3rd door question

[AzDon]

Later model c-1500 extra-cab pickups have the third suicide-opening door on the passenger side because the rear seat is meant to actually carry passengers. The same third door on an s-10 is on the driver side because the factory believed that the rear area of an s-10 cab was really too small for passengers and that the door would, instead, be used as driver access to throw bags, tools, etc, behind the seat before departure.

I'd bet that the lack of a fourth door on the burbs was strictly a cost-cutting measure. Only one door was needed for rear-seat access and, without it, the burb could be priced cheaper. Looking at the way the inner structure of the fourth door is already included, it's hard to say how much was actually saved, but they stuck with their decision through six model years. In 1973, the Suburban wasn't easily purchased less than fully equipped. The new body style came with a definite change in marketing strategy.