What is a square body Chevy truck?
The Square Body moniker comes from their box-like shape, despite being named the “Rounded-Line” generation by Chevy. The trucks feature a rounded windshield, door frames, and windows that contrast the box-body design. The Square Body trucks were one of Chevy’s longest-running generations.
What kind of body does a Chevy Silverado have?
2022 Chevy Silverado Square Body – The Chevy Square Body is the third generation GM truck in their C/K series. As you can guess by looking at it, the square body gets this nickname from its box-like shape.
Why are Chevy trucks round or square?
Interestingly enough, when the truck first debuted, GM called it the “round line” generation because of its round windshield, windows, and door frames. After surviving for eighteen years in the American car market, it’s clear that chevy wears it with a square body.
How many years does a Chevy square body last?
The Square Body trucks were one of Chevy’s longest-running generations. With a 14-year production span, they aren’t as rare as other C10 generations, but they are easier to find.
How Much Does a Square Body Truck Cost?
Who scored the square body muscle truck?
Can You Get a Performance Transmission for a Square Body Truck?
What kind of engine does a 1973 Chevy Vega have?
How much is a 1987 Chevy short bed?
Is SWB lighter than a track truck?
Do you need a swap kit for a V8 muscle car?
See 4 more
About this website
What is a square body?
Definition of square body : the part of a ship in which the frames run perpendicular to the keel — compare cant body.
What Chevy trucks are square body?
Nicknamed the “Square Body,” the all-new 1973 Chevy made big leaps forward in many areas compared to the second-generation C/K. In the early '70s, the design, feature set, and capabilities of these machines set them apart from just about everything else on the road.
What was the last year for square body Chevy?
The last year for square-body C10 production was 1986 because in 1987 with the introduction TBI fuel injection and the 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission Chevrolet changed the C10 series designation to R10.
Why are square bodies so popular?
There's been a lot of buzz in recent years around 1973-'87 Chevrolet light trucks (and their GMC counterparts), aka “square bodies.” Whatever you choose to call them, these boxy trucks are popular because they're widely available at affordable prices, there's an abundant parts supply, they're simple to work on, and ...
Why did they stop making square body trucks?
It's a lot cheaper to reshape the outside of a car than to redesign its engine. So now when car companies are faced with heightened fuel economy standards, it comes as no surprise that Chevy chose to ditch the very angular look of the square bodies in favor of a more rounded look.
What are square body Chevys worth?
A fully functional, pristine Square Body Chevrolet Suburban will set you back anywhere between $12,000 and $60,000, with the average price of driving one home coming in at around $16,000. Maintenance costs with this vehicle are a breeze.
What does the Z71 mean?
What does Z71 mean on a Chevy Silverado? The Chevy Silverado Z71 package is an optional upgrade to add to your Silverado 1500 to enhance the pickup's off-road capabilities. The Z71 package is Chevy's signature off-road package and is well-respected in off-road communities.
Did Ford make a square body truck?
The fourth-gen F-Series continued with the square design theme, and the truck once again grew in width and in the number of creature comforts. This generation also introduced the unibody look, eliminating the gap between the cabin and the bed, which made assembly easier and cheaper for Ford.
What are 90s Chevy trucks called?
The fourth generation of the C/K series is a range of trucks that was manufactured by General Motors. Marketed by the Chevrolet and GMC brands from the 1988 to the 2002 model years, this generation is the final version of the C/K model line.
What year Chevy is considered a square body?
Produced from 1973 to 1987, Square Body trucks are the third generation of the Chevrolet and GMC C/K pickups. The Square Body moniker comes from their box-like shape, despite being named the “Rounded-Line” generation by Chevy.
Is GMC bringing back the square body in 2022?
We have great news for Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 fans. The regular cabs and short beds are back. The 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 short box will be available soon, along with its GMC Sierra 1500 cousin.
What is considered a OBS truck?
The term OBS, created by enthusiasts, stands for Old Body Trucks. The criteria are rather loose, but most often the trucks with rugged and boxy looks produced in the early 2000s fall into this category. Read further to find out what OBS means for trucks and why they are becoming so popular in 2022.
What year Chevy is considered a square body?
Produced from 1973 to 1987, Square Body trucks are the third generation of the Chevrolet and GMC C/K pickups. The Square Body moniker comes from their box-like shape, despite being named the “Rounded-Line” generation by Chevy.
What is considered a box Chevy?
According to Motortrend, true donk cars are full-size Chevys from 1971 to 1976. Anything built from 1977 to 1990 isn't called a donk—it's called a box Chevy.
What is a Chevy OBS?
OBS most often refers to Chevrolet C/K pickup trucks of 1988 – 1998 years of manufacture. These General Motors heavy goods vehicles were sold under the Chevrolet and GMC brands and included medium and heavy-duty trucks and some SUV models. “K” means four-wheel drive, and “C” – two-wheel drive.
Did Ford make a square body truck?
The fourth-gen F-Series continued with the square design theme, and the truck once again grew in width and in the number of creature comforts. This generation also introduced the unibody look, eliminating the gap between the cabin and the bed, which made assembly easier and cheaper for Ford.
Why Chevy Should Bring Back The Square Body - HotCars
Prior to the “Old Body” trucks of the late 1980’s, GM made inexpensive trucks with a great powertrain and not much else. While the square body c/k’s interior was good for its time, there wasn’t the same focus on cabin comfort as there is today.
A History Of The 1973-1987 Chevrolet Square Body Pickup ... - DrivingLine
March 6, 2022; Story By Benjamin Hunting; After taking a big step towards modernity with its 'Action Line' of full-size C/K pickups built between 1967 and 1972, both Chevrolet and GMC were ready to make a further push towards comfortable, capable trucks that could double as daily drivers or task-focused haulers.
What year was the square body truck made?
1985-1987. Infographic. Produced from 1973 to 1987, Square Body trucks are the third generation of the Chevrolet and GMC C/K pickups. The Square Body moniker comes from their box-like shape, despite being named the “Rounded-Line” generation by Chevy. The trucks feature a rounded windshield, door frames, and windows that contrast the box-body design.
How much does a Chevy short wheelbase increase?
Wheelbase for both the 6.5-foot box and 8-foot bed increased. The short wheelbase increased 2.5 inches to 117.5 inches, and the long wheelbase increased 4.5 inches to 131.5 inches.
When did Chevy start offering Silverado?
Starting in 1975 , Chevy revised the trim levels. They began offering the luxury Silverado trim that eventually replaced the C/K line in 1999. The Silverado took over from the Cheyenne Super as the top trim level. The Custom Deluxe became the base model as the Custom level was dropped. The Scottsdale edition was added as a new trim.
What generation of C/K trucks were changed?
Several notable changes occurred throughout the third generation of C/K trucks. Below is a list of those changes broken down by year.
When did Chevy drop the 307?
Chevy dropped the 307 V8 engine in 1973 and replaced the 402 with the more powerful 454. When the NP203 transfer case became available for models with the V8 engine, it had full-time four-wheel drive. In 1973 , Chevy also began offering the C30 one-ton dually with a crew cab.
When did Silverado come out?
The Silverado, Cheyenne, Custom Deluxe, and Scottsdale trims were available trims from 1977-1979. Another new grille design entered the scene for these model years. It's easy to differentiate these grilles from the rest as they have fewer vertical dividers and one less horizontal divider.
When did Chevy re-engineer the front end?
A mid-generation refresh took place in 1981. Chevy introduced a new front end with redesigned sheet metal. Along with the changes came a 300-pound weight reduction. The same front sheet metal was used throughout the rest of the third generation until 1987.
What year was the squar body?
Nicknamed the “Square Body,” the all-new 1973 Chevy made big leaps forward in many areas compared to the second-generation C/K. In the early ’70s, the design, feature set, and capabilities of these machines set them apart from just about everything else on the road.
What was the design of the 1973 Chevy?
DESIGN VISION: Though still clearly recognizable as a Chevy, the 1973 trucks had a cleaner, more distinct look thanks to their squared-off panels. Larger glass areas with curved side windows contributed to visibility from the cab, while a large new grille and a wide stance gave the pickups a purposeful appearance befitting their capability
What was the difference between 1973 and 1972 Chevy trucks?
CREATURE COMFORTS: The 1973 Chevy trucks offered roomier cabs, with increased leg, hip, head, and shoulder room compared to the ’72 models. In addition to a new one-piece instrument panel and redesigned interior trimmings, the cabs featured “flow-through” ventilation to keep that fresh air moving, and more insulation and weatherstripping. It all contributed to making the trucks a more pleasant place to spend long days on the road, farm, or job site.
What was the technology of the 1973 Chevy truck?
TECH … 1973 STYLE: With compact discs and smartphones just a dream of sci-fi writers, the 1973 Chevy trucks nonetheless offered in-car entertainment options in the form of a choice of AM or AM/F M radios, with the antenna cleverly integrated into the windshield. Other innovations included suspension and frame enhancements intended to improve ride comfort over the ’72 models.
When will Silverado Square Body be released?
Considering many fans, especially in the United States, we hope Silverado Square Body will be redesigned soon and ready to be marketed in 2022.
What is under the hood of a Chevy?
Under the hood, buyers have a wide range of robust and reliable engine options to choose from. On the inside, Chevy technicians make the cabin more comfortable with additional legroom, four-door crew cabin options, and climate control.
What is the Chevy Silverado 2022?
2022 Chevy Silverado Square Body – The Chevy Square Body is the third generation GM truck in their C/K series. As you can guess by looking at it, the square body gets this nickname from its box-like shape.
Why is the GM truck called the round line?
Interestingly enough, when the truck first debuted, GM called it the “round line” generation because of its round windshield, windows, and door frames.
Did the Chevy Silverado lose the sales race?
Silverado lost the sales race against its main competitor Ram 1500. Perhaps a redesign like this could pull back some sales for Chevrolet. Anyway, this thing looks cool. The designer chose the Chevy Silverado Cheyenne concept as a starting point.
Does a Chevy have a square body?
After surviving for eighteen years in the American car market, it’s clear that chevy wears it with a square body. These trucks were the first designed by GM using computer simulations and wind tunnels.
Is Chevy a no frills truck?
In the past, Chevy trucks were an affordable option for workers who needed reliable and straightforward trucks, and today there is wide open space on the market for full-size no-frills trucks such as old square bodies.
Why is the Chevy truck called the square body?
Most changes occurred in the body. With the truck’s larger and wider frame, it was dubbed the square body Chevy because of its box-like appearance. However, it was also formally named the “Rounded Line” generation because the pickups featured a square wheel well with rounded corners.
What does the C/K stand for in Chevy?
The “C” stands for two-wheel-drive pickups, while the “K” represents four-wheel-drive trucks. The pickups are also classed by weight known as the C/K10, C/K20 and C/K30 trucks.
What year did Chevy make the C20?
The Silverado trim models were hitting peak selling records, making them a popular C/K truck throughout the nation. 1975 was also the year Chevy engineered the C20 model with four doors and no rear seats. Other additions to hit the production line were HEI ignition and a quick-release tailgate that became a prominent selling feature.
How many headlights did Chevy have in 1984?
In 1984, drivers had the option of four headlights, meaning you could revert to the original two. High beam lights and cruise control moved into the turn signal handle, and Chevy got rid of any hood ornaments on the pickups.
How much HP does a Dooley have?
It was revolutionary. They also dropped the 402 V8 engine and replaced it with the 454, which was more powerful. Nicknamed the “Big Dooley,” it could reach up to 155 HP. By the second year of production in 1974, the recessed egg-crate grille design from 1973 remained.
When did Chevy start offering Silverado?
In 1975 , Chevy began offering the Silverado trim as their luxury option — and a familiar name we know today. The new trim line quickly became the most popular option, taking the place of the top-ranking Cheyenne Super trim. The Cheyenne Super was discontinued soon after. The Custom Deluxe became the base model, and Chevy dropped the Custom trim line as well. As a result, the company started to introduce the Scottsdale edition.
How to replace a car?
Look for damaged or worn parts that require complete replacement. Make sure you keep things organized by laying the parts out from front to back, or whatever makes the most sense. Label larger pieces and keep the small nuts, bolts and other hardware in containers.
What is a squarebody sydcate?
Squarebody Synidcate produces a full line apparel for 1973-1987 GM truck fans everywhere that consists of custom hats, teeshirts, sweatshirts and decals. They just recently launched their own line of Syndicate Series Products too! Get Fitted.
Where are QA1 sway bars made?
Front sway bars fit 1963-1987 Chevy/GM trucks. All products listed are proudly made in the USA in QA1’s Lakeville, Minnesota facility. Eliminate Sway Here.
What are the hinges on a 73 Chevy truck?
All American Billet hood hinges for ‘73-’80 Chevy Trucks are a great way to make your engine compartment pop. They are machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and engineered to operate smoothly. AAB hinges are manufactured to last and come with large bearings, stainless steel gas springs and stainless steel hardware. Available in 3 styles: plain; with holes; or with cutouts and 3 finishes: machined; polished; or their exclusive Silverline Series (anodized black with machined areas). Sold in pairs. Made in the U.S.A. Pop Your Hood Here.
What is a GC radiator?
GC Cooling designs a fan/radiator combo for your 1973-1987 Squarebody Pickup. Designed to their specs by Fluidyne this 3-row drop in unit replaces the old factory radiator. Efficiency and capacity increase 35% with this radiator/fan combination. It comes complete with radiator cap, custom aluminum laser-cut shroud, transmission cooler, and twin 14″ fans cranking out 3522 cfm and good for applications up to 850hp. Increase the Cool!
Where is the license plate bracket on a 67 87 truck?
The license plate hanging below the rear bumpers on 67-87 trucks has always been an eyesore. So BROTHERS designed a new flush license plate bracket to clean up the body lines. The stock bracket hangs 1-3/4” below the bottom of the bumper, but BROTHERS new license plate brackets sits flush with the bottom edge of the bumper. Kit includes license plate bolts with LED lights to illuminate the license plate, bolts to hold the bracket to the bumper and the license plate bracket with a black powder coated finish. Get Flush Mounted.
Does the 1973 78 square body have a steering column?
The new ididit 1973-78 Squarebody steering column installs in the same location as the OE column and includes everything you’ll need for easy installation. Ididit offers both a standard and rack column for the 1973-78 squarebody trucks. The standard column will bolt right to your stock box (with a u-joint). The rack version is made shorter to lessen the angle of the u-joints. Shift Into Yours Now.
Can you inject fuel into a squarebody truck?
Fuel injection for your Squarebody truck! Converting your classic squarebody c10 to EFI is now an easy and affordable option thank to Tanks Inc. Their stock style powdercoated gas tank has all the internal baffling needed for late model EFI engines. The saddle tank has a separate pump and sender to easily match the pump to your engine as well as different ohm ranges for the sender to correctly match to factory or aftermarket gauges. Get Fueled Here.
How Much Does a Square Body Truck Cost?
If you've got your sights set on a 1973 to 1987 square-body Chevy (or GMC) pickup, a good place to get a handle on pricing is the NADA Price and Value Guide. We like NADA because there's no personal data being scraped from you indiscriminately and there's no log-in or password to remember—just click your year, make, and model, and do your research. For a 1973 Chevy C10 short-bed, retail values range from $8,700 on the low side to a high of $34,600, with average transaction price around $17,600. On the newer end, a 1987 Chevy standard-cab short-bed has a low side of $3,900, a high side of $20,800, and average transaction price of $12,900. We took a stab at our local Los Angeles-based Craigslist and found this nicer small-block powered 1980 standard-cab short-bed step-side Chevy C10 (pictured above) with an asking price of $16,000. That might seem high compared to just a few years before but compared to the cost of a classic muscle car, it's a deal.
Who scored the square body muscle truck?
You know the square-body muscle truck gig was on when Roadkill's David Freiburger scored a 1974 short-bed step-side square-body for an LS-swap adventure.
Can You Get a Performance Transmission for a Square Body Truck?
At the present time, there are quite a few companies offering five- and six-speed manual transmission kits for the earlier 1967 to 1972 Chevy C / K series truck, but to the best of our knowledge, only American Powertrain currently has a kit for the 1973 to 1987 square-body truck here. While swapping in a four-speed automatic overdrive like a 700R4 or R4L80E is straightforward affair, the five- or six-speed swap (American Powertrain offers both kits at $3,400 and $4,000, respectively) requires specific knowledge and specialized parts. The square-body Chevy truck was offered with a range of manual transmissions, but they typically had wider gear ratios with significant rpm drop between gears, and gear synchronization is poor at higher engine speeds.
What kind of engine does a 1973 Chevy Vega have?
The third-generation C / K series came with a whopping 10 engine choices in its lifetime—everything from a 250ci inline six-cylinder, to a 454ci big-block Chevy —and all the small-blocks and diesels you can think of in between. Square-body trucks were large animals, and their prodigious engine compartments could swallow anything, including aftermarket tall-deck blocks. Need a 632ci big-block with twin turbos to go street racing? If you've got the money, it can be done with room to spare.
How much is a 1987 Chevy short bed?
On the newer end, a 1987 Chevy standard-cab short-bed has a low side of $3,900, a high side of $20,800, and average transaction price of $12,900.
Is SWB lighter than a track truck?
Not only is the SWB (which stands for short wheelbase) lighter for a better power-to-weight ratio, but its rotational inertia is less, making the SWB more suited for handling applications like autocrossing and track days. (Yes, tracking a truck is a thing!)
Do you need a swap kit for a V8 muscle car?
Since all your favorite V8 muscle car engines came in square-body trucks, there really isn't much need for specialized swap kits, so if your goal is to upgrade from a six-cylinder to a small-block, or from a small-block to a big-block, it's only a matter of sourcing stock-type replacement parts or their higher-performing aftermarket equivalents from a place like Summit Racing or Speedway Motors.
1973-1974
1975-1976
- The 1975 Chevy trucks were a hot product, with almost 750,000 vehicles sold that year. Starting in 1975, Chevy revised the trim levels. They began offering the luxury Silverado trim that eventually replaced the C/K line in 1999. The Silverado took over from the Cheyenne Super as the top trim level. The Custom Deluxe became the base model as the Custom level was dropped. The Scotts…
1977-1979
- The Silverado, Cheyenne, Custom Deluxe, and Scottsdale trims were available trims from 1977-1979. Another new grille design entered the scene for these model years. It's easy to differentiate these grilles from the rest as they have fewer vertical dividers and one less horizontal divider. More hood details were also added in 1979, along with power windows. Early 1977 pickups feat…
1980
- The 1980 Square Body Chevy is the outlier of the group. It features a unique egg-crate grille that was only made for one year. Other than that, the body style pretty much stayed the same except for more chrome across the bottom of the grille. Rectangular headlamps became available and were standard for the Silverado and Sport trims.
1981-1982
- A mid-generation refresh took place in 1981. Chevy introduced a new front end with redesigned sheet metal. Along with the changes came a 300-pound weight reduction. The same front sheet metal was used throughout the rest of the third generation until 1987. Chevy redesigned the fenders as well as the hood hinges and vent windows. A new sloped hood replaced the previous …
1983-1984
- For 1983 and 1984, the Square Body Chevy featured a two-level grille. There weren't many other changes during this time. The turn signals changed location from the bumper to behind the grille. Along with the grille change, there were a few updates to the trim on both the interior and exterior.
1985-1987
- Yet another redesign of the grille took place in 1985 and lasted until the end of the third generation. During this time, the 4.3L Vortec V6 engine with fuel injection became the most powerful base engine for Chevy trucks. Beginning in 1987, the C/K trucks underwent a new naming designation. Model names switched from 10, 20, and 30 to 1500, 2500, and 3500, respe…
Square Body ID Guide Infographic
- For a quick reference, we put together this infographic to illustrate yearly changes during the Square Body generation. You can use it to help narrow down which used Square Body Chevy you’d like to buy. [click the infographic below] Sources: Chevrolet Articles, AutoRestorer | What Is a Square Body Truck?, MotorTrend | 1973-1987 Chevy C10 and GMC Truck Buyer's Guide, MotorTr…