https://barnfinds.com/grandpas-truck-1990-gmc-sierra/


A lot of folks like the simplicity of something like this, but would our overlords in the Federal government allow something like this to be sold today?

Or set this classic aside and go 15 years newer: Could you get away with selling a 05 Silverado 1500 single cab with a 4.8 V8, 4 speed automatic (forget the manual because so few can drive them), radio, AC, AM/FM, cloth seat, and manual windows? Is it the government regs or consumer demand that is driving what is sold today? I ask because a lot of folks lament that they can't buy simple transportation now, but is that just the talk of a few?

What was sold in 2005 isn't that different than what was sold in 1995, but what is sold today is WAY different than what was sold in 2005.

It's a bit of everything, but mostly consumer demand. There's nothing stopping people from buying a regular cab long bed truck in XL trim. The vast majority of people want a crew cab truck because they're much more convenient for hauling people or general stuff that doesn't need to go in a truck bed.

Or if people truly want an old, simple truck, they'll just buy an old truck.

i think demand and profit margins have driven us here mostly

Quote:

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Is it the government regs or consumer demand that is driving what is sold today?

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Both. Safety and economy is government driven, but the bells & whistles are consumer driven. Look at the GTI. There's still a manual option because US buyers demand it for the vehicle. Trucks are what luxury vehicles were 15 years ago because that's what the consumer wants, and with that, comes the big price tag.

I'm not sure why you're making the sacrifice of an automatic transmission in your "dream truck that I assume lots of people want to buy"... If you're projecting your preferences onto other people, why not go for it?

Most people don't spend that much time feeling bad about how simple vehicles used to be or who to blame for that fact.

most people want the 5.3 and automatic and not the W/T package

2024 will be the last model year to offer a manual transmission in the GTI

For the R as well?

Golf R too
https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/volkswagen-manual-transmission-for-gti-and-golf-r-gone-after-2024/

Silvy said:

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It's a bit of everything, but mostly consumer demand. There's nothing stopping people from buying a regular cab long bed truck in XL trim. The vast majority of people want a crew cab truck because they're much more convenient for hauling people or general stuff that doesn't need to go in a truck bed.

Or if people truly want an old, simple truck, they'll just buy an old truck.

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I looked into buying such a truck about 4 years ago but they're extremely difficult to find.

The dealer I talked to only ordered 4-Door F-150 XLTs and up. Told me that everybody wants the 4-door for the resale value.

In my case, I wanted a long bed with a shorter wheelbase because I need to drive a 4x4 trail up the side of a mountain to access my property in Northern Nevada.

There are some olds now, like myself, that still like that truck.

Here you go, fellas.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1985-ford-f-250-15/

I like these. Here are some practical facts:

My 2002 F150 puts out the similar power and probably has a similar payload all the while being able to safely carry 6 people in the cab.

And...i don't care. I still want the one in the link.

Silvy said:

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It's a bit of everything, but mostly consumer demand. There's nothing stopping people from buying a regular cab long bed truck in XL trim. The vast majority of people want a crew cab truck because they're much more convenient for hauling people or general stuff that doesn't need to go in a truck bed.

Or if people truly want an old, simple truck, they'll just buy an old truck.

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Sure, you can still buy regular cabs, but I would say an XL isn't that simple. They still have 10 speed transmissions, bluetooth, and tech connectivity and such. Can you even get crank windows anymore?

Texasclipper said:

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https://barnfinds.com/grandpas-truck-1990-gmc-sierra/


A lot of folks like the simplicity of something like this, but would our overlords in the Federal government allow something like this to be sold today?

Or set this classic aside and go 15 years newer: Could you get away with selling a 05 Silverado 1500 single cab with a 4.8 V8, 4 speed automatic (forget the manual because so few can drive them), radio, AC, AM/FM, cloth seat, and manual windows? Is it the government regs or consumer demand that is driving what is sold today? I ask because a lot of folks lament that they can't buy simple transportation now, but is that just the talk of a few?

What was sold in 2005 isn't that different than what was sold in 1995, but what is sold today is WAY different than what was sold in 2005.

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Well backup cameras and stability control are mandated, but the number of people who genuinely want a truck that stripped down is very low. Even on this forum it's pretty low and this is a place enthusiasts gather. The average person wants their car to be easy to drive, comfortable, safe, and cheap to operate.

I would buy this today if I could. But it won't pass any safety standards here in the US.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews/a45752401/toyotas-10000-future-pickup-truck-is-basic-transportation-perfection/

Texasclipper said:

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Silvy said:

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It's a bit of everything, but mostly consumer demand. There's nothing stopping people from buying a regular cab long bed truck in XL trim. The vast majority of people want a crew cab truck because they're much more convenient for hauling people or general stuff that doesn't need to go in a truck bed.

Or if people truly want an old, simple truck, they'll just buy an old truck.

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Sure, you can still buy regular cabs, but I would say an XL isn't that simple. They still have 10 speed transmissions, bluetooth, and tech connectivity and such. Can you even get crank windows anymore?

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That goes into what sts said, profit margins.

HollywoodBQ said:

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Silvy said:

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It's a bit of everything, but mostly consumer demand. There's nothing stopping people from buying a regular cab long bed truck in XL trim. The vast majority of people want a crew cab truck because they're much more convenient for hauling people or general stuff that doesn't need to go in a truck bed.

Or if people truly want an old, simple truck, they'll just buy an old truck.

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I looked into buying such a truck about 4 years ago but they're extremely difficult to find.

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There are only 133x new single cab F150s within 100 miles of Houston

In Australia, they'd call that "A Ute with a Tray"

Silvy said:

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HollywoodBQ said:

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Silvy said:

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It's a bit of everything, but mostly consumer demand. There's nothing stopping people from buying a regular cab long bed truck in XL trim. The vast majority of people want a crew cab truck because they're much more convenient for hauling people or general stuff that doesn't need to go in a truck bed.

Or if people truly want an old, simple truck, they'll just buy an old truck.

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I looked into buying such a truck about 4 years ago but they're extremely difficult to find.

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There are only 133x new single cab F150s within 100 miles of Houston

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Your Kung Fu is better than my Kung Fu

I used 77477 as the zip code and could only find 43 single cab 8' bed F-150s within 100 miles.
And only 4 of them were 4x4, 3 of those were XL, one was XLT.

"back home" in Los Angeles, using 91521 as the zip code (the Disney Studio Lot), I got 52 single cab F-150s with an 8' bed located within 100 miles.
Zero of them were 4x4

Just for kicks, I tried Denver using my old 80129 zip code.
There were 27 matches for F-150, single cab, 8' bed. 15 of them were 4x4. All XLs except for one XLT.

For the most part, the old F-150, single cab, 8' bed doesn't exist on dealer lots. Especially not 4x4 unless you're in Denver.

HollywoodBQ said:

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In Australia, they'd call that "A Ute with a Tray"

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Eaxactly. This is as stripped down and bare bones as you can get, but its built on the Hilux chassis. Give me one with the Diesel and 4x4 and I'm as happy as a pig in slop.

I completely agree. The wife is from South Africa and every time we visit I'm so envious of the Toyota Land Cruisers I see down there. Even the super old ones are still running like a champ. I wish Toyota would give us the diesel f70 truck. Those things are just bulletproof.

Texasclipper said:

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https://barnfinds.com/grandpas-truck-1990-gmc-sierra/


A lot of folks like the simplicity of something like this, but would our overlords in the Federal government allow something like this to be sold today?

Or set this classic aside and go 15 years newer: Could you get away with selling a 05 Silverado 1500 single cab with a 4.8 V8, 4 speed automatic (forget the manual because so few can drive them), radio, AC, AM/FM, cloth seat, and manual windows? Is it the government regs or consumer demand that is driving what is sold today? I ask because a lot of folks lament that they can't buy simple transportation now, but is that just the talk of a few?

What was sold in 2005 isn't that different than what was sold in 1995, but what is sold today is WAY different than what was sold in 2005.

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Lookkng like some of White National's kinfolk.

Part of it is government regulations. I posted a link a while back, showing that the larger a truck is, the lower the government required fuel economy.

Simply speaking, the wider the track and the longer the wheelbase, the lower the mpg required

Shumba said:

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I completely agree. The wife is from South Africa and every time we visit I'm so envious of the Toyota Land Cruisers I see down there. Even the super old ones are still running like a champ.

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Keep in mind that every South African I know has been carjacked or worse. One dude I know even got shot.

South Africans were the only ones who would back me up in a 2A conversation when I lived in Australia.

Point about the older cars in SA, if they know they're going to get carjacked, it probably makes sense to drive an older vehicle.

MTTANK said:

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Texasclipper said:

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https://barnfinds.com/grandpas-truck-1990-gmc-sierra/


A lot of folks like the simplicity of something like this, but would our overlords in the Federal government allow something like this to be sold today?

Or set this classic aside and go 15 years newer: Could you get away with selling a 05 Silverado 1500 single cab with a 4.8 V8, 4 speed automatic (forget the manual because so few can drive them), radio, AC, AM/FM, cloth seat, and manual windows? Is it the government regs or consumer demand that is driving what is sold today? I ask because a lot of folks lament that they can't buy simple transportation now, but is that just the talk of a few?

What was sold in 2005 isn't that different than what was sold in 1995, but what is sold today is WAY different than what was sold in 2005.

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Lookkng like some of White National's kinfolk.

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Hey hey

Most drivers want a luxury car that looks and feels like a truck for appearance or occasional use purposes so that's what the manufacturers make.

The buyers wouldn't get caught dead in a BMW or Lexus or Audi usually but they want the same features, and it comes with the same price.

Then there are all the safety and emissions improvements that add cost. Those are required by voters assigning their representatives to empower a government regulator to mandate them.

I found the post where I linked the info about truck "shadow" vs. fuel economy standards

https://texags.com/forums/46/topics/3387281/replies/65207801

ThT explains why they are needlessly gigantic now in many cases. I feel like I'm back in the 1970's with the ridiculously huge bodied cars from my childhood.

https://www.motor1.com/news/703284/ram-classic-continue-production-2024/amp/

Dodge still sells the 4th gen RAM. How many who supposedly love the older simpler trucks knew that? How many would actually want to buy one? People want modern features despite what a loud minority says.

I think the issue isn't that Dodge still sells the 4th generation Ram, I think the issue is that the starting price for that Ram is $34k. If you are needing a work truck, you may not want to spend that kind of money.