Chevrolet C/K

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{{Infobox Automobile	name=Chevrolet C/K	aka=GMC C/K	manufacturer=General Motors	similar=Ford F-Series Dodge Ram	production=1962–1999	successor=Chevrolet Silverado }}
{{Infobox Automobile generation	name=First generation	image=	production=1962–1966	aka=C10/K10 C15/K15 C20/K20 C30	engine=236 in³ (3.9 L) Chevrolet I6 261 in³ (4.3 L) Chevrolet I6 283 in³ (4.6 L) Small-block V8 305 in³ (5.0 L) Small-block V6 230 in³ (3.8 L) Chevrolet I6 292 in³ (4.8 L) Chevrolet I6 327 in³ (5.4 L) Small-block V8 250 in³ (4.1 L) Chevrolet I6 }}
{{Infobox Automobile generation	name=Second generation	image=Image:1972 GMC Sierra Custom Camper.jpg	production=1967–1972	engine=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 }}
{{Infobox Automobile generation	name=Third generation	image=	production=1973–1987	wheelbase=117.5 in 131.5 in 164.5 in	engine=250 in³ (4.1 L) Chevrolet I6 350 in³ (5.7 L) Small-block V8 454 in³ (7.4 L) Big-block V8 350 in³ (5.7 L) LF9 Diesel V8 305 in³ (5.0 L) Small-block V8 292 in³ (4.8 L) Chevrolet I6 6.2 L Detroit Diesel V8 4.3 L Vortec 4300 V6	aka=Chevrolet Silverado GMC Sierra }}
{{Infobox Automobile generation	name=Fourth generation	image=Image:1988chevtruck.jpg	production=1988–1999	platform=RWD/4WD GMT400	engine=6.2 L Detroit Diesel V8 4.3 L Vortec 4300 V8 5.0 L Vortec 5000 V8 5.7 L Vortec 5700 V8 7.4 L Big-block V8 6.5 L Detroit Diesel V8	transmission=3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual }}

The C/K was the name for Chevrolet's full-size pickup line from 1962 until 1998 and GMC's full-size pickup line from 1962-1988. 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 was replaced with the GMC Sierra in 1988 and the Chevrolet Silverado in 1999; the Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD heavy-duty pickups followed in 2001.

1 1962-1966
2 1967-1972
3 1973-1987
4 1988-1999
5 See also
6 References

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1962-1966

1962 C/K trucks were available in smooth "Fleetside" or fendered "Stepside" versions. GMC called these "Wideside" and "Fenderside." Half-ton models were the C10 and K10 short-bed trucks, and C15 and K15 long-bed trucks. The 3/4 ton C20 and K20, as well as the one-ton C30, were also available. GMC did not use the "C" nomenclature, though their 4x4 versions had the "K" designation. Trim lines were base and "Custom." Engines included 135 hp (101 kW) 236 in³ (3.9 L) and 150 hp (112 kW) 261 in³ (4.3 L) straight-6s, and a 283 in³ (4.6 L) V8 with 160 hp (119 kW). GMC trucks were also offered with the 305 in&sup3 (5.0 L) V6 engine, which ranged in power from 125 hp (93 kW) to 142 hp (106 kW).

A coil-spring front suspension came in 1963 along with a new base engine, a 140 hp (104 kW) 230 in³ (3.8 L) I6, and an optional 165 hp (123 kW) 292 in³ (4.8 L) I6. The cab was changed for 1964, with elimination of the "wraparound" windshield and a new front grill design, along with various interior changes. Air conditioning and a 220 hp (164 kW) 327 in³ (5.4 L) V8 came in 1965. A new base engine finished the model in 1966 with a 155 hp (116 kW) 250 in³ (4.1 L) I6.

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1967-1972

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 half-ton 1967-1972 trucks 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; four-wheel drive models had leaf springs on both axles.

In 1968, the 283 in³ (4.6 L) V8 was replaced with a 307 in³ (5.0 L) and a 310 hp 396 in³ (6.5 L) V8 was offered for the first time. Side-marker reflectors were added and 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.

1969 saw a new V8 engine: a 255 hp 350 in³ (5.7 L). Along with the new engine 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. The GMC version, known as the Jimmy, was introduced the same year.

The only noticeable change for 1970 was a minor update to the Chevrolet grille.

Several changes occurred in 1971. First came another new grille design 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, AM/FM radios, and two-tone paint with side molding options. Finally, the front brakes on all 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 lugs — 5 inch 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).

1972 models were virtually identical to 1971 models.

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1973-1987

The refreshed 1973 version had a longer wheelbase — 117.5 in for short-bed and 131.5 in for long-bed. A crew cab was introduced on a super-long 164.5 in wheelbase. A real all wheel drive system was added as an option. Engines were a 100 hp (75 kW) 250 in³ (4.1 L) I6, a 350 in³ V8, and a 240 hp (179 kW) 454 in³ (7.4 L) V8. A four wheel drive one-ton truck was added in 1977, and a 350 in³ Oldsmobile LF9 Diesel V8 was added in 1978.

1975 introduced two important names as trim lines, Silverado for Chevrolet and Sierra for GMC. In order, the new trim lines for Chevrolet and GMC were:

Custom Deluxe/Sierra — base model
Scottsdale/Sierra Grande — cloth seats and chrome trim
Cheyenne/High Sierra — more sound deadening and chrome
Silverado/Sierra Classic — wood interior accents, carpeting, and more chrome

The revised 1981 model had a new 160 hp (119 kW) 305 in³ (5.0 L) V8, with the 250 and 292 in³ (4.1 and 4.8 L) I6, 350 in³ (5.7 L) V8, and 454 in³ (7.4 L) V8 also available. A 6.2 L Detroit Diesel V8 debuted in 1982, and the Vortec 4300 was introduced as the base engine in 1985. In 1987, Chevrolet mysteriously changed the "C" designation to "R" and the "K" to "V" (in response to the introduction of the GMT400 platform in April 1987), but these switched back the very next year for the GMT400 design. The R/V designation remained in use for the crewcab bodies and SUVs (Chevrolet K5 Blazer and Suburban) until 1991.

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1988-1999

Introduced in April 1987 as 1988 models (known as the GMT400), there were 10 different versions of the C/K line for 1988: Fleetside, Fleetside Extended Cab, Fleetside W/T, Sportside, and Sportside Extended Cab, each in either 2WD (C) or 4WD (K) drivelines. Engines were a 160 hp (119 kW) 4.3 L V6 or a 210 hp (157 kW) 5.7 L V8. A 230 hp (172 kW) 7.4 L V8 came in 1990, and a 175 hp (130 kW) 5.0 L V8 added in 1994. The Vortec V8s were introduced in 1996, with power boosts across the board for the gasoline V6 and V8 engines. A 6.5 L 180 hp (134 kW) diesel V8 replaced the 6.2 in 1993Template:Ref. 3- and 4-speed automatic transmissions were offered, with the 3-speed dropped and a 5-speed manual transmission added in 1992.

This platform was one of two where the traditional small-block Chevrolet V8 was last used (the G-series van was the last platform using the small block until the end of the 2002 model year).

The GMT800 platform was introduced in 1999 although the GMT400 platform was produced until the 2000 model year in response to fleet sales.

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