2003 GM Medium Duties

GMMediumDutyMQ · June 26, 2002

Hi all,

Kinda dissappointed on the lack of a thread, let alone info on the 03 GM Medium Duties here (GMT 560).

So, figured, until administration does something about that, I'd start this humble abode here to kinda classify information and such in one area.

I'll be back later to add a lot of my info here and partake in any discussions when/if people start some interest.

Yea, and these babies use the 8.1 and the Duramax engines too, in some cases, even bigger ones (8.1L MD and Duramax 7800)

Looking forward to new chats

MQ

C/K Man · June 26, 2002

I, too, am very interested in these new trucks. The company that I work for is considering

purchasing some 6500's next year. I have yet to see any, but I hear that at least the 4500-

5500 as shipping now. No word on the larger stuff. Can't wait. Maybe if Ryder or Penske

get some bobtails, I'll go rent one for a few days (while they are still new!). BTW- how about

a TopKick C-8500 tandem with a 300 h.p. 3126 Cat! That's a truck.......

Zane · June 26, 2002

Sorry bout that. Up untill now, we really havn't had alot of people come out and say they wanted a seperate forum for the Mediums. If there is enough intrest, we can do something about it. ;)

GMMediumDutyMQ · June 27, 2002

I have yet to see any, but I hear that at least the 4500-5500 as shipping now.

You're right there. C4500s and C5500s are shipping as we speak, production in Flint is commencing, and orders are being taken (albiet slowly at the moment). These are known within GM as the "Family II" series of 560s, as they aren't what the current C-Series really is. These are lighter GVWR trucks, but by no means are light-weights. These are still hard-working trucks entirely.

As for sales, it's a bit confusing. The C4500 takes the place of the old GMC/Chevy C3500HD Cab/Chassis, that had problems of over-stressed frame rails. Essentially, any Chevy/GMC dealer that handled the C3500HD can stock and sell the C4500. Medium Duty dealers can handle the C4500, as well as C5500, 6500, 7500, 8500.

C6500, C7500, and C8500s are not being launched yet at the moment. Production should begin to ramp up for sales by the end of August, to the beginning of next year. I've heard no specific date from GM on when this will happen.

Crew Cabs and 4WD (on C4500/5500 at least) will not come until late 2003, early 2004 from what I have read.

Here's a pic of a GM Developmental C6500 crew cab that I enocountered the other day. I'd like one of these babies, especially in a C8500 version.....

Click Here To Access My Gallery

BTW- how about
a TopKick C-8500 tandem with a 300 h.p. 3126 Cat! That's a truck.......

No argument there. I love the GM Medium and Heavy Duty trucks, like the Brigadier, General, and Astro, and I've always dreamed of this.....taking a C8500 tandem, of the last generation sharing the C/K cab, and then borrowing a Suburban body, stretching it considerably, and putting on dually rear fenders for the two axles. Put like 5 doors on each side, and screw the Excursion, THAT is a GM SUV!!!

I'll have to draw one up in Photoshop......

More info on the 560s soon!

MQ

TxDoc · June 27, 2002

Nice thread, and info and pic GMMediumDuty. Keep it coming.

C/K Man · June 27, 2002

And speaking of Astro/Titan/General/Brigadiers, I have heard rumors that

there may be heavy duty class 8 versions of the new TopKick/Kodiak

GMT-560's. They may use the names Brigadier/Titan.

GMMediumDutyMQ · June 28, 2002

And speaking of Astro/Titan/General/Brigadiers, I have heard rumors that
there may be heavy duty class 8 versions of the new TopKick/Kodiak

GMT-560's. They may use the names Brigadier/Titan.

C/K Man, you are correct, I have found documentation that GM did register these names as a Trademark back in late 2001.

My father was responsible for a lot of electrical designs on the 560 program, and also recollected that they were toying with the idea of creating a Class-8 variant of the 560 that was heavier than what the C8500 was.

However, I did speak with a GM Media contact over possibilities of a heavy duty variant being launched, and they quickly dispelled the notion as groundless, but, I think there is something still there.

I did see an extremely long wheelbase C8500 tandem under wraps at GM's Truck Headquarters, and may have been a Heavy Duty variant, or perhaps just the longest wheelbase available on the 560-which is an incredible 308" on a tandem axle truck.

The other possibility is that GM was/is looking at these names for the luxury version of the 560. TruckTrend did a report a while ago on a concept that GM turned out for the SEMA show, called the Chevy Bruin, which, was a pre-production C5500 Crew Cab with a custom hood/bumper, luxury trimmings, and a customized Silverado bed. Reactions to the Bruin were so favorable, and with the introduction of Ford's (BOOO!) F650 Super Crewzer, that GM is seriously toying with the idea of putting it in production. These names may also be used for such a variant.

Glad to see some interest in these trucks, hope it grows to a point where my post grows to our own segment!

Thanks for the interest!

MQ

Maverick · June 28, 2002

I took a few pics of a C4500 but only posted one. I'll try to find the others. Didn't label the discs from the digital camera. You can look at it here:

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery....=437876

Shaners · June 28, 2002

GMMediumDutyMQ

Hey, I remember that Chevy "Bruin". That was definatly a cool medium duty truck. I'd like to see GM put something like that into production!!!

GMMediumDutyMQ · June 28, 2002

Hey, I remember that Chevy "Bruin". That was definatly a cool medium duty truck. I'd like to see GM put something like that into production!!!

Even though the current odds are in favor of a Bruin luxury variant of the 560 entering production, the best news is, if GM doesn't, there are definately aftermarket production companies that will do this modification.

There has been a big market with large trailer towing consumers who like having a medium duty truck along with luxury, and this has created a surge in the aftermarket truck conversion industry. I've seen a lot of crew-cab C6500 and C7500s of the previous generation (weld on a crew cab to a C-Series) used for this purpose.

But I think the fact that Ford's already producing the Super Crewzer is going to be the biggest edge to GM's production of the Bruin. That and (more than) favorable public reaction to the concept.

On another note, anyone notice the two different hoods available on the C4500/C5500? It seems like there is one with single headlights, with an argent grey surround, and a body color grille. There's also another with dual headlights, and a chrome strip that runs above the headlights. On the Chevy's, this continues through the grille, creating the traditional Chevy look. The grille on these is typically a mesh design. I've heard that there is a Deluxe grille option, but whether which grille corresponds to which, I don't know.

I've also seen pictures of a Chevy with the single headlights, but with a mesh grille, and without the bar. It's strange.

MQ

C/K Man · June 28, 2002

While we are on the subject of medium duty trucks, are any of you commercial truck

enthusiasts familiar with a company called First Gear? First Gear builds really nice

die-cast truck replicas. They are introducing a line of 1/34th. scale modern medium

duty trucks in addition to their lines of classic trucks. I have been suggesting to them

that they offer a TopKick/Kodiak. If any of you would be interested in a TopKick or

Kodiak, visit their website and leave a comment. They currently offer the new IH 4400

and will be coming out with a Ford F-650 soon. The IH is really well detailed, right down

to the air brake lines and coolant bottle! First Gear's website is:

http://www.firstgearreplicas.com/

Maverick · June 29, 2002

The dual headlight (C4500) is a upgrade along with the chrome. The GMC and Chevy share the same grill but the Chevy has the added bar across the middle. This is similar to when the W/T 1500 had single headlights (base model) and the Silverado's had the dual set up.

I found the rest of my pics of the C4500 I seen in Fargo, ND on my trip down south the 1st week of May. I got good pics of the mirrors. These are the mirrors GM should have put on my 3500. I'll see how much these are and try to make them fit my 3500. Here is the link to the pics:

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery....=437876

I also am waiting for the crew cab 4x4 4500. I'll be first in line for sure. You can get air ride seats and a factory exhaust brake and high idle. Lots of stuff you can order out on these trucks.

GMMediumDutyMQ · June 29, 2002

Thanks for the info on the hoods!

My local dealer wouldn't give me the brochure on the 2003 TopKick, go figure. He tried to lie his way out of it, saying he was out, but there were three of them on his desk. How nice. I'll get some copies one way or another....

In the meanwhile, I've uploaded a lot of the images I have of the 560 to my online album, until I can get my website uploaded and going again. This album covers all models of 560, along with my spy photos, and other pictures of interest.

My GMT 560 Photographs

I will be posting more in the near future.

MQ

Maverick · June 30, 2002

I have an option sheet for the 4500's (22 pages). If you need to know if you can order something on one, just ask. I'll look it up.

I click on your 560 link, and I get my own page at PitureTrail. Wierd.

GMMediumDutyMQ · June 30, 2002

Odd,

I click it, and it seems to work.

Maybe this time this will work......

My GMT 560 Photos

If not, going to the picturetrail.com homepage, and typing GMMediumDutyMQ in the Member lookup text box will pull them up.

How'd you get an order sheet? My dealer wouldn't even let me obtain a brochure, let alone one of those! Although, I do have the 2003 GMT 560 Press kit......so I guess it's fair.

MQ