40 years ago it was common to put 5-6 people into the cab of the smaller truck. It wasn’t comfortable for anyone but it was done. Worse however it was not safe for anyone (not enough seat belts) and so people died. Often those people were kids who should be in car seats, but instead were sitting on laps. If the weather wasn’t too bad they would put some of those people in the bed of the truck (which could fit 15) instead of the cab.
People will always do risky things if they can get away with it. The solution to that problem wasn’t “bigger truck” - the solution was better and more enforced safety standards.
I’m saying if both vehicles bad the same number of seats, the length would be about the same.
That doesn’t mean the height is justified, but it would be much more helpful to compare vehicles with the same utility from back then and today.
More seating isn’t an excuse - it’s just a symptom of the problem.
Trucks were supposed to be practical work vehicles, but they’ve just become glorified masculine SUVs.
40 years ago it was common to put 5-6 people into the cab of the smaller truck. It wasn’t comfortable for anyone but it was done. Worse however it was not safe for anyone (not enough seat belts) and so people died. Often those people were kids who should be in car seats, but instead were sitting on laps. If the weather wasn’t too bad they would put some of those people in the bed of the truck (which could fit 15) instead of the cab.
People will always do risky things if they can get away with it. The solution to that problem wasn’t “bigger truck” - the solution was better and more enforced safety standards.
Safety standards forced the crew cab truck which is then bigger (either that or they compromise with a shorter bed)
I loved riding in the bed of a truck with my friends when I was a kid.
I’m saying if both vehicles bad the same number of seats, the length would be about the same.
That doesn’t mean the height is justified, but it would be much more helpful to compare vehicles with the same utility from back then and today.