I guess it’s area dependent to an extent, I grew up in a rural area and any truck that seated more than 3 people was viewed similarly to how a lot of people view emotional support trucks now. Complaints about how that’s room that could be used for more bed space, they never have to take more than 2 people anywhere 99% of the time anyway, etc.
My first car was my dad’s clapped out ex work truck. And 85 F-150 with a quarter million miles, an extended cab (back bench seat but no back doors), and full 8’ bed. Nobody thought there were unnecessary in my rural neck of the woods, and most contractors had something similar even in the late 70s full size fords. Also it basically flexed in the middle over bumps.
Toyota popularized the extended cab minitruck in the 80s in my recollection. But when we lived near Detroit back then Yotas got a ton of shit from the buy America crowd. I don’t think the US brands offered them until a lot later (later gen S10s and Rangers).
I guess it’s area dependent to an extent, I grew up in a rural area and any truck that seated more than 3 people was viewed similarly to how a lot of people view emotional support trucks now. Complaints about how that’s room that could be used for more bed space, they never have to take more than 2 people anywhere 99% of the time anyway, etc.
My first car was my dad’s clapped out ex work truck. And 85 F-150 with a quarter million miles, an extended cab (back bench seat but no back doors), and full 8’ bed. Nobody thought there were unnecessary in my rural neck of the woods, and most contractors had something similar even in the late 70s full size fords. Also it basically flexed in the middle over bumps.
Toyota popularized the extended cab minitruck in the 80s in my recollection. But when we lived near Detroit back then Yotas got a ton of shit from the buy America crowd. I don’t think the US brands offered them until a lot later (later gen S10s and Rangers).