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1962 C/K trucks were available in smooth "Fleetside" or fendered "Stepside" versions (GMC called these "Wideside" and "Fenderside"). Models were the half-ton C/K10 (short-bed) and C/K15 (long-bed), 3/4 ton C/K20 and one-ton C30. GMC did not use the "C" nomenclature, though their 4x4 versions were called "K". Trim lines were base and "Custom". Engines included 135 hp (101 kW) 236 in³ (3.9 L) and 150 hp (112 kW) 261 in³ (4.3 L) straight-6es, and a 283 in³ (4.6 L) V8 with 160 hp (119 kW).
A coil-spring front suspension came in 1963 along with a new base engine of 230 in³ (3.8 L) 140 hp (104 kW) I6 and an optional 165 hp 2(123 kW) 92 in³ (4.8 L) I6. The front-end was changed for 1964, and air conditioning and a 220 hp (164 kW) 327 in³ (5.4 L) V8 came in 1965. A new base engine finished the model in 1966 with a 250 in³ (4.1 L) 155 hp (116 kW) I6.
A new modern look came in 1967, and the 283 in³ (4.6 L) V8 was replaced with a 307 in³ (5.0 L) in 1968. 1969 saw three new V8 engines, 300 hp (224 kW) and 350 hp (261 kW) 350 in³ (5.7 L), and a 310 hp (231 kW) 396 in³ (6.5 L).
The refreshed 1973 version had a longer wheelbase - 117.5 in for short-bed and 131.5 in for long-bed. A crew cab was introduced on a super-long 164.5 in wheelbase. A real all wheel drive system was added as an option. Engines were a 100 hp (75 kW) 250 in³ (4.1 L) I6 and a 240 hp (179 kW) 454 in³ (7.4 L) V8. A four wheel drive one-ton truck was added in 1977, and a 350 in³ (5.7 L) diesel V8 was added in 1978.
1975 introduced two important names as trim lines, Silverado for Chevrolet and Sierra for GMC. In order, the new trim lines for Chevrolet and GMC were:
The revised 1981 model had a new 160 hp (119 kW) 305 in³ (5.0 L) V8, with the 250 and 292 in³ (4.1 and 4.8 L) I6, 350 in³ (5.7 L) V8, and 454 in³ (7.4 L) V8 also available. A 6.2 liter diesel debuted in 1982, and the Vortec 4300 was introduced as the base engine in 1985. In 1987, Chevrolet mysteriously changed the "C" designation to "R" and the "K" to "V", but these switched back the very next year!
There were 10 different versions of the C/K line for 1988: Fleetside, Fleetside Extended Cab, Fleetside W/T, Sportside, and Sportside Extended Cab, each in either 2WD (C) or 4WD (K) drivelines. Engines were a 160 hp (119 kW) 4.3 liter V6 or a 126 hp (94 kW) 6.2 liter V8. A 230 hp (172 kW) 7.4 liter V8 came in 1990, and a 175 hp (130 kW) 5.0 liter V8 added in 1994. All engines for more power of 40 to 40 hp (30 to 45 kW) in 1996, and a 6.5 liter 180 hp (134 kW) V8 added in 1997. 3- and 4-speed automatic transmissionAn automatic transmission is an automobile gearbox that can change gear ratios automatically as the car moves, thus freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually. Most cars sold in the United States since the 1950s have had automatic transmissions were offered, with the 3-speed dropped and a 5-speed manual transmissionA manual transmission (also known as a stick shift or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in automotive applications. Other types of transmission in mainstream automotive use are the automatic transmission, very common in the United State added in 1992.