GMC vs. CHEVROLET

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Redfish

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Andrew
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V1500
Engine Size
350/5.7
I'm tired of oncoming grills that look like the car is cruising along swallowing plankton.
Are you referring to this sort of Modern Grill? Like a catfish gasping for breath? ;)

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It is somewhat true that Form Follows Function. My '87 TBI 350 was rated at 210HP and 300 ft. lbs. of torque. It didn't take a lot of cooling capacity to keep that engine within its operating range even when towing and if outfitted with an automatic. All of the modern "3/4 Ton" trucks with diesels have around 400HP and between 900 and 1000 ft. lbs. of torque. Hook that to an automatic transmission capable of handling that power then hook the entire rig up to 15K pounds of trailer and suddenly you need a LOT more radiator and cooling capacity than the older vehicles ever did. That means a bigger grill to get air flow over the cooling system. Sad, but the designers are doing what they can.
 

CheemsK1500

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In terms of cosmetics, the worst thing to happen was the NHSTA mandating minimum height requirements for front ends. This has caused everything from the grille to the wheel wells to get consideredy bigger.
 

shiftpro

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shiftpro
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350, 383, 454, 496!
I think every manufacture's truck from the late 90s and up looks like smashed goat turds, gettig worse with each new model. Bunch of fat liberal women.
 

Turbo4whl

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In terms of cosmetics, the worst thing to happen was the NHSTA mandating minimum height requirements for front ends. This has caused everything from the grille to the wheel wells to get consideredy bigger.
Interesting, I did not know. With a search I found this:

NHTSAs regulations at 49 CFR 523.5 provide two basic ways in which a vehicle can be classified as a light truck for CAFE purposes: 523.5(a) covers vehicles that the agency considers functional light trucks, that are not passenger cars because they were not manufactured primarily for transporting up to ten individuals; and 523.5(b) covers vehicles which are expressly excluded from the passenger car category due to their capability for off-highway operation.[1] Your question focuses on 523.5(b), which states that a vehicle must either:

(1)(i) [Have] 4-wheel drive; or

(ii) [Be] rated at more than 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight; and

(2) [Have] at least four of the following characteristics calculated when the automobile is at curb weight, on a level surface, with the front wheels parallel to the automobile's longitudinal centerline, and the tires inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure

(i) Approach angle of not less than 28 degrees.

(ii) Breakover angle of not less than 14 degrees.

(iii) Departure angle of not less than 20 degrees.

(iv) Running clearance of not less than 20 centimeters.

(v) Front and rear axle clearances of not less than 18 centimeters each.

Running clearance is defined in 49 CFR 523.2 as the distance from the surface on which an automobile is standing to the lowest point on the automobile, excluding unsprung weight.
 

Salty Crusty

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Gary
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
c1500
Engine Size
565
BearKing, I'll take that cast iron 6.2l block and every one like it you can find...
6.0L is the largest cast iron production block, all 6.2's are aluminum as are 7.0's.
A 6.2L iron block would be the preferred starting point for all these guys adding turbos.
 

TotalyHucked

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Zach
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1985
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Sierra 1500
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5.3
I cannot agree on this one. My '07 Classic LBZ 2500HD was a Monster. That truck moved everything I hooked it to and served me well. But I loved the look of the '17 to '19 2500HD and my '19 is a better tow vehicle in every way. More power, better fuel mileage and a much better chassis. I do miss not dealing with a DPF, regen mode and DEF though.

The day I traded my faithful '07 in on my '19:

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The new trucks are certainly more capable, as with anything that progresses. But I'll never own one. It'll be a Ram or Ford for me if I'm getting a newer truck
 

Royal Sierra 454

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Scott
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
15 GMC Royal Sierra
Engine Size
454
I've always liked GM trucks and cars. Miss my 05 Duramax. Sold it 3 years ago. Window sticker new 48K. Bought it for 42k
 

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ulm4lyf

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The three letters on a GMC are fun for acronym jokes.

"God's Mechanical curse."
"Gotta Mechanic coming?"
"Gay Man's Choice/Chevrolet."
I thought that it meant "God Mode Chevy"
 

Strick

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1979
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C20 Crew
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350
There were a few different engine options back in the 60's. My uncle has/had a '63 GMC suburban with a 305 V6 for example.
The 305 V6 is a different animal. There are larger versions of these used in the cabover and 40+ series trucks too. It surely is different to see the plugs through the intake on the GMC V6. The valve covers are scripted GMC as well.

Strickland
 

Strick

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I thought that it meant "God Mode Chevy"
GMC: Good Making Circles. Great Mountain Climber. Gigantic Mudhole Cruiser...

Strickland
 

Strick

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By '73 they were the same.
My uncle bought a Chassis truck (C3500 Dually) in 1990. It was the "C" series new body style; plain-Jane with the exception of the 454 & Cheyenne grille and front bumper. It was a Chevy Bowtie in the grille and GMC 3500 on the doors. We never decided if it were a Monday or Friday fix. Sure slipped through quality control.

Strickland
 

CheemsK1500

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My uncle bought a Chassis truck (C3500 Dually) in 1990. It was the "C" series new body style; plain-Jane with the exception of the 454 & Cheyenne grille and front bumper. It was a Chevy Bowtie in the grille and GMC 3500 on the doors. We never decided if it were a Monday or Friday fix. Sure slipped through quality control.

Strickland
Perhaps they ran out of the Chevrolet style side trim, and just said "screw it."
 

Strick

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Truck Model
C20 Crew
Engine Size
350
Perhaps they ran out of the Chevrolet style side trim, and just said "screw it."
The truck didn't even have the trim on the side! A strip of chrome on the front fender lip and the 3500 badge on the door itself! Uncle Warren was working in WV at the time, and the truck came from a Bluefield dealership. I hear the jokes coming already...
They did replace the GMC with Bowtie emblems later.

Strickland
 

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