Top 12 Pickup Truck Innovative Features And Design Elements

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  Trucks have evolved from simple box/cab combos to be ever more capable, luxurious, and utilitarian.

• The pickup’s simple physical layout and potential large cab make many things possible.

• Many, not all, were the result of necessity, the mother of all inventions.

The all-new 2021 Ford F-150 has so many innovative and novel features that it inspired us to put the following list together. Some of the elements listed below could be referred to as being especially useful but they did leave their mark on pickup lore.

#1 The Chevrolet Avalanche Midgate

This is one feature that should have caught on but it died along with the Avalanche (and Cadillac Escalade EXT) in 2013.

#2 Honda Ridgeline In Bed Box

And this one too is a brilliant aspect should have been copied. In fact, the Ridgeline deserves more attention and respect for a number of reasons including its dual-action tailgate and great driving behaviour.

#3 RAM Mega Cab

FCA figured out that a limo-sized cabin was missing and decided to offer it in its HD trucks, and it’s incredibly spacious.

#4 Ford F-150 Pro Power

Never again will a Ford F-150 owner have to drag a generator to the cottage or work site. Saves space and can charge on the go.

#5 1994 Dodge RAM 1500 grille

Up until then, trucks were meant to be used, but the Ram’s grille was meant to be seen. Understand that some pickups were attractive before the ’94 Ram but none were so bold.

#6 Multi-function tailgate

The tailgate has had few versions over the last few decades. The Lincoln Blackwood barn-door was useful but the truck wasn’t. Some have had built-in steps, and some now open in various ways.

#7 GMC Syclone

This is more like the coolest pickup every produced. Yes, the RAM V10 was impressive but a turbocharged 280 horsepower 4.3-litre V6 in a “soft” pickup was completely unnecessary. We think is did, in some respects, serve as an inspiration for some of the more attitude-packed trucks like the Raptor, the Rebel, and so on.

#8 Ford F-150 Work Surface

Be it in the cabin, thanks to the fold-away shifter, or on the tailgate, Ford’s brought functionality and smarts to a whole other level.

#9 Diesel engines

It took a while before Ford and GM introduced a turbo-diesel engine into their full-size light-duty trucks, years after RAM did so. While not an inexpensive option, the torque and fuel economy are scarcely believable.

#10 Nissan Titan lockable bedside toolboxes / RAM boxes

Nissan’s bedside toolboxes did not encroach on the actual bed as the RAM boxes do but the idea of integrated storage for smaller items is incredibly useful.

#11 Trailer sway control

Even if you are the greatest towing pro, sometimes the trailer can get away from you. The built-in technology offered in many modern trucks takes most of the sweat out of trailering.

#12 Carbon fibre and aluminium beds

The advantages to moving away, albeit slowly, from steel beds are numerous and include efficiency (these other materials are lighter), they don’t rust and are more dent resistant.

Honorable mentions:

#11 Ford F-150 Lightning

The Ford Lightning was already a legend before “tuna, no crust” and it deserves a huge spot in the pickup hall of fame. This 2nd generation Lightning made the Raptor possible.

#12 Dodge Dakota Convertible

Alright, so this is not exactly a performance pickup, of useful pickup, or much of a pickup period other than having a bed.

Did we miss any features or design elements? Or better yet, how many and which did we miss?