Requiem for the pickup truck

[Tommy]

Two doors, a single bench seat, an eight-foot bed, two wheel drive, standard 3-speed transmission ... for generations it was America's workhorse. Inexpensive, rugged and reliable, it carried countless eight-foot boards, yards of soil, bales of hay, and on the weekend, pulled our fishing boats to the lake. No prima donna this one but a true no-nonsense utility vehicle.

Through war time and peace time, days of prosperity and desperate times, it was there. Yet somehow it has passed without fanfare. Looking at manufacturers' web sites it seems that few, if any, are still made, supplanted by very expensive, limited utility, plush luxury models. A sad end to an American institution.

What are your thoughts on the passing of the great American pickup?

 

[Gary O']

My thoughts?

Heh

My '93 Jimmy does it all

toss stuff in the back and go

I see those folks at Home Dopey with the luxury tiny boxes and 2x4s and plywood sticking outa their 'truck's


...and no, can nay longer get a long bed

tsk tsk

 

[Trade]

What are your thoughts on the passing of the great American pickup?

That's not a pickup truck.

This is a pickup truck. You haven't lived until you've been out all night muddin in the Ocala National Forest in one of these.

 

[Falcon]

Couple a yrs ago bought one for each of my two sons. They love them. One bought
a Toyota, the other bought a GMC.

 

[norman]

If you have ever been down South, you know that a pick-up will always be in the drive-way.

 

[treeguy64]

I can't agree that the modern pickup truck is no longer of great value to businesses that haul. My '03 Ram 2500 Diesel, and '17 F-150, both do my business quite well. The more luxurious the ride, the better. I want that back seat, too, as my ropes, saddle, and blocks are too valuable to trust to an outside box. Next year, I'll get a 2020 Ram 1500 or 2500, and I'll get it loaded with every safety option I can. You guys who want to rough it, cool. I'll cruise on by in my easy riding truck, hauling my 14,000 lbs. of wood and brush, while I listen to satellite radio or talk, hands-free, on my phone, all the while keeping track of my destination on my wide-screen GPS, factory unit. I do miss the old, full-length beds, though.

 

[Don M.]

Pickups and SUV's are quickly becoming the major sellers. Automakers continue to reduce the number of traditional 4 dr. sedans being produced. I have a nice 1997 Dodge Dakota SLT 4wd pickup with a fiber glass shell on the bed. I will probably turn 100K miles on it within the next couple of months. It looks and runs almost like new, and is really handy if/when we need to haul anything of size, and I would never want to be without it. Normal maintenance, etc., probably costs me $100/yr. to keep it running good....a far better option than spending $50K for a new truck. With a little luck, our kids can flip a coin to see who gets it when I croak.

 

[DaveA]

Sounds like sensible approach to me, Don.

 

[DaveA]

My thoughts?

Heh

My '93 Jimmy does it all

toss stuff in the back and go

I see those folks at Home Dopey with the luxury tiny boxes and 2x4s and plywood sticking outa their 'truck's


...and no, can nay longer get a long bed

tsk tsk

Shows you how out of date I am - - didn't know that the long bed pick-ups had disappeared. Last pick up I owned was a '70 Ford 3/4 ton camper special. We carried an Amerigo camper with the wrap around front window and the pull out back for an extra bed.

Ordered it with bucket seats (which in 1970 were only an option) 360 CI, 2 wheel drive, heavy duty suspension , oversize tires and 2 fuel tanks. Nice truck in it's day and cost me about $3400 delivered.

 

[squatting dog]

Shows you how out of date I am - - didn't know that the long bed pick-ups had disappeared. Last pick up I owned was a '70 Ford 3/4 ton camper special. We carried an Amerigo camper with the wrap around front window and the pull out back for an extra bed.

Ordered it with bucket seats (which in 1970 were only an option) 360 CI, 2 wheel drive, heavy duty suspension , oversize tires and 2 fuel tanks. Nice truck in it's day and cost me about $3400 delivered.

Now you're talking. F-250 camper special :thumbsup1:Had a 69 that could really haul the freight. I do feel kind of left out these day's for I seem to have no need for a pickup. That wasn't always so. Besides a few Fords, I've had a bunch of good ole work trucks. The Jimmy is probably my favorite, and old whitey probably did the most work.

 

[squatting dog]

That's not a pickup truck.

This is a pickup truck. You haven't lived until you've been out all night muddin in the Ocala National Forest in one of these.

View attachment 66485

Muddin, did someone say muddin???? I'm in.

 

[oldman]

Oh yeah! I sure do like the pickups, but their image has changed since back in the day.

 

[Pappy]

One of the first pickups I drove was an International like this one. I believe it had leaf springs, front and back, and rode hard. It was strictly a 6 cylinder work horse. No luxury at all.