Fuck Cars
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If you compare the same type of truck instead of comparing a regular cab mid size truck with a full size crew cab truck, you realize that they're mostly higher than they were before but otherwise their dimensions aren't that much bigger, especially if you compare with the evolution of car sizes. The mk6 Jetta was a subcompact even though it's the same size as a mk5 Passat which was a compact.
I agree a bit more a direct comparison would be helpful. And you're right, that besides height (which is a HUGE issue), their dimensions haven't change much outside of safety norms.
The main problem (besides that height) is what's being sold has changed drastically. In the 90's, a regular cab was the default, now it's special order or not even offered. A 2024 Ranger has way more power and can tow more than a 1995 F-150, yet so many people still get a F-150 to just tow the family trailer, if that.
So let's compare a modern mid-size to a classic full size truck then. https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fmqo0vj17ytm61.png
Regular cab vs crew cab, short box vs long box, mid size vs full size, that's the same kind of truck for you?
Are there any small trucks available that aren't crew cabs? I know the maverick didn't have an option for it last time I looked and that's everyone always suggests when I bring up that I hate all the available trucks these days. I don't need to cart around a family of four. I need to haul lumber, tools, and furniture. Give me a single cab with a full bed that isn't half the size of a school bus. Thanks to the fucking chicken tax and CAFE that's impossible now.
Extended cab with 6' box are a thing, regular cabs are available on full size trucks with the same fuel economy.
It could be 8ft if they ditched the extended cab and I do not want a full size truck. I'm short as fuck and they're a pain in the ass to get things in and out of and just more of a pain to get around in general. I want a truck like the 1998 Ford Ranger. Unless something like that becomes available I'll stick to my civic and borrowing my dad's shitty Colorado when I need a truck.
The Ranger never had an 8ft bed so I don't know why an extended cab + 6 ft bed isn't ok considering that it means you have space to transport stuff outside the elements without needing a storage box inside the bed taking space.
And worst case, just get an older truck, it's not as if vehicles just explode after 5 years on the road.
I was just pointing out that they could do that and it would be better for me. If you need the stuff you're hauling to be protected from the elements you can use a bed cover or a tarp. Even with my civic I just put groceries or whatever small stuff in the passenger seat. I have little use for interior space. There have been many occasions using that Colorado where a longer bed would have been great.
As far as old trucks go you'd have to go back a lot further than five years to find something that meets the criteria I'm looking for and hope you find one that was actually cared for.
Dakota with 7' bed for something more recent with a longer bed (there's never been a small/mid-size truck with a bed longer than that), otherwise you can get a regular cab mid-size truck from the 2010s.
Truth is, there are very few people that want them and even when they were offered people bought extended cabs or crew cabs instead because they would rather have a minimum of interior space. It's not too nice to have to throw your groceries on your girlfriend/boyfriend on the way back home because you don't want it moving around in the bed.
And as I said, they're available in fun size format and they get the same or better fuel economy, so except for the vehicle being a bit bigger, it doesn't make much sense to offer both and compete with yourself from a manufacturer's perspective.