise your hand if you remember cars/trucks from when seat belts and rear view mirrors were an option.

And passenger side mirrors

 

[RVGuy]

I think the classics will stick around untill they start making the Dakota again. Plus lots of people aren't fans of the redesign and want the "classic" look

I'm hoping they still make the classic in a few years when I go buy again, or that there's more ability to option out a basic work truck in the 5th gen if they don't.
I don't want all these fancy power options, I just want a 4x4 crew cab truck with a bed, maybe power windows. I don't need a fancy touch screen or heated anything and I don't want to pay for it...
I'd be okay with a Dakota if it had a cab big enough for the family to be comfortable on a longer trip and a longer bed, V6 or V8 NA engine and hopefully not that turbo 2.0 they put in the Wrangler.

 

[Sandevino]

With a few exceptions (wife’s vehicles) I buy base or near base model vehicles as I don’t need nor want fancy electronics or onboard nanny garbage jacking up the price and accelerating depreciation.

I ordered my 2020 2500 CC 4x4 SB in Tradesman trim with the off-road, snow chief and level 2 equipment packages and nothing more. It’s perfect for me with 3100# payload and 15000# towing capacities.

Compare these numbers to the Power Wagon and you wonder why it’s called the Power Wagon with its limited payload and towing ratings.

 

[JoeCo]

Raise your hand if you remember cars/trucks from when seat belts and rear view mirrors were an option.

My longhorn is pretty loaded up and I'm only 34 so I don't remember that from growing up, however, my 66 buick is an education in 60's vehicle "safety"...I believe my lap only seat belts were optional, and otherwise the only other option the thing had was power steering. No power brakes, single cylidner master cylinder, no passenger side mirror (who needs one!), no a/c...driving a 19 foot long car that's nearly 55 years old and needing to stop quickly is quite an experience with non powered drum brakes all around, you've really got to put some leg into it.

Love the car, whole different driving experience. At the same time, love having something newer and nicer for my daily. Lifes a balance.

 

[JayLeonard]

My first pickup was a 1967 Chevy short bed. Other than the vinyl bench seat I don't think there was anything but steel in the cab.
Loved the sound of the gas sloshing around during cornering from the tank behind the seat.
Yes that was safe.
3 on the tree, no synchro into first. LOL Eventually I got tired of crawling underneath to un jam the linkage so I put in an "Indy shifter". Along with adding an electric overdrive unit on the back of the tranny. Anyone remember either of those?
LOL

 

[Ridgerunner665]

1/2 ton trucks today are just luxury cars with a 10,000 pound towing capacity...

And a price tag to match it.

I miss rubber floor liners.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[McBroom]

Raise your hand if you remember cars/trucks from when seat belts and rear view mirrors were an option.

I remember seat belts as an option but never a rearview mirror. Thank you
Mr. Tucker for so many innovations that are now standard equipment.
He wasn't a weirdo he was just decades ahead of himself.

Blue Mule

 

[BadHemi2014]

I miss rubber floor liners too! Carpet makes no sense in a truck.
And if a bench seat was an option I'd take it, in fact that would be a must-have. I miss being able to sit 3 people comfortably in a regular cab, 4 if you squeeze.

 

[Sandevino]

I miss rubber floor liners too! Carpet makes no sense in a truck.
And if a bench seat was an option I'd take it, in fact that would be a must-have. I miss being able to sit 3 people comfortably in a regular cab, 4 if you squeeze.

A bench seat was a must for me and I have one (40/20/40) in the Tradesman.

 

[Michael]

What used to be expensive options are now standard. I bought a new 2011 mustang with only base equipment. It has p. windows, door locks, steering ,brakes, and radio with Sirius and cd. Oh- and cruise control. Decided it had everything I wanted.

The base Mustangs do come well equipped. My ‘99 had all that, but Sirius. I could care less about Sirius and I never use it. I traded it in a couple years later for a fully loaded Convertible Mustang. I got the Mustang for my wife; beat trade I ever made.


I know the voices in my head aren’t real, but man, do they ever come up with some great ideas.

 

[Michael]

My first pickup was a 1967 Chevy short bed. Other than the vinyl bench seat I don't think there was anything but steel in the cab.
Loved the sound of the gas sloshing around during cornering from the tank behind the seat.
Yes that was safe.
3 on the tree, no synchro into first. LOL Eventually I got tired of crawling underneath to un jam the linkage so I put in an "Indy shifter". Along with adding an electric overdrive unit on the back of the tranny. Anyone remember either of those?
LOL

I had a 1963 Willys CJ-5. The gas tank was under the drivers seat. It was great and I miss that Jeep. Much better the what fca makes these days.


I know the voices in my head aren’t real, but man, do they ever come up with some great ideas. No carpet or rubber floor mats, just metal. Made it easy to clean; just hose out the inside.

 

[Michael]

A bench seat was a must for me and I have one (40/20/40) in the Tradesman.

I like the bench seat in my tradesman too.


I know the voices in my head aren’t real, but man, do they ever come up with some great ideas.

 

[buddy guy]

And passenger side mirrors

Lol. I remember my dad wanting an inexpensive truck for going to the cabin. He got a hell of a deal on one in 86 I believe because the next year was the Nissan hardbody redesign. It was white, standard, blue vinyl interior and not even a jump seat in the back. (He put a pillow on a milk crate for my sister to sit on lol). He sold that truck 6 yrs ago to a carpenter who does stuff for him at the lake and its still going today. My Mom, dad and sister drove all the way to LA to visit Disneyland until they got to LA the 3 of them slept in the bed under the cap every night! 2000 plus miles each way. Oh yeah..no a/c! I remember Dad saying it cost him 75 bucks for gas. Lol.

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[Michael]

1/2 ton trucks today are just luxury cars with a 10,000 pound towing capacity...

And a price tag to match it.

I miss rubber floor liners.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

What do you expect; most people use trucks as cars with beds on them, so that’s how they make them. I had to upgrade the springs on the back of my truck so it could be used as a truck.


I know the voices in my head aren’t real, but man, do they ever come up with some great ideas.