What truck had the first crew cab?
There is no single model universally recognized as the first crew cab. Four-door pickup cabs appeared in various forms from the mid-20th century onward, and the modern four-door crew cab became common only as manufacturers refined packaging in the late 20th century.
In this article, we explore what defines a crew cab, why historians and enthusiasts debate the very first occurrence, and how the concept evolved—from early experimental and coachbuilt trucks to today’s widespread four-door pickups. We also examine how the distinction between “crew cab” and related configurations has affected buyers and the market.
Defining a crew cab and how it differs from related layouts
A crew cab is a pickup truck with four full-size doors and two rows of seating, designed to comfortably transport adults in both the front and rear seats. This contrasts with earlier or alternative configurations such as two-door cabs, extended cabs with smaller rear doors, or commercial/fleet-only trucks that did not provide full rear seating space. The terminology can vary by market and by brand, which is part of why pinning down a singular “first” model is tricky.
Why terminology matters
Some brands used terms like “crew,” “crew cab,” “quad cab,” or “double cab” to describe four-door layouts, while others used internal codes that didn’t always align with market terminology. As a result, early examples are sometimes categorized differently by historians and enthusiasts, which complicates identifying a single first crew cab.
Early experiments and prototypes
Several automakers and coachbuilders tested four-door configurations on pickups or light trucks before the format became mainstream. Most early efforts were limited runs, concept studies, or conversions rather than mass-market products.
- 1930s–1950s: Coachbuilt or aftermarket four-door cabs appeared on some light trucks and fleet vehicles in limited numbers. These were often custom or fleet-oriented and did not establish a uniform factory option across a model line.
- 1960s–early 1970s: A handful of manufacturers explored four-door layouts on select models or markets, sometimes as special orders or regional offerings. These experiments helped demonstrate the viability of four-door pickups but remained far from widespread.
- Comparative note: During these decades, many buyers relied on two-door cabs with aftermarket modifications or relied on extended-cab concepts that offered extra rear-seat space but not four full doors on every trim level.
Taken together, these early efforts show that the idea of a four-door pickup existed well before it became a mass-market standard, and many of the earliest examples were niche or regional rather than global production.
Mature production and the late-20th-century shift
As consumer preferences evolved toward family-friendly pickups and crew-oriented cabins, manufacturers increasingly offered four-door configurations as standard or widely available options. The late 1990s marked a turning point when four full doors became commonplace on full-size pickups around the world, and the layout became the default choice for most buyers seeking rear-seat access and interior comfort.
- Late 1990s: Four-door crew-cab configurations become widely available on major full-size pickups, with brands such as Ford, Chevrolet/GMC, and Dodge Ram offering four full doors as a standard or widely offered option. This period solidified the crew cab as a mainstream choice for buyers seeking interior space and rear-seat practicality.
- 2000s: The crew cab dominates the market in new full-size pickups in many regions, while some midsize pickups begin offering four-door layouts to broaden appeal and maintain competitive interior space.
- Present day: Four full doors on a pickup are now the norm in many markets, with multiple trim levels and configurations that emphasize rear-seat comfort, cargo versatility, and overall cabin quality.
As production matured, four-door crew cabs transitioned from novelty or premium options to the standard configuration for most full-size pickups. The industry embraced the crew cab as a practical norm, and by the early 2000s it was the default setup for many models across major brands.
In practice, the late-20th-century shift to widespread four-door crew cabs reshaped what buyers expect from pickups, turning a practical option into a default feature across most large-truck lineups.
The cultural and market impact
Today’s crew-cab pickups are central to how many people use trucks—for work, family commuting, and weekend adventure. The availability of four full doors and a comfortable rear seat has influenced everything from interior design and materials to safety features and in-cabin technology. While the exact “first crew cab” remains debated, the impact of the four-door layout on both consumer behavior and truck design is clear: it expanded the utility and appeal of pickups far beyond traditional workhorse roles.
Summary
- The first crew cab is not universally agreed upon; early four-door pickup concepts existed in the mid-20th century, but they were not standardized or widely produced.
- Four-door, full-size rear seating became mainstream only in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when major manufacturers adopted the format across their full-size pickup lines.
- Today, the crew cab is the default configuration in most markets for full-size pickups, reflecting evolving consumer needs for space, comfort, and versatility.
What was the first year of the Chevy Crew Cab truck?
1973
Chevy's First Crew Cab: 1973-1983 Square-Body Pickup
The first Chevy pickups with a passenger-side mirror as standard equipment, the square bodies were launched on TV and offered the first Crew Cab (on a 164.5-inch wheelbase) dual-rear-wheel pickup (Big Dooley).
What year did Dodge start making crew cab trucks?
For 1963, Dodge introduced a four-door crew-cab version of the D series, becoming the first "Big Three" American manufacturer to market a factory-produced truck with two rows of seating (following the 1961 introduction of the International Travelette).
What was the first year ford made a crew cab truck?
1965
1965… the first year ford produced their own crew cabs. Prior to 1965 they were all coach built.
Who made the first crew cab truck?
International Harvester created the first crew cab pickup truck in 1957 with the Travelette. Dodge followed in 1963, Ford in 1965, and Chevrolet in 1973.
- 1957: International Harvester introduces the Travelette, the first crew cab pickup in the U.S.
- 1963: Dodge begins producing a crew cab version of its D series trucks.
- 1965: Ford enters the crew cab market.
- 1973: Chevrolet begins offering a crew cab model.
