Chevrolet C/K
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The C/K was the name for Chevrolet's full-size pickup truck line from 1962 until 1998 and GMC's full-size pickup line from 1962-1988. The first Chevrolet pickup truck appeared in 1924, though in-house designs did not appear until 1930. "C" trucks had two-wheel drive while "K" models had four-wheel drive. The C/K light-duty pickup was replaced with the GMC Sierra in 1988 and the Chevrolet Silverado in 1999; the Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD heavy-duty pickups followed in 2001.
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[edit] 1962-1966
1962 C/K trucks were available in smooth "Fleetside" or fendered "Stepside" versions. GMC called these "Wideside" and "Fenderside." Half-ton models were the C10 and K10 short-bed trucks, and C15 and K15 long-bed trucks. The 3/4 ton C20 and K20, as well as the one-ton C30, were also available. GMC did not use the "C" nomenclature, though their 4x4 versions had the "K" designation. The 1962 model used torsion bar front suspension, with trailing arm suspension rear. Trim lines were base and "Custom." Engines included 135 hp (101 kW) 236 in³ (3.9 L) and 150 hp (112 kW) 261 in³ (4.3 L) straight-6s, and a 283 in³ (4.6 L) V8 with 160 hp (119 kW). GMC trucks were also offered with the 305 in³ (5.0 L) V8 engine, which ranged in power from 125 hp (93 kW) to 142 hp (106 kW).
A coil-spring front suspension came in 1963 along with a new base engine, a 140 hp (104 kW) 230 in³ (3.8 L) I6, and an optional 165 hp (123 kW) 292 in³ (4.8 L) I6. The cab was changed for 1964, with elimination of the "wraparound" windshield and a new front grill design, along with various interior changes. Air conditioning and a 220 hp (164 kW) 327 in³ (5.4 L) V8 came in 1965. A new base engine finished the model in 1966 with a 155 hp (116 kW) 250 in³ (4.1 L) I6.
[edit] 1967-1972
A new, more modern look came in 1967. It was with this revision of the C/K truck that General Motors began to market trucks as general transportation rather than as work vehicles and nothing else. One 1968 magazine ad ran with the line "A Chevy pickup is built to be womanhandled." This was evident throughout its construction; the majority of half-ton 1967-1972 trucks were shipped with a coil spring trailing arm rear suspension, which greatly improved the ride over traditional leaf springs. However, leaf spring rear suspension was available on all trucks; four-wheel drive models had leaf springs on both axles.
In 1968, the 283 in³ (4.6 L) V8 was replaced with a 307 in³ (5.0 L) and a 310 hp 396 in³ (6.5 L) V8 was offered for the first time. Side-marker reflectors were added and the small rear window cab was no longer available. The GMC grille was revised, with the letters "GMC" no longer embossed in the horizontal crossbar.
1969 saw a new V8 engine: a 255 hp 350 in³ (5.7 L). Along with the new engine came a new grille design for Chevrolet trucks and a more upright hood for both Chevrolet and GMC trucks. A utility variant known as the K5 Blazer was also introduced with a shorter wheelbase of 104 inches. The GMC version, known as the Jimmy, was introduced the same year.
The only noticeable change for 1970 was a minor update to the Chevrolet grille.
Several changes occurred in 1971. First came another new grille design for Chevrolet trucks and black paint over portions of the GMC grille. Second, an additional trim package was introduced, the Cheyenne. On GMC models, this was referred to as the Sierra. These packages consisted mostly of comfort features — nicer interiors, AM/FM radios, and two-tone paint with side molding options. Finally, the front brakes on all trucks were switched from drum brakes to disc brakes, resulting in much less brake fade under heavy use. While all prior C/K half-ton trucks had used a six-lug bolt pattern (6 x 5.5") for the wheels, two-wheel-drive models switched to a five-lug pattern (5 lugs — 5 inch bolt circle) common to Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Cadillac passenger cars. The 1/2 ton 4 x 4 retained the 6 lug bolt pattern. This bolt pattern would remain the standard through the end of the C/K series (along with the Chevrolet/GMC vans).
1972 models were virtually identical to 1971 models with the only change being that the rear view mirror was glued to the windshield instead of being bolted to top of the cab.
[edit] 1973-1987
The completely new 1973 version would last 14 years (with two slightly different body styles) without a major redesign -- this would help keep resale values high. It was also the basis of the longest lasting Suburban body as well, as the 81-87 front end style lasted until 1991 in the fullsize Blazer and Suburban. The roof drip rails now hugged the door rather than around the roof. It had a longer wheelbase — 117.5 in for short-bed and 131.5 in for long-bed. A crew cab was introduced on a super-long 164.5 in wheelbase, the "3+3." For the four wheel drive trucks, a real all wheel drive system was added as an option in the early years (NP203 transfer case), but went to part time 4 wheel drive (NP205 and NP208 transfer case) in the early '80s. Engines were a 100 hp (75 kW) 250 in³ (4.1 L) I6, a 350 in³ V8, and a 240 hp (179 kW) 454 in³ (7.4 L) V8. A four wheel drive one-ton truck was added in 1977, and a 350 in³ Oldsmobile LF9 Diesel V8 was added in 1978.
1975 introduced two important names as trim lines, Silverado for Chevrolet and Sierra for GMC. In order, the new trim lines for Chevrolet and GMC were:
- Custom Deluxe/Sierra — base model. Rubber floor mat, no door panel carpet, no headliner.
- Scottsdale/Sierra Grande — cloth seats and chrome trim. No Carpet or headliner.
- Cheyenne/High Sierra — more sound deadening and chrome.
- Silverado/Sierra Classic — wood (brushed aluminum on 1981-87) interior accents, carpeting, and more chrome. The "Country Cadillac."
The revised 1981 model had a new 160 hp (119 kW) 305 in³ (5.0 L) V8, with the 250 and 292 in³ (4.1 and 4.8 L) I6, 350 in³ (5.7 L) V8, and 454 in³ (7.4 L) V8 also available. A 6.2 L Detroit Diesel V8 debuted in 1982, and the Vortec 4300 was introduced as the base engine in 1985. In 1987, Chevrolet mysteriously changed the "C" designation to "R" and the "K" to "V" (in response to the introduction of the GMT400 platform in April 1987), but these switched back the very next year for the GMT400 design. The R/V designation remained in use for the crewcab bodies and SUVs (Chevrolet K5 Blazer and Suburban) until 1991.
The basis for Chevy's slogan, "The Most Dependable, Longest Lasting Trucks on the Road," the 73-87 Chevy/GMC pickup is the most common "old truck" seen today, and for good reason -- they are simple, servicable, reliable, and like all Chevys, have the power to get the job done.
[edit] 1988-1999
Introduced in April 1987 as 1988 models (known as the GMT400 platform), there were 10 different versions of the C/K line for 1988: Fleetside, Fleetside Extended Cab, Fleetside W/T, Sportside, and Sportside Extended Cab, each in either 2WD (C) or 4WD (K) drivelines. Engines were a 160 hp (119 kW) 4.3 L V6 or a 210 hp (157 kW) 5.7 L V8. A 230 hp (172 kW) 7.4 L V8 came in 1990, and a 175 hp (130 kW) 5.0 L V8 added in 1994. The Vortec V8s were introduced in 1996, with power boosts across the board for the gasoline V6 and V8 engines. A 6.5 L 180 hp (134 kW) diesel V8 replaced the 6.2 in 1993. 3- and 4-speed automatic transmissions were offered, with the 3-speed dropped in 1992.
This platform was one of two where the traditional small-block Chevrolet V8 was last used (the G-series van was the last platform using the small block until the end of the 2002 model year).
The GMT800 platform was introduced in 1999 although the GMT400 platform was produced until the 2000 model year in response to fleet sales.
[edit] See also
- Chevrolet Silverado — Chevrolet's new full-size pickup
- Chevrolet S10 — Chevrolet's compact pickup
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