Thanks to the tough-guy look of the all new
Dodge Ram pickup truck and the rounded mod-squad
shape of the even-newer Ford F-Series pickup, the Chevrolet--and cousin GMC--C/K
full-size pickups are suddenly looking like the old kids on the block. Yet, in truck
years, the General Motors full-size pickups aren't really that old. The design was
first introduced in 1988 as a completely new offering inside and out, and even today
it looks clean, crisp and contemporary.
Stylistically, it offers truck buyers an alternative to the all newer Dodge and Ford
models, an alternative that is traditional without necessarily being out of fashion.
And in a market segment where product cycles are often measured in decades, eight
years tallies up as just getting started.
In 1992 the line was rounded out with the addition of a Crew Cab model and a 6.5-liter
turbodiesel V8. In 1995 the interior was redone, including the addition of a driver's
airbag.
For 1996 there is really big news under the hood. The so-called "Vortec" technology,
which was used to such positive effect on GM's 4.3-liter V6 truck engines, has been
extended to all the C/K's gasoline V8 engine offerings. The 5.0, 5.7- and 7.4-liter
V8s all deliver a lot more power and a lot more torque. In horsepower, the 4.3 V6 has
more than the previous 5.0 V8, the 5.0 has more than the previous 5.7, and the 5.7 has
more than the previous 7.4. Across the board, torque figures are up between 20 to 25
lb.-ft., depending upon the specific engine.
Flanked by the
Dodge Ram and
Ford's new F-Series, GM's C/K pickups seem to sit
squarely and comfortably in the great traditional middleground.
As with all full-size pickups, the C/K, from either Chevrolet or GMC, is available in
more combinations and configurations than most of us can probably count. There are
three cab selections; regular, extended and the 4-door Crew Cab. There are two body
styles, the traditional, straight-sided version and the Sportside, which offers a
narrower cargo bed and fender flares. There are four wheelbases, from 117.5 in. to
168.5 in., and choices of single or dual rear wheels.
There are three of what we can call duty ranges; the lighter-duty 1500-Series, the
harder-working 2500, and the 3500 heavy-duty. You can take your pick of the four
gasoline engines previously mentioned, or one of two 6.5-liter turbodiesels--normal and
a "heavy-duty," matched with a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic.
All C/K pickups are fitted with 4-wheel antilock brakes, a big plus in the safety
department. The optional 4-wheel drive is a shift-on-the-fly type that allows for easy
changes between 2wd and 4wd high. Like all truck systems, it's designed for occasional
use rather than full-time, and engaging low-range 4wd, for really tough going,
requires stopping the vehicle first.
The Chevrolet we sampled was about in the middle of all this, a Silverado 1500 with
extended cab, 2wd, 5.7-liter Vortec V8 and a 5-speed manual transmission. It had a
gross vehicle weight rating of 6800 lbs. and a maximum trailer-towing capacity of 7500
lbs.
This certainly isn't the biggest truck you can find, but only a few owners would
likely think it not big enough. For the record, everything said about the Chevrolet
pickups also applies to the equivalent GMC versions, as well. Aside from their
grillework, the two lines are identical.
The 5.7-liter Vortec V8 makes 250 hp at 4600 rpm (last year, the 7.4-liter "big block"
V8 made only 230), and 335 lb.-ft. of torque at 2800 rpm (last year the big block was
rated at 385 lb.-ft.). This means practically the same hauling power as previous
versions of the big-block, but without that monster's penalty in fuel economy.
The example we drove was EPA-rated at 14 mpg city, 18 highway; more than acceptable,
considering the Chevrolet's capabilities.
The new 5.7 V8 gets the job done. It pulls willingly to its 5500 rpm redline and makes
power all the way. More remarkably, our truck, equipped with the manual transmission,
could be lugged down to 1000 rpm in 5th gear, even on a slight upgrade, and from there
would take full throttle with no bucking or stumbling. If this engine is running, it's
making useable torque, which is what truck engines are all about.
Most buyers will probably choose the automatic transmission, but those who prefer
shifting for themselves will be pleased to know this one shifts smoothly and easily.
And all that torque means you do not even have to shift very much, if that's your
preference.
