GM 2021 pickup

[67ChevyRedneck]

Where do you put your purse?

[kipps]

Another thing I'm noticing, is the worsening visibility in modern trucks. I'm currently driving a 1981 f-150. That thing has a panoramic view all the way around.

I was riding in a 2015 silverado recently. It's much harder to see out of. Massive pillars, ridiculously high hoodline, and high waistline.

The older trucks kept the hood at the same level as the bottom of the door windows. The 2015 silverado's hood was several inches higher.

That 2021 e-truck posted above, looks to be far worse than the 2015 I've experienced.

Interesting strategy going on to coax folks into trusting an autonomous vehicle. Shrink the windows to the point that the driver no longer feels safe driving on his own. When you can't see out at all, you'll have no choice but to let the computer drive for you!

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by kipps

I was riding in a 2015 silverado recently. It's much harder to see out of. Massive pillars, ridiculously high hoodline, and high waistline.

I own and DD a 2015 Z71. The rear and side visibility are great. The backup camera makes up for the huge ass end. I'm fine with the hoodline.

What gets me (and this is because of rollover stanards, etc) but when I make left turns, my A-pillars are so massive, I sometimes can't see an entire car for a second or two and I do find myself leaning forward sometimes going around curves because of how large the pillars are.

Size-wise, I think the GMT 800's were the perfect size full size truck. I drove my 00 Z71 for 11 years. I loved that thing. Even as a Z71 I could reach over the bed, check my oil, get in and out of it.

On this new one, I need a curb or a step to check the oil, I had to add old man steps because I couldn't get in and out of it and reaching over the bedsides?

And the 2020's were slightly ENLARGED again. I'm waiting for the day when someone will have the balls to actually shrink their 1500 series trucks.

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

And the 2020's were slightly ENLARGED again. I'm waiting for the day when someone will have the balls to actually shrink their 1500 series trucks.

The Colorado is very close to what a full size truck used to be.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by 68Timber

The Colorado is very close to what a full size truck used to be.

Pretty much. They're the same size as the 60s/70s trucks.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by 68Timber

The Colorado is very close to what a full size truck used to be.

Pretty much. They're the same size as the 60s/70s trucks.

Except you can't even get a single cab and long bed in a Colorado/Canyon. Otherwise I might actually get seriously interested in one.

The older trucks kept the hood at the same level as the bottom of the door windows.

The 1973 model was a vast improvement in visibility over the 67-72 because the dash and windshield was lower compared to the seat height. It was something that I noticed when I bought my new pickup in 1974 compared to my mom's 1971 K-10. Mostly though I noticed the lack of visibility in her pickup when I would get back into it (we ended up with it years later).

Of course now they're just going the other way …

The more time goes by the more I appreciate the 88-98 trucks. To me they’re the best version of what you described.

The GMT400 sure are nice all around road trucks, and you can have 4wd with no ride or handling penalty. My 1989 is about my favorite vehicle right now even though it is pretty much of a junker. But for just working around the "ranch" the square body pickups were much handier. They turn a lot tighter and the doors are lighter and you can just jump in and out easier at least with a bench seat. On a sidehill it is sometimes about all I can do to push the damn drivers door open. But the TBI means that I can just go out and start it and go do something without waiting 5-10 minutes for it to warm up enough to not lurch and sputter.

[special-K]

The first time I drove a GMT400 I felt like I would fall out the window. Superior visibility. Such a well designed sensible truck. They dropped the macho factor to gain what the world needed. No more clipping fence posts and mail boxes you couldn't see. Those trucks turned the worlds gaze to trucks, then GM got stupid and added back the unnecessary bulk for those with male ego issues that need a truck to make them feel they are a man. Screw that. I'm a man once my feet hit the ground. I'm a man because I want things sensible. Putting a mound in your view is stupid truck design, but you can feel your pair gained circumference, if that's what you needed. I do think the newer trucks look quite tough in comparison and I like them. But you can't beat a GMT400 for a good truck that lasts and does what a real man buys a truck to do. I thought they were too modern when they came out. Now I see them as the last truck of the good old trucks you can work on and keep running without a banker's budget. My 25 year old K2500 Suburban is more truck than that Panini could ever be. It still does everything I ask it to do, willing and able