Totally Rad(wood)
There’s just something about an ’80s or ’90s pickup. It’s like designers were trying to make them lighter, tougher, and more capable—while also sneaking in a few delightfully unhinged choices that sometimes made the whole thing look like a pickup got cozy with a DeLorean. These days, enthusiasts lump them into the “Radwood era,” a nod to the Texas car show that celebrates peak neon, nostalgia, and questionable-but-glorious styling.
Now let’s round up the funnest, coolest, and weirdest trucks the ’80s and ’90s had to offer.
1987 Ford F-Series Bigfoot Cruiser
The Bigfoot Cruiser was one of the results of a collab with Bigfoot’s Bob Chandler, meant to pay homage to monster trucks in all their glory. Sadly, a lot of these were recalled and had winches and roll bars taken out—but not all of them, and one with its OG features intact does occasionally come to market.
Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1991 Dodge Ram 250 LE Cummins Turbo Diesel
Talk about making a splash. Dodge considered a few collaborations for the '91 Ram before settling on a partnership with Cummins, hoping the inclusion of their turbocharged diesel engines would attract some new buyers. They had no idea what they were in for. The trucks were so popular that they had to stop taking orders!
Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
GMC Syclone (1991-1993)
While the Syclone didn’t really move the needle during its time in production, it’s since become something of an automotive cult classic. This sports car-meets-truck had big power. It featured a turbocharged 4.3-liter V6, which produced 280 horsepower at 4,400 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. GMC claimed the Syclone had a sub-five-second zero-to-60-mph time—nearly unheard of for the era.
1990 Chevrolet 454 SS
One design feature that is absolutely characteristic of the 1990s is the blacked-out special edition—and the 454 SS is one of the best examples of it. Not only was this truck only offered in onyx black for its 1990 and 1991 models, it also featured a blacked-out grille…all the better to make that red logo at the center pop.
Pokemonprime, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Chevrolet S-10 Baja (1988-1991)
When it comes to small off-road trucks, Chevrolet has done its best to make sure that it has one of the best options on the market. And before their current hit, the Colorado ZR2, there was the S-10 Baja. It took their entry-level S-10 and upgraded it with a slew of crucial off-roading features: roll bar, push bar, lights, skid plating, and better suspension—not to mention those rad decals.
KURBMASTER, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ford Ranger GT (1987-1989)
It’s hard not to make this entire list from different trims of the Ford Ranger, which is, by our money, one of the best pickups ever made—and boy did they have a streak of fun in the 80s and 90s. The Ford Ranger GT took the concept of one of their most beloved trucks and crossed it with sporty details like updated bumpers on the front and rear of the vehicle. The result? Mostly still Ford Ranger, but with, dare we say, a touch of European flair.
Jeep J10 (1972-1988)
The J10 was the kind of beloved do-it-all pickup that didn’t care if the job was rocky terrain or a heavy load—it just showed up and handled it. So when Jeep pulled the plug in 1988, a lot of fans were left staring at the calendar like, Wait…why would you do that. But as we’re about to see, it wasn’t just an ending—it was Jeep clearing the runway for some pretty radical changes.
Christopher Ziemnowicz., CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1992 GMC Sonoma GT
After Jeep upgraded the Comanche, GMC matched their bet by offering the Sonoma GT, which was just as quick, but also offered a respectable payload and towing capacity. On top of it all, it was quite affordable compared to their other popular pickups of the day. Not bad!
Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Dodge Rampage (1982-1984)
We promised weird, and here’s where we deliver. The Rampage—also briefly known as the Plymouth Scamp, fittingly—was a car-based pickup with all the trimmings any 80s car enthusiast would be familiar with. What this “truck-amino” lacked in reliability, it made up for in wacky Mopar design trends.
Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ford F-150 (1987-1991)
As much as we big up the Ranger, you really can’t argue with any of the F-150s produced throughout its run—with a highlight being the eighth generation of the truck, produced from 1987-1991. In 1989, it got a big upgrade with electronically controlled four-speed transmission (E40D) and the choice of three powertrains.
Jeep Comanche Eliminator (1988-1992)
What can we say that the ultra-tough name doesn’t? This upgrade to the Comanche package wasn’t all style either—it had the substance to match, and was a lot faster than its predecessor and the competition at the time. Jeep even took it to the next level for later models, which had an additional 16 horsepower.
dave_7, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1992 Ford F-150 Nite Edition
Is it just us, or is the F-150 to Baywatch what the F-150 Nite Edition is to Baywatch Nights? Or is that utterly 90s reference lost to time? When you get down to it, the simile doesn’t totally work, because there wasn’t that much separating the Nite Edition from the OG F-150, other than upgraded suspension and a whole bunch of jazzy “Nite” badging.
Dodge Dakota Sport Convertible (1989-1991)
As proven by the aforementioned Rampage, Dodge was taking some serious risks with its designs in the late 80s—and nowhere is that more apparent than in the Dakota Sport Convertible, the only rag-top pickup produced in this era. Does it completely make sense to have whatever you’re hauling just inches from the back of your head? Not really. Did it sell well? Also no. Does it look insanely cool? Yup.
Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ford Ranger Splash (1993-1997)
The Ranger Splash wasn’t exactly a mechanical revolution. Under the skin, it was basically the regular Ranger with a slight suspension drop and a lot more attitude. The whole point wasn’t to break new ground—it was to look good doing laps around the mall parking lot. With loud, bright paint that screamed “peak ’90s” and funky matching decal packages, the Splash was all about making, well…a splash.
1988 Chevrolet C/K
Before the Ford F-Series was the highest-selling pickup in the game, Chevy dominated with the C/K line, which earned its bona fides beginning in the 1960s. The 1988 upgrade to the C/K model proved its rep as a serious truck for serious work—the aerodynamics improved fuel economy, and the use of galvanized steel in the framework provided rigidity and strength.
1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota
In 1989, Dodge decided to take their mid-size trucks up a notch, and threw a V8 engine into their new offering, the Shelby Dakota. Though it was only produced for one year, it had the aforementioned powerful engine and the looks to match, with sporty striping offered on certain colors.
Jacob Frey 4A, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Toyota T-100 (1993-1998)
Toyota’s big entry into the US market for full-size trucks was something of a debacle. It wasn’t as fast or strong as people expected from the category, and on top of that, due to the so-called “chicken tax” on imports, it was too expensive for what it was. It also struggled against the top sellers in the category, the Dodge Ram and Ford’s F-Series. Eventually, it was replaced by the Tundra—which quickly turned the brand around and began selling hundreds of thousands annually.
Ric17, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
1998 Isuzu Hombre
Does this one look familiar? Well, it’s essentially a dressed-up Chevrolet S-10, and it also served as the basis for the hit GMC Sonoma. Surprisingly, at the time, people thought it was absolutely hideous. Of course, now, with the benefit of hindsight, we can admit that while there’s something a bit off about it, it looks pretty good compared to a lot of today’s designs.
1999 Fiat Strada
Speaking of vehicles that earned the title “Ugliest Pickup”, we can’t quite argue against anyone who voted for the 1999 Fiat Strada. It’s more of a “supermini coupé utility” than a pickup truck, strictly speaking, but it’s certainly…interesting-looking. Its bizarre mashup of compact car and truck bed almost makes it look like a processor for truck-SUV hybrids like the Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Corvettec6r, Wikimedia Commons
Dodge Ram 50 (1979-1994)
This lightweight version of the Ram, a badge-engineered version of the Mitsubishi Triton, lasted through two generations. It became the so-called “Power Ram” with the addition of 4WD. In terms of looks, it was a lot plainer than many of its 80s compatriots, but still has the boxiness of the era.
1998 Ford F-150 NASCAR Edition
NASCAR was in a full-on golden age in the ’90s, so there’s no way this special-edition F-150 didn’t send fans sprinting to the nearest Ford dealership like the green flag had just dropped. Between the yellow-letter tires and that checkered, branded stripe stretching down the bed, it was basically a rolling victory lap. The catch. Ford only built 3,000 of them—so if you wanted one, you weren’t just shopping, you were competing..
Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Dodge Dakota Lil Red Express (1990-1992)
If you were in the right place at the right time in the early 1990s you could scoop up one of these little bad boys. Certain dealerships offered an upgrade to the Dakota which called back to the original Lil' Red Express D-series pickup and included a smoke stack which would’ve 100% been an EPA no-no—and so, it was not hooked up to the exhaust at all.
dave_7, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1994 Chevrolet S-10 SS/LS
This version of the popular S-10 was one of the first 90s trucks to move away from the funky & radical offerings of the late 80s and early 90s and move more towards the sleek look that would come to define pickups of the turn of the millennium—before everything turned hulking and macho.
Toyota Hilux (1979-1985)
The first compact truck to offer four-wheel drive, the Hilux was a true workhorse that became beloved the world over for its capability and reliability, making it a great choice for a work truck. While it may not dominate stateside anymore, it’s still one of the best-sellers outside the US.
Tommi Nummelin, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Dodge Dakota R/T (1998-2003)
We promised a lot of Ford Rangers—but ultimately, the Dakotas really gave them a run for their money on this list. As the Radwood era came to a close, Dodge took things up a notch on their Dakota, throwing in a 250-horsepower 5.9-liter V8 engine and all sorts of features that made this truck tougher and heavier-duty than most others on the road at the time.
Jacob Frey 4A, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ford Lightning (1993-1995)
The Lightning was a direct response to the popularity of the Chevrolet 454 SS—and Ford took the challenge seriously, modifying their 5.8-liter small block V8 inside and out with high-performance parts to bring big power to a midsize truck. Impressively, it featured performance handling designed by world-champion driver Jackie Stewart.
Jeep Scrambler (1981-1986)
The Scrambler had that classic Jeep body, recalling its military legacy, with a pickup bed slapped on the back. The Scrambler could handle pretty much any off-road condition, and left quite an impression in the 80s after then-President Ronald Reagan got a blue one in order to tool around in on his ranch.
1992 Mazda B2200
Mazda doesn’t flood the “cool retro truck” conversation, but in the ’80s and ’90s they absolutely made their presence felt. They took the trusty B-series and gave it a proper glow-up—first with the 2.6-liter Mitsubishi-powered B2600, then with the 2.2-liter Mazda inline-four in the B2200. The result was a compact pickup that punched above its weight, earning love from truck fans and nods from reviewers right alongside them.
dave_7, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ford SVT F-150 Lightning (1999-2003)
Definitely post-Radwood era, we’re still including this one because a) it’s cool and b) it started production in ’99. Did it have drawbacks? Yes. Namely, only two seats, poor traction, and really bad fuel economy. But it also had 380 horsepower and 450 lb-feet of torque, so it really provided one heck of a ride.
Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1995 Toyota Tacoma
Debuting in 1995 as formidable competition in the compact pickup category against the Ford Ranger, the Tacoma immediately made waves with its potent engine and smooth ride. The emphasis on comfort and reliability over workload made it a popular choice for first-time truck buyers.
Mliu92, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
1997 Dodge Ram 1500 SS/T
Racing stripes make a car look fast, but do they actually make it go fast? Well, in the case of the Ram 1550 SS/T, they kinda do—since they came with a 5.9-liter V8 to match, which could hit 60 mph in 6.9 seconds.
Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Nissan Hardbody 4X4 (1986-1997)
Nissan changed the game when they introduced the D21 pickup halfway through the year in 1986. It had a sleek design that was really different from what was on the market at the time. It eventually became the basis for the Pathfinder, and they were so reliable that many are still out there still today, chugging along, 30-40 years later.
Chevy/GMC V3500 Crew Cab 4X4 (1988-1991)
Notice the year 1988 popping up a lot on this list? It was a year for experimentation and engineering advancements in trucks—but some, like the V3500s, harked back more to a 70s look. While they took a while to catch on with truck purists, they eventually gained a following.
order_242, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1995 Ford F-150 XLT
There must have been something in the water at Ford in the 1990s. Look up this 1995 gem and you’ll see dozens of people all reporting the same thing—they bought the truck expecting to get a few years’ use out of it, and it’s still going strong 20 or 30 years later. That kind of reliability with the classic looks of a 90s F-150? You’ve got a winning combination.
Hrach Hovhannisyan, Shutterstock
1997 Nissan Navara
Some of you might be asking, “Sorry, the Nissan what now?" The Navara was the collective moniker for Nissan’s D22, D23, and D40 pickups that were built in Navarre in Spain. Unsurprisingly to anyone familiar with European cars, the D22 model was remarkable for the fact that it was just so dang small. So small, in fact, that it was kind of a flop. Later redesigns corrected this error in judgment…somewhat.
adolf martinez soler, Shutterstock
1999 Chevrolet S-10 LS Xtreme
So what came after the Radwood era. According to a lot of truck fans, it was the “Xtreme” era. Chevy kicked things off with its S-10 Xtreme package, adding a low front air dam, lowered bumpers, side cladding, and plenty of chrome to any rear-wheel-drive S-10 willing to play along. Before long, other automakers jumped in with similar looks and trim packages, and suddenly pickups were less about trail dust and more about curb appeal.
Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1998 GMC Sierra 1500
We can’t mention the next entry on this list without first mentioning the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500—which was remarkable for all the wrong reasons. Sure, it looked like almost any other Sierra (as in, good) but when buyers took them home, complaints flooded in about mileage, performance, and handling.
1999 GMC Sierra 2500 SL
Was this the beginning of the end for pickup trucks? As in—the shift from actual working trucks to luxury vehicles meant to cart around a family? With the 1999 Sierra, GMC sought to become a luxury truck manufacturer, which is reflected in the roomy cab and body mods that reduced vibrations for a smoother ride. It certainly looks like a million bucks—but it definitely was one part of the changing face of pickups, and of pickup consumers.
SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
1990 Rod Hall Signature Edition Dodge
Racer Rod Hall teamed up with Carroll Shelby and Chevrolet to build this special edition based on the Ram 150. It featured ultra-cool stripes, pre-runner bumpers, and Rod Hall race lights—but strangely enough, came with a somewhat weak engine that didn’t quite match up with the speedy reputation of its namesake. This may be one of the rarest entries on this list, as only 33 were built.
Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1999 Toyota Tundra
The Tundra is one of the most popular pickups on the road today—but all the way back in 1999, it was just entering the market for the first time. It was an instant success and also made leaps and bounds for truck safety, as it was the first truck to get a grade of "Good" in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s annual frontal offset crash test.
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