The pickup truck is the working man's best friend. For decades now, pickups have helped workers get jobs done and provide them with plenty of functionality for when they aren't hauling cargo, too.
More modern pickups have seen a size and power increase over recent years, however, at the same time, they have perhaps lost some of the character of their predecessors, becoming more family SUV-like than like the pickups of old. Below are 10 classic pickup trucks that are way cooler than the modern versions.
10 Ford F-250
The Ford F-250 was first introduced as part of Ford's second generation F-Series, which also contained the likes of the F-100 and F-350. Despite the F-250 surviving to see the fourteenth generation of this series, it's often the classics that are remembered most fondly.
The series began in 1953 and the styling of the old school F-250's still give it a massive following today. More modern F-250s are still great vehicles, but seem a little uninspired compared to the classics from back in the day. For the first time for a Ford pickup, a four-door crew cab option was given in 1965 as a special order trim option for the F-250.
9 Dodge Ram
The Ram pickup is one of the most notable and iconic pickups there has ever been and, over the years, there have been some incredible models with insane power and styling, leaving modern Ram pickups looking a little dull by comparison.
The Ram launched in the '80s, and in its first generation there were multiple V8 options, with some outputting 230 hp. But it's perhaps the now 17-year-old SRT-10 model which is remembered most with its 510-hp V10 engine from the Dodge Viper. Modern Ram pickups are not bad by any stretch of the imagination, but it would be great to have some more trucks such as the SRT 10 model.
8 Toyota Hilux
The classic Toyota Hilux is renowned for being a pickup that is built to last, and the very first models had inspired styling that seems to have drifted off with years gone by.
Modern Hilux pickups are seemingly made with only a fraction of the design inspiration of the first models, as they have a boat like quality with uninteresting styling. It's also well known that the Hilux pickups of old could take a battering without breaking down, making them some of the most reliable pickups on the road. It could certainly be argued that modern Hiluxes have lost their identity somewhat.
7 Toyota FJ45
Coming from one of the most legendary off-roaders of all time, the FJ45 is a variant of the FJ40, which was available as a pickup like what can be seen here. The Jeep-like styling and small frame make the FJ45 look incredible, and their rarity makes them incredibly desirable.
Since their inception in the '60s, the FJ45's appeal makes it one of the coolest trucks from past or present. Perhaps unfairly to more modern Toyota Land Cruisers, the history, styling, and rarity of the older models are something which can't be competed with. People who own these classic trucks also like to update the engine, swapping them out for a much more powerful unit, giving them unique appeal in this regard also.
6 Jeep Gladiator
There's no denying that the modern Jeep Gladiator is a sight to behold with an impressive design, but it's essentially a modern Jeep Wrangler with a truck bed attached. It's not particularly impressive until you opt for the highest spec variant, unlike the rival Ford Bronco.
Back in the day however, the Jeep Gladiator was a traditional pickup truck on the outside, but it still boasted some innovative features. Despite being sold and marketed primarily as a four-wheel-drive truck, the Gladiator came with an innovative single-overhead cam six-cylinder engine as well as independent front suspension, something very advanced for its time.
5 Ford Ranger
The compact Ford Ranger first launched in the US and Canada in 1983, and its success means it's now currently in its fourth generation in North America.
No one can doubt the success of Ford's modern pickups, and the Ranger itself is often the only Ford pickup available in countries where pickups are less utilized. However, like a whole host of modern Fords, the Ranger seems to have fallen victim to a design that is eerily similar to the other pickups on offer from Ford. This complete lack of innovation makes it arguably boring when compared to classic Rangers. For example, the 1988 model is often still driven today because of its durability and impressive 2.3-liter engine.
4 Dodge Power Wagon
The Dodge Power Wagon was first introduced to the world in the '40s, with production beginning in 1945. As one of the oldest trucks on this list, the Power Wagon has that unmistakable end of war era styling which hasn't gotten old even to this day.
Modern Ram 2500 pickups are the successors to the Power Wagon, coming in the form of a four-wheel drive Power Wagon variant of the 2500. Again, since coming back from its long-awaited hiatus in 2005, the Power Wagon fails to capture the hearts of people in the way the old Power Wagon does. Perhaps the effect of nostalgia is unfair here again.
3 Mitsubishi L200
The classic L200 has an almost low-rider-like quality and some of that legendary Japanese styling, looking like a pickup variant of some classic JDM sedans and sports cars.
The compactness of the old L200 makes the modern version look completely unrelated, and it's hard to think that it descended from the L200 we see here. Even the models that were in production from 1988 to 2006 were praised for their car-like accessories and interesting design, with some even getting a hood scoop. More modern variants are often said to have dated interiors and an overall lack of refinement.
2 Ford Lightning
The somewhat modern but now 17-year-old 2004 Ford Lightning has to be one of the most iconic and coolest pickups Ford have ever produced.
The supercharged F-150 SVT Lightning pickup's V8 produced a massive 380 hp, and it even managed to reach a top speed of 148 mph while maintaining a 0-60 mph time of around 5.8 seconds. Today's Ford pickups are still massively quick, but back then, this was the pickup everyone wanted, and a 1999-year model even made a small cameo appearance in the original Fast and Furious film.
1 GMC Sierra
Perhaps a little confusingly, the GMC Sierra first launched in 1988 but was identical to the Chevrolet Silverado, differing in name alone.
Nonetheless, as usual with older pickups, the Sierra is renowned for its incredible reliability, with models from the late '80s running fine to this day. Not only this, the GMC is said to have a very smooth ride and is capable of hauling large amounts of cargo, making it a great work vehicle. More modern Sierras are often said to be lacking in this department when compared to its rivals, and it's often cited as a weaker option to the modern F-150s from Ford.
Sources: Car and Driver, Edmunds, Toyota, Silodrome, PickupTrucks, Ridgeback, Parkers, Auto Express, Ford Performance, Kelley Blue Book, CarSurvey.