“I Walked Into the Ford Dealer, Asked For the Dumbest F-150 With the Biggest Engine, I Left My Bronco Sport and Drove Home In This Dream F-150 XL Regular Cab”

See why this Ford owner is leading a revolt against high-tech pickups, and why he chose the ultimate 'unicorn' single-cab F-150 truck that no one else wants. Is he dumb or smart?

Imagine standing on a dealership lot, surrounded by the modern state of the American pickup truck. To your left is a $90,000 limited-edition model with massaging leather seats and a tailgate that folds six different ways. To your right is a "family hauler" Crew Cab with a bed so short it can barely fit a bicycle. You have $50,000 in your pocket, and you don’t want a computer on wheels. You want a truck.

For years, the industry has pushed buyers toward bigger cabs, smaller beds, and higher technology. But a resistance is forming. A growing underground of enthusiasts is walking into dealerships and demanding the impossible: simplicity and displacement.

I have been covering this resurgence of the "Regular Cab" movement here at Torque News, tracking the stories of owners who are fighting the trend. While many have to special-order their "unicorns" to get what they want, one Ford F-150 owner sums up this entire philosophy in a single, perfect sentence that is rallying the community.

The "Dumbest Truck" Is The Ultimate Dream

Randy Murawski is not interested in BlueCruise, panoramic sunroofs, or hybrid powertrains. He is a member of the Ford F-150 Owners Facebook page, and his recent story strikes a chord because it cuts through the marketing fluff of the modern automotive industry.

Randy’s approach was refreshingly blunt. He didn't want a status symbol; he wanted a machine.

“I walked into the dealership and asked for the dumbest truck with the biggest engine,” Randy says. “Traded in my Bronco Sport and got my dream truck. That was three years ago, and it’s been great ever since. It’s a ‘23 XL regular cab (obviously) with an 8ft bed. I took off the 4x4 sticker and added the 5.0 Coyote strips to the hood. Makes it look just a little bit longer than it already is. As well, I added black wheel covers as a cheap alternative until I can find new wheels I like.”

There is a lot of wisdom in Randy's request for the "dumbest truck." In the current era of automotive manufacturing, "dumb" is a compliment. It means fewer sensors to fail, fewer modules to glitch, and a lower cost of ownership. By trading in a Bronco Sport, a popular lifestyle SUV, for a Regular Cab Long Bed (RCLB), Randy returned to the roots of what a truck is supposed to be.

But the key to his happiness is the second half of his request: "The biggest engine."

Randy secured the 5.0-liter Coyote V8. In an XL trim truck, which is significantly lighter than the ubiquitous Crew Cabs, that engine turns a work truck into a sleeper. By removing the 4x4 sticker and adding the "Coyote" strips, Randy is signaling to those in the know that this isn't just a fleet vehicle; it's a personalized, V8-powered cruiser. He proves that you don't need a Raptor R to have a dream truck; you just need the right configuration and the right attitude.

The GMC Sierra "Unicorn": Building What You Can't Buy

Randy was lucky enough to find his dream, or order it simply, but for GMC enthusiasts, getting a similar "dumb truck" with a cool aesthetic is much harder. If you want a truck that breaks the mold, you often have to force the factory to build it.

That is exactly what Todd D. Taylor did with his new 2026 GMC Sierra Pro. Todd’s truck is what we in the industry call a "unicorn." It’s a Sand Dune Metallic, Regular Cab, Short Bed (RCSB) model, a configuration that effectively doesn't exist in dealer stock.

Todd recently shared his story with the 2019 to 2026 Chevy Silverado & GMC Sierra Owners community, stating, "I just got my new ride, a 2026 GMC Sierra Pro, Sand Dune, Short Bed, Regular Cab. This is my third, and it's super rare, but this unicorn is not for everyone."

Todd’s truck is a contradiction that confuses the average inventory manager. It mixes utility with sport aesthetics. It’s a "Pro" trim, which typically implies a fleet vehicle, yet it wears "Sand Dune," a premium enthusiast color usually reserved for high-dollar off-road trims like the AT4. But the specific detail that drove Todd to special order this truck was the bumpers.

"I'm not giving up my black bumpers," Todd insisted.

In the current market, higher trims force you into body-colored bumpers or chrome packages. To get the rugged, tactical, matte-black bumper look on a 2026 Sierra, you generally have to stick with the Pro trim. Todd kept the spec pure to achieve an aggressive street-truck look that no sales manager would ever gamble on stocking.

Like Randy with his F-150, Todd is avoiding the "tech trap." By sticking to the Pro trim, he minimizes the points of failure. He doesn’t have Super Cruise sensors; he just has a truck. And for many of us, that simplicity is the ultimate reliability upgrade.

The "Forbidden Fruit": The Chevy Silverado Dream

While Randy got his F-150 and Todd successfully built his GMC, other enthusiasts are dreaming of a configuration that General Motors simply refuses to build. Todd Watts, another vocal member of the enthusiast community, recently sparked a massive debate by calling out Chevrolet for missing a golden opportunity.

"I really wish Chevrolet would make a two-wheel drive Silverado standard cab with a 6.2L engine," Watts said. "That would be one sick option in my opinion."

Watts understands the fundamentals of performance: power-to-weight ratio. The Regular Cab Standard Bed is the lightest platform in the Silverado lineup.

Eliminating the Crew Cab structure sheds hundreds of pounds, significantly lowering curb weight. Pairing that minimal mass with the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 L87 V8, a monster producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, would create a genuine modern muscle truck. It would channel the spirit of the legendary 454 SS or the GMC Syclone.

So, why won’t GM build it?

The answer comes down to cold business logic. The 6.2L V8 is a high-margin engine. GM justifies its exclusivity by bundling it into expensive Crew Cab trucks loaded with high-profit features. Selling the "beast" engine in a stripped-down, low-cost Regular Cab would undercut their average transaction price.

Furthermore, Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards make it difficult to justify putting a thirsty V8 in a lighter, cheaper, high-volume truck class.

Instead, enthusiasts are left to dream or to take matters into their own hands with aftermarket superchargers on the 5.3L V8. It’s a frustration that defines the current era of truck ownership: the manufacturers have the parts to build our dream trucks, but the business case keeps them out of reach.

When The Dream Has A Defect

The desire for a simple, high-power single cab is strong, but the reality of owning a modern truck, even a simple one, can be a mixed bag of joy and frustration.

I recently reported on Brian Wills, who, like Randy, took delivery of a special-order 2025 Ford F-150 XL Regular Cab Short Bed. Brian calls it a "rare bird," and for good reason. He optioned it with the 5.0-liter "Coyote" V8, creating what he describes as "practically an all-wheel-drive Mustang GT" with a bed.

However, Brian’s experience highlights the risks of ordering a "Friday afternoon" truck. Within ten days of ownership, he found himself shaking his head at a serious fit-and-finish defect. A significant, unsightly gap in the door where the front window molding meets the black molding marred his $40,000 dream truck. "It’s so stupid that it bugs me," Brian admitted. "I can't believe Ford hasn't fixed it yet."

Despite the quality control issues, the allure of the powertrain remains undeniable. Brian notes that despite the gap, "Everything runs great. I beat the crap out of some Mustangs... this thing is just simply made."

This sentiment, loving the truck's mechanical soul while tolerating its quirks, is the thread that connects all these owners. Whether it is Randy stripping stickers off his XL, Todd Taylor fighting for black bumpers, or Brian dealing with panel gaps, they are all prioritizing the drive over the luxury.

The Verdict: The Customer Is Still King (If You Have Patience)

What connects Randy Murawski’s "dumb" F-150, Todd Taylor’s GMC Sierra, and Todd Watts’ Chevy dream? It is the refusal to accept the industry's push toward generic, do-it-all family vehicles.

These owners prove that the "truck" as a utilitarian performance machine is not dead; it has just gone underground. You won’t find these vehicles on the front line of your local dealership. You have to hunt for allocations, fight for specs, or peel off stickers to get the look you want.

If you are inspired by Randy's story to walk in and demand the "dumbest truck with the biggest engine," here is my advice: Do not expect to drive one home that day. You need to take control of the process. Go to the configurator, build your spec, and print it out. Ask your dealer specifically about "allocations" for Regular Cabs. And be prepared to wait.

As these owners have shown, the factory might send you a truck with a panel gap, or you might have to swap your own wheels to get the look right. But when you finally turn that key and hear a V8 roar in a truck that weighs 1,000 pounds less than the Crew Cab next to you at the stoplight, you’ll know it was worth the trouble.

What about you? Would you buy a "dumb truck with a big engine" if the factories made them easier to find? Let us know in the comments below.

With over 30 years of industry experience, Denis Flierl brings an insider’s perspective to Torque News, where he has been a Senior Reporter since 2012. Before picking up the pen, Denis consulted for the automotive industry's biggest brands and honed his skills as a test driver. He cuts through the noise to deliver the latest auto news, compelling owner stories, and the expert analysis necessary to navigate today's changing automotive market.

Have a tip or question? Follow me on X @DenisFlierl and @WorldsCoolestRides, or connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Randy Murawski