Do You Know Your Chevy???

[70cst]

I found this while surfing this morning. I thought this was interesting reading... How accurate is the info...you tell me

The C/K is the name for Chevrolet's full-size pickup truck line from 1960 until 1998 and GMC's full-size pickup truck line from 1960-1988. 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 truck was replaced with the GMC Sierra in 1988 and the Chevrolet Silverado in 1999; the Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD heavy-duty pickup trucks followed in 2001.


1967–1972

Assembly
Atlanta, GA
Baltimore, MD
Pontiac, MI
Flint, MI
Tarrytown, NY
Kansas City, MO
St. Louis, MO
Janesville, WI
Norwood, OH
Fermont, CA
Oshawa, ON

Engine(s)
283 in³ (4.6 L) Small-block V8
307 in³ (5.0 L) Small-block V8
350 in³ (5.7 L) Small-block V8
396 in³ (6.5 L) Big-block V8 250 in³ (4.1 L) I6Chevrolet
292 in³ (4.8 L) I6Chevrolet

Transmission(s)
3 speed manual
4 speed manual
Powerglide
Turbo-Hydromatic
Wheelbase 115" Shortbed
127" Longbed
133" Longhorn

1967 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 10 and 20 series Chevrolet trucks from 1967 to 1972 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, and standard on 30 series trucks. GMC models came standard with leaf springs with coils springs optional; all four-wheel drive models (Chevrolet & GMC) had leaf springs on both axles. The standard drivetrain came with a 3 speed manual transmission and one of two engines; the 250 in³ straight-6 or the 283 in³(4.6 L) V8. The optional transmissions were the 4 speed manual, the Powerglide and the Turbo-Hydromatic. The 292 in³ straight-6 and the 327 in³ V8 were the optional engines. The 1/2 ton trucks came with a (6 x 5.5") bolt pattern. However the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks came with (8 x 6.5") bolt pattern. 1968 In 1968, the 283 in³ (4.6 L) V8 was replaced with a 307 in³ (5.0 L) and a 310 hp (231 kW) 396 in³ (6.5 L) V8 was offered for the first time. The most visible change in differentiating a 1968 from a 1967 was the addition of side-marker reflectors on all fenders. Also, 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. Another note for restoration is that the 1967-68 hood was more sloped and without 67-68 fenders, the hood will not fit 1969-1972 models. Another addition was the Custom Comfort and Convenience interior package that fell between the Standard cab and CST cab options. 1968 was also the year that Chevrolet celebrated 50 years of truck manufacturing. Also in 1968 the 3/4 ton Longhorn model was added to the lineup. The Longhorns were designed with a strong 8 1/2 foot box that could hold a big slide-in truck camper. 1969 1969 saw a new V8 engine: a 255 hp (190 kW) 350 in³ (5.7 L). Along with the new engines 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 (2,642 mm). The GMC version, known as the Jimmy, was introduced the same year. Some internal cab changes were also made, most notably the switch from a hand-operated parking brake to a foot pedal. 1970 The only noticeable change for 1970 was a minor update to the Chevrolet grille. At first glance, the 1969 and 1970 grille appear identical. However, 1970's plastic inserts actually have highlites that break the appearance into 6 separate sections. 1971 Several changes occurred in 1971. First came another new grille design (the "egg crate") 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, more padding and insulation, AM/FM radios, and two-tone paint with side molding options. Finally, the front brakes on all light-duty 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 x 5" 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). Also, Chevrolet changed the 396 V8 emblem designation to 400 V8. The change was only cosmetic. 1972 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, and metal or plastic flat door panels were no longer available; all trim levels had a more sculpted molded plastic door panel with integral armrests and wood grain inserts on Cheyenne and Sierra trim levels.

Trim Levels
C/10 - Base Model
Custom/10 - 'Mid Level'
CST/10 - 'Top of the Line' (CST=Custom Sport Truck)
1971:

Custom/10 - Base Model
CST/10 - 'Mid Level'
Cheyenne/10 - 'Top of the line'
Late 1971, 1972:

CST/10 - Base Model
Cheyenne/10 - 'Mid Level'
Cheyenne Super - 'Top of the Line'
Cheyenne Highlander - Special 'Above top of line' package
A 10, 20, or 30 on the emblem indicates 1/2, 3/4, or 1 ton trucks.

GMC models form 1967 to 1970 used the same trim levels as the Chevrolets, except that the GMC trim levels were 1500, Custom 1500, and Super Custom 1500. Starting in 1971 this changed to:

Custom 1500 - Base
Super Custom 1500 - Mid
Sierra 1500 - Top
And for late '71 and 1972:

Super Custom 1500 - Base
Sierra 1500 - Mid
Sierra Grande 1500 - Top
Sierra Highlander 1500 - Special extra top package.
On the GMC trucks 1500, 2500, and 3500 designations were used to indicate 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton trucks.

In both series, the 'Highlander package' included special color-coordinated houndstooth cloth inserts and additional trim colors and insulation.

[C/10 King]

Good info, thanks

[71 super]

There is some mis-information in this. The cheyenne highlander never was. The highlander package was a option group available on custom deluxe pickups, blazers and suburbans. It was by no means part of the cheyenne or super package. The base model for 71 was denoted by badges c10, the custom was the mid level and the cheyenne or CST was the top model in 71 (until April of 71 when the super came out and simply involved more trim and different upholstery). In 72 the custom was the base model, custom deluxe was a mid level followed by cheyenne and then super. The Highlander came along in late 72 to aid in moving the 72 models out to make room for 73 models. Your info suggests the CST was a seperate option than the cheyenne which is also not true: the CST option is Z84 as is the cheyenne option - same truck, the super option is YE9 as is the Sierra grande, but on some GMC's the Z84 and YE9 option could and was present on the spid. One last thing, the custom comfort and convience group was simply upgraded upholsery, chrome trim around windows and on knobs and a cigar lighter (i am sure I am leaving something out for it but it was not a "in-between" option ).

[Rob H.]

Must be where the parts houses get their info, 327 not even mentioned. Still a good read. Thanks!

[Vintage Windmills]

Good info but i noticed some errors:

GMC's did not have leafs standard, it was just more common for them to be equipped that way. Leafs are listed on GMC spids as options.

No mention of the GMC V6's that were available in 67-69 (305 and 351 big block V6's)

CST was always top of the line but term was replaced with Cheyenne in 1971.

[70cst]

Good work... Lets call this thread 67-72 Chevy/GMC 101

Other Boo Boo's???

[bruceman1968]

I think the first chevrolet truck was in 1918, not 1924. and the 250 I6 is also not listed in the engines.

[john]

If you want to get picky the highlanders did not have houndstooth they had plaid.

[C/10 King]

Originally Posted by C/10 King

Good info, thanks

I better retract my earlier comment.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by C/10 King

I better retract my earlier comment.

Remember...this is what we like to call the learning curve

[bosco200]

Originally Posted by bruceman1968

I think the first chevrolet truck was in 1918, not 1924. and the 250 I6 is also not listed in the engines.

I thought that too but its on the same line as the 396

Great info by the way!

[sjarrett71]

Wasn't there a period in the mid-80's the 4x4's were "R" instead of "K"?

[SacramentoJoe]

Wiki wow! I found this same info a while back but cannot find it again. GMC Truck was around years before Chevy had a truck.

[Gene]

No mention of the ultra rare "corvette optioned truck".

[71swb4x4]

The article would be a good start. They get pretty specific in some areas but not in others. Someone could certainly add to it and work it into a pretty complete article. 67/68 hand emergency brake. 67 only items such as knobs, lighter, ignition switch, vent windows, etc. The different exterior trims. They mention the 4wd Blazer/Jimmy but no mention of the 2wd Blazer/Jimmy nor the suburbans or panels. Of course there are many other things that could be added such as throttle rod/ throttle cable, various options, cab vents inside door, vented/non-vented gas caps and much more. It would be fun to put everything together.

They make this comment:

Another note for restoration is that the 1967-68 hood was more sloped and without 67-68 fenders, the hood will not fit 1969-1972 models.

which is not completely accurate. A 67/68 hood will fit fine with 69/72 Chevy fenders, the fenders will look goofy with the front cutout but it's really the Chevy grill that causes the problems.

[ChevLoRay]

From all I have read and learned, the "C/K" moniker usually refers specifically to the GMT400 ('88-98) pickups, introduced in mid-87. I would not argue that the 2WD trucks were C's, while 4WD trucks were K's. More on this later.

[70cst]

Good detective work....Keep it coming

[ls1nova71]

Originally Posted by 71 super

The base model for 71 was denoted by badges c10, the custom was the mid level and the cheyenne or CST was the top model in 71 (until April of 71 when the super came out and simply involved more trim and different upholstery). In 72 the custom was the base model, custom deluxe was a mid level followed by cheyenne and then super.

The base model for '71 was Custom, mid level was Custom Deluxe just like in '72. C10 badging stopped in '70.

[special-K]

The Jimmy came out in '70,not '69.

[yuccales]

"Good detective work....Keep it coming."

Two 4spd. transmissions. SM 465 and NP 435. My SPID has my 435 listed as CR (close ratio)?

[70cst]

Originally Posted by yuccales

"Good detective work....Keep it coming."

Two 4spd. transmissions. SM 465 and NP 435. My SPID has my 435 listed as CR (close ratio)?