The Chevrolet C/K is a series of trucks that was manufactured by General Motors from the 1960 to 2002 model years. Marketed by both the Chevrolet and GMC divisions, the C/K series encompassed a wide range of vehicles. While most commonly associated with pickup trucks , the model line also included chassis-cab trucks and medium-duty trucks and served as the basis for GM full-size SUVs. Through its entire production, the model line competed directly against the Ford F-Series and the Dodge D series (later the Dodge Ram pickup ).
45-514: Used for both the model branding and the internal model code, "C" denoted two-wheel drive, while "K" denoted four-wheel drive. Four generations of the C/K series were produced, including the GM monikered second-generation "Action Line" and third-generation "Rounded Line" vehicles (colloquially aka Square-Body trucks). For the fourth-generation (colloquially also known as OBS trucks), Chevrolet kept using
90-525: A generational moniker), these have come to be known as the OBS (Old or Original Body Style) generation by enthusiasts. Slightly smaller in cab dimensions than the Rounded Line generation, the fourth-generation C/K increased interior space over its predecessor. After trailing Ford and Dodge by over a decade, GM introduced the C/K in an extended-cab configuration. For nearly five years, the fourth-generation C/K
135-546: A permanent roof). For 1992, the 20-series underwent a minor exterior revision, again sharing its headlights with the Opala (higher-trim vehicles shared wheels with GMT400 pickup trucks ); the interior underwent a redesign, adopting a redesigned instrument panel. For 1996, the model line adopted the fuel-injected version of the 4.1L six-cylinder from the Chevrolet Omega , ending its use of carbureted engines. For 1997,
180-421: A truck for the sake of durability, the C/K adopted several features from cars into its design to increase its functionality. For pickup trucks, the C/K trucks used a drop-center frame which allowed for a lower cab and lower center of gravity, and independent front suspension was paired with a coil-sprung rear axle. For 1963, front torsion bars were replaced by front coil springs (on two-wheel drive vehicles). While
225-473: Is a 260 cu in (4.3 L) V8 putting out 90 hp (67 kW) and 160 lb⋅ft (217 N⋅m) torque. Applications: In 1982, GM introduced a 4.3-liter V6 for longitudinal and transverse applications. All versions of the engine were rated at 85 bhp (63 kW) at 3600 rpm and 165 lb⋅ft (224 N⋅m) at 1600 rpm. The LT6 was produced from 1982 to 1984 and installed in rear-wheel drive vehicles. Applications: The LT7
270-435: Is a 350 cu in (5.7 L) diesel V8 produced from 1978 to 1985. Earlier versions and those used in pickups (1978-1981) produced 120 hp (89 kW) at 3,600 rpm and 220 lb⋅ft (298 N⋅m) torque at 1,900 rpm, while later versions produced 105 hp (78 kW) and 205 lb⋅ft (278 N⋅m) torque. Maximum engine speed was listed as 4,200–4,400 rpm. Applications: The short-lived LF7
315-515: Is the longest-produced version of the C/K model line, produced for 18 model years. For 1987, it was renamed the R/V series (to accommodate the fourth-generation C/K marketed alongside it) and was gradually phased out through the 1991 model year. The fourth-generation C/K was introduced in April 1987 for the 1988 model year. Known officially by its GMT400 internal codename (GM never assigned this model line
360-555: The Chevrolet C-series pickup truck; in line with the Chevrolet Suburban, the model line was sold in a wagon configuration, renamed from C-1416 to Chevrolet Veraneio in 1969. Styled with an exterior exclusive to Brazil, the model line shared its instrument panel with the first-generation Chevrolet C/K of 1960–1966. Nearly a decade before its American counterpart, a four-door "double cab" was offered alongside
405-523: The article wizard to submit a draft for review, or request a new article . Search for " Chevrolet C " in existing articles. Look for pages within Misplaced Pages that link to this title . Other reasons this message may be displayed: If a page was recently created here, it may not be visible yet because of a delay in updating the database; wait a few minutes or try the purge function . Titles on Misplaced Pages are case sensitive except for
450-476: The "Rounded Line" generation by General Motors, the C/K grew in size inside and out. As pickup trucks increased in use as personal vehicles, cab features and options moved closer in line with GM sedans (with power windows and power door locks becoming options). To further expand its practicality, a four-door crew cab body was introduced (offering 6-passenger seating). While relatively straight-lined and boxy in appearance (leading to their "square-body" nickname from
495-450: The 1982 model year, did not have the same problems as the V8. The V6 has a denser bolt pattern and Oldsmobile's engineers were given more time to develop and test it. While customer complaints started dropping off after 1981, sales did too: diesels sold 43 percent less in 1982. The downward sales slide continued, not helped by stricter emissions standards - for the 1984 model year the diesel V8
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#1732772006161540-608: The 1985 model year. GM continued to offer Isuzu's 4FB1 1.8-liter four cylinder diesel in the Chevrolet Chevette/Pontiac 1000 , but after only 588 of these were sold in 1986, the company went on to abandon the diesel passenger car segment entirely for many decades. Although the engines were unreliable because of the head and problems with the ancillaries, the Oldsmobile diesels' strong blocks continue to see use in gasoline-powered race engines. The LF9
585-504: The 1990s, the company revised its truck ranges, replacing the medium-duty C/K trucks with the Chevrolet Kodiak/GMC TopKick for 1990. For 1999, GM replaced the fourth-generation C/K pickup trucks with an all-new model line; in line with GMC, Chevrolet dropped the C/K nameplate (in favor of a singular Chevrolet Silverado nameplate). Initially marketed with its successor, the final C/K pickup trucks were produced for
630-754: The 1999 model year, to accommodate the introduction of the GMT800-chassis Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra, the fourth-generation C/K was renamed as the Chevrolet Silverado Classic and GMC Sierra Classic. After the 2000 model year, C/K pickup trucks were discontinued. GM produced the heavy-duty C3500HD chassis cab as the final version of the C/K model family through the 2002 model year. General Motors Brazil produced three generations of light-duty Chevrolet pickup trucks from 1964 to 2001. Developed specifically for South American production, each version
675-708: The 20-series (based on the 1973 "Rounded Line" pickups) was retired, with GM Brazil introducing the Argentine-produced Chevrolet Silverado . In contrast to the previous two generations of Brazilian Chevrolet trucks, the Chevrolet Silverado was no longer a market-exclusive design; the Silverado was identical to the American-market GMT400 pickup. Offered only as a two-door C2500 with a standard-length bed,
720-549: The 2000 model year. From 2001 to 2002, the final vehicles of the C/K model line were medium-duty chassis cab trucks. Launched in the fall of 1959 as a 1960 model, the first-generation C/K debuted a number of design changes for General Motors light-truck design. Replacing the Task Force range, the C/K was developed from the start as a truck chassis, no longer sharing commonality with the GM A-body platform. Though developed as
765-723: The Action Line would not undergo a definitive model revision through its production, the series underwent gradual changes on a biannual basis. The drivetrain line underwent multiple revisions, as a large-block V8 was offered for the first time in 1968. After 1969, GM switched entirely to Chevrolet-produced engines for C/K pickup trucks. This generation marks the debut of the Chevrolet Cheyenne and GMC Sierra nameplates; introduced in 1971 and 1972, respectively, General Motors still uses both nameplates for full-size pickups in current production. The Action-Line pickup also served as
810-621: The C-20 and A-20 (ethanol) received a 4.1L inline-six, with the D-20 receiving the Perkins Q20B inline-4 diesel (replaced by the Maxion S4 for 1990). In contrast to its American counterpart, the 20-series was offered nearly exclusively with 2-wheel drive; a 4×4 version was offered for 1989 and was withdrawn before the end of the model year, following poor reliability of its drivetrain. For 1988,
855-416: The C/K designation while GMC revised its branding, changing to a singular GMC Sierra nameplate (C/K remained as an internal model code). For South America, the model line was manufactured by General Motors de Argentina from 1960 to 1978, Sevel Argentina from 1986 to 1991, and General Motors Brazil , who produced versions of the model line for Brazil, Argentina, and Chile from 1964 to 2001. As GM entered
900-480: The Opala) and larger taillamps than its American counterpart. Far more advanced in design than its utilitarian predecessor, the 20-series carried over little more than its powertrains from the previous generation. In addition to 20-series pickup trucks, GM Brazil offered a full line of Chevrolet medium- and heavy-duty trucks derived from the "Rounded Line" cab. Again offered in single and double cabs (introduced in 1986),
945-547: The Silverado shifted from Argentina to Brazil. Alongside the withdrawal of the Grand Blazer (in favor of the smaller S-10 Blazer), the Silverado adopted a D-20 suffix (from the popularity of its predecessor). During 2001, Chevrolet withdrew the 4.1L gasoline six-cylinder from the Silverado D-20 (the final vehicle to use the engine). After many years of declining market share in the truck segment, GM Brazil produced
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#1732772006161990-547: The Silverado was fitted with locally sourced powertrains, including a 138 hp 4.1L inline-six (from the previous C-20/A-20 and the Chevrolet Omega) and a MWM-produced 168 hp 4.2L turbodiesel inline-six. The locally designed Veraneio and Bonanza were discontinued; in 1998, GM Brazil began production of the Chevrolet Grand Blazer , a renamed Chevrolet Tahoe. For 2000 production, production of
1035-670: The Veraneio wagon/SUV was redesigned for the first time since its introduction, adopting the 20-series body structure; the four-door was joined by the two-door Chevrolet Bonanza . With the exception of its taillamps and front fascia, the Veraneio adopted an appearance close to the Chevrolet/GMC Suburban; the Bonanza was proportioned similar to the Chevrolet K5 Blazer (though fitted with two-wheel drive and
1080-494: The basis of ancestors of modern full-size SUVs , including the Chevrolet K5 Blazer , an open-body off-road vehicle, and the Chevrolet Suburban truck-based station wagon. For 1973, GM replaced the Action Line trucks with the long-running Rounded Line series; the Action Line trucks are the final C/K trucks offered solely with a two-door cab. The third-generation C/K was introduced for the 1973 model year. Designated
1125-464: The costs of new engines. A large number of cars simply had their broken diesels replaced with conventional gasoline engines. Used car price guides have always indicated much lower prices for diesel-engined cars and they remain undesirable in the collector's market. The Oldsmobile diesel's reputation for unreliability and anemic performance damaged the North American passenger diesel market for
1170-1035: The final Silverado D-20 in January 2002. Chevrolet C Look for Chevrolet C on one of Misplaced Pages's sister projects : [REDACTED] Wiktionary (dictionary) [REDACTED] Wikibooks (textbooks) [REDACTED] Wikiquote (quotations) [REDACTED] Wikisource (library) [REDACTED] Wikiversity (learning resources) [REDACTED] Commons (media) [REDACTED] Wikivoyage (travel guide) [REDACTED] Wikinews (news source) [REDACTED] Wikidata (linked database) [REDACTED] Wikispecies (species directory) Misplaced Pages does not have an article with this exact name. Please search for Chevrolet C in Misplaced Pages to check for alternative titles or spellings. You need to log in or create an account and be autoconfirmed to create new articles. Alternatively, you can use
1215-481: The first character; please check alternative capitalizations and consider adding a redirect here to the correct title. If the page has been deleted, check the deletion log , and see Why was the page I created deleted? Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_C " Oldsmobile Diesel engine The Oldsmobile Diesel engine is a series of V6 and V8 diesel engines produced by General Motors from 1978 to 1985. Their design
1260-509: The first generation would not undergo a comprehensive facelift or update, GM would make a series of gradual changes to the model line through its production. For 1962, the hood was redesigned, with a new windshield and A-pillar added to the cab for 1964. In a break from General Motors tradition, this is one of the few generations of trucks not given an in-house moniker. The C/K nomenclature was developed by GMC; "C" denoted conventional cab, with "K" standing for 4×4 drive. The second-generation C/K
1305-517: The four-door crew cab, the third generation C/K marked the introduction of a dual rear-wheel pickup truck ("Big Dooley"). For 1978, the C/K became the first American full-size pickup truck sold with a diesel engine (a 5.7L Oldsmobile diesel V8); a 6.2L diesel V8 was introduced for 1982. This generation also marks the first use of the Chevrolet Silverado nameplate (in use for Chevrolet full-size trucks today). The Rounded Line generation
1350-449: The head bolt issues, General Motors also decided not to install a water separator in order to cut costs. Low quality diesel fuel was a common problem at the time and most diesels were thus equipped to keep the injector pumps from corroding. Many owners tried to solve this by adding anhydrous alcohol , a common trick to deal with water in fuel, but this instead dissolved fuel pump seals and other parts. The stretchy fuel-pump timing chain
1395-676: The issues. In 1980 the Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint which included the diesel engine issues and the transmission troubles, as well as camshaft issues with gasoline V8s. General Motors kept marketing the diesel to the fullest, with 19 of the 23 Oldsmobile models in 1981 being available with the 5.7 diesel. The sales and reliability woes were compounded by a decline in gas prices as well as fuel quality issues, including large volumes of diesel fuel containing water or foreign particles. A class action lawsuit eventually forced General Motors to pay up to 80 percent of
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1440-415: The next 30 years. While designing the original 350 cu in diesel, Oldsmobile left the head bolt design and pattern unchanged to enable them to use the same tooling as for the gasoline engines, unlike a proper gasoline to diesel conversion. This led to catastrophic head bolt failures as diesel engines have compression ratios that are as much as three times higher than a gasoline engine. In addition to
1485-448: The overall problem worse. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) had been unable to certify the diesel V8 for sale in the state in 1979 and early 1980 as the test cars issued to CARB broke down before the tests could be completed. Of the nine cars supplied to CARB, all suffered engine problems and seven had transmission failures. Myriad lawsuits were filed as several grassroots groups formed to try to get General Motors to acknowledge
1530-417: The public) the Rounded Line trucks were the first generation of the C/K to be designed with the use of computers and wind tunnels, optimizing the exterior shape for lower drag and improved fuel economy. The chassis was an all-new design (with all trucks receiving a leaf-spring rear suspension); K-Series trucks moved to all-wheel drive (shift-on-the-fly 4×4 was introduced for 1981). Alongside the introduction of
1575-409: The publicity around it, negatively affected American light diesel engine sales for years to come. One Oldsmobile engineer who had worked on the V8 diesel told his bosses not to release the hastily developed engine. Needing to meet upcoming CAFE standards, GM forced him into early retirement and released the engine nonetheless. Simultaneous problems with GM's new THM200 automatic transmission made
1620-579: The standard two-door configuration, sharing its doors with the Veraneio wagon/SUV. The model line was launched with a 261 cubic-inch inline-six (derived from the Chevrolet "Stovebolt" engine ); this engine was replaced in 1971 by a 250 cubic-inch inline-6 from the Chevrolet Opala . In 1976, the standard gasoline engine for the C-10 became a 2.5L inline-four. A four-cylinder diesel (Perkins 4236 3.8L)
1665-412: The total U.S. passenger vehicle diesel market. This success was short-lived as the V8 version suffered severe reliability issues. Although GM carried out several redesigns, by the time the engine was trouble-free, the damage to its reputation had been done, and it was discontinued after the 1985 model year. The later design V6 diesel did not have the problems of the V8. The shortcomings of the engine, and
1710-569: The work-oriented W/T 1500, off-road Z71, and the high-performance 454SS. Between one-ton trucks and the Kodiak medium-duty trucks, Chevrolet and GMC offered the C3500HD chassis cab for commercial use. For 1995, the fourth-generation C/K underwent a mid-cycle revision, adding a driver-side airbag (dual airbags became standard for 1998). For 1996, the extended cab was redesigned, adding a rear-hinged passenger-side third door on select 1500 models. For
1755-451: Was a minor problem in light of the other issues. Poor dealer service training only made all the problems worse. General Motors also carried out several redesigns of the V8's heads, bolts, and various other parts, but by the time the engine was trouble-free the reputation damage had already been done. The upgraded engines, as built by model year 1981, were identified as "350 DX" on the block. The later 4.3-liter V6 engine, which arrived for
1800-624: Was also derived (to various extents) from the contemporary version of its American C/K counterpart. The model line also included truck-based station wagon/SUVs (similar to the Chevrolet Suburban). In January 2002, GM Brazil ended production of full-size pickup trucks, concentrating its production towards the Chevrolet S-10 and car-based pickup trucks. In 1964, GM Brazil launched its first line of light trucks designed in Brazil,
1845-462: Was based on the Olds 350 gasoline engine architecture. A 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8 was introduced in 1978, followed by a 261 cu in (4.3 L) V8 only for the 1979 model year. In 1982, a 263 cu in (4.3 L) V6 became available for both front front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive vehicles. Sales peaked in 1981 at approximately 310,000 units, which represented 60% of
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1890-556: Was introduced for 1978 in the D10 pickup. For 1981, the engine line was reduced to two, with a 4.1L inline-six becoming offered in gasoline and ethanol-fuel versions (C-10 and A-10) and the Perkins 4236 (D10). For 1985 production, GM Brazil introduced the 20-series model line as its second generation of light trucks. Sharing its cab structure with the "Rounded Line" generation, the 20-series received its own front fascia (sharing headlights with
1935-519: Was introduced for the 1967 model year. Designated the "Action Line" generation by General Motors, the C/K largely carried over its drop-center ladder frame and its coil-sprung rear axle, but the body was redesigned from the ground up to improve its capability as a multi-purpose vehicle. Alongside a utilitarian vehicle intended for work or farm use, the C/K was also offered with optional features carried over from Chevrolet sedans, including automatic transmissions, AM/FM radio, carpet, and two-tone paint. While
1980-588: Was no longer offered in California for that very reason. General Motors had built a whole new plant for the V6 diesel, but sales thereof never broke 30,000 annually. Production ran at less than ten percent of capacity and much of the tooling had never even been unpacked by the time it was discontinued. In December 1984, General Motors announced the Oldsmobile Diesel engines would be discontinued during
2025-477: Was sold alongside its R/V series predecessor, as the crew cab pickup (which served as the basis of the Suburban SUV) was not released until the 1992 model year. In a branding change, the C/K nomenclature became exclusive to Chevrolet, as all GMC pickups became Sierras (GMC retained the C/K nomenclature for its internal model codes). Chevrolet introduced several specialized variants of the C/K series, including
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