gmc vs. chevy?

[OhioDan]

The first truck I got, and still have is a 1970 GMC. While in the restoration process, I could've changed it to a Chevy because if the parts availability. Can't count the boneyards I've scrounged/visited/bought from, to keep it a GMC. After all that, now they're coming out with aftermarket parts for everything I've picked up for mine.(Da**it) I've bought Chevys all my life until this GMC, and I've had it so long, I just don't wanna part with it. Hmmmm, maybe hand it down to my grandson when he gets driving age?

[1969 GMC]

Pre-'67, GMC trucks actually were better made than Chevrolets, and they were made on different assembly lines. Pre '60 it is even easier to tell the difference. For '67 on up, GMC's are rebadged Chevies, and vice versa, all made on the same assembly lines with only minor cosmetic differences, eg front clips and trim design. 69 or 70 was the last year for the 305 V6 in light trucks, and 68 was the last year for the 351 V6, which were the only GMC-specific engines.

[7gmc2]

a 351 v6? never seen one of those...that is a big v6! i wonder if they dropped it because of the ford ( sorry for curseing there! )( lol! ) 351 v8?

[Palf70Step]

I'm OK with either. I like my 70 Chevy's look I think the best, but the GMC are very close. I probably would have swapped mine to GMC if I thought about it longer, but since I have all good chevy parts now I'm sticking with that. Of course, who knows what might happen down the road to this or another truck.

[GMan69]

Until recently, I've much preferred the look of the , especially the '67 and '68. Now, if I were looking to buy, I'd gladly take either one. The has grown on me.

[longhorn70gmc]

My Favorite TRUCK is the 68 Chevy Suburbin. The front end is so aggresive looking and attractive. I would even trade my GMC Longhorn for one of these. However, I really like the 67 GMC grill with the Logo stamped on it. The Gmc grill period really says to everyone at shows, please look at me. Especially when polished and chrome looking. My answer to this is I'm stuck on both styles. I do however seem to sway more toward GMC.s. Outstanding POST!!!!! These Trucks are just awesome! Both Chevy's and GMC's.
Regards,
Longhorn70gmc

[68 Suburban]

Originally Posted by longhorn70gmc

My Favorite TRUCK is the 68 Chevy Suburbin.

You have very good taste!!

[zooza]

lets really get this post going! Short bed or long bed or or wait fleets vs, stepsides
Bottom line is ... we have the coolest trucks ever and they will never make one better so LIVE IT UP!!

[7gmc2]

i'm glad that some of are coming out to speak of behalf of gmc's. i have sat around looking at all the posts and wondered WHY? WHY is no one speaking on their behalf. is there a dirty little secret or some amount of shame? i say NO! i love my gmc. i also say i find no faults is chevy as well. just over played and over done but still love them also none the less. i feel that gmc's have been overlooked and their present value will climb as fewer and fewer are left or seen for that matter. HELP the cause and restore a GMC as a GMC!

[stickshift_or_walk]

I grew up with Chevys, but have always considered GMC's part of the family. If I had two similar trucks to choose from, either Chevy or GMC, the deciding factor would lie in the condition of the truck, NOT the brand. With EVERYTHING else equal, hypothetically of course, I'd take the GMC for the reason of uniqueness, as others have said.

As far as looks go, I like the two grilles about the same on the '67-72's, but IMO GMC has left Chevy behind in the grille department over the last 20 years. Especially in the '88 and ups, the GMC front ends do it for me, hands down.

Check the stable - I own 'em both, and will continue to do so.

Keep it shiny side up...SSOW OR

['68OrangeSunshine]

Until I bought one ['71 GMC Jimmy 4x4 K/1500 V8 350/ SM465 /NP205 / D44 /12-bolt Posi rear 3.73] I was always partial to the Chevy line.
When scouting the junkyards for parts, however, I noticed that the higher grade parts were on the GMCs. A couple of trannies, a fender, and a 12-bolt posi for my '68 Chevy C/10 stepside -- all came off GMCs. But, when a deer- strike tweaked the front clip of my '67 Chevy K/10 Sub, I drew the line at swapping in a GMC grille.
I'm not sure that GMCs were better built in the 67/72 vintage -- more likely that GMCs were fleet trucks and retired early in their duty cycle (maybe because a company folded), rather than run ragged by a series of used truck owners like some Chevy trucks.
Since my first truck was a '68 Chevy, the fact that even later ['69-'72] GMC body parts will fit is a big consideration for me.
In the fronts of '71-'72s I much prefer the steel grille to the plastic eggcrate on structural grounds -- although it would be cool to custom fab an "ice tray" grille out of real aluminum slats for a '72 K/5 project in the far future. My '71 Jimmy has a white face -- not sure if it's a replacement unit... My Jimmy has some funky PO mods like '73- mirrors, '79 F-car buckets, and '73- tailgate trim panel.
As far as the 7" X 2 vs. 5 1/4" X 4 headlighting: I have mixed feelings. I like the simplicity of the 7" set-up. More reliable, easier to fix and focus. However when you get blasted by the brights of some jerk on a lonely country road and you're still at low beams -- then stomping the bright switch gives some sweet revenge. At high beam GMCs rule.
A kid in my high school once joked that the letters "GMC" stood for Government Model Chevrolet -- since they had the rep for being overbuilt and overpriced. This was back in the day when the govt was allegedly paying $300 for a toilet seat and $25 for a single stainless steel bolt.
My own military experience at qualifying on the " 1/2 -3/4 ton Commercial Vehicle" at MCAS Cherry Point, NC in 1974 was that the motor pool had 4 or 5 Chevys to every 1 GMC.
There were 2 types of GMC buyer, the fleet purchaser and the private Caddilac or Pontiac customer. [GM dealers other than Chevrolet could market the GMC trucks.] For the latter group the trim level was "escalated."
Also GMC was more likely to have individual-specified options. My Jimmy came with a Custom trim level, A/C (now INOP) and an SM465 4-speed. Kinda rare on any K/5 in this period since they were pushing the TH350 and TH400s at the dealership lots.
I would buy another GMC. They grow on you - like an ugly but very loyal dog.

[7gmc2]

"They grow on you - like an ugly but very loyal dog."???!!.... well i don't think i have ever thought of a gmc quite like that. i do agree with most of what you said though 68orangesunshine

[longhorn70gmc]

Cris,
Thanks for the compliment.
Billy

[Javy]

C'mon guys.Can't we all just get along?
Chevy vs. GMC ?
It is a GM product that is superior to ford,dodge,datsun,toyota,etc.
The grill is personal preference but GM gives us the option of leaf springs
in the rear instead of coils.
PLEASE DON'T DIVIDE CHEVY GUYS AND GMC GUYS.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by 7gmc2

"They grow on you - like an ugly but very loyal dog."???!!.... well i don't think i have ever thought of a gmc quite like that. i do agree with most of what you said though 68orangesunshine

Well, actually they're not that ugly at all. I just got carried away by my own BS rhetoric.
&

[buckola]

I, like most of you like both vehicles. I prefer my GMC mainly because of the grill. My generation loves chrome. However, If I was to build a mild or wild custom I would pic the chev. The simplicity of the front end ( not a shot) would make customizing a lot easier

[Dick Dale]

I regret getting rid of my first project truck right before I went into the Navy. I had a 70 GMC Long step. It was an ugly SOB but had tons of potential. Now with the 72 Chevy Long fleet, I like the lines of the long bed but not the grill. I would have to say a long step is the coolest. Will try to post pictures of both of those beasts one day

[7gmc2]

long steps....now there is one that you don't see anymore! i do remember seeing those when i was younger.did chevy have one as well or was it a gmc only thing? dig your pics up and post them if you find them

[1969 GMC]

stepsides were available on both...here is a really nice '72 GMC long step for sale about 5 mi from my house. guy wants too much for it or else it would be in my driveway in a minute.



^check that out, besides paint and int. colors, there are no options! sweet! (and its ochre too...hooray!)

[7gmc2]

what happened 1969 gmc? pictures didn't post....at least on my end

[1969 GMC]

hmm...if you cant see them just click the link in my sig, as im hosting them from my photo page.

[7gmc2]

that is what it is. if i go there i can see them. it won't let me enlarge them though. i guess it thinks i'm trying to steal them or damage them. that yellow truck is hard to believe. no options! that must have been pretty cheap in the day. i guess it is kinda rare being a long step w/ no options as well.

[browndawg71]

1969gmc i love your yellow truck . looks mean as hell

[mr402]

Gotta say I like em both! I've got a Chevy and a GMC, both long bed 71s w402s and air (hence the handle). Both run strong but they are very different trucks. The GMC is by far a work truck, 3/4 with 4 spd and 8 lug rear. Now how many big block 4spd trucks did they make w/air? The Chevy is a 1/2 ton T400. It sits a lot lower and is one of the best handling trucks I've driven.

An interesting note that back then the Chevy was considered to be the high end truck. Now its the GMC. Look at the options sheets for the two and the GMC seems to be a bit more desireable.

Either way though just enjoy them they way they were meant to be.

[Dick Dale]

Unfortunantly that longbed went to the bone yard 10 years ago. It was well beyond the means of a dimeless 19 year old. I know I have one photograph somewhere. Honestly, I wouldn,t mind another.