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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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).

[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!

[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 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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Greg58]

After having a 2007 Suburban with the 5.3 DOD engine, I kind of soured on GM trucks.
So when it was time to look for a replacement we went and looked at Ford. Specifically wanted the 3.5 Ecoboost engine, ended up with a 2015 Lincoln Navigator L 4x4.
We love it, great power, fuel economy is pretty good for a big unit, and it drives and handles great.
I was blindly loyal to GM for 40+ years of driving, now I am willing to consider alternatives.
Greg

[davischevy]

I honestly don't know why Ford and Ram are still building rcsb trucks. The sales have to be dismal. I'm sure the bean counters will eventually nix them.

I bought a new rcsb in 1990 and still like them, but have no use for one.

[FleetsidePaul]

[special-K]

If people who want an LS in a regular cab SWB had been buying the trucks GM was building for them, rather than altering all the good long lasting and simple old trucks by adding the modern drivetrain they wanted I think GM would still be popping out normal cab shortbeds. I have seen rare few shortbeds (that's still what I call a RCSB) since the early 2000s. When I do I think they are still cool, the new version. I have thought I would buy one in a heartbeat if I could buy a new/newer truck. There are so few to choose from used they are hard to find, two or four wheel drive

I'm a truck guy, so it's regular cab for me. I kinda got used to the limited space, and like it, from driving them the decades before ext. cabs came out

[fine69]

I couldnt make myself buy a Ford truck. I would have to kick my own azz!

[jchav62]

Originally Posted by fine69

I couldnt make myself buy a Ford truck. I would have to kick my own azz!

I agree 100%!!

[special-K]

I'd have to deal with criticism for the rest of my life from anyone who has ever known me.

I do drive past the local Ford dealership pretty often and I must say I have never had anyone run out to stop me. They must be easier to sell around here

[FleetsidePaul]

Originally Posted by special-K

I'd have to deal with criticism for the rest of my life from anyone who has ever known me.

I do drive past the local Ford dealership pretty often and I must say I have never had anyone run out to stop me. They must be easier to sell around here

I'm not loyal to any one brand. I'll drive anything. I'm a car guy. But I have to say I drive my Chevy's way more than the others. My C20 and my Corvette are my favorites. Especially the Corvette. I just love that car. But it is getting harder for me to get in and out of it. I'm getting old...No wait. I am old. Sh** when did that happen?

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.



The answer is no. No I'm not.