Stopped by the ford dealership

[72 tigger]

Our small town has a ford dealership that I check out once in a while. Wasn’t sure if you could still get a swb truck, still think they’re sharp. Hadn’t looked at the new rangers, thought they did a good job on those. A base 4x4 F250 is nearly 40K

[72highlander]

I’m a 72 guy to the core, got my first 31 years ago when I was 13. Been a Chevy guy all my life. That being said I hate what they’ve done with the new ones. I needed a diesel truck a few years ago, drove them all, bought a new Ford. Got where I wasn’t using it and couldn’t justify expense and sold. Went to get a new half ton, drove them all, bought a Ford. Hate to admit but I really like them. Never thought I’d say it.

[fun in dirt]

Originally Posted by 72highlander

I’m a 72 guy to the core, got my first 31 years ago when I was 13. Been a Chevy guy all my life. That being said I hate what they’ve done with the new ones. I needed a diesel truck a few years ago, drove them all, bought a new Ford. Got where I wasn’t using it and couldn’t justify expense and sold. Went to get a new half ton, drove them all, bought a Ford. Hate to admit but I really like them. Never thought I’d say it.

I hate to admit it too, but totally agree with you. All new truck are way overpriced & cheesy feeling, but if had to pick I would go buy a new Ford way before a new Chevrolet.

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

last year was the last of the swb reg cab gms

I didn't realize this what a freaking shame. Chevrolet has been going down hill rapidly since 2007.

[cornerstone]

Why in the world would Chevrolet do that!? I find it very hard to believe there wasn’t enough support to justify keeping a small amount of specific sku’s on hand to produce the rcsb. Maybe there more, but I can only think of these...
Frame, bedsides, bedfloor, shorter driveshaft, brake lines and harness.

Maybe the reason is liability?? The only new truck I’ve ever bought was an 05 Silverado with a 5.3. Still pissed I sold it. The truck was a real hotrod with a rated HP of 285. Today’s base V8 is rated at 355. Perhaps they didn’t want to face lawsuits from idiots who blame others for their mistakes?

Man, I see a business opportunity that would surely be a win here. If Chevrolet won’t do it, offer the service to provide the diehard rcsb customers what they want. Allow the customer to say “I’ve got the only one!” You know there’s plenty of folks who would pay a ton to be the only guy in town with a brand new SWB. I guarantee I’m not the first to think of it, I’d bet the farm it’s already being done. Maybe I’ve found my true calling? Hey, I did it to my 1972, why not do it to a 2020!

[Tom]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

Why in the world would Chevrolet do that!?

I don't personally know a single person who's bought a regular cab truck in the last 20yrs at least. That's why they stopped.

[Greg58]

Originally Posted by Tom

I don't personally know a single person who's bought a regular cab truck in the last 20yrs at least. That's why they stopped.

I bought a regular cab, 6.0
2000 Silverado 2500 4x4 new. The salesman asked me if I really wanted a regular cab?? We had to order it!
Greg

[special-K]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

No. But I burned my leg on my Harley at a barbecue (how appropriate) I rolled up and was so busy running my mouth that when I got off the bike I had neglected to put the kickstand down. It fell right on me. I was lucky there were people there to lift the bike off me. That bike was heavy. And that pipe was burning hot. I was wearing shorts and my leg was medium rare.

But I did meet a cute girl there. So WTF.

I always wear boots and jeans to ride, and ask the same of the goils. But I was at a swap meet during the Myrtle Beach bike rally and there was this booth with "Foxy Boxers" where you'd pay to sit in a chair with on your leg for a picture. I said I want a picture but I'm pulling my bike up. I pulled up and all three hopped on. The one who was on the tank (nice smudges left on the tanks) facing me with her feet on the footboards burned her cute little leg on the exhaust. It was all fun until that happened as she climbed off.

Originally Posted by Tom

I don't personally know a single person who's bought a regular cab truck in the last 20yrs at least. That's why they stopped.

This is what annoys me about people. Such monkey see monkey do trend followers. Ford and Dodge were making ext cabs in the '70s and it was mostly only horse people and RV haulers who bought them. GM didn't make those because they had the Crewcab and Suburban. The Suburban has been around since the '30s. If you needed a back seat, cargo space (6'), and towing capability you could buy a Suburban. But they were never that popular for general family use. There were the full-size K5s, Broncos, Ramchargers, and Traildusters for people who wanted a truck type vehicle that could carry a small family and didn't really need a fullsize bed, yet could tow and they sold a limited amount of those (compared to today's no-need truck market). And let's not forget Vans with all the comforts and hauling ability. There were station wagons that could haul an RV trailer or a boat, but they became uncool and production dropped out on those. Then came the mini-van as a more useful design that used less fuel. Those took over with families until a stigma of uncoolness was attached to them. This came after the event of the 4dr SUV. This brought families to the SUV world. This was a little after GM went to ext cabs, which were available with a shortbed. Then came the crewcab shortbeds. By now most pickups sold were to people who didn't really need one (true, have one and you will find them handy at times), more for the image. Now we have families, people with shiny shoes, soft clean hands, living in cities driving pickups more as a car than a truck, and they need a back seat. I remember when it was only country bumpkins you'd see with the family crowded into the pickup to come into town and the people who drive the $60k trucks today were looking down their noses at the hicks who don't even have a car. It's no secret the emphasis on truck sales has not been to the working man for a long time and now we are coming full circle to where the truck being about hauling cargo with space for the operator and a helper has changed to being a vehicle with a backseat that can haul more than shopping bags or luggage. And... you have contractors now running shortbed ext cabs with a ladder rack to haul a 24' ladder or 12' lumber that could be laid nicely in the bed of a longbed. Try carrying a 24' walkboard and pump jack poles on a ladder rack with 6' base for mounting.

For me trucks are for work and fun. For passengers I've always had a Suburban and a Blazer or Jimmy

[burnin oil]

Originally Posted by Tom

I don't personally know a single person who's bought a regular cab truck in the last 20yrs at least. That's why they stopped.

I did. The replacement was a 4 door because the price was right and it's easier to sell a 4 door. I would have another standard cab in a hot minute but they are way to expensive. This thread got me to build one on chevrolet.com. 48+k for a standard cab diesel 4x4 with no options. Nope. That's not happening. I can rebuild an old truck and be happy. Around here you see alot of newer standard cab trucks but most are farm trucks and long beds. Personally I think they should just get rid of the gas hog grocery getters and go back to the days of work trucks with minimal options. That should drive the cost down to where you dont need a second mortgage.

[dajn]

Originally Posted by Tom

I don't personally know a single person who's bought a regular cab truck in the last 20yrs at least. That's why they stopped.

Which is sad. I quess everyone looks for status and needs that extended cab with all the options that really doesnt gain you anything. I miss regular cab pickups with the 8 foot box. Crank windows. Just give me cruise and ac. It's sad that pickups went this route. Geared towards luxury and status instead of performance. We did it to ourselves. They didn't need to get this expensive.

[67swb72klb]

I hear you can't buy a RCSB GM truck but you can a Ford..

[mongocanfly]

last year was the last of the swb reg cab gms
I didn't know ford still had one though

[FleetsidePaul]

40K? Jeez. I paid 16k for my Ranger in 2006. I don't know how people do it these days. I own 3 houses and couldn't afford to buy one of them now.

[Axle]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

40K? Jeez. I paid 16k for my Ranger in 2006. I don't know how people do it these days. I own 3 houses and couldn't afford to buy one of them now.

An f250 is a 3/4 ton truck, a fairer comparison would be a 2020 Ranger, starting at ~25k.

Alex.
also own a ford product, quite happy with it.

[Palf70Step]

Just Ford and Dodge have regular cab swb still. Very disappointed in GM with that. You can still get a LWB regular cab, but far as I know just in the very base work truck configuration. I though about a new truck and looked at a hemi SWB Dodge, but got turned off by the prices.

[67ChevyRedneck]

GM dropped the short-bed for HD reg cabs way back with the 2000 model year? Or was it the 2003 cat eye refresh?

Anyway, total shocker on the reg cab SWB 1500s... I had no idea. They also dropped the manual option in Colorados in 2019.

Unfortunately, while they look cool, I have no use for a RCSB daily. The extended cabs are so convenient to have/use, I'll probably never own another reg cab truck (aside from vintage toys).

[67C10Step]

Didn't know gm dropped the regular cab short bed. Really a shame as they are good looking trucks. Have seen a few of the 4x4's around town and I liked them.

That said, back in January I got rid of my 2017 GMC SLT over transmission issues with the 8 speed transmission. My truck is my rolling office and I had grave concerns the transmission was going to last just out of warranty and then I was going to get stuck with a large bill to replace. When I saw the class action lawsuit against gm over the issue it didn't help me feel any better. Loved the truck, but my last three GM's have had to have more than what I thought was expected maintenance. Plus one bad dealership service department that didn't know they were talking to a guy that has turned more than one wrench in his life.
My neighbor traded his 2015 on a new Ford and seems pretty happy. I've never owned a Ford but guess I would consider it these days.

[SCOTI]

I know I'm not the only one that thinks it but the 2020 Chevy trucks aren't exactly an attractive truck vs earlier models so no SWB option prob isn't going to hurt their bottom-line margains.

But, like Cornerstone mentioned, there are several guys out there cutting old LWB trucks down to SWB's & some even do it w/o the tell tale signs. New trucks will be prob be just as easy once the first few are done & a 'kit' comes out of it.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I know I'm not the only one that thinks it but the 2020 Chevy trucks aren't exactly an attractive truck vs earlier models so no SWB option prob isn't going to hurt their bottom-line margains.

But, like Cornerstone mentioned, there are several guys out there cutting old LWB trucks down to SWB's & some even do it w/o the tell tale signs. New trucks will be prob be just as easy once the first few are done & a 'kit' comes out of it.

"Truck Tech" did several episodes on rebuilding a 2003/04 (can't quite remember the year) 2500 HD. It was a RCLB and they cut it down and put a shortbed on it. Looked pretty cool, but I was really hoping they were going to throw a 00-02 HD nose on it.

Edit, found it, "Project Supermax", its a 2003 2500.:

https://www.powernationtv.com/episod...upermax-shrink

I'm sure GM being cheap was the root cause. The RCSB sales have been pretty low since the 2007's came out. Maybe it was a self full fulling prophecy because double and crew cabs are more profitable and that's all they ever seemed to stock on dealer lots. A reg cab, shortbed, manual, WT had little profit in it. A Crew cab 4x4 LTZ probably has 8-10K worth of profit packed in it.

RCSB have their own individual cab and frame. A reg cab long bed shares a frame with a shortbed double cab, etc.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

As far as criticism goes. I've got a wife, 2 ex wives, 3 daughters, and a cranky old mother. I don't even hear it anymore. Selective hearing works.

For me it would be "everybody" I see. As far as when I had a wife goes. I clearly remember several occasions where she would be talking for 20 minutes or so and I'd realize I had no idea what she had been talking about since I hadn't listened to a word.

It's funny people refer to being brand loyal. I never looked at it that way. More like true to myself. It's about me. I had my reasons, and there were many, to become a Chevy/GM guy at a point in life and I'm stickin' with it until I have a reason to switch. Just how I want to be. I don't like a hodge podge in my driveway. I like consistency, being solid, knowing what I like.

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I know I'm not the only one that thinks it but the 2020 Chevy trucks aren't exactly an attractive truck vs earlier models so no SWB option prob isn't going to hurt their bottom-line margains.

No, it won't hurt their bottom line. That's why they dropped them. But, I think it will be the opposite. The few late model short beds available will be highly sought after. There are those seeking now and there are those who don't think much of them now who will be as time goes by. It will be like the convertible or any other variation taken from us after some time passes. Look at the popularity of station wagons. Remember when wagons weren't cool? I do, when I bought my son a near mint '65 Biscayne Wagon for $2k. Now people go after 4dr Sedans. I never thought Square bodies were anything special when they were the current style. But they were Chevy Trucks and I was a Chevy Truck guy

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by special-K

For me it would be "everybody" I see. As far as when I had a wife goes. I clearly remember several occasions where she would be talking for 20 minutes or so and I'd realize I had no idea what she had been talking about since I hadn't listened to a word.

It's funny people refer to being brand loyal. I never looked at it that way. More like true to myself. It's about me. I had my reasons, and there were many, to become a Chevy/GM guy at a point in life and I'm stickin' with it until I have a reason to switch. Just how I want to be. I don't like a hodge podge in my driveway. I like consistency, being solid, knowing what I like.

No, it won't hurt their bottom line. That's why they dropped them. But, I think it will be the opposite. The few late model short beds available will be highly sought after. There are those seeking now and there are those who don't think much of them now who will be as time goes by. It will be like the convertible or any other variation taken from us after some time passes. Look at the popularity of station wagons. Remember when wagons weren't cool? I do, when I bought my son a near mint '65 Biscayne Wagon for $2k. Now people go after 4dr Sedans. I never thought Square bodies were anything special when they were the current style. But they were Chevy Trucks and I was a Chevy Truck guy

The circle.... They last year model single cab SWB's will be the 'desirable' once again just like 6x-87 C10 short beds are. Only, it will happen sooner vs. later.

[davischevy]

I agree GM's move to drop the rcsb trucks will make the existing trucks desirable.

I drive my sc 71 Longhorn everyday, but having a 4 door truck in the wings makes that easier.

I have seen a few Fords I liked, but I have never owned one, so I probably won't start now.

I haven't bought myself a new truck since 1990. I have been thinking about a new GM truck with 4 doors and 6.2 liter engine.

I can't say I totally love the looks of any new truck.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by 67C10Step

Didn't know gm dropped the regular cab short bed. Really a shame as they are good looking trucks. Have seen a few of the 4x4's around town and I liked them.

That said, back in January I got rid of my 2017 GMC SLT over transmission issues with the 8 speed transmission.

Glad my 2015 has the 6 speed still. Mine will be 5 years old in a couple months. Only done oil changes so far. I bought it new.

[67C10Step]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Glad my 2015 has the 6 speed still. Mine will be 5 years old in a couple months. Only done oil changes so far. I bought it new.

I had a 2013 with the six speed and I put 167,000 miles on that truck. Had to replace front wheel bearings, O2 sensors, and rear output shaft seal in that time. The steering rack was replaced under warranty at 13,000 miles.

[mongocanfly]

Theres a local guy who has always kept a newer rcswb..hes always had z71, leveled, with 285 tires...hes always had one of the nicest looking reg cabs around.. I saw him the other day in a crew..shame

[FleetsidePaul]

It's funny. My buddy just came over and wanted to order a new SWB plain Jane Chevy online. He refuses to get a computer, so he hits me up. And I had just read this thread.

Sorry pal. I hate to break it to you. You're S.O.L.