73-87 Square Body Chevy & GMC C/K Truck Buyers Guide (Design, Options, Engines, Common Problems)
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Published 2020-10-29
In terms of exterior design, the 3rd gen CK was a revolutionary design at the time. GM coined the term "rounded line exterior” for this pickup due to the rounded windshield corners, rounded corners of the cab roof, rounded-corner doors, slanted front fenders, and rounded pickup box corners. However, most owners and enthusiasts refer to these trucks are square bodies or box body.
The trucks were only available with a regular cab configuration, except for the crew-cab variant on the 20 and 30 series that offered four doors for 3 more passengers or more cargo inside the cab. The were 2 different styles of pickup beds available. The beds with fender flares were called Fleetside by Chevrolet and Wideside by GMC. They were available in 6.5ft and 8 ft lengths and depending on the year, both wood and steel beds were available. The Stepside by Chevrolet and Fenderside by GMC, was a narrow width flare fender pickup box featuring steps along with standalone tail lamps. Initially, only wood floors were available, but later models received steel floors.
Some other nice exterior elements include the wide front grilles, full doors that extended to the roofline, and the wonderful collection of different paint colors and finishes available. By now, you should have noticed all of the amazing color combinations and paint styles that these trucks were originally finished in. No truck today comes close to giving you all of the nice paint jobs that were available on the 3rd gen C/K pickups.
The interior in this generation of C/K reflected GMs past progressive attitude towards pickups. They knew that more and more owners were using their trucks as daily drivers, so they intended to make the trucks easier to use and more comfortable to live with.
This progressive attitude led to GM fitting this generation with some wonderful comfort features that weren’t usually available in pickups during the 3rd gen C/K production time frame. These included soft-touch materials were used throughout including the dashboard, (armrests), steering wheel, and shift levers. High quality grained interior panels and bright metalwork was used on the inside. Custom Vinyl which was a variant of vinyl or soft Custom Cloth and velour seating surfaces were used. Additionally, there was fabric headliners, door inserts, and deep plush carpeting, depending on the trim level. Higher trim levels used sound-deadening materials for quieter ride comfort. The wraparound dashboard had a full complement of gauges. There was an optional all-weather HVAC system with Air-conditioning that had the vents integrated into the dashboard, and owners could option an AM or an AM/FM radio with the radio antenna integrated into the windshield for a sleek look.
The GMC was available in Sierra, Sierra Grande, Sierra Classic, and the top-of-the-line high Sierra trim. The Chevrolet was available in custom deluxe, Scottsdale, Cheyenne, and its’s top-of-the-line-model, the Silverado. The high trim levels were plusher and had an emphasis on comfort and luxury.
In terms of engines, the third generation CK offered six-cylinder and eight-cylinder power plants as well as some Diesel engines. The entry-level six-cylinder was a 250 followed by a 292 six-cylinder. The 8 cylinder gas engines were available in 305, 350, 400, and 454 cubic inch displacements. The two diesels were 350 cubic inch and a 379 turbo diesel.
Looking at the data, you can see that the horsepower and torque figures are pretty low when compared to today’s engines. This is due to the fact that there was an oil crisis and as well as a strong push to get lower emissions by any means possible. These factors contributed to to create an era of low powered vehicles across most manufacturers.
The 4wd K-Series pickups were available with 3 different systems: a Conventional, a Permanent, or a Shift-on-the-move four-wheel-drive that was introduced for 1981. All K-Series pickups featured four-corner Vari-Rate multi-leaf springs, front live axle with symmetrical (inline) shock absorber geometry, and the Load Control rear suspension system. The 4wd pickups featured a transfer case that was bolted directly to the transmission and driveline components were installed as high as possible to reduce the chances of the undercarriage hitting obstacles, and to achieve optimal ground clearance. Steel wrapped Brake lines and an underbody skid plate optional.
There were lots of great options available on the C/K Pickup trucks. They included niceties like blow eye-line mirrors, power windows and locks, a tilt steering wheel, AM/FM stereo with cassette player, sliding rear window, fuel tank shield, rallye or styled wheels, A CB radio, cruise control, and deluxe or special two-tone paint finishes.
Watch this video to get the full scoop on the 73-87 GM Trucks!
All Comments (21)
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*OTHER REVIEWS TO WATCH*: Chevy: 1972-1987 Square Body Buyer's Guide: www.youtube.com/watch?v=78oolTruPdQ 1988-1998 Silverado /Sierra Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLs-KWSucjo 1994-2004 S10 Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmfgCOxW6XA 1999-2007 Silverado / Sierra Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmN6_ubzyuI 2007-2013 Silverado / Sierra Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UXTc5BGxsM Ford: 2004-2008 F-150 Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duNWJA7m63s 2009-2014 F-150 Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IpC-mHY0xM 1997-2004 F-150 Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaKffURoFQY 1998-2011 Ranger Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fELUyrKY1U4 2005-2014 Mustang Buyer's Guide: https://youtu.be/lrfpgzcgLI8 Mercedes: W211 E-Class Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpplQTp2DSQ W212 E-Class Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYZSnLzdNp8 W212 Best E-Class(?): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNF5piFLS4U W204 C-Class Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtCbbrsQQ-Y W205 C-Class Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHVDM7AfKfM W222 S-Class Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E9U0zEkWdg Mazda: 1990-1997 MX-5 Miata: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjNB-LbkNSY Nissan: 2004-2015 Titan Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VFdZeEyGnA HardBody Pickup Truck Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mRVMByFh_I Subaru: 2014-2018 Subaru Forester SJ Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir694Wah9PA Lexus: 2001-2005 IS300 Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtxoUg0zthw Toyota: 1995-2004 1st Gen Tacoma Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtyhiOD8Jm4 2005-2015 2nd Gen Tacoma Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZOhD0KU_gA 2000-2006 1st Gen Tundra Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pIyUcFGf4c 2007-2020 2nd Gen Tundra Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhH4UnFvJuI Porsche: 2010-2016 Panamera Buyer's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3giueysuXdU 1999-2005 911 996 Buyer's guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvdMzS8XdXk
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I own a 74 c10 I got 5 years ago when I was 17 for $2,800. Still has the factory 250 inline 6 with a 3 on the tree transmission. (Love the old school vibe and none of my friends ask to drive it!) It has the option tag intact and shows a few upgrades the original owner selected like a heavy duty clutch and rear springs, chrome front bumper, radio...If I have my say I will never part with it. I feel like I’m driving a couch it’s so comfy. It only left me stranded one time, the ignition coil went bad. So I got electronic ignition and she’s all good. She’s my daily driver and still earns a living on my pool route! I rate her ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Yes. Easy oil change, easy sparkplugs change, easy work on engine, easy works on engine parts unlike today’s truck which you cannot.
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Owned my 85 c10 since 1989. In the process of restoring it now. Love my Square Body !
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I’m 16 and just bought my 78 Scottsdale and I’m so in love with it
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My dad bought a 1973 Chevy Cheyenne super 10 for his 40th birthday and it had the blue and white combination paint!!! I remember as a kid when I first rode in it with its 7and a half inch thick bench seat a 350 engine and I knew then that this was a special truck that would stand the test of time. We lived on the water and unfortunately the salt water wasn’t too kind to the body with rust starting I think about 6 years or so later but how I loved that truck !!!! It was the engine that I performed my first tuneup on and later some of my first Autobody repairs on but how I loved that truck!!!! Now here we are almost 50 years later and just as I knew then it continues to be one if not the most sought after trucks by collectors today. And as I think back now to my dads truck all I can say is how I loved that truck!!!!
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When I was in high school around 1984 my dad picked up a 1974 GMC 4 x 4 stepside, it had a 350 and a manual 3 speed with Granny Gear. That truck would kill anything made since. ;-) One time when we were getting on the highway about to make a 300 mile trip towing a boat the transmission lost a few gears, turns out it was something to do with the part time 4 wheel drive and the local 4x4 shop had a retrofit kit that fixed it, my dad and I did this all in our driveway. My dad also took this truck out hinting shortly after buying it and the factory manual hubs wouldn't lock, so my dad was able to get a set of Warn hubs and put them on in the parking lot. Another thing we did in our driveway was put on a Rancho 4" lift front and rear.
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Currently own a 73’ Cheyenne super. She’s a beautiful truck.
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Just bought a 86 k 3/4 4x4 automatic for 8,000 I couldn’t find a Stich of rust on it. The most I ever paid for any truck I’ve owned. Odometer says 55,000 one owner. Needed some new seats, put rubber floor pad and no rust was under the carpet. New headliner, tunes. She rides like a dream no rattles sounds great. My Uncle fixed her up real nice. Only problem is I’m pushing 60 5’2” and getting a bit round and it’s a bit tall but I’ll push pull or drag myself into it till I can’t lol. I just need one of those stickers that says (nope this ain’t my ole mans truck)😎 you all take care and be safe! Laura
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My dad had a 1974 GMC Custom 1500 , plain Jane , and I mean plain Jane , white wheels with white hub caps , white front bumper, no radio, no AC , no power steering and a 3 on the tree. I learned how to drive on this truck at age 10.
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I own an 84 Silverado K20, 140,000 miles on it. I will be keeping this truck for the rest of my life. Coolest trucks ever made by far.
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I have driven many different fords and chevs both from that era and newer, none of them could match the reliability of the 1984 c10 I drove for 25 yrs, a few things failed but were easy and affordable to repair - no other model even comes close IMO those were the best trucks ever built
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I was 19 my very first vehicle ever was a 1977 C-30 w/350 V8 and 4spd manual I bought used my mother was less than impressed it had no bed on it my father built a wooden flat-bed for it and the rest was history I loved that truck!
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GREAT VIDEO! Paused it a lot to read. I've had 3 of these things. Never had any other truck since I started driving in 1996. Had a 77 Chevy Sport, an 87 R10 and Now have a 78 C20.
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Bought my 1984 K-10 Custom in December 1983. Still driving it. I get offers to buy it all the time.
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I have a 74 k-10 with a 3/4 ton upgrade. 25 years ago I though of selling it but I read the option list in the glove compartment. About 34 years I have owned it. It has been on 90% of the back roads in Arizona, never let me down, or been to a shop. I will start up the new rebuild 350 I put in tomorrow, Friday and I plan to be out in the desert Saturday ripping it up.
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I bought my 1975 3/4 ton 4wh dr. in 1978 and I STILL OWN AND DRIVE IT!!! It now has over 530,000 miles on it!!! It's the toughest truck I've ever owned!! Although I've changed engines and transmission, the original motor and transmission were working properly when I took them out! Instead of the 350 cu. in. motor and 350 turbo trani. I installed a 1975 500cu. in. Cadillac engine and 400 turbo transmission with out any trouble!! Believe me it put the fun back into driving it!!! If you want to go a little faster just push down on the gas pedal (LOTS-O-POWER) The truck still looks in super shape!! (No rust!) And unless someone offers me a stupid amount of "cash" I'll still have her when I throw in the towel.....!! The ride is a little stiff but a great truck period!!!
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These are excellent trucks. I just picked up a blue 77 GMC shortbed still running and driving original 350/3504 barrel and has the original dealer sticker on the tailgate
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I have a 1977 c10. Have owned it for 38 years. Have owned it longer than anything I have including the wife and kids. Still runs great and I will own it till the day I die.
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I have a 1975 custom deluxe 20 with the usual rust. It has 63,000 miles and requires next to nothing to maintain. What is amazing to me compared to most of today's complex cars/trucks is that so many original parts still work fine. I have to wear ear plugs on long drives because the exhaust system is shot.
