Ever notice how large vehicles are today?

[RockyMtNole]

All the cars and trucks from my youth look tiny compared to the ones today.

A 60s Ford Mustang or 70s Camaro is about the size of a Honda Civic. Check out a RX-7 or an 80s Toyota pickup.

They never seemed small when I was a kid.

 

[AFM22]

The beds on these trucks are roughly the same size

 

[RockyMtNole]

The beds on these trucks are roughly the same size

Exactly!

 

[aCEOuProbablyKnow]

Exactly!

No, he said "roughly."

 

[Gibbs_dontbanmetom]

Yep and now they don’t fit in garages.

 

[bagdropper]

Trucks are the size they are nowadays because of how emissions and fuel economy are calculated. Think of them as a loophole that's exploited. The bigger they are, the easier the standards they have to meet are.

If for example they made an S10 sized vehicle nowadays, it'd have to get 40 mpg (maybe even more) to pass the current calculations. That's pretty much impossible unless you go full electric (hello, Slate pickups) - so even Colorados/Rangers/Frontiers etc are the size of old school full sized ones were to hit today's calcs.

 

[BelemNole]

The beds on these trucks are roughly the same size

The one in the front is probably a v-6 and the monster behind it a 4 cylinder turbo.

 

[GesterHawk]

The beds on these trucks are roughly the same size

Totally gross use of resources.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

The beds on these trucks are roughly the same size

[from Gemini]

Tracking the footprint of American pickup trucks reveals an even more extreme physical transformation than passenger cars.
While cars ballooned and then shrank, full-size pickup trucks primarily grew in one direction: up and out. To give a clean, apples-to-apples comparison across generations, the full-size models listed below utilize the Standard Regular Cab with an 8-foot long bed (with 2WD), which was the dominant utility layout for decades.
To capture the "small truck" revolution, iconic compact models like the original Ford Ranger and the modern unibody Ford Maverick are included to show how yesterday's "full-size" trucks compare directly to today's "small" ones.

Era / Model	Segment / Configuration	Length	Width	Height
1950 Ford F-1	Full-Size (Regular Cab / 6.5ft Bed)	189.2 in	75.8 in	75.1 in
1965 Ford F-100	Full-Size (Regular Cab / 8ft Bed)	209.5 in	79.5 in	71.9 in
1982 Ford F-150	Full-Size (Regular Cab / 8ft Bed)	208.0 in	69.0 in	72.0 in
1993 Ford Ranger	Compact (Regular Cab / 6ft Bed)	181.0 in	69.4 in	64.0 in
2010 Ford F-150	Full-Size (Regular Cab / 8ft Bed)	231.9 in	79.2 in	75.2 in
2024 Ford Maverick	Compact / Mid (Crew Cab / 4.5ft Bed)	199.7 in	72.4 in	68.7 in
2026 Ford F-150	Full-Size (Regular Cab / 8ft Bed)	243.5 in	79.9 in	75.5 in

Crucial Trends in Truck Geometry​

• The Length Explosion: A standard regular cab, long-bed Ford F-150 today measures nearly 244 inches long. That is nearly 3 feet longer than its 1965 equivalent, driven largely by modern crumple zones, massive grilles to cool high-output turbocharged/hybrid powertrains, and integrated heavy-duty bumpers.
• The Illusion of Height: Interestingly, a 1950 Ford F-1 actually stands almost as tall as a modern 2026 F-150. However, the visual profile is entirely different. Classic trucks had low beltlines, massive glass greenhouses, and high ground clearance. Modern trucks achieve their height via massive, slab-sided body panels, taller hoods (for pedestrian crash safety standards), and much higher tailgates.
• The "Small" Truck Shift: Look at the 1993 Ford Ranger—a true compact truck at just 181 inches long and 64 inches tall. By comparison, today's "small" truck, the 2024 Ford Maverick, is nearly 19 inches longer, 3 inches wider, and almost 5 inches taller. In fact, a modern compact Maverick footprint actually tracks remarkably close to a full-sized truck from 1950.

 

[Wobmam Rulez!]

And they're mostly driven by MAGA maroons whining about the price of Biden's gas prices.

 

[scotchtiger]

It is nice to have all that cab space for the family. And to still be able to haul what you need to in the back. All while enjoying a much more luxurious cabin interior compared to the more spartan versions years ago.

I don’t really care about gas mileage. But parking can be a pain and it’s getting increasingly difficult to fit my full size truck and my golf cart in my 1.5X width garage bay.

 

[GesterHawk]

And they're mostly driven by MAGA maroons whining about the price of Biden's gas prices.

That also never haul anything more than a set of luggage.

 

[Gibbs_dontbanmetom]

And they're mostly driven by MAGA maroons whining about the price of Biden's gas prices.

 

[Gibbs_dontbanmetom]

I mean laws have changed a bit as well. Trucks used to be two door trucks with a bench seat. With 4 or 5 people jammed in there. Not sure how that would work today with car seats kids need to be in.

 

[fskillet]

Trucks are the size they are nowadays because of how emissions and fuel economy are calculated. Think of them as a loophole that's exploited. The bigger they are, the easier the standards they have to meet are.

If for example they made an S10 sized vehicle nowadays, it'd have to get 40 mpg (maybe even more) to pass the current calculations. That's pretty much impossible unless you go full electric (hello, Slate pickups) - so even Colorados/Rangers/Frontiers etc are the size of old school full sized ones were to hit today's calcs.

I didn’t know that - thanks for sharing

 

[HoggI74]

Once upon a time I had a Ford Courier. It struggled to make it up the Black Hills. Had to get the carb adjusted to get to Mt. Rushmore...

 

[r_desihawk]

The beds on these trucks are roughly the same size

some of us need the room

 

[NDallasRuss]

It is nice to have all that cab space for the family. And to still be able to haul what you need to in the back. All while enjoying a much more luxurious cabin interior compared to the more spartan versions years ago.

I don’t really care about gas mileage. But parking can be a pain and it’s getting increasingly difficult to fit my full size truck and my golf cart in my 1.5X width garage bay.

I think that the amount of back seat space is something that gets lost in these kinds of conversations. It's a big deal for families and carrying people around. My truck has more backseat legroom than pretty much any car or SUV.

2025 GMC Sierra: 43.4" of legroom

2025 GMC Yukon: 42.0"

2025 Mercedes GLS: 41.9"

2025 Lexus LX: 36.6"

2025 Genesis GV80: 38.7"

2025 BMW X7: 37.6"

Plus, I have a truck bed to carry stuff around.

 

[bagdropper]

It isn't about the size of your average full size pickup so much as there's literally no such thing as a small and/or inexpensive option any more.

Not everybody needs to tow 8000 pounds. Not everybody has 3 kids. Not everybody needs 7 cameras, crawling over boulders capability, leather everywhere, power windows, power heated/cooled seats and power mirrors, a power inverter, 16 charging points, lane assist, etc.

Some people only need an actual pickup 4 or 5 times a year (like me). AT, AC, tilt/cruise, enough bed space where those 5 days a year I actually need a pickup bed, and enough power to tow my boat the 5 mile round trip to the ramp and back.

You know, like my S10.

The truly small, inexpensive pickup needs to somehow make a comeback. There's a market for them.

 

[Hotshoe]

The beds on these trucks are roughly the same size

They're not remotely close to the same size. If y'all actually drove one, owned one, you'd know this. That skinny little biotch has half the depth. It also has virtually no towing capacity. Its a bumper pool on a 2" hitch at best. Now, tell me again you know nothing about heavy duty trucks without telling me, you really don't. Fgs, of y'all think that little fk has any power or towing capabilities. Lmao. City boys always display their ignorance.

 

[Hotshoe]

Yep and now they don’t fit in garages.

City boy!

 

[Hotshoe]

Trucks are the size they are nowadays because of how emissions and fuel economy are calculated. Think of them as a loophole that's exploited. The bigger they are, the easier the standards they have to meet are.

If for example they made an S10 sized vehicle nowadays, it'd have to get 40 mpg (maybe even more) to pass the current calculations. That's pretty much impossible unless you go full electric (hello, Slate pickups) - so even Colorados/Rangers/Frontiers etc are the size of old school full sized ones were to hit today's calcs.

Not even remotely true. Y'all should walk away. A bunch of city boys talking about trucks. Lmao. Trucks are simply based on 2 things. If y'all ever got your liberal hands dirty, you would know this. Trucks have always been about GVWR and torque. Not one of you clowns have a fking clue.

 

[Hotshoe]

Totally gross use of resources.

Like a true beta, Iowan. Lmao. 38,000 heavy duty truck owners in Iowa say hello, and grow a pair. Lmao.

 

[Hotshoe]

And they're mostly driven by MAGA maroons whining about the price of Biden's gas prices.

No, they're driven by wealthy libs hauling million dollar horses, and folks taking cattle to market. Let me guess, little, piss ant, you love Yellowstone. You believe you meat is not killed as well. The beta libs are front and center tonight!

 

[bagdropper]

Not even remotely true. Y'all should walk away. A bunch of city boys talking about trucks. Lmao. Trucks are simply based on 2 things. If y'all ever got your liberal hands dirty, you would know this. Trucks have always been about GVWR and torque. Not one of you clowns have a fking clue.

Feel free to look it up, smart guy.

 

[RockyMtNole]

The bigger question…why is Hotshoe such an insufferable pr*ck?

 

[Hotshoe]

That also never haul anything more than a set of luggage.

Thank you for exposing your ignorance.

 

[Hotshoe]

I didn’t know that - thanks for sharing

What he posted isn't remotely accurate. Lmao.

 

[stillh8unlv]

This was considered a large sedan back in its day.

 

[Hotshoe]

Feel free to look it up, smart guy.

I love this. If you actually believe that little play toy has the same towing capacity, or bed weight, you're even dumber than I thought. I drive an F350. Get lost, city boy.

 

[Hotshoe]

The bigger question…why is Hotshoe such an insufferable pr*ck?

Because you're ignoring as hell? City boy.

 

[bagdropper]

I love this. If you actually believe that little play toy has the same towing capacity, or bed weight, you're even dumber than I thought. I drive an F350. Get lost, city boy.

I never claimed it did, country ****.

My gawd, you're an idiot.

 

[Hotshoe]

I never claimed it did, country ****.

My gawd, you're an idiot.

No, you are. Posting **** you know nothing about, nor have a clue working on either.

 

[Hotshoe]

I never claimed it did, country ****.

My gawd, you're an idiot.

Go buy an electric vehicle or a Prius, beta boy.

 

[Hotshoe]

If you make a post about the 2 vehicles above and somehow think they are remotely close, you're just beyond ignorant and stupid. You literally cannot find a single comparison. Keep pushing forward, beta, city boyz!

 

[McLovin32]

I showed Hotshoe's mom how large the backseat of my F150 is

CREW CAB

 

[Hotshoe]

I never claimed it did, country ****.

My gawd, you're an idiot.

You couldn't even find the fuel filter on my diesel. Sit down, and go away.

 

[McLovin32]

You couldn't even find the fuel filter on my diesel.

Sounds sexual

 

[RockyMtNole]

I showed Hotshoe's mom how large the backseat of my F150 is

CREW CAB

Hotshoe in the house

 

[bagdropper]

You couldn't even find the fuel filter on my diesel. Sit down, and go away.

Funny, I happen to be sitting about a foot from the dog house cover for an inline 6 diesel engine, do it for a living. There's a fuel separator/filter back by the diesel tank, as well as one on the driver's side of the engine.

Want to know how the brake slack adjusters work? Or at what pressure the low pressure alarm goes off? Or which brakes the parking brake sets? Front, rear, or both?

Or do you need to sit down and go away?