Chevrolet Trucks Blog

The General Motors Corporation (GMC) seldom releases full-size Chevrolet Trucks. Coming out with a new truck usually has a gap of about 10 years.

Last year, the Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck happens to be the second-best selling vehicle in the United States alone. With GMC Sierra at its counterpart, the Chevrolet Truck was able to reach a good 310,896 Silverados sold for the first six months of the 2007.

To date, the Chevrolet Silverado is the latest full-size pick-up truck offering of General Motors. If the Chevrolet Silverado will be rated, it will likely get an almost perfect four stars because this truck has been fully equipped. For starters, the Silverado boasts of power adjustable pedals and leather bucket seat, satellite radio, climate control, backing sonar, power sunroof, and power sliding rear window, amongst others. These sophisticated high-technology installed in the Chevrolet Silverado make this pick-up truck more like a luxury sports utility vehicle than a mean off-road Chevrolet truck.

Moving over its internal system, the Silverado takes pride in its 315-horsepower and 5.3-liter V8 engine. This mean but sophisticated pick-up truck has also been loaded with an automatic transmission, dual-range four-wheel drive and locking rear-differential. What made this Chevrolet truck more tough in its flat hood, heavy-duty package, easy-lift tailgate, elaborate cargo tie-down system and boxed frame have this truck ready to haul big loads or tow up to 8,500 pounds.

Aside from the powerful exterior of the Silverado, it is also roomy which can accommodate about six passengers – an added bonus for medium to big size families. Add to that spacious cabin is the ability of the Silverado pick-up truck to take in towing and hauling capabilities under its belt. Moreover, the interior of the Silverado are really top of the line that one would think twice about producing a smudge on the seats. There is a multitude of trim levels, even two variations of dashboards of the Silverado. Unlike many of Chevorlet’s competitors, the Silverado pick-up truck still kept the gearing level on the steering console. The Chevrolet Silverado may not be as “sporty” as a console shifter, but it is able to provide a good number of significant storage space.

The Chevrolet Silverado does not only boasts of a high-performing engine, but an equally beefed up suspension system as well. With this kind of off-road vehicle, Silverado was geared with powerful suspension to veer away those excessive motion and noise usually produced on uneven or inconsistent terrains. Moreover, maneuvering this big truck will not going to be a problem, thanks to its suspension. The full-size truck Silverado will surely have all the liberty to adjust no matter what road condition it will face – be it in a mall’s parking lot or in the outskirts of the city. This attractive Chevrolet pick-up truck can definitely run smoothly with its swift transmission and brake system.

Among the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series circuit, Bristol Motor Speedway is considered to be the most exhilarating truck race wars. In preparation for the event prope, 30 competing teams had the time to road test the track.

The Bristol Motor Speedway race track has undergone a lot of changes here and there to improve concrete surface and add progressive banking. For these modifications, it was only necessary for racers to try out the new and improved track. Truck racer banking on a Chevrolet Truck Brendan Gaughan and the South Point Racing team were among the first to skid the wheels on the track. The eight-hour road test will enable the race participants to get the feel of the new tracks and will have enough time to do the necessary preparations and adjustments for the race proper set on August 22.

“We had a good truck, and we definitely got some laps in. We know what the new track feels like, and we have a good idea of what we need to do to get better,” said Gaughan.

Veteran racer Gaughan was able to achieve 318 laps on the .533 mile, which was considered to be the highest record for the drivers at the test, Tennessee short track. On the fast lane, racer Travis Kvapil registered a 16.040 seconds for the quickest lap time. On the other hand, Gaughan, who clocked in at 16.142 second per lap, was able to register the sixth fastest time of the day.

“One of the things we’ve been talking about is how far this South Point Chevrolet team has come in terms of preparation, and we unloaded good,” said Gaughan . “We were one of the first 10 trucks on the race track, and Bryan Berry (crew chief) and Mike Roos (shock specialist) had stuff they wanted to try, and we tried it. We never became the best truck today. I have to say that I don’t think we’re the happiest bunch here at the end of the day. We do not think we have a Chevrolet yet that can win this race, but we ended up sixth on the board.”

A good number of modifications were made on the Chevrolet Truck so that it can work well in any situation.

“We only changed the front and the back and all four shocks of the Chevrolet Truck,” said Berry. “Bristol is not the same monster that it used to be. If I knew whole answer, we’d be the fastest truck here.”

The Chevrolet Truck has undergone changes and upgrades especially in its suspension system. A huge vehicle like this, after all, needs a lot of powerful road control.

“The track is definitely smoother. The big transitions that we used to have to worry about as far as the shock package we would run, we don’t have to worry about now. We’re down on front spring, too. All that figures into the overall package here.”

Although the team still has about two to three weeks left before the truck race wars, South Point is not holding its horse to make the truck even better. More modification will sure be done as road tests continue. With all the preparation, the team hopes to get the top spots for the Bristol Motor Speedway.

“We ended today with changes we wanted to make, but I think we can make it better than what it is now. We ran 300 laps but we would sure like to run a 100 more,” said Gaughan. “There will probably be some more rubber on the track when we come back in August, and the race track should be a little faster. We’re going to go back, study what we learned, and see if we can get some more speed and put out South Point Chevrolet on top of the board.”

Along with the reliable Chevrolet Truck, race wars rookie Tim Sauter went home with his second Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for this season.

Carrying the lucky number seven, neophyte Sauter finished 18 of the 38 participants in the Power Stroke Diesel 200 Craftsman Truck Series race held at O’Reilly Raceway Park.

“We had a good truck the first half of the race, and we were really good. We changed tires, and the second set of tires just didn’t feel as good. But we thought we could hold our own,” said Sauter. “The second to last caution really hurt us, so we lost a lot of spots there. But all in all, it’s in one piece and we’ve still got a good truck to carry on.”

On a long run, Chevrolet truck proved to be a powerful mean machine especially on off-road driving.

“I think lap 30 to lap 50 we were the fastest truck on the track. We come from 24th to 8th, which was pretty good. We’ll just keep building on it,” said Sauter.

Cars and trucks are different in a lot of ways. The physical built of Chevrolet trucks or cars for example may dictate the kind of load these could carry, amongst others. For that, car dealers across the United States are opposing the federal legislation of the nationwide fuel economy standards.

Instead of just giving the same fuel standard for both cars and trucks, dealers nationwide have proposed an alternative called the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards. This would mean that there would be different standards for different classes of vehicles like cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles.

Earlier this month, a car dealer from Wisconsin had already made an active stand against the nationwide fuel economy standards, Pietroske dealership and National Automobile Dealers Association owner Bob Pietroske.

“There is a fine line between mandating more fuel economy and meeting consumer needs,” said Bob Pietroske, owner of Pietroske GM on Calumet Avenue. His dealership sells GM, Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, Chevrolet, Chevrolet Truck and Chevrolet Medium Duty vehicles.

Moreover, dealers selling both domestic and foreign vehicles have already joined in fighting off federal legislation that would mandate by 2018 a minimum 35 miles per gallon combined car and truck standard.

“We believe in (establishing) Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards and encouraging fuel economy,” said Pietroske.

If the combined standard would push through, automakers will have to sacrifice the quality of vehicles by significantly downsizing the built. With the alternative legislation, however, automobile manufacturers across the U.S. will be given enough time to put great minds together in order to develop the technology needed for the new standards. This is one of the factors that has to be considered because fuel economy increases would also affect vehicle diversity, safety concerns, and affordability.

Here’s a brief look on the Chevy Truck’s heydays

Beginning in mid 1955 with the introduction of the “Second Series” trucks, Chevrolet introduced the “big one” of the decade - the modern V-8! This light weight overhead valve 8 cylinder was an immediate success. It weighed about the same as the existing 235 six cylinder but its 265 cubic inches gave extra power not available before in a Chevrolet truck. With limited changes this small block V-8 engine continues to be used by GM in several of its new vehicles 44 years later! To stay competitive, GMC also introduced a V-8 for 1955. It shared no parts with Chevrolet’s 265 V-8 and actually was a modified Pontiac V-8 with a GMC logo on the valve covers. For several years as Pontiac made slight changes in their car V-8, GMC would also have to follow their supplier.

The introduction of the true fleetside pickup occurred in 1958. It was available in 6′ and 8′ models. The 1958-59 fleetside bedsides are different from the 1960-66 style. Horizontally on the outside is a long “spear” type protrusion giving extra strength to the sheet metal. To better call attention to this new design the chrome letters “Fleetside” are on the top rear corner on each side.

General Motors followed the industry trend and introduced dual headlights in 1958.

With the introduction of the new 1955 body design, Chevrolet began with the 12 volt electrical system. GMC carried the 6 volt system one more year on their inline six cylinder.

Due to increasing popularity of 4-wheel drive, General Motors introduced a factory installed unit in 1957. Of the several aftermarket add-on 4-wheel drive companies at that time, GM choose NAPCO of Minneapolis, MN as their supplier. Of course NAPCO is not mentioned in GM shop manuals or sales booklets, however, the 5 N-A-P-C-O letters are always cast and easily visible in the front axile housing. GM used the NAPCO system exclusively between 1957-59.

The Chevrolet Cameo and GMC Suburban carrier were marketed 1955-58. This “boulevard” 1/2 ton pickup was designed for a growing population with more disposable income. Its retail price was almost 30% higher than standard 1/2 tons. This nicely appointed pickup had most options but used the same suspension as a standard 1/2 ton. The most visible difference is its fiberglass smooth bedsides. As almost all domestic pickups were stepside, this fleetside design was very radical for its time. No doubt, it received much attention during its beginning years!

During 1955-59, Chevrolet marketed the 3200 pickup - a long bed 1/2 ton with a 123″ wheelbase. It’s suspension remained as the shorter 3100 as well as keeping 6 bolt wheels. The 3600 remained a 3/4 ton with 8 bolt split rim wheels but had the same wheelbase as the 3200.