Old Trucks Had Soul. New Trucks Have Tech. I’ve Owned Both, and Here’s My Take.

There was a time when trucks didn’t talk back to you. No voice assistants, no infotainment screens, no ambient lighting that changes color with your mood. Just steel, rubber, and maybe a bench seat wide enough for you and two buddies with muddy boots. I’ve owned those old trucks. I’ve also driven the newest, plushest pickups you can buy today. And let me tell you – it’s like going from a cast-iron skillet to a Bluetooth-enabled air fryer. Both get the job done, but they couldn’t feel more different.

Chevy, Ford, and Dodge: The Titans of the Old School

If you were a truck guy (or gal) in the 70s or 80s, chances are your loyalty was as strong as your truck’s frame. Chevy had the CK series, Ford ran the F-Series empire, and Dodge was out there doing Dodge things with the D-Series and early Rams. These trucks were steel-bodied, ladder-framed, leaf-sprung, no-nonsense workhorses. If something broke, you didn’t plug in a scanner. You grabbed a wrench.

Chevy’s CK: Like a Brick House on Wheels

My first truck was a third-gen Chevy CK. That thing had more steel than a battleship and burned oil like it was going out of style. But the 454 V8 under the hood could tow a barn off its foundation if you gave it a running start. It had an automatic Turbo Hydramatic transmission that shifted with the grace of a sledgehammer, and it would rumble down dirt roads like it owned them. Compared to today’s Silverado with its touchscreen cockpit, my old CK felt like a war rig.

Ford’s F-Series: Where Rugged Met Reliable

I also put some miles on a late 70s F-250 Highboy. That truck rode like a buckboard wagon, but it had a 460 V8 that sounded like God clearing his throat. Ford’s twin I-beam front suspension was quirky but tough, and the C6 automatic transmission never flinched, no matter how steep the hill or heavy the load. It may not have had heated seats, but it had soul. And that steel body? You could throw firewood, tools, or a boulder in the bed and not feel guilty.

Dodge Was the Rebel, and We Loved It for That

Then there was Dodge. The early Ram and late D-Series trucks didn’t sell like Fords or Chevys, but boy did they have character. The Lil’ Red Express was a factory hot rod with chrome stacks that turned heads at every stoplight. And once Dodge added the Cummins diesel in ’89, they changed the game. That engine sounded like a tractor and could tow half the county. It may not have been pretty, but it didn’t need to be.

Back When You Could Fix It Yourself

What I miss most about old trucks is how… approachable they were. No plastic engine covers, no buried components, no computer throwing a tantrum if a sensor got grumpy. Just pop the hood, see everything in plain sight, and go to work. I once replaced a starter in a CK with nothing but a socket wrench, a flashlight, and two scraped knuckles. Try doing that on a modern Ram without needing a service manual and a coding tool.

Modern Trucks: Comfortable, Powerful, and… Complicated

I’m not here to trash new trucks. My current ride is a brand-new F-150 with adaptive cruise, a panoramic sunroof, and more cameras than a Hollywood movie set. It’s quiet, fast, and tows like a dream. But if something breaks? I’m making an appointment, not turning a wrench. There’s a computer behind every component now, and troubleshooting means diagnostics, not intuition.

Old Trucks Were Built for Abuse

The steel frames of those old Chevys and Fords could take a beating. They rusted, sure, but they didn’t crumple like a soda can. You could back into a fencepost and barely scratch the paint. Nowadays, I feel like sneezing near my aluminum-bodied truck might cost me $2,000 in repairs. We traded durability for weight savings, and I’m not convinced we got the better deal.

Torque Over Tech

Another thing: torque. Real, low-end, gut-wrenching torque. Those old big blocks and early diesels weren’t efficient, but they were unstoppable. My dad’s 80s Ram with a Cummins diesel could haul a horse trailer up a mountain without breaking a sweat. Modern turbo V6s and hybrids are clever, but they just don’t have the same grunt.

Looks That Meant Business

And the styling – boxy, upright, proud. Trucks back then looked like tools, not sports cars. They didn’t need wind tunnel testing or LED mood lighting. They had flat hoods, chrome bumpers, and steel wheels. You knew what you were getting. These days, trucks look like angry vacuum cleaners with fender flares.

They Were Affordable, Too

Let’s not forget the price tag. Back then, you could get a solid work truck without taking out a second mortgage. Today, a well-equipped pickup can set you back $70,000 or more. I bought my CK used for a few grand and drove it for a decade. These days, that might cover the sales tax.

You Could Feel the Road, Not Just Glide Over It

Maybe it’s just nostalgia, but there was something satisfying about how those old trucks drove. You felt the road. You heard the engine. You worked the clutch. It was a physical experience. Now everything is dampened and digital. Comfortable? Sure. Engaging? Not so much.

Both Have Their Place

So which do I prefer? Honestly, both. Old trucks had soul, but new trucks have tech that makes life easier. I miss the simplicity and strength of the past, but I appreciate the comfort and capability of the present. Maybe the perfect truck is somewhere in between – a steel-bodied rig with analog charm and just enough tech to keep your coffee hot and your trailer in line.

Until then, I’ll keep wrenching on my old beater on weekends and cruising in my leather-clad spaceship during the week. Call it balance. Or call it indecision. Either way, I’ll keep driving.