Haulin' All-rounder: The History of the Pickup Truck

A classic car connaisseur dives into the history of the versatile vehicular jack-of-all-trades: the pickup truck! What was the first pickup truck? What is the difference between fleetside, stepside, extended cab and crew cabs trucks? And what has the future in store for pickups? We also look at the many flavours of trucks, like the sports truck, lifestyle truck and the 'ute'. Find out in this automotive history episode!
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Enjoy!

[@jacobfleming6616]

I do agree pickups have gotten silly large. I own a 1988 Dodge D150, which was a full size truck in its day. It looks compact next to a new Ram 1500 and they’re both half ton pickups

[@drg5352]

Looking at the dimensions, the 'mid size' trucks of today are closer to old, actual full size 1/2 tons in both size and in capability. 2024 Ford Ranger is 211" long, and 79" wide, with 5500-7500lb towing and up to 1800lbs payload. 1986 Ford F150 starts 192" long, 70" wide, 3500 lbs towing and 1500 lbs payload, with more towing capacity with higher trims. Of course you can get longer with extended cabs and long beds, at 230" long, but that has a lot more usable space than the Ranger. The Ranger does get better mileage, but not by a lot; especially given the much more efficient fuel delivery systems and 10 speed transmissions suggest.

[@donniegardner1146]

I have a 1988 dodge also with 8ft bed. I bought it new.

[@kw9849]

My 3/4 Ton C20, with the heavy duty package, looks similar in size to a modern Half Ton, until you park them beside one another. The new trucks are just out of control.

[@floridaboiwoody]

​@@donniegardner1146me too. 88 power ram. I've had it 17 years, great truck.

[@donniegardner1146]

@@floridaboiwoody yeah mine is a work truck. Am radio, ruber floor, does have any automatic, and AC lol. 318 motor

[@tippityplop477]

As an Aussie I can confirm the letter shown asking Ford to build the Ute is historically accurate.

[@matthewcochran3325]

That's hilarious! I've always thought if someone who did not speak English could learn "fair dinkum, cunt" and saying "no, yeah" or "yeah, no" they could survive in Australia. I worked with an older gentleman who is an Aussie and he said bloody a bloody awful lot. I didn't know if that was just him, his generation, or being an Aussie 😂

[@OffGridInvestor]

​@@matthewcochran3325the guys swear a lot. Trust me, I'm an Aussie guy.

[@OffGridInvestor]

I was about to mention this because I'm near to where that factory was and letter was written.

[@ZenkiFc01]

bloody love that letter

[@ethanwd]

Must say, that sign-off was 👌 As another Aussie, I can’t believe I’ve never thought of it myself, tbh! 😂

[@saneauto]

As an American who has owned many trucks I have to say, I am NOT offended. Also great music selection to start the video

[@LeonWezi]

Why would you be offended?

[@SwegMastah]

​@@LeonWezi ever encounterd an american online? they get offended by you just existing

[@yourgearyourway4094]

As an Australian, I am offended.

[@matthewcochran3325]

You've just had to deal with the wrong Americans. We're not all like that. The things you don't like about Americans are the same things I don't like about Americans.

[@TinyCryptoBlog]

I caught early in the video he used a track from Monopoly Tycoon =D

[@bos2pdx2yvr]

In the USA, manufacturers did a great job of marketing compact pickup trucks to young men (like me at the time) in the 1990s. For about the same price, I could buy an ugly, tiny little, boring compact car OR I could buy a fun, good looking, haul-stuff-around pickup truck and go off road, take it camping, the works. As a 25 year old guy buying my first new vehicle, of course I was going for the truck! Unfortunately these days the smaller trucks (and their much smaller prices) have disappeared and we're left with gas guzzling behemoths that cost $80,0000. I had a lot of fun with that 4x4 Toyota SR5 I bought in the 90s!

[@bradleyjames1340]

Yeah but to be fair when I was shopping for a 4x4 small truck(used mind you) I soon discovered that price wise I would be spending just as much on a Nissan frontier or even more on a Tacoma than I would on a full size truck of comparable condition and mileage and the fuel efficiency difference is negligible, especially considering my commute. Bought a full size because it just didn't make sense not to.

[@seed_drill7135]

Yea, I remember the cars I was looking at for my first vehicle. A last year Plymouth Sundance Duster, a first year Neon or a Dakota Sport with a 5 speed and a V8. Guess which one I bought!

[@PW.6060]

Yep, my first vehicle was an '02 Ford Ranger. Great truck and for the price, it didn't get much better.

[@kmyre]

800k seems a bit excessive

[@SteeleZack]

80k is that the base model starting price now adays?

[@volktales7005]

I am Canadian and trucks are everywhere here as well. My Dad bought his 1969 Chevrolet pickup when ot was six months old and drove it to work every day for the next 25 years. I bought it from him and am still using it almost 30 years now. The same age as me and I have never known life without it. Pickups are great!

[@Primus54]

Well done. I remember in the mid to late ‘60s (in the U.S.) many people bought pickups with nice options because they were cheaper than passenger cars and had more utility. Not anymore! Once the craze for them increased, they became the most expensive (and most profitable!).

[@quintessenceSL]

Ya, trucks have taken on signifier of wealth in some circles while actual work vehicles tend to be vans. Meanwhile, I'm hoping Citroen re-releases the 2CV.

[@AdamWaffen]

They were bought for utility. Not vanity. It's really sickening and disturbing.

[@henriyoung3895]

So true . P/U were 2/3 the price of a car. A car cost $10,000, the truck was $6,000. Now the manufacturer are ripping off the public. Back in the 1980's GM made a $10,000 profit on each Suburban .

[@AdamWaffen]

@@henriyoung3895 they’re selling vanity, not utility. If that’s called getting “ripped off”, then I’m all for it. It’s ironic that the RAM is named after a sheep, lol..

[@13aceofspades13]

Probably not the most profitable anymore, lots of trucks are just sitting on lots not selling, and lots of factories are laying off workers because they can't sell the trucks as fast as they are making them anymore, because they are well out of the price range of the average person that makes them.

[@Mrgames43]

In Brazil we also had “utes”, but usually derived from compact cars. Some were worldwide products, like the Ford Courrier or the Peugeot trucks from the 90s, but VW had (and still has) a small pickup truck derived from our own home grown compact (Gol) called Saveiro. And we absolutely love them; people even go drag racing with some modified Saveiros, it’s insane.

[@Wbfuhn]

Today I learned that "ute" isn't just a word from the Australian vocabulary.

[@OffGridInvestor]

South Africa was into the small cars as pick-up trucks too. Often smaller than 2.0 litre engines. Zimbabwe has them too. I think they call them bongos. I'm in Australia near where they started the family car pick-up truck called the ute. They're great because almost all the stuff is interchangeable with the family car version and so there's never a shortage of parts. In fact the sedan I have is an very early model of FG (company car ordered without a test drive because they weren't in production yet) and my mechanic told me it has the ute driveshaft, whereas later models had a crappier 1 piece driveshaft that can only be bought as a whole for $1800. Whereas mine will disconnect into 2 and you can just change the bearings on it for under $100.

[@valentinomanontroppo4675]

Fiat Fiorino? :)

[@fluttzkrieg4392]

Uma Saveiro 2018 é o meu carro de trabalho. Anda mais de 100KM por dia, 5 dias por semana, tem quase 300k KM (comprei com uns 120k), e o maior problema que já tive foi uma correia estourada (e outros problemas menores relacionados ao ar condicionado e bateria). Não penso em comprar outro carro tão cedo.

[@jackyex]

​@@valentinomanontroppo4675Fiorino, and Strada, Strada is very popular right now, it's four Doors and all, a frase pick-up or picape

[@sevesteen2]

Something that deserves a mention--At lest part of the reason US pickups (and SUVs) keep gettting bigger isn't all truck bros. It is also that the US government-mandated MPG is strict on relatively small trucks but lax on ginormous ones. This is based on footprint, so laws that were meant to increase overall MPG instead reduce it.

[@DaryanPrescott-vy4ss]

That's the reason that Ford made the newest Ranger pickups a mid size truck that's the same size as an older f150. My first vehicle was a 93 Ford ranger, it was tiny compared to the new ones.

[@deathmetalchili6902]

Sitting here, in mid December, on the east coast of Canada, after a storm, that has cut off power to many people, including our family. We're on our second day. We have an emergency generator, and as of 10 minutes ago, I have my furnace wired to run off of grid power, and/or emergency generator. It was fridged here this morning, after a full night without our heat pumps, or furnace. But after a sleepless night, and much frustrations, finding water to cook, and clean with (we live in the country, so there is an artesian well up the road, that many people source their water, because of it's purity)...anyway.....needless to say, it's been a rough couple days. I really appreciate this channel, so much, for the much needed break. Thanks Ed! You're awesome!!!!

[@mbryson2899]

Our best to you and your family. We were caught out once in the mid-90s by an electrical grid failure during a hot Central Califirnia summer. Our generator (fueled by our gasoline and LP) saw our household and our neighbors' through it. Sweating is endurable; freezing is a whole different kettle of fish. We'll keep you and yours in our thoughts.

[@deathmetalchili6902]

@mbryson2899 Thank you for sharing your experience. It isn't much of a new thing here. We go from one climate extreme to another throughout the year, which makes us fairly resistant to the weather. But rare instances like these storms, really show us where our priorities should be. Food, water, and heat. Necessity is the mother of invention. And a massive thank you, for your well wishes. We wish for you, a very Merry Christmas. Cheers! 🙂

[@sptownsend999]

It's also important to note that Ford's Model "TT" One-Ton Truck was designed more for commercial use, and, although it had the same engine, had a different running gear than the Model T. Many farmers had no need for such a big heavy piece of equipment, but the 5-Passenger Touring was enticing. The farmers soon realized they could cut the rear end off at the back doors, and install a bed to make a lightweight "pick-up" truck. It wasn't until 1925 that Ford made the "pick-up" an available body style for the standard production Model T

[@williamconrod8998]

Now they got a "5 point tailgate" that you can open with your key fob. Probably great until it breaks.

[@michaelvachon1334]

Thanks for the retrospective! Being a truck owner for about the last 40+ years, this vid caught my interest. I find it sad that the Cyber-Truck represents the death of the utilitarian pick-up as we know it. I know change is inevitable, but I already miss the availability of a simple, spartan, 2-door pick-up with an 8' bed. Not only are newer trucks becoming more of an over-sized grocery getter; the addition of all kinds of electronics and creature comforts is turning these models into some VERY expensive (and less useful) transportation! Switching to battery powered models is only going to drive the price up to the stratosphere. Already, basic pick-ups are $40K (and higher) with some well optioned trucks nearing the $100K level. I can't begin to justify spending that kind of money on what is essentially a second vehicle for me. It also makes me wonder what business owners who depend on trucks as part of their everyday work are going to do?

[@garnix6390]

I honestly like Pickups, but they are all too big for me living in Austria. The one Pickup I honestly fell in love with was a 2019 Suzuki Jimny Pickup. I love the Jimny anyway, but Pickup-Jimny? This is just a dream!

[@peekaboo1575]

While I was growing up in Brazil, my father had nothing but pickup trucks. Chevrolets and VWs which he used to carry stuff to and from the farm. I have always had a huge soft spot for them thanks to that. I refuse to die before owning a hot-rodded pickup. :^)

[@gallendugall8913]

I'm dreaming of a Liked Christmas, with every Ed's Auto Review video I view. Where the chrome glistens and viewers listen to hear auto history true. May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmas content be liked!

[@matthewcochran3325]

Another banger, Ed. I am a truck owner in the US and have my own business. I use my truck to haul something almost everyday. Even if I didn't have my own business, I think I would still have a truck. I'm always buying furniture or tools or something off marketplace that I have to go pick up. I can't imagine not having a truck. However, I live in a rural part of the country. If I lived in San Francisco or London I could understand not having one. Also, my trucks are 20 years old and definitely not luxury vehicles.

[@zoomosis]

4:09 Just to confuse things, the ute models of the Aussie Ford Falcon between 1998-2016 all had a separate cab and tray. You could also buy Holden Commodore utes with a separate aluminium tray and cab, but the regular Commodore ute had a bed that was seemlessly joined to the cab.

[@gratefulot360]

Here in Texas, you buy a pickup truck as a highway defensive measure and the cleanest part of the truck is the pickup bed floor.

[@peekaboo1575]

Jeremy Clarkson once said that SUVs are like nuclear weapons, the moment somebody owns one then everybody else also needs them for self defense in the context of a collision. It certainly applies to pickups as well.

[@MrOiram46]

@@peekaboo1575 And then you have the Suburban, which is a truck-based SUV with the interior space of a minivan + a truck bed

[@Jeff_Pendleton]

Truth!

[@craigjones2878]

Another great episode, I drive a ‘09 Holden Ute, it has a six litre V8, six speed manual, LSD, IRS, big brakes and 19 inch wheels. It’s great fun to drive and can haul a reasonable load in the back and cruises at 180 kph. It’s done over 300k kms and I’ll just keep fixing things as they break/wear.

[@Hagebuddne983]

Finally! Another awesome video Ed.

[@estebanmorales6487]

I always appreciate your mentions of non-American and non-Western European cars, especially when you talk about my region, Latin America. There was a missed opportunity though here, as Sudamericana is so very niche at best and a punchline at worst. You could have mentioned the whole small pick-up segment, started by the VW Saveiro, which is a Gol-based, 1.0L alcohol engined or optional 1.6L gas 4-cylinder tiny little truck/personal car, born in the early 80's and still so popular I can think of at least four competitors... Haven't seen anything like them anywhere else.

[@BT_aka_PET_ROOSTER]

You pulled out all the stops on this episode… as a humble driver of trucks I found this episode to be hilarious… and pretty accurate. The references to truck bros and so many other one-liners was hilarious! Bravo Ed!

[@BT_aka_PET_ROOSTER]

Also… if you want to see an odd truck look up the Ford Explorer Sport Trac ( I have an AWD V8 2008 Adrenalin variant )

[@WalterBurton]

I doubt many of us Americans appreciate how much effort you've invested in learning about American culture, while at the same time (assuredly) maintaining fluency in your own. American privilege is a thing, for good or ill. But we always mean well. For whatever that's worth.

[@gavinmclaren9416]

Great video. I reckon that the overwhelming popularity of pick up trucks (I have had various ones in my stable for 25+ years) is simply in the malaise era the cars that people liked were gradually legislated out of existance by various governments. So now people drive vehicles that are on average 500 - 1000 kg heavier than they were, with bigger, more powerful engines than ever (My Ram has 395 HP!), and fuel consumption is far greater than it would be if people were driving much lighter cars. This is an absolutely classic case of unintended consequences. I have been driving for 40+ years. For the first 15, I owned a car. I turned to trucks when I became unimpressed with what was on offer for cars, and as time has gone by, the trucks have evolved into the comfortable, spacious, and powerful vehicles that the midsize and fullsize cars used to be. Millions of others have agreed with me and voted with their wallets.

[@Deadsphere]

The overwhelming popularity is due to people not knowing how to buy cars and buying something with a massive gas tank and more power than they need, paying more for gas, when there's a Civic that can go the same distance with a smaller tank and better mileage overall. Pickups and SUVs are the *dumbest cars on the American market.* It is a proven statistic that like 65-80% of Americans who own pickups *don't haul anything in them.* They own a hauling car, and then proceed to use them as they could use a Kia Soul.

[@bldontmatter5319]

@@Deadsphere it's very true. Anything north of 200 HP on a normal passenger car for a daily driver is fun, sure, but even if you're well off... You're gonna feel that gas mileage difference.

[@Deadsphere]

@@bldontmatter5319 So why do people daily pickups, then? These things come standard with like 32 gallon tanks, a 250hp V8, and extremely poor gas mileage. *WHY DO WE KEEP BUYING THEM?*

[@gavinmclaren9416]

@Deadsphere I don't disagree with you. However, I think people buy pick up trucks because they like them. The people that buy them do so because they are roomy and comfortable. They have excellent sitelines and are perceived as safer. I think that in a world of other people driving trucks, they are in fact safer. Most folks who buy them would have not considered a truck 40-50 years ago, even less so in the 1960s, because they would have bought a midsize or full-size car. The people who bought smaller Japanese or European cars back then by preference are not the people who transitioned into pick up trucks now, it is the people who perceived that they needed the room for their families and their lifestyle. I reckon a lot of them stayed with their big sedans and wagons into the malaise era and then moved to pick-ups when the cars became more and more unappealing. My point is not to judge people's choices, but to comment that a lot of regulation-driven changes in car design have led us to a point where the fleet of vehicles in the world are bigger, heavier, and thirstier than they might have otherwise been. Some regulations are no doubt beneficial but some, I think, are very questionable. 5 MPH bumpers are a prime example of the latter. These added about 150 kg of weight with no demonstrateable difference in safety and came about principally from an effective insurance lobby.

[@Freedom42069]

I drive a truck for fun, not gas mileage. I have a car for gas milage for my commute, and my truck for everything else. Not everything in life has to be about practicality- as long as you understand it will cost more, drive what you like!

[@drewjansen7825]

I wasn't prepared to read *that* word! LOL

[@CJColvin]

Yes finally a video about trucks.

[@janwitkowsky8787]

And to think in 1985, the Toyota Tacoma, was the dream car in Back to the Future. Sports pickup.

[@chickenfishhybrid44]

Tacoma didn't even exist

[@DiamondKingStudios]

@@chickenfishhybrid44we called it the Truck here

[@RoKKr023i]

My grandfather had a power wagon. i still remember the Wood custom rear bed and fenders. I watched that gorgeous truck decay as i grew into a man.

[@talldude5841]

Great show. I have driven trucks for the past 40 years and love them. I presently have a 2020 Ram 1500 4 by 4 crew cab with the 5.7 hemi. Its the best vehichle I have ever owned. Its actually gone up in value also. Crazy.

[@maxpayne2574]

Got to get in the engine size and hemi making up for other deficiencies maybe.

[@cva1122]

Huh? Car guys always talk about engine size. It's not sausage swinging, just car talk. Bet you have a Prius.

[@captlazer5509]

​@@maxpayne2574a Prius pickup? Like the tiny Datsun or Luv trucks? Sign me up. 😂

[@STV-H4H]

Watching your historical automotive history is always educational. Finally I have an example for closing my professional letters that’s eye catching and accurately reflects the period, in case I write to an old friend from long past. Odd that I’m the first to comment and you didn’t draw attention to this one. ❤

[@jeffking4176]

I think it was the time he posted it

[@randyronny7735]

I can remember in the 1950's & 60's that contractors & farmers had pickups without radios. There were even some 1940's pickups without heaters. It is a wonder how much pickups have changed in my lifetime and who uses them.

[@stuart8663]

In Australia, pick-ups are both adored and despised. The Superiority Complex you noted is very much real. The subtle bullying on the roads, (think of the movie "Duel") is astonishing.

[@davidhester6648]

Yep. But those guys in their Rangers are tough until you open the drivers door and ask them if they want to hug it out. Then they're all shy. Lol

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

As an American who has always had several friends with pickups I had no need for one. I was totally a car guy until… I moved to a house that needed lots of work (trips to buy lumber etc.) plus picking up wood to burn in a wood stove and bought a boat so I needed to tow and haul. Suddenly in my 50s I actually kinda “needed” a pickup and it’s been very useful.

[@TheKnobCalledTone.]

3:17 can confirm this is _exactly_ how we sign off letters in Australia

[@PurestBollocks]

I spat out my beer when I saw the Aussie letter! Ed knows our language!!

[@jons.6216]

Or in the US - "hey, can you help me move this weekend?!" Haha! My dad and brothers all utilized pickups for construction work all of my life so I was always familiar with the latest! I enjoy seeing the older ones that used to have two chains with hooks on them that would hold the tailgate upright! Good memories!

[@RivetGardener]

My first brand new vehicle I purchased in my life, was when I was in the army and it was an Izusu PUP, in a beautiful light metallic blue, dealer dolled up with mags, fat tires, stripes and a wonderful affordable price. Drove that truck into the ground and it held up like a champ. We need small cheap pickups like that again.

[@FoxtheImpersonator]

4:47 I appreciate the fact that you showed Studebaker trucks for how rugged they were! One of the few companies outside the “Big Three”, that actually had success until the late 60’s. It’s a shame they’re no longer in production, but videos like this still showcase their legacy for years to come! 😌

[@adrianrutterford762]

Thanks for another interesting and informative video.

[@cdstoc]

That Syclone was a fun truck, I drove one around a track once. Another reason the extended cab got going was because the gas tank was moved from inside the cab behind the seat to outside the cab under the bed, due to a federal law. The truck makers advertised all the space behind the seat at first, but it was simple to extend the cab. Of course nowadays, as Ed said, the truck is so popular that they're family cars so crew cabs are pretty much the norm now. I have one myself, and I actually do haul stuff and take of off-roading and camping.

[@starflyt1150]

You gave me a hernia from laughing so hard at the Aussie letter to Ford. Another video in the win column for you.

[@llmkursk8254]

I think you missed one note in truck development: Macho styling. Before the mid-1990s, most trucks had a similar design idea to commercial vans. They were boxy and basic, with the biggest defining feature usually being the badge. However, the folks at Dodge had a fun idea, and decided that for the second generation Dodge pickup truck, the Dodge Ram, they'd go back to the 50s for some inspiration, as was the craze at the time. They took inspiration from old semi trucks and pickups, and thus, the macho-style was born. Ford and GM were forced to play catchup, leading to the early-00s designs of the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado and Avalanche, with Ford taking their New Edge design language and giving it a bigger grille for that macho snout, and Chevrolet opting to take their 90s design and make it angrier. Seriously, look at the first gen Chevy Avalanche! It's angry! You can definitely see the shift in truck design after the second generation Dodge Ram, and I'm actually a little sad you didn't mention it here. Now, every truck has to have a massive grille with the headlights shoved to the sides, and we're worse off for it.

[@patrickclaeys6512]

the '94 dodge was indeed a bit of art..

[@cliff8669]

The only pickup I ever owned was a brand new 1996 Ford Ranger .. manual transmission V6 with extended cab. Thing was great.

[@ponddela2309]

You might want to check the spelling on the letter to Ford from an Australian, particularly the sign off. (3:17) 😂

[@theogantenbein7870]

Yea. A gigantic electric Pick-Up. Because what an electric car needs is even more weight. Sounds reasonable.

[@frankcoffey]

If you live in an apartment and have to move every few years it's handy to have a pickup truck. The down side is all your friends also "expect" you to help them move.

[@TheAnalogKid65]

Another BRILLIANT episode. Thanks Ed!

[@cgbolton1]

Great video. I have owned two pickups in my life. The first was a 1973 Dodge D100 when I first learned to drive. It was a great vehicle with a big 319ci V8 under the hood. Now I own a 2022 Ford Maverick with a twin turbo charged Ecoboost 4-cylinder. Pickups are such great vehicles and I definitely love mine!

[@Dutch-vj2eg]

For the quality of roads and streets around the US capital my full size crew cab Tundra is the perfect vehicle. I also have a European SUV and driving it on the same roads obliterated the suspension at both ends in 30k miles. (Just finished rebuilding it completely.) The moon crater landscapes wrought by the seemingly endless roadworks everywhere around us make driving a regular car near impossible. So yes, the crew cab pick-up truck is the Swiss army knife of vehicular offerings. I own other vehicles that do specific things much better than the Tundra but the pick-up does so many things with comfort for four!

[@christopherkraft1327]

Thanks Ed for sharing this informative & interesting video on pickem up trucks!!! 👍👍🎄

[@joermnyc]

If you’re familiar with American TV you may have heard of Bob Vila. He started of on the TV series This Old House where they renovate old houses. He moved on to start his own show with a similar concept, but he also talked tools, home repair and espoused his ideas about what works and what doesn’t. He once said something to the effect of: “if a pickup truck bed can’t hold a full size sheet of plywood, it’s not really a pickup truck.” A full size sheet of plywood is 4 feet wide and 8 feet long! That’s not going to fit in most modern pickups! (Even the Cybertruck bed is only 4 feet by 6 feet.)

[@LucasOliveira-tt2ll]

the brazilian coachbuilders were very keen on their customization options for pickup trucks back in the day when imports were forbidden and the luxury segment lacked many options. So the wealth used to purchase new Ford or GM trucks, bring to a coachbuilder that usually added more space in the cab (sometimes ditching the bed) and making a whole new fiberglass body, with all the added luxury, extra plush velvet upholstery, fridge, air conditioning, whilst keeping those old diesel engines that suffered to bring the trucks to 100kph. Oddily enough, those customized pickups today still hold good value, given how well they were built and how mechanically reliable they are

[@mcsg_pelecan]

Another outstanding video! Keep up the great work!

[@thisoldbelair]

Great video. One note: Fleetside was a GM term, while Styleside was Ford’s name for the non-stepside bed. Fun fact: internally at Ford, the term Styleside is still used to describe the non-step side bed, in some service and engineering info, even tho Ford hasn’t produced a stepside in several years. 🇺🇸 Also, full disclosure. I’m an American and absolutely love pickups and large SUVs. I’ve lived with them all my life and can’t live without em.

[@palco22]

My first Pick-up was the all new 1972 Dodge Powerwagon regular cab 4x4 short box equipped with a 7 foot snowplow and it did a great job during the long winter months and great for the hunting season out in the back country. Have owned GMC and Ford pick-ups through the years and today I haul my small travel trailer with a 2021 Ram crew cab 4x4. This will be my last one but enjoyed them all. Great video as always. Great presentation.

[@neilschristensen9143]

My 73 Ford F 250 was the best truck I ever owned. I was the 4th owner after a carpenter, mason, and a landscaper. Even though it was falling apart,on the coldest winters it always started. Probably had close to 300 thousand miles on her.

[@davidev4844]

Great video Ed Great research

[@bobcooper5687]

Another presentation very well done.. Always enjoy your videos 😊

[@Bucketroo]

I finally remembered where I've heard your intro jingle! It's Radio Caroline! It was a pirate radio popular in the '70s when I was growing up in France.

[@kellingtonlink956]

One of your best videos! Cheers.

[@OLDS98]

Thank Ed. This was another great episode. It was informative, educational and entertaining. Your humor was funny and on point. I missed this video and found it today. I watched your more recent video yesterday. Thank you so much.

[@bobhill3941]

Great review and history Ed.

[@MAHERGRITLI]

A great episode as usual good job, continue strong

[@brickhead_07]

I‘ve been waiting so long for this to happen.

[@luclucas135]

Best subscription call Ever !

[@martinneumann7783]

When I hang the big bags on the rack of my bicycle... I have my pick-up truck ready. Thanks for the video, Edward. See you --- Martin

[@charlescrossman2225]

NOW I CALL THIS A PICK ME UP VIDEO! THANKS ED! LOL@NICE AUSSIE SALUTATION!!! MERRY XMAS ED!!!

[@davebodi]

A 1955 chevy pickup had the gas tank in the cab, behind the seat. WOW !

[@gunfighterzero]

Most trucks did, all the way up to the 70s.. kept a good ground clearance

[@bldontmatter5319]

Safest place. Propoganda is against it. In a crash it's the safest spot

[@nickc9830]

My 70 Chevy still has it behind the seat.

[@bishopcorva]

I remember a particular episode of a vehicular history featured the Dodge Power Wagon. It talked about some of the factory options that could be ordered. Things like passenger side windshield wiper, electric wipers, roll down windows, brake/tail lights, turn signals, in cab heater. You know, optional things. Not withstanding PTO, belt drive rear pulley, rear spot light, lower gear ratios. A sub transmission, heavy duty springs, hydraulic brakes, extra spare tire and so on. It just struck me as novel in a funny way, that you could have optional brake lights. Apparently letting following traffic know you're stopping without hand signals is just to be neighborly.

[@jtrlatinist2227]

As an American, I have owned five vehicles. Three of them have been trucks. Two of them have been SUVs. I like cars especially ones of manual transmissions. But I find the activities I like to partake in are better suited if I have a SUV or truck. I like mountain biking camping hunting and fishing among other outdoors activities. I have three jeeps my latest vehicle is a jeep gladiator pick up. I used to have a giant diesel pick up. It was great on the dirt roads but once he got on the trails in the mountains, it was way too big. My wrangler on the other hand was small, nimble, fairly comfortable, but had no room for my family and my camping gear . The gladiator is big enough for my family yet small enough for the trails has enough storage for my camping gear if it’s all the niches that I need. Plus it’s a convertible. I would like to own a car one day like a WRX. But I think I’ll always have a truck in the driveway too . Because of those activities I mentioned and the driving experience. I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of my gladiator, solid front and rear axles, great articulation, off-road, small and nimble, yet spacious . I really think it 10 years you won’t be able to get a vehicle like this anymore. I think I’ll be the 70-year-old dude at the end of the street. The last one holding out without an electric truck driving his old old beat up jeep. 😂

[@hellbilly6532]

The problem selling the electric pickup truck is the rural market which a large percentage of the American truck market is the lack of infrastructure and charging stations combined with the current ability to generate electricity makes the e-truck a hard sell, great episode by the way.

[@S0REN_]

The biggest problem is that we flat-out just don't want them. Electric is lame and expensive and over-complicated, even if we had the infrastructure. I'll keep my old Fords, the kind that make Greta cry.

[@joelesher7106]

Your mid-video request to like and subscribe was classic😂

[@comusrules1244]

This was a cool episode. I have an F150 (and a full size Transit) and yea, when I drive them, I get my superiority complex on. 😂😂😂.

[@davideslava3526]

Your videos are pure automotive history material.

[@saneauto]

I gotta start doing Ed reaction videos. LOL

[@McbrideStudios]

You know, the point about it being a mobile work station is really good and I am now completely sold on the idea.

[@silvermanandbuddy5111]

Always love your content ❤❤❤😊

[@Iamthestig42069]

For me it’s the dependability. My 2000 Chevy 2500 has 348000 miles on its original powertrain. 6 liter gas engine paired with either a 4l80 automatic or nv4500 manual are insanely hard to kill.

[@bldontmatter5319]

Ok but you've spent so much on fuel that you'd be better off with buying a new compact every 10 years over that thing

[@Iamthestig42069]

@@bldontmatter5319I don’t believe in that. If I’m buying a vehicle it should last 30 years at least. A compact isn’t gonna tow my project cars to car shows either. Working on compact cars sucks

[@bldontmatter5319]

@@Iamthestig42069 what Compact cars from Toyota, Honda... Don't need to be maintained other than the basics. Most people never even need to change out the serp belt lol

[@cloroxlavenderscent4307]

​@@bldontmatter5319let us have our fun

[@bluespidergaming7719]

@@bldontmatter5319 people dont even do the basics especially on trucks

[@davidhollenshead4892]

Many of us in the US only use our pickups or cargo vans for hauling materials or other things. In my case it's a 1978 E-150 cargo van due to our weather, which requires a pickup with a cap or cover or a van. Unless you consider power steering & brakes to be luxuries, it is a utilitarian vehicle... The SUV fad is already waning so expect a lot of second hand pickups on the used market soon....

[@pithicus52]

Why doesn't anyone sell a regular cab pick up in America any more?

[@user-rg8dh8tz9u]

No profit in a bare bones work truck. Single cab with 8 foot bed is dead.

[@backwoods1723]

I’m from a really small community of farm country and working blue collar boys and women and the pickup truck and all the power and towing capabilites have make our life’s so much easier the the ole day of the horse and whagon no matter what happens to the ole pickup as long as they will have the power and reliability when you need it will always have a place in peoples homes such as mine ❤

[@ronmailloux8655]

In North America rural areas made the demand for trucks and camping hunting etc . added to it.

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

Dude! That half van/half pickup @8:08 is the BOMB! i want one!!!!

[@kkoz_]

A new video. FINALLY SOMETHING TO WATCH ON KZbin

[@TonyM132]

"Fleetside" is a term unique to Chevrolet, not a generic term across brands as you suggest in this video. Even sister brand GMC did not use it but instead had their own term: "Wideside". International called their smooth outside beds "Bonus Load" beds. I don't know what terms Ford and Dodge used, but I'm sure they had their own. I think you are correct about the term "step side" being generic, though.

[@ricoolivier]

Fantastic video thank you! Maybe you can investigate the small pickups? Volkswagen Golf 1/ Ford Fiesta derived pickup/Fiat Strada etc.

[@shawnn6926]

Americans sure love their pickups. Years ago I had a 1930 Ford Model A pickup and I got so many compliments everywhere I went. Now I own a 1930 Roadster with the rumble seat and hardly get noticed.

[@antesosic1600]

A lot of Germans surprisingly love the Dodge RAM 1500. Its a very common vehicle used by german tourists in Croatia. Obviously they all have German plates so i know they arent rentals

[@shadow105720]

Trucks are popular because the days of having a car to drive to work all week and a seperate car to take out on the weekends or to church are long gone. Most families only have one vehicle per driver if theyre lucky. And the trucks have become so close to cars driving characteristic wise it just makes sense. I "only" have a midsize but its 4 door and 4 wheel drive. I can take it to work all week and do whatever i need to do on the weekends. It handles bad roads way better than my super low sedan. It handles the hills and highways better with the v8 than the v6 in my sedan. It gets about the same mpgs.

[@brendas.1374]

I love my 2002 Ford SVT Lightning ⚡️⚡️⚡️ It’s a great truck! I bought it new in May 2002.

[@joecrachemontange4613]

I still use a 1961 willys cj5 , a 1963 chevy c10 , and a 2008 gmc 1500 wt with snowplow , My family has been in farming since 1857👍

[@davidjames2788]

There hasn’t been a day that I haven’t owned at least one pickup truck since I was 13, they’re a way of life. But for daily use, I love an El Camino (Ute).

[@davidburke1794]

No Images of the Ford falcon ranchero. In the USA the small pickup truck was run out by EPA rules.

[@markclark6771]

And the "Chicken Tax" on small imported trucks.

[@arizonaridersclub]

We're riding with ya.Great video.

[@phzitos_]

I loved the Brazilian mention, but you missed the compact pickups that were and still are very famous in Latin America. The first one was the Fiat Fiorino, based on the 147/Uno, followed by the Chevrolet Chevy 500, based on the Chevette, the VW Saveiro, based on the Gol, Ford Pampa based on the Corcel (which itself was based on the Renault 12, the 80's were crazy). Today we have the modern Fiat Strada, Chevrolet Montana (formerly Tornado in Mexico), the Saveiro still exists and now we have two bigger unibody sisters: The Fiat Toro and RAM Rampage. They kinda fight with the Montana and the Renault Oroch, based on the Renault/Dacia Duster

[@florianwagner7279]

😂 very entertaining video 👍 well done

[@captlazer5509]

I like that Ed snuck in an image of Lincoln Blackwood. Notorious sales disaster. In the early 2000's it was the ultra luxury pick-up that bombed. Even thou it had a split tail gate, it was useless as a work truck. I remember Lincoln dealers trying to unload brand new Blackwoods for 13K. With feature laden pick up trucks now, I think it was just ahead of its time.

[@Jay-jb2vr]

*This channel is so awesome!*

[@eurospec]

Missed opportunity to talk about Chevy's Rampside Corvair in response to VW's forward control trucks. Didn't work out, but an interesting footnote in history

[@wirebrushofenlightenment1545]

'Cunt Regards ...' - Brilliant! When I was about, oh, seven years old, I really wanted an El Camino.

[@chada75]

One big advantage of older full size trucks is they are easy to work on.