difference between GMC & Chevy

[dudevato]

I recently got a '73 GMC 3/4 ton
I'm under the impression the only differences between the 2 trucks
are the shape/spelling on the trim & emblems
and I guess the patterns on the door panels/seats -decorative trim on the sheetmetal
is it that simple?
I guess the GMC's have a plain valve cover instead of the Chevrolet imprinted ones

There are a Lot more GMC's out there than I thought - thanks

[GSP7]

GMCs had Pontiac motors.

Oh wait, that was the '50s

[Zach079xxx]

It's different trim packages / emblems. They were made on the same factory line, and I believe reading on here that a truck was being assembled and the drivers side fender had a chevy emblem installed while the passenger side fender had a GMC emblem, or vice versa. Pretty cool! I have a GMC, either is A ok in my booklet.

[andrewmp6]

The trim is pretty much it but for a few years gmc was stamped on the tailgate and other small things like that.

[KQQL IT]

My 73 is morphed into both, gmc cab and frame doors quarters dash are chevy stuff...
And all bolted together

[andrewmp6]

If gm didn't make two trucks they would be the number 1 truck maker for years.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Zach079xxx

It's different trim packages / emblems. They were made on the same factory line, and I believe reading on here that a truck was being assembled and the drivers side fender had a chevy emblem installed while the passenger side fender had a GMC emblem, or vice versa. Pretty cool! I have a GMC, either is A ok in my booklet.

Just one?

K

[dudevato]

thanks to all who've posted answering my question - it's now clear

[CSHADES]

I was always told the difference is the GMC has lock washers and the Chevy doesn't. (old joke)

[77 ChevySport]

JMHO: Comparing a Chevrolet and GMC is very similiar to comparing a Mustang and a
Mercury Cougar. We have all heard the general arguments that they where made on the same line/same engines and etc. But everybody knows that the Mustang is more popular and wanted and valued more from the general public as time goes on from when it was new.
The same applies to the Chevrolet vs. GMC. You can see this on any car lot or auction.
The Chevrolet will always demand more money and attention (Given the same type of truck/options/condition and etc.) as time goes on from new. Look at any truck/car price guide to confirm this.The day is shortly coming that the only pickup from GM will be the Chevrolet. Larry>Again JMHO

[Zach079xxx]

Yes, just one lol I'm living at home once I'm graduated from college and have my own garage I'll have the space to wrench on more!

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Just one?

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Zach079xxx

Yes, just one lol I'm living at home once I'm graduated from college and have my own garage I'll have the space to wrench on more!

No - I meant "just one" was built with Chevy on one side and GMC on the other?

It was a fairly regular occurrence, and easy to understand why when you see the build process.

Roughly every ninth vehicle on the line was a GMC. The fenders, hoods and rad support/grille were all built up and trimmed out in a separate, remote area of the plant - per the build manifest - and conveyed in sequence to the main line. Nobody saw both sides of the build at that point so it wasn't obvious that anything had been screwed up until all those pieces came together on the final line (at which point it became painfully obvious).

Line rate was 60 jobs per hour, or one complete truck every minute. That's why it was so easy to mess up: you'd get in the "zone" after your 300th truck that day and if you weren't specifically paying attention you'd likely put a Chevy emblem on a GMC, just from being on autopilot.



K

[Zach079xxx]

Oh I'm sorry, I misunderstood. Nah I didn't mean that it's only happened once lol like you said, you get into the zone and accidents happen. Love to know how many got onto lots before finding out. My parents were a Chevy dealer from the 70s till 06' maybe I'll see if they ran into it.

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

No - I meant "just one" was built with Chevy on one side and GMC on the other?

It was a fairly regular occurrence, and easy to understand why when you see the build process.

Roughly every ninth vehicle on the line was a GMC. The fenders, hoods and rad support/grille were all built up and trimmed out in a separate, remote area of the plant - per the build manifest - and conveyed in sequence to the main line. Nobody saw both sides of the build at that point so it wasn't obvious that anything had been screwed up until all those pieces came together on the final line (at which point it became painfully obvious).

Line rate was 60 jobs per hour, or one complete truck every minute. That's why it was so easy to mess up: you'd get in the "zone" after your 300th truck that day and if you weren't specifically paying attention you'd likely put a Chevy emblem on a GMC, just from being on autopilot.



K

[Trust_me]

Good info

[Trust_me]

In my opinion GMC better than Chevy truck

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Trust_me

In my opinion GMC better than Chevy truck

What makes it better? I really want to hear this.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

What makes it better? I really want to hear this.

I was curious about that, too.

K

[Shugalou]

If GMC was 1 in 9 going down the line wouldn't that mean that there are fewer available thus making them more rare and increasing their value.

I have a GMC but I usually say it's Chev - exact same thing if you ask me

[Trust_me]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

What makes it better? I really want to hear this.

The general style front grill , emblems, hubcaps, step side tail gate and more thinks.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Trust_me

The general style front grill , emblems, hubcaps, step side tail gate and more thinks.

Originally Posted by Shugalou

If GMC was 1 in 9 going down the line wouldn't that mean that there are fewer available thus making them more rare and increasing their value.

I have a GMC but I usually say it's Chev - exact same thing if you ask me

I have owned several GMCs and Chevy trucks so I am not basing my response on personal bias. There were still a LOT of them built for both brands. I love the GMC styling, but because the production numbers were lower, fewer companies make GMC specific replacement parts.

Regardless of perceived rarity, the GMC truck is the same truck as a Chevrolet excluding the badging. A GMC is no better than, or worse than a Chevrolet, its the exact SAME TRUCK.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Shugalou

If GMC was 1 in 9 going down the line wouldn't that mean that there are fewer available thus making them more rare and increasing their value.

"Rarer" does not necessarily equate to more desireable, or an increase in value.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Regardless of perceived rarity, the GMC truck is the same truck as a Chevrolet excluding the badging. A GMC is no better than, or worse than a Chevrolet, its the exact SAME TRUCK.

Agree; It is exactly the same truck:

RPO X88 = Chevrolet name plate conversion
RPO Z88 = GMC name plate conversion

Those are applied to the same base model.

K

[Sabaka454]

I absolutely love the 73-74 GMC's and would prefer it over the Chevy of that vintage in any body style.



There are subtle unique differences like the rectangular badges, the grille and brackets specific to the GMC. Lot's of them had wood grain inside and out. Most of the ones I have seen that were GMC's have been heavily optioned and lot's of them I've come across seemed to be big block trucks. They're just not as common as the Chevy's and are bad ass. No doubt they are essentially the same thing but my heart lies with GMC

[Junqueboi]

To further blur the lines between GMC and Chevrolet, here's the SPID on one of the two trucks I bought last weekend. Scottsdale on a GMC The line workers must have figured it out as it has its proper "Sierra Grande" dash & fender emblems. Sorry for the stupid-big photo...