'67-'69 GMC 4X4 Pickups

[Bob B.]

There was a question regarding '69 GMC pickups with V-6 engines the other day and in looking for an answer I stumbled across something interesting about '67-'69 GMC 4X4 pickups. According to all sales brochures I looked at and the '67 and '68 Data Books, it appears that neither the 250 or 292 was available in a 4X4 1500 or 2500 pickup. All 4X4 pickup models during these years were either KE (V-8) or KM (V-6). No KS models is listed at all, except for panels and Suburbans which were available with the 250 or the 292 (but no V-6). Now I am trying to remember if I have ever seen a '67 to '69 GMC 4X4 pickup with a straight 6 and I can't remember ever seeing one. Chevy's yes. Maybe it's true? I am sure there were Oshawa-build Canadian KS pickups built, but has anyone ever seen a domestic built example?

[dagnabbitt]

There is a lot of apocryphal GMC lore out there... like how they came standard with leaf springs, so they were the preferred truck for farmers. Seems unlikely, but then again every farmer I knew drove a GMC and they all had leafs. So maybe in the US they all came with a V8, to retain their reputation for being the "tough" GM truck. I think you will find out soon from a member if they did or not.

My 67 K2500 came with a 292, but being an Oshawa truck, that does not help to verify or disprove the theory about the US-built ones.

(Edit: being a Canadian truck it is actually a "920")

[Bob B.]

Here in the U.S., '67 and '68 GMC pickups did come standard with rear leaf springs on 4X2 models. In '69 coils became standard with leafs optional, as they had been on Chevys. Just one of those things about GMC's (like V-6 engines) that made them a bit different than Chevys. Oshawa built GMC's were for the most part Chevy trucks with GMC grilles and emblems. I have never seen an Oshawa pickup with a V-6 in it for example. Thanks for posting that SPID.

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by Bob B.

Here in the U.S., '67 and '68 GMC pickups did come standard with rear leaf springs on 4X2 models. In '69 coils became standard with leafs optional, as they had been on Chevys. Just one of those things about GMC's (like V-6 engines) that made them a bit different than Chevys. Oshawa built GMC's were for the most part Chevy trucks with GMC grilles and emblems. I have never seen an Oshawa pickup with a V-6 in it for example. Thanks for posting that SPID.

They did things differently in Oshawa, I think they were limited in some ways and needed to make some decisions. I have a 68 C20 with all kinds of weird options that were discontinued a few years earlier in the US. Our Canadian thriftiness, I think. Got to use all the parts of the buffalo, or Buffalo Spirit will be displeased.

I also have never seen an Oshawa truck with the V6, wish we could confirm that they were never offered.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

Got to use all the parts of the buffalo, or Buffalo Spirit will be displeased.

Wakan Tonka-- big Manitou.