Chevrolet C/K

The C/K was the name for Chevrolet's full-size pickup line from 1962 until 1998. The first Chevrolet pickup truck appeared in 1924, though in-house designs did not appear until 1930. "C" trucks had 2WD, while "K" models had 4WD. The C/K light-duty pickup was replaced with the Silverado in 1999, and the Silverado HD heavy-duty pickup followed in 2001.

Contents

1 1962 2 1967 3 1973 4 1981 5 1988 6 See also

1962

1962 C/K trucks were available in smooth "Fleetside" or fendered "Stepside" versions (GMC called these "Wideside" and "Fenderside"). Models were the half-ton C/K10 (short-bed) and C/K15 (long-bed), 3/4 ton C/K20 and one-ton C30. GMC did not use the "C" nomenclature, though their 4x4 versions were called "K". 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-6es, and a 283 in³ (4.6 L) V8 with 160 hp (119 kW).

A coil-spring front suspension came in 1963 along with a new base engine of 230 in³ (3.8 L) 140 hp (104 kW) I6 and an optional 165 hp 2(123 kW) 92 in³ (4.8 L) I6. The front-end was changed for 1964, and 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 250 in³ (4.1 L) 155 hp (116 kW) I6.

1967

A new modern look came in 1967, and the 283 in³ (4.6 L) V8 was replaced with a 307 in³ (5.0 L) in 1968. 1969 saw three new V8 engines, 300 hp (224 kW) and 350 hp (261 kW) 350 in³ (5.7 L), and a 310 hp (231 kW) 396 in³ (6.5 L). A utility variant known as the K5 Blazer was introduced in 1969 with a shorter wheelbase of 104 in. A GMC version, known as the Jimmy, was introduced the next year.

In 1971, an additional optional trim package was introduced, the Cheyenne. The 1967-1972 models were also the first GM pick-up to have features that were only found on cars as optional standard equipement, such a factory air conditioning, and a more car-like trailing arm suspension.

1973

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 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 (5.7 L) 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

1981

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 liter diesel 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", 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 until 1991.

1988

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 liter V6 or a 126 hp (94 kW) 6.2 liter V8. A 230 hp (172 kW) 7.4 liter V8 came in 1990, and a 175 hp (130 kW) 5.0 liter V8 added in 1994. All engines for more power of 40 to 40 hp (30 to 45 kW) in 1996, and a 6.5 liter 180 hp (134 kW) V8 added in 1997. 3- and 4-speed automatic transmissions were offered, with the 3-speed dropped and a 5-speed manual transmission added in 1992.

See also

• Chevrolet Silverado - Chevrolet's new full-size pickup
• Chevrolet S10 - Chevrolet's compact pickup