Harvest Heroes: Why 1970s Pickups Are Perfect Farm Companions
Trucks from the 1970s are highly respected for their durability and longevity! Many of them are still in use today as polished show cars and hefty haulers. The demands of farming can call for a burly and quite headstrong machine. Today we’ll look closely at why 1970s pickups are perfect farm companions.
Why 1970s Pickups Are Perfect Farm Companions
There are a few rigid legal definitions of what makes a truck adequate for the farm. For this list, we are simply looking at those that would come in handy for everyday tasks. There’s hay to haul, trailers to tow, and usually cattle that need moving. This list provides a handful of models that are both practical and nostalgia-inducing!

Chevy C/K Trucks:
Chevy has long been established as the most popular brand in the United States, and this 1970s pickup is no exception. They have successfully existed for over a century! The C and K Series of Chevy trucks boast an attractive and very classic design. Their production began in the late 1960s and lasted into the early 1970s.
In 1973, the entire C/K line was redesigned and the Square Body era was born. Models such as the long-bed C30 are excellent for lugging tools and hay around the pasture. The Square Body enjoys the industry boast of being GM’s longest-running production truck of all time.

The Ford F-100:
Like the Chevy C/K models, the Ford F Series is one of the most popular trucks of all time. Diehard fans loved the straight-six and V8 powertrain options. The “Dentside” or sixth-generation F series was built from 1973 to 1979.
Farmers and ranchers alike would find the various short and long bed configurations useful. Many parts conveniently carried over from fifth-generation models as well. The F-250 Highboy has gone down in automotive history as one of the best classic trucks to tackle the towing job! It’s very useful for horses and other forms of heavy utility.

The Dodge Power Wagon:
The Power Wagon did not enjoy as long a run as some of these other excellent farm trucks. The Power wagon was the first production vehicle to employ 4-wheel drive, with its origins rooted in the military. It eventually adopted a boxy shape much like the Chevys and Fords of its time.
With variants such as the Macho Power Wagon and the Adventurer, this was a truck that was born for demanding work. Featuring a very prominent and recognizable frame, it can be ideal to scout one out at auction or online in a more common configuration. Even though they are becoming tougher to find each year, Power Wagons remain a longstanding farmer’s favorite.

Chevy El Camino:
The El Camino is ideal for a driver who isn’t desperately needing 4-wheel drive or segment-leading towing capacity. Even though it is known as a stylish coastal cruiser, it still is perfectly fit for farm chores! It has a fully functional bed, along with a lower load height. 3 generations of this classic existed throughout the 1970s.
Since the El Camino enjoyed a very long production run, locating one isn’t too much of a hassle. The first and second-generation El Caminos were released before 1968. The very desirable 3rd generation was constructed from 1968 to 1972. The El Camino also proves to be quite simple when you are looking for parts to share with other different vehicles.

The Chevy LUV:
The LUV is a very sweet old truck that existed before the S-10 and Ranger. It comes in smartly for such a small size, and many dedicated fans wish that it would be re-released! Isuzu began importing them especially for Chevy when smaller trucks were gaining popularity in the 1970s.
This tiny 75-horsepower truck turned out to be excellent for daily driving and gritty farm chores. Fuel economy was situated at 32 mpg on the highway, and it could haul over 1,400 lbs of cargo. So many farmers realized this truck still had excellent potential, even when larger models had become more commonplace in the industry.
Fields of Gold: Heartbeats of Grit & Growth
Trucks are now responsible for 56% of all freight-ton miles of United States agricultural movement. They are excellent for fertilizing, hauling, packing, and processing. The majority of livestock in our nation is trucked directly to market. The process of farming garden vegetables is particularly challenging and frequently benefits from a truck’s helping hand. Hauling lumber for a new build or addition is another way that trucks prove to be so useful. Economic growth over the past few decades has dictated a high demand for cool and “very-used” trucks such as these!
Which one of these “oldies but goodies” is your favorite? We understand that you may prefer the comfort and features of a truck that is 2010 or newer! These 1970s pickups still would be highly appreciated on any busy farm, and it is fun to look back in history at a simpler design and function. Let us know in the comments below, or check out another article about the coolest trucks on the popular “Yellowstone” TV show.