Poll: What '70s/'80s pickup would you own if a GM square wasn't an option?

Which one?

  • 73-79 Ford "Dent Side"

    Votes: 18 39.1%
  • 80-86 Ford "Bullnose"

    Votes: 7 15.2%
  • Dodge DW Series

    Votes: 10 21.7%
  • Dodge Ram

    Votes: 3 6.5%
  • Jeep J Series

    Votes: 8 17.4%

  • Total voters
    46

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

CheemsK1500

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2022
Posts
831
Reaction score
1,471
Location
Texas
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
305
Let's have a little fun and see which of the other trucks we hate the least. For convenience, I'll limit the alternative choices that we're available during the 73-87 model years of the square's production life (Anything before or after, this time period isn't included in the poll, "Brick nose" Fords will also be excluded.) Full size only, No compacts.
 
Last edited:

89Suburban

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2010
Posts
24,756
Reaction score
6,584
Location
Southeast PA
First Name
Paw Paw
Truck Year
2007
Truck Model
Chevrolet Tahoe LT
Engine Size
5.3, 4WD
Dodge all the way for that era. F*ck fords.
 

AyWoSch Motors

The Parts Guy
Joined
Nov 6, 2020
Posts
4,690
Reaction score
13,692
Location
New Mexico
First Name
Ayden
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K1500 Sierra
Engine Size
350ci V8
Let's have a little fun and see which of the other trucks we hate the least. For convenience, I'll limit the alternative choices that we're available during the 73-87 model years of the square's production life (Anything before or after, this time period isn't included in the poll, "Brick nose" Fords will also be excluded.)
You forgot El camino/Sprint
I'd be an El Camino guy all the way.
If not Elco than an 83 S10 definatly.

S10s are badass little trucks, I'd take one anyday over a Furd or a Mopar full size. I also really reallt like the old 4x4 Chevy LUVs in the 70s

But if that were excluded, I'd pick jeep. 85 Jeep CJ8 scrambler or late 70s Jeep Gladiator/Comanche.
 

CheemsK1500

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2022
Posts
831
Reaction score
1,471
Location
Texas
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
305
You forgot El camino/Sprint
I'd be an El Camino guy all the way.
If not Elco than an 83 S10 definatly.

S10s are badass little trucks, I'd take one anyday over a Furd or a Mopar full size. I also really reallt like the old 4x4 Chevy LUVs in the 70s

But if that were excluded, I'd pick jeep. 85 Jeep CJ8 scrambler or late 70s Jeep Gladiator/Comanche.
I forgot to specify that this was limited to full size trucks but there are lots of good choices in your post though. I have always found the Scrambler superior to the more common and shorter CJ7. The Old Gladiator is essentially just the J series truck before it was called the J Series. The Comanche was a neat little rig that should've stayed in production longer than it did. As for the LUV and S10, I have always seen them as just El Caminos with separate beds.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,400
Reaction score
28,186
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
For non GM, I'd choose a Jeep J20 or a Cherokee Chief. I'd like to own one of those, some day maybe. A Wagoneer would also work, but two doors would be ideal.
 

nvrenuf

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Posts
1,939
Reaction score
2,423
Location
Mobile, Al.
First Name
John
Truck Year
1991
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
454
Easy, dent side. I was first introduced to 4 wheeling around 10 years old by a cousin with a lifted mid 70’s dent side with 35” Gumbo Monster Mudders, man I loved that truck.
 

CheemsK1500

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2022
Posts
831
Reaction score
1,471
Location
Texas
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
305
For non GM, I'd choose a Jeep J20 or a Cherokee Chief. I'd like to own one of those, some day maybe. A Wagoneer would also work, but two doors would be ideal.
I've always been a fan of the J trucks, the only thing that scares me about them is the scarcity of certain parts. A lot of it is compatible with FSJ Cherokees and Wagoneers, but J truck specific things like bed panels and tailgates are a little more challenging to find.
 

AyWoSch Motors

The Parts Guy
Joined
Nov 6, 2020
Posts
4,690
Reaction score
13,692
Location
New Mexico
First Name
Ayden
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K1500 Sierra
Engine Size
350ci V8
I forgot to specify that this was limited to full size trucks but there are lots of good choices in your post though. I have always found the Scrambler superior to the more common and shorter CJ7. The Old Gladiator is essentially just the J series truck before it was called the J Series. The Comanche was a neat little rig that should've stayed in production longer than it did. As for the LUV and S10, I have always seen them as just El Caminos with separate beds.
Oh okay, didn't know it was just full size, i see you added that part in since I picked apart the rules, hahaha.
Then yeah, I'd take J series pickup, gladiator, or comanche.

I do like the look of a 4x4 78 dent side F1 or a 4x4 73 Dodge W100, but I dont know if I could bring myself to own one of the other "big three". They are nice looking trucks though.
 

Soundmound

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2022
Posts
1,809
Reaction score
5,465
Location
North Central Washington
First Name
Dave
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
Scottsdale
Engine Size
305
I hate walking, but that looks like my only option hahaha! That said, the 80-86 Ferd is the lesser of the evils fer me.
 

SirRobyn0

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2019
Posts
6,755
Reaction score
11,402
Location
In the woods in Western Washington
First Name
Rob
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
305
@CheemsK1500 Thanks for the derailment, just what I need right about now and who knows how long I'll write for lol.

So a little back story. You have likely read the story of me getting the square and who it came from if not, and you want to read it let me know and I'll post the story in this thread. anyhow 2018, the farm has expanded and now has more birds than ever (a number that has only grown since then). My prior truck and I still have it but it is seldom used now, is a 1992 Dakota I've had it since 02' but simply out grew it. I needed to get a bigger trailer, and I needed something that could haul more weight in the bed with. I was just barely in the beginning to look stages. I wanted a 90's rig (I know you said 70's or 80's just bare with me). I wanted something 3/4 ton or 1 ton long bed, with an extended cab and fuel injected and 4X4. The 90's magnum engines, and the 90's vortecs are great motors. I lean towards preferring the magnum. I don't really like the GMT-400's, yes I would own and drive one. I think they look fine but I'm not keen on the interior. I like the 90's Ram interior and if I could have found one with the V10 that would have been fine with me. Now I've said all that but I've always like the squares, so I'm just saying when the square came along it seemed like it was meant to be.

So to fit within your year ranges I've always liked the 80's D/W early generation Ram trucks as well.
 

AyWoSch Motors

The Parts Guy
Joined
Nov 6, 2020
Posts
4,690
Reaction score
13,692
Location
New Mexico
First Name
Ayden
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K1500 Sierra
Engine Size
350ci V8
I would try to find a 74 or 75 international, I had a 74 3/4 ton 20 years ago that I wish I had kept.
Ooo, I like those. Good pick. I'd pick one of them after the ones I picked.

And bonus points for thinking outside the box.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,075
Posts
948,849
Members
36,144
Latest member
wolfdog63
Top