GM Semis - Page 90 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**special-K** · 01-15-2021, 06:38 AM

It looks like a demo, instruction session, or management stepping in. I say that because the guy with controls in bell bottoms seems to be stepping in on the two regulars wearing overalls, one standing back with hands in pockets

**Bob B.** · 01-16-2021, 01:22 AM

During much of the 80's the Brigadier was the best selling short conventional in the U.S., beating the Ford LN, International S2400, and Mack U series. Large national fleets had a lot to do with this, the Brigadier was very popular with Yellow, Ryder, ABF, and others. A GM engineer once told me the Brigadier with an L10 Cummins and 9 speed Fuller had the lowest cost-of-ownership of any class 8 tractor at the time, and that just happened to be Yellow's typical spec.. When GM merged their heavy truck line with Volvo/White the Brigadier stayed in production at Pontiac West until 1990, only change was a 'WhiteGMC' emblem replacing the 'GMC' one on the hood.

**special-K** · 01-16-2021, 06:42 AM

Great info, and I believe it by recalling seeing so many the Brigadiers on the hiways back then. Ryder was one, but car carrier fleets were mostly Brigadiers, too. What I don't recall is ever seeing (noticing) one with the White-Volvo marque. I found one picture that showed the emblem up front, but it was too small to post.

This seems to be a fleet from way down south, or that's an equivalent to a DOT number. I see some are Volvos. Super Brigadiers

**NewBayColony** · 01-16-2021, 09:45 AM

We had a few White/GMC Brigadier tractors in the Car Carrier Division of Ryder. They had a blue logo on the front.

C10 - C90 Bill · 01-16-2021, 10:33 AM

I also remember those days as being the end of the Detroit. Some where around the time Volvo/White bought them out, they were down to just one available and soon after that one was gone too. Although now that I think of it, that may had been in California at the time (don't have any books that new to prove it, lol). Anyway, Detroit kept making them though and I believe the Military was their best customer. They knew the value of a great engine and were not pinned down to the EPA regulations.

By the way, I sure hated to see GM sell out back then. I had just ordered a Parts Catalog and got a phone call telling me that they were no longer available from them and to contact Volvo/White for it. I never bothered. Also hated that "White/GMC" emblem that I well remember.

**NewBayColony** · 01-16-2021, 10:58 AM

When we had the White/GMC units, they were all 6V92s. Not the most powerful engine but very smooth. You never had to worry about your mirrors vibrating when you were backing up. As they got older, they had an addiction to oil. They had a tank under the hood to keep a spare gallon of oil. It had a valve that you open to drain it into the crankcase.

C10 - C90 Bill · 01-16-2021, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewBayColony

When we had the White/GMC units, they were all 6V92s. Not the most powerful engine but very smooth. You never had to worry about your mirrors vibrating when you were backing up. As they got older, they had an addiction to oil. They had a tank under the hood to keep a spare gallon of oil. It had a valve that you open to drain it into the crankcase.

They weren't leakers, that was the automatic Oil Changer, lol.

Kept the oil nice and fresh.

Reminds me of a Flat Bed Trailer I saw once from Canada. The Headboard was a secondary Fuel Tank. When the truck needed re-fueling, he just hitched up the hoses, opened the valve and filled up.

factorystock · 01-16-2021, 10:23 PM

Maybe I can waive my magic wand and get you a new '81 Brigadier.

**Bob B.** · 01-17-2021, 02:46 AM

Saw quite a few 8000 series Brigadiers with 3208 Caterpillars in them but most were pre-1980 models. In 1980 GM released the first TopKick/Kodiak trucks, basically beefed up versions of the C series mediums with high mounted cabs offering the 3208 as well. The TopKick/Kodiak was priced a bit under the Brigadier 8000 and could be spec'ed almost identically.

I think the later Brigadiers were about the last trucks built in any numbers that had the 2 stroke Detroit in them (6-71T and 6V-92). Saw a few with Detroit 60's in them as well.

**NewBayColony** · 01-17-2021, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by factorystock

Maybe I can waive my magic wand and get you a new '81 Brigadier.

I used to deliver to Bean and Conquest. Last of the downtown dealerships in Bangor.
We didn't have any Series 60 Detroits in the Brigadiers, they came in the next gen Volvo GMCs. Not saying they weren't in the Brigadiers, we didn't have any. I had a Bruin for a few years. Being a Chevy guy, I thought it was cool having the last of the big ones.

**special-K** · 01-23-2021, 11:21 AM

Heavy wreckers

The red one is/was from Baltimore, MD. Ted's is probably the biggest heavy recovery outfit in the Baltimore area

**Bob B.** · 01-23-2021, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewBayColony

I used to deliver to Bean and Conquest. Last of the downtown dealerships in Bangor.
We didn't have any Series 60 Detroits in the Brigadiers, they came in the next gen Volvo GMCs. Not saying they weren't in the Brigadiers, we didn't have any. I had a Bruin for a few years. Being a Chevy guy, I thought it was cool having the last of the big ones.

Seeing 3406's in any GM truck was rare, even though they were available in the Brig., Astro 95, and General.

61_FL_Apache · 01-27-2021, 09:17 AM

I drove an 81 like this for a couple of years. It had a 3208 Cat with a 10 speed.

KQQL IT · 01-30-2021, 02:49 AM

Fb grab

**special-K** · 02-02-2021, 09:33 AM

Cool deal there. I like how it is set up. Here's one I have saved.

KQQL IT · 02-13-2021, 12:58 PM

Merc sleeper too

KQQL IT · 02-13-2021, 01:00 PM

Another FB

**NewBayColony** · 02-13-2021, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

Merc sleeper too

It must have been fun trying to lift that nose to check the oil.

C10 - C90 Bill · 02-13-2021, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewBayColony

It must have been fun trying to lift that nose to check the oil.

You're not kidding.

When I drove my 9500 Short Nose with the Fiberglass Tilt, it was like nothing to open it. But when I went to Salem, VA to check out the '72 Long Nose that I took pictures of that got posted on here, I sure got a surprise. Dang thing was heavy.

KQQL IT · 02-17-2021, 10:34 PM

Fb grabs

Greg58 · 02-19-2021, 12:22 AM

Here is a 71 GMC at auction in NE.
I think it has a 2 cycle Detroit in it. There is a video of it running in the listing.
https://www.bigiron.com/Lots/1971GMC...TATruckTractor

**Bob B.** · 02-19-2021, 01:57 AM

Bekins Moving and Storage was big in the Los Angeles area. In later years, they had a lot of '73-'89 6500 series single axle gas tractors pulling vans around.

**NewBayColony** · 02-19-2021, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg58

Here is a 71 GMC at auction in NE.
I think it has a 2 cycle Detroit in it. There is a video of it running in the listing.
https://www.bigiron.com/Lots/1971GMC...TATruckTractor

It's ether a 6 or 8v92 Detroit. Wish I had a reason to throw money at it. And the money.

Greg58 · 02-19-2021, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewBayColony

It's ether a 6 or 8v92 Detroit. Wish I had a reason to throw money at it. And the money.

I bet it won't bring a lot.
The shipping would be a killer to MA!

Greg

**NewBayColony** · 02-19-2021, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg58

I bet it won't bring a lot.
The shipping would be a killer to MA!

Greg

And I bet I'd end up in divorce court!

01-15-2021, 06:38 AM	#2226
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: GM Semis It looks like a demo, instruction session, or management stepping in. I say that because the guy with controls in bell bottoms seems to be stepping in on the two regulars wearing overalls, one standing back with hands in pockets __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-16-2021, 01:22 AM	#2227
Bob B. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,349	Re: GM Semis During much of the 80's the Brigadier was the best selling short conventional in the U.S., beating the Ford LN, International S2400, and Mack U series. Large national fleets had a lot to do with this, the Brigadier was very popular with Yellow, Ryder, ABF, and others. A GM engineer once told me the Brigadier with an L10 Cummins and 9 speed Fuller had the lowest cost-of-ownership of any class 8 tractor at the time, and that just happened to be Yellow's typical spec.. When GM merged their heavy truck line with Volvo/White the Brigadier stayed in production at Pontiac West until 1990, only change was a 'WhiteGMC' emblem replacing the 'GMC' one on the hood. __________________ 1967 GMC CM-2500 Camper Cruiser, 351E V-6, NP 435 4 speed, Dana 60, and factory A/C. 2012 GMC K-3500 WT regular cab, 6.0L Vortec, 6L90.

01-16-2021, 06:42 AM	#2228
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: GM Semis Great info, and I believe it by recalling seeing so many the Brigadiers on the hiways back then. Ryder was one, but car carrier fleets were mostly Brigadiers, too. What I don't recall is ever seeing (noticing) one with the White-Volvo marque. I found one picture that showed the emblem up front, but it was too small to post. This seems to be a fleet from way down south, or that's an equivalent to a DOT number. I see some are Volvos. Super Brigadiers Attached Images __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 01-16-2021 at 06:53 AM.

01-16-2021, 09:45 AM	#2229
NewBayColony Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Northbridge,MA Posts: 494	Re: GM Semis We had a few White/GMC Brigadier tractors in the Car Carrier Division of Ryder. They had a blue logo on the front. __________________ 72 C20 292 3OTT 77 GMC 2500 4x4 Longstepper 350 4sp 50 3100 ex Airforce/Town of Mendon fire truck 72 GMC 1500 2wd short stepside 250 4sp 78 GMC 2500 4x Longstepper 292 4sp 54 6400 Chevy 5 window 4 sp 2sp vac rear end Shell oil truck/dump truck (Norman)

01-16-2021, 10:33 AM	#2230
C10 - C90 Bill Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Moneta, VA USA Posts: 3,082	Re: GM Semis I also remember those days as being the end of the Detroit. Some where around the time Volvo/White bought them out, they were down to just one available and soon after that one was gone too. Although now that I think of it, that may had been in California at the time (don't have any books that new to prove it, lol). Anyway, Detroit kept making them though and I believe the Military was their best customer. They knew the value of a great engine and were not pinned down to the EPA regulations. By the way, I sure hated to see GM sell out back then. I had just ordered a Parts Catalog and got a phone call telling me that they were no longer available from them and to contact Volvo/White for it. I never bothered. Also hated that "White/GMC" emblem that I well remember. __________________ '60-'72 Chev/GMC Fan GMC 9500 Fan Detroit Diesel Fan Last edited by C10 - C90 Bill; 01-16-2021 at 11:55 AM.

01-16-2021, 10:58 AM	#2231
NewBayColony Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Northbridge,MA Posts: 494	Re: GM Semis When we had the White/GMC units, they were all 6V92s. Not the most powerful engine but very smooth. You never had to worry about your mirrors vibrating when you were backing up. As they got older, they had an addiction to oil. They had a tank under the hood to keep a spare gallon of oil. It had a valve that you open to drain it into the crankcase. __________________ 72 C20 292 3OTT 77 GMC 2500 4x4 Longstepper 350 4sp 50 3100 ex Airforce/Town of Mendon fire truck 72 GMC 1500 2wd short stepside 250 4sp 78 GMC 2500 4x Longstepper 292 4sp 54 6400 Chevy 5 window 4 sp 2sp vac rear end Shell oil truck/dump truck (Norman)

01-16-2021, 10:23 PM	#2233
factorystock Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: west coast Posts: 3,380	Re: GM Semis Maybe I can waive my magic wand and get you a new '81 Brigadier. Attached Images

01-17-2021, 02:46 AM	#2234
Bob B. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,349	Re: GM Semis Saw quite a few 8000 series Brigadiers with 3208 Caterpillars in them but most were pre-1980 models. In 1980 GM released the first TopKick/Kodiak trucks, basically beefed up versions of the C series mediums with high mounted cabs offering the 3208 as well. The TopKick/Kodiak was priced a bit under the Brigadier 8000 and could be spec'ed almost identically. I think the later Brigadiers were about the last trucks built in any numbers that had the 2 stroke Detroit in them (6-71T and 6V-92). Saw a few with Detroit 60's in them as well. __________________ 1967 GMC CM-2500 Camper Cruiser, 351E V-6, NP 435 4 speed, Dana 60, and factory A/C. 2012 GMC K-3500 WT regular cab, 6.0L Vortec, 6L90.

01-23-2021, 11:21 AM	#2236
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: GM Semis Heavy wreckers The red one is/was from Baltimore, MD. Ted's is probably the biggest heavy recovery outfit in the Baltimore area Attached Images __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-27-2021, 09:17 AM	#2238
61_FL_Apache Who Me? Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL Posts: 4,067	Re: GM Semis I drove an 81 like this for a couple of years. It had a 3208 Cat with a 10 speed. __________________ Steve 1997 Tahoe LT 4D 2WD (DD) 2001 Blazer 4D 2WD 1961 Apache 10 (sold) 1965 C10 Stepper (sold)

01-30-2021, 02:49 AM	#2239
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,237	Re: GM Semis Fb grab Attached Images __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "

02-02-2021, 09:33 AM	#2240
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: GM Semis Cool deal there. I like how it is set up. Here's one I have saved. Attached Images __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

02-13-2021, 12:58 PM	#2241
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,237	Re: GM Semis Merc sleeper too Attached Images __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "

02-13-2021, 01:00 PM	#2242
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,237	Re: GM Semis Another FB Attached Images __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "

02-17-2021, 10:34 PM	#2245
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,237	Re: GM Semis Fb grabs Attached Images __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "



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02-19-2021, 12:22 AM	#2246
Greg58 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Valley, NE. Posts: 1,014	Re: GM Semis Here is a 71 GMC at auction in NE. I think it has a 2 cycle Detroit in it. There is a video of it running in the listing. https://www.bigiron.com/Lots/1971GMC...TATruckTractor __________________ ________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande, 2500 133" wb, 402, 4spd. 2007 GMC 3500 SRW 4x4, Crew cab, Duramax/Allison. (Sold} 1987 Chevy Suburban 2500, Silverado, 2wd, 454, t-400 2023 Chevy Silverado LT 3500, crew cab, longbox, 4x4 Z-71 Duramax.

02-19-2021, 01:57 AM	#2247
Bob B. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,349	Re: GM Semis Bekins Moving and Storage was big in the Los Angeles area. In later years, they had a lot of '73-'89 6500 series single axle gas tractors pulling vans around. __________________ 1967 GMC CM-2500 Camper Cruiser, 351E V-6, NP 435 4 speed, Dana 60, and factory A/C. 2012 GMC K-3500 WT regular cab, 6.0L Vortec, 6L90.

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