Square Body Chevy Truck Drawing

Over the course of vi decades from 1947 to 2007, Chevrolet trucks went through many changes. The virtually substantial of these changes serve as the dividing lines between Chevy truck generations. If you're a archetype truck enthusiast, you're probably able to spot these body way cues and retrieve the corresponding model year ranges, but those who are new to classic trucks may not exist so well-versed. With this in mind, nosotros put together a clear and curtailed visual guide to 1947-13 Chevy truck generations.

The side-contour photos used in this article are courtesy of Chevrolet (CC 3.0).

1947-1955 Chevy Advance Design

The starting time of the Chevy truck generations we'll talk over is known as the Accelerate Design. This was GM's first postwar truck platform, and is ordinarily listed equally 1947-55 1st Series.

• • 1947-53 models featured a horizontal bar grille pattern, 2-piece windshields, with angle-topped bed sides.
• • 1950 saw the introduction of modern tubular shocks.
• • 1951 saw the introduction of door vent windows.
• • 1954-55 models received rounded tail lamps, a crosstype bull olfactory organ grille, a 1-piece curved windshield, a redesigned dashboard, and a deeper bed with fl at-topped bed sides.
• • Chevrolet 1955 1st series models were the terminal to exist offered with 6-volt electronics. GMC continued to offer 12-volt electronics as an option.

1955-1959 Chevy Task Force

As Chevrolet tooled up for the "Job Force" platform, some factories connected to produce the before design as the 1955 1st Serial, while the new blueprint was produced as the 1955 2d Series.

• • 1955 was the showtime year for the optional 265ci Modest Cake V8.
• • 1955 2d Series Models featured a wrap-around windshield.
• • The rare and desirable fiberglass-bed Chevrolet Cameo pickup is offered from 1955-58. 1958 trucks introduced dual headlamps.
• • Fleetside pickups replaced the Cameo in tardily 1958.

1960-1966 Chevy C/Thousand Series

The 1960 redesign featured a drib-center ladder frame, which allowed the cab to sit lower. It also marked the introduction of the C/One thousand designations for Chevrolet, "C" for 2-wheel drive models, "G" for 4-wheel drive models. A more sophisticated break design provided a more than car-like ride.

• • Series ten, 20, 30, and 40 (C or One thousand) were badged as "Apache", etc.
• • Serial 50 and sixty series trucks were badged as "Viking."
• • The largest seventy, fourscore, and 90 series models were badged as "Spartan", etc.
• • Chevrolet trucks were available with smooth Fleetside" or fendered "Stepside" beds. GMC chosen these "Wideside" and "Fenderside."
• • 1960-62 models used a torsion bar front suspension and a coil leap rear suspension.
• • 1963-66 models upgraded to a whorl spring front suspension.
• • 1964-66 models changed to a flat windshield design.
• • 1966 introduced the 327ci V8 and Turbo-Hydramatic (TH) transmission.

1967-1972 Chevy C/K Series

The 1967-72 Chevrolet and GMC trucks were dubbed "Activity Line." Most models in this truck generation were built with ringlet spring rear suspension. All 1967-72 four-wheel drive trucks had leaf springs on both axles.

• • 1967 was the concluding model year without side markers.
• • In 1968, a 50th Anniversary package for Chevrolet trucks featured a distinctive white-gilt-white paint scheme.
• • The Longhorn three/iv ton trucks debuted in 1968, adding an extra 6" to the bed.
• • The short wheelbase K5 Blazer debuted in 1969 along with the GMC version, known every bit the Jimmy.
• • For 1970, the 396ci big cake V8 was enlarged to 402ci, nonetheless nevertheless sold equally a 396.
• • 1971 introduced the Cheyenne condolement trim package for Chevrolet and the Sierra package for GMC.
• • 1971 brought front disc brakes on all lite-duty trucks.

1973-1986 Chevy C/G, 1987-1991 Chevy R/V Series

For 1973, Chevrolet and GMC trucks were tested in a wind tunnel and designed for better aerodynamics. The wheelbase was extended and a dual rear wheel option was offered on ane-ton pickups. Some enthusiasts refer to this generation as the "Square Body" Chevy truck.

• • An all-new carbon steel ladder frame designed with a "drop heart" was introduced.
• • The fuel tank was moved outboard of the frame rail below the cab floor to offer upwards to 40 gallons of fuel capacity.
• • 1973 introduced the Crew Cab option with the choice of 3+three seating or lockable storage in the rear cab.
• • Two-bicycle drive trucks used independent forepart suspension.
• • Power windows and locks were offered equally an choice in 1977.
• • 1978 introduced the get-go diesel engines.
• • For 1987, the C/K designation was changed to R/V to distinguish these trucks from the upcoming GMT400 generation.

1988-1998 Chevy C/K Serial (GMT400)

All 4th generation C/Grand trucks, including four-wheel drive models, received contained front suspension. This Chevy truck generation was officially designated GMT400, just some enthusiasts refer to it as "OBS," short for Old Body Mode.

• • From 1990-93, a operation model called 454SS was offered with a 454ci V8, sport suspension, and quick ratio steering.
• • An updated fascia debuted along with the mandated heart high-mount stoplight.
• • A turbo-diesel was made available beginning in 1992.
• • Vortec V8s debuted in 1995 with high-flow cylinder heads, new camshaft, roller valve lifters, and higher compression for increased power and efficiency.

1999-2007 Chevy Silverado (GMT800)

GM dropped the C/K designations for 1999, opting for Silverado for Chevrolet and Sierra for GMC, referring to the platform as GMT800. Some enthusiasts phone call this Chevy truck generation "NBS," short for New Torso Style. Soon before the next generation (GMT900) was released for the 2007 model year, General Motors began selling outgoing GMT800 models nether the name "Silverado Archetype."

• • Chevrolet models received a new fascia and revised tail lamps in 2003.
• • GMC offered an upscale trim level called Denali in 2001.
• • 2001-05 Denali models offered a Quadrasteer 4-wheel steering option.
• • Offset in 2003, Chevrolet offered a Silverado SS high operation pickup. In 2006, an Intimidator SS was offered in laurels of the late Dale Earnhardt.
• • A gasoline/electric hybrid was offered beginning in 2004.

2007-2013 Chevy Silverado & GMC Sierra (GMT900)

Photograph courtesy of Mecum Auctions LLC

The GMT900 serial trucks are the most popular and widely used trucks for businesses with employees that drive more than 100,000+ miles. With such a great proving basis of existent world data and statistics to draw from, the GMT900 trucks are considered the almost reliable Silverados and Sierras that GM has always produced.

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions LLC

• • In an effort to improve fuel economy, aerodynamic efficiency was stressed with the GMT900.
• • GM increased the rake of the windshield to 57 degrees and decreased body panel gaps to improve airflow.
• • Two available V8 engines were equipped with Active Fuel Management (AFM), a feature that deactivated iv cylinders when the engine wasn't under load. The v.3L and 6.0L V8's had AFM. The 4.3L, four.8L, and 6.2L V8's did non have AFM.
• • The GMT900 had a fully boxed frame with a three-inch wider front track and a one-inch wider rear track; torsional rigidity of the chassis improved 234-percent as a consequence of these changes.
• • In concert with the improver of a Hotchkis rear pause system, having a wider, stiffer chassis improved the truck's ride quality and handling characteristics.
• • Goals for enhancing the interior included making information technology quieter, more spacious, more refined, more comfortable, and offering more storage compartments, which GM accomplished in all areas.

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions LLC

How to Identify a Specific Yr Chevy Truck

This quick reference guide to Chevy truck generations should help you narrow down the year range of whatever GM truck you lot see, only what if you need to know the exact twelvemonth? We can aid with that. Bank check out our detailed guides below, which list the changes between each year of 1947-1972 Chevy trucks:

• 1947-59 Chevy Truck Identification Guide
• 1960-72 Chevy Truck Identification Guide

Need Chevy Truck Parts & Accessories?

If you already ain a classic Chevy truck, Classic Industries can assistance you find the parts and accessories y'all need to restore or maintain it. Click the button below for a full-colour Chevy truck parts itemize.

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Source: https://news.classicindustries.com/chevy-truck-generations

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