If you need a watershed moment when trucks started to me like cars... it was this generation that did it. Even the advertisements. I’m pretty sure one of GMCs taglines was “remember when ‘this thing rides like a truck’ was a bad thing?”
Adjusted for inflation, the truck in the video would cost about $30k today. A similarly equipped 2019 base Siverado (V6, 2WD vinyl seat, AC, step bumper) costs just under $30k. Apples to apples, they are effectively the same price. There are many more luxury trucks now that do cost way more now, but you can still get a no-frills work truck if you want one.
No kidding. I would think a manufacturer would corner the market with a good, but rather bare bones work truck. I don't need my ass massaged to go pick up a couch!
@@TurboMan942 These days GM gets slammed by reviewers for building trucks that are too truck truck-like. Today the 2019 Ram 1500 gets praised for pretty interiors and the most car-like ride even though they have terrible payload ratings and plastic suspension components.
When they first came out we thought they were ugly compared to the 73-87 trucks. I bought an 87 V-20 Custom Deluxe with the trailer towing package. Still running great after 33 years. Could use a new paint job, and some door window weatherstripping but other than that it's good.
I was at Home Depot a few weeks ago and there was a guy getting some plywood loaded in the back of his $75,000 GMC 2500 Denali with the Duramax Diesel. As I listened to the conversation between the truck owner and the HD employee I had to chuckle when he said he purchased that 2500 HD Diesel pickup to tow a Jet Ski trailer with 2 Jet ski's then I busted out laughing when A) he about cried when they put a slight mark in the factory bed liner then B) when he realized that the 4x8 plywood was longer than his 6.5 foot bed. Yep, that's who they market trucks too today.
Well, I have one of these trucks and it has 430 horsepower... So I have the best of both worlds. I drove a new 4-door ecoboost, and that truck felt like a heaping pile of soft riding junk.
Best generation GM truck ever. My favorite modern truck too. I've had an 89 C1500, 2000 C3500, 99 Yukon, and currently 99 K3500. Dependable, easy and cheap to work on, great trucks
I've had a bunch of these bodystyle Chevrolets over the years and I love them! I currently have a 99 tahoe it 4x4 with vortec 350 and it has 199,600 miles on it and runs and drives like new. I also have a 2018 silverado I bought new in June but, I'd rather have a new 1998 silverado in my opinion!
I don't know about best generation. 73-87/91 is superior. I own several of the 88-98/00 trucks, Common failures are... Door handles breaking, under dash wiring melting, 4wd actuator going bad, shift forks in transfer case failing and sticking between gears, tbi issues, Frame rust is extremely bad on these trucks. The best thing some of these trucks have is a 4l80e.
The 88-98s were more refined than there predecessors. I bought new 88 & 97 K2500’s and still have them both. Better aerodynamics, more comfy interiors, more room & overdrive transmission’s. I’ve had and have several 73-87 trucks, 1/2 ton through 1 ton and they are simpler, more reliable trucks hands down. The parts are laughably inexpensive. I have a parts box that I keep in each truck that has a water pump, fuel pump, belts, hoses and alternator. All of that stuff I can replace on the side of the road in no time with just a few hand tools. The 88-98 drivetrain components are more lightly constructed and don’t hold up as well as the 73-87. That being said you DO still see a ton of 88-98s still out there putting in the work. Not being a hater at all, but how many 70s-90s Ford and Dodge trucks do see out there everyday still putting in a days work? 30 & 40 years later.
I've had many of the 88-98 c-k series pickups 1500, 2500 and 3500 they've all been great reliable trucks. I still own the first one I bought 12 years ago from the original owner, a 1990 c1500 Silverado trim package had 600,000 miles on it when I bought it, still running but very tired it's been in the great plains all its life, so rust is thankfully not a problem here. We put a rebuilt engine and trans into it a month after I got it and it's been my favorite truck so far. With 710,000 now it's still solid and rust free, hopefully I'll be the one driving when it rolls over 1,000,000 .
They still have W/T trim as the base but evwn the base now still has more options and saftey features than a fully loaded truck had 30yrs ago. Some saftey features mandated and some standard equipment demanded, its not your typical spray out truck anymore.
I have a 98’ k1500. I’ve had it for 7 years science I was 15. Great truck, wouldn’t trade it for anything. Never left me stranded and very easy to work on when it seldom needs to be fixed. LIKE A ROCK.
I still drive my late pops 94 Chevy K1500 4x4 5.7 lt. 350 auto-tranny daily wherever I go and it just tripped over 138,000 original miles and when something breaks on it I go get it fixed for I can't afford a new one these days at rape me prices !!
I have mine, a red and silver 2 tone extended cab from 1994 that has the factory 5.7L 350 and it has the stock output of 220hp. Good ole truck. Really really beneficial on the trails when I kick it into 4 wheel drive....oh did I forget to mention it was a Z71 too! I actually use mine for what it was built for. Not this pansy pants leather clad $90k sissy trucks of today’s generation! I only have a working A/C and heater, a working radio and cassette player and some gauges to give me info and that’s it!
I borrowed one of these from a friend of a friend a few months ago to move a washer and dryer, it was a 95. I was surprised by how well it drove, even the ride was really good. Back when trucks were trucks. Too bad nobody offers a stripped down basic work truck for 25K. Now a full size is a mortgage payment and even a Colorado is 40K, dream on.
False false and false again you can buy stripped down work trucks bet you haven’t looked because you aren’t in the market if you’re borrowing from others
@Take the red pill Yeah dude, Starbucks baristas are even covered in tatts head to tow. Used to mean you were a badass now it means your parents make good money
Rockwood Joe yeah they were awsome back then. I mean the new ones are ok, their still tough, and you can get the Z71 package on the Silverado and Tahoe still, but the old bodies were awsome.
Had a ‘97 Tahoe and ‘97 Silverado. Sold them both at around 165k miles. Paint held up pretty well out here in the west. Very little rust, no rot. Aside from wear items like thermostats, water pump, fuel pump, intake gaskets, they were mechanically rock solid.
303 Nitzubishi, not only that, but (between a C1500 and a G2 Colorado) their dimensions, except for the 8+ foot long bed, are pretty close. So the G2 Colorado is basically an updated (as in modern I4 and V6 gasoline and I4 TD engines) C / K 1500.
True, my 06’ Dodge Dakota “midsize truck” is about the same size as an old std. bed D150, and has a 7,000 lbs towing capacity and 1,749 payload capacity with the 4.7 V8. Kind of the last of that old basic work truck setup when you think about it.
My father had a 1988 C1500 Silverado as a work truck. It lasted until 2005 and had well over 300,000 miles on the odometer when it finally died. I dearly miss that truck.
These generation Silverados were just like the Energizer battery keep going and going still see some that look in good shape think these are my favorites Silverado trucks last 300-500k miles think the old ones as these are better along 99-02 generations.
I was attending University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND...and the local paper had an article about GM doing pre-production cold weather testing of these new "88 trucks in the area...mostly validating the HVAC systems.....and they had a picture of two of the trucks idling in a parking lot in town...this was in January, 1987. I believe they were on dealer lots later that spring. Compared to the square box previous generation, these trucks were really a step forward...also compared to the Dodge and Ford (which had a refresh for '87). And the Blazer/Tahoe/Suburban variants of these trucks were not introduced until 1992.
yup, I have a 1991 Jimmy and it's a square body. The Suburban, Jimmy, blazer, dualy and crew cabs didn't get the refresh until '92. The c-bodies drove nicer but the old square bodies are beasts. Especially the 4x4's. Those are real trucks, they drove like trucks, they consumed fuel like trucks and they just kept going and going. The 4x4's were all straight axles on negative arced leaf springs. They didn't ride real nice, but it took a lot to break them.
One hell of a reliable truck (in my case) as I haven't had to do a whole lot to it besides replace bad/worn parts that have been on since factory or have just worn out after years of use. I'm such a fan of the GMT400 that I refuse to buy any trucks that are newer than that are newer than 98' due to how reliable my 1988' Chevrolet has been over the years. I honestly wish Chevrolet would bring something like this back as I want something simple with all of the basic functions and not over the top as well as being easy to work on and fix yourself. Newer trucks are nice and all but I prefer something that I know has been proven to be reliable.
Wish I kept my 1989 Scottsdale step side 4x4 350ci TBI. Was a great truck. I was the second owner and had it for 11 years. Had over 300K miles on it. I sold it in 2015 for a newer 06 5.3 Vortec which was also a great truck. Now I have an 08 LMM Duramax fully deleted and EFI Live tuned. Once you go turbo diesel, you don't go back. Lol so addictive.
My grandpa owned several over the years. This was the truck he taught me in when I first started driving when I was 15. Memories I’ll have for the rest of my life.
Its funny watching these old reviews, I still drive my 94 like it's any other car..I often forget its 27 years old. It was around before me....like a rock!
Still see plenty of them in southwestern Ontario. Same with Ford/Dodge trucks of similar age. Lot of em are starting to succumb to rust but they run well enough. I will say though I see more 20 year old trucks in 2018 than I did in 1998
I've seen a boatload of 1988-98 Chevrolet trucks 🚚 on the road in my home state of South Carolina. Those owners who cared for Chevrolet trucks very carefully love them 💘 and those who don't would allow them to rust 😯. I prefer mostly Chevrolet & Ford trucks better over Dodge/Ram.
Man those were great trucks. I had a '91 and loved it, and wish I still had it. I kept it until 2005 and sold it with 365k miles on it, and then bought a 2005 model with the 5.3 V8, which I still have, and will NEVER sell it! The '91 that I had was really a great truck and very reliable and durable, but my '05 has turned out to be even better. It's going on 15 years old and still going strong. And they asked about rust, well here in north Texas they don't rust, not even a little, none.
I love how the ease of maintaining the truck is mentioned in the review. Car reviews of the 2010's never mention maintenance, only touchscreens and hipster gadgets.
I have a 92 I brought new. Has only 9k miles on it. I knew these were going to be classic someday so from day 1 I treated like a show car. It's a beautiful truck.
What a flash back! Had one of the early K2500's, ran the wheels off it, replaced it with a new '02 K1500 which I still have to this day(233k and still rolling!) , my first new truck. Cannot believe I have been watching MotorWeek since before I could drive. Thanks to John and Pat!
I do remember when this 1988 model first came in , my friend had a step-side/sport-side it is my favourite Chevy truck model up to this date , it is an amazing design, they started all that crazy pickup customisation culture back in the late 80’s and 90’s ... I love them so much .
It was better than the plastics they used in the early 2000's that would crack within 20k. Fit and finish between 98 and 08 was terrible for many of their cars and trucks.
Yes, the V8's are great for serious work, but if all you haul are occasional light loads, the 4.3-liter V6. as in this Cheyenne, is one of the best truck engines EVER!!!! DON'T knock it until you've tried it!!!!!
-TheManInDboX - i own one and is very common but cheap and easy to fix. But other than that keep it doing regular maintenance no issues and my truck has been past down to me my dad bought new Is 1993 half cab stepside Silverado with body kit that came with as option back in the day by choo choo customs
Had an '88 and an '89 with 4.3 auto and 5.7 5 spd loved them so much I bought a '94, '95 and a '97 . Wish I still had even one of them. They were great trucks and never let me down or stranded on the road. Had their issues of course here and there but man they were great.
Highly doubtful that anyone would even notice, but yes, these days respectful adults watch what they say if their words might be offensive to other people. The only people who find this trend annoying are the folks who are ticked off that they can no longer act like assholes with impunity. We know the writers for MW meant nothing by it, but today they wouldn't do it because they know Native Americans deserve respect.
Love that generation of trucks, the styling is timeless. They're pretty simple but they finally got rid of the stupid electronic carburetors of the previous gen, drivebility/reliability improved greatly. Had a 1991 Cadillac Brougham, came factory with the L05 350 Chevy truck motor and trans. Had that car for 4 years, drove it from 100k to 150k. Most reliable car I ever owned, never had to work on the engine or transmission once.
Sounds like a pretty cool ride. That Cadillac would have actually had the car motor, not the truck. The cars had roller cams while the trucks had flat tappets. Identical otherwise, though. GM's pre-Vortec TBI system is phenomenal for reliability and torque.
@@ironpanther2420 Loved that car, but sold it to somebody who wanted to do a cosmetic restoration on it, I just didn't have the time/expertise/space to really get that car back to 100% like it should have been. As for the L05 350 engine, lots of torque, zero top end, felt like a truck motor, was kind of loud and not that smooth.
I own a 86’ Ram and 03’ Silverado. The trucks are fleet models and simple. Not possible to buy a truck at a dealership today without bells and whistles.
I love the 90s truck interiors, most don't but I just like how simple it was. Easy to clean and nothing to go wrong, just the perfect amount of electronics that anyone with basic vehicle knowledge could work on em.
these old girls are capable of way more than you would expect, from the factory prewired trailerbrakes mine with the 5.7 and a installed 5thwheel hitch and a 7k lb towing capacity pulled my 9k lb camper 1k miles through some of the steepest mountain highways wv and virginia has to offer. mutch respect 250k on factory everything, went to replace the ball joints ( choice not necessity) and they had to cut the factory seals. 250k miles on the original parts
The truck is amazing, just be aware there are common problems with the fuel injector and idle air control valves. If either one goes bad, you'll have stalling issues but overall it's a very reliable truck if you can take care of it.
My first truck was a 90' Sierra SLE RCLB 2WD/350TBI... Many memories with my high school sweet heart. We now have a full family ❤️ These are just more than an old hunk of metal too us. They are a piece of me
The 1988-1998 Chevrolet Silverado C/K Pickup Trucks Are The Best Pickup Trucks Ever Made, I Love Them So Much. My Dad Had A 1991 Chevrolet Scottsdale Regular Cab 4X4 Long Box, He Bought It In April 1995 And He Sold It To My Uncle In March 2009. He Now Has A 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab 4X4 Long Box, He’s Owned It Since March 2009.
I bought my full size Chevy in 1990 brand new, it was the Cheyenne trim level. The same truck with the Silverado trim level was easily twice the price. After a few years of service my truck still looked great while the Silverado trim pieces were falling apart and looked like crap
@IsThisTheKrustyKrab? more like 20k. the model shown in this video would've been 28k today so take in account all the features etc, the new 2020 Silverado WT for around 28-30k is very modest.
My 89 GMC c1500 single cab stepside with the 350 motor has about 270,000 miles and still running strong on original motor & transmission. Only flaw is my paint has lots of oxidation. This generation of Trucks are absolute tanks.
Riggs from the Lethal Weapon movies had one of those. Although it was a dually with 4 doors I think. His damn partner was getting too old for this shit too.
Lethal weapon 2 featured this body style in the 1ton dually just before it was released, and lethal weapon 4 featured the new Grand Ams and the new one ton dually as well. Product placement in film one of the oldest marketing tricks in the book!
1st movies was gmc square body crew dually 4x4 an 86. second movie was 88 ext cab dually 4x4. 3rd was 91 same config as the 88 but was a newer truck. headlights are the give away its newer. 4th had a 99 sierra 1500 ext cab z71.
"Maintenance is easy. The spacious engine bay provides plenty of workroom and all fluid reservoirs are clearly marked." Yeah, back in the days when people could work on their own cars instead of the computerized, engine-cover infested, technologically over-engineered gadgetry we have now. You have no choice but to take it to the dealer and get ripped off from having to buy straight from the dealer parts just so dealers can generate tons of money.
mine hase 450k miles (1995 4.3 4x4 4door Blazer midsize) and 2000 Blazer, and i havent replaced ANY single electronic element/ ECM/ module except all the speakers. Even all the LEDs in dash board (PRNDM321) still lit. Front door hinges are not ok after 200k miles pins needs to be replaced. Dont know what to buy nowadays...
Just because you don't know how to work on them doesn't mean you can't work on them at home. People have been saying this same thing for decades as automotive technology progresses. I agree that older cars are easier to work on, but that's because you and I understand mechanical aspects well. Today, cars are much more electronics focused, and as future generations learn how to troubleshoot electronics, it will be no problem.
@@halfchocolatecow3501 Electronics are not the issue for a lot of people, it is the fact that you have to take 9 things off just to fix the part that is not working anymore. Whether it is a sideways 4cy where you cannot take the inside fenderwell out (due to genius engineering), or it is a new diesel with the engine packed up to within an inch of the hood, Space is much more limited, there are more parts, and several items must be removed for the simplest task increasing time wasted and money spent on repairs at Garages, not to mention each time you take something off and put it back on the risk of damage increases. Lastly I would have to say the fact that Cabs need to be taken off of several of the Current Truck Generations to work on the engine is not a feat of Engineering, it is Blasphemy. JMO
@Richard Skipper Yeah, the mechanical part is as easy as ever, it's just the electronics that have become more complicated. Most of the time you can still repair or replace them yourself though.
I still have my Chevrolet brochure from 1988 when I was going to purchase a new Blazer. It is ironic that I just found that brochure the other day and then stumbled across this video.
These were the best and most simple Chevy trucks ever to date. Basic, simple to repair, this is the generation most used truck buyers go for. All engines very very good, but the gas TBI injected mills were the best, and the auto OD trans was the best GM ever made. If 1 lived in rust free climates, that was 1 of those truck that lasted 1 a lifetime. I'm a Dodge guy at heart, but these Chevys were IMO the best trucks on the road. It's not so now, with trucks costing a house payment and frequent ridiculous electronic repairs and updates. GM, and everybody else, will make big bucks when they bring out such a basic truck as this!
Back when a truck was a truck, and affordable.
If you need a watershed moment when trucks started to me like cars... it was this generation that did it.
Even the advertisements. I’m pretty sure one of GMCs taglines was “remember when ‘this thing rides like a truck’ was a bad thing?”
Adjusted for inflation, the truck in the video would cost about $30k today. A similarly equipped 2019 base Siverado (V6, 2WD vinyl seat, AC, step bumper) costs just under $30k. Apples to apples, they are effectively the same price. There are many more luxury trucks now that do cost way more now, but you can still get a no-frills work truck if you want one.
No kidding. I would think a manufacturer would corner the market with a good, but rather bare bones work truck. I don't need my ass massaged to go pick up a couch!
@@TurboMan942 Spoken like a person that truly gets it.
@@TurboMan942 These days GM gets slammed by reviewers for building trucks that are too truck truck-like. Today the 2019 Ram 1500 gets praised for pretty interiors and the most car-like ride even though they have terrible payload ratings and plastic suspension components.
Here in California these things are literally everywhere. I see 20-30 a day here in my hometown. Super dependable, easy to work on trucks.
Yea sure you do LOL
Any driven by Americans?
@@wiibaron lmao takuaches
Probably driven by illegals running for material for their under the table jobs
@@sheeznutz2254 your racist
Daily I see dozens of these still on the road
Have one sitting in the driveway now! Lol its red too 😂 still runs like a champ. Clear coat is patchy but its had a LOT of hard miles without fail.
Yup. Mine included. 97 k2500 454
Yup mine too 1989 c1500 drove hard all its life still being drove as my daily
Liam yep . not many fords of that vintage left though
@@666dynomax true where i am too although I like the old 5.0 trucks
“Chevy - Like a rock!”
Classic design. Still looks good today
and it will always look good
When they first came out we thought they were ugly compared to the 73-87 trucks. I bought an 87 V-20 Custom Deluxe with the trailer towing package. Still running great after 33 years. Could use a new paint job, and some door window weatherstripping but other than that it's good.
I Agree
Probably still running, too.
@@daniellowell2157 just bought a 1988 68k miles
Those GMT 400 platform trucks from 88-98 were just awesome! I had 3 different ones. They still look TONS better than the current ones.
The last year they made these 1500 c/k trucks was in 1999 and the true last one was in 2002 c3500hd
How reliable were they
@@eliasgonzales3748a lot had 300K plus miles on them. Original power train.
One of the most iconic shapes ever...
Exactly they went from square to round and they going to squarely looking trucks now
Fugly Chevy iconic
@@toddbob55 Guess you like the new rounder tonka/hot wheels trucks to better cater your infantile mind.
@@toddbob55 troll
@@cyotacorolla1489 tonka/hot wheels wtf you talking about
Today people feel the need to have 400 plus horsepower and spend 90 thousand dollars to drive their leather clad dually to the grocery store.
I feel PERSONALLY attacked!!
I laugh when there's nothing in the bed and no mud in the wheel wells. I think its funny when someone has a $30,000 truck and can't afford tires.
I was at Home Depot a few weeks ago and there was a guy getting some plywood loaded in the back of his $75,000 GMC 2500 Denali with the Duramax Diesel. As I listened to the conversation between the truck owner and the HD employee I had to chuckle when he said he purchased that 2500 HD Diesel pickup to tow a Jet Ski trailer with 2 Jet ski's then I busted out laughing when A) he about cried when they put a slight mark in the factory bed liner then B) when he realized that the 4x8 plywood was longer than his 6.5 foot bed. Yep, that's who they market trucks too today.
@@tommckinney3136
Hilarious but sad at the same time
Well, I have one of these trucks and it has 430 horsepower... So I have the best of both worlds. I drove a new 4-door ecoboost, and that truck felt like a heaping pile of soft riding junk.
When Chevy knew how to built a truck that looked good.
Hard to imagine that this truck series is already 30 years old.
Best generation GM truck ever. My favorite modern truck too. I've had an 89 C1500, 2000 C3500, 99 Yukon, and currently 99 K3500. Dependable, easy and cheap to work on, great trucks
I have a 1999 Tahoe with the V8. Only 105,000 miles which is great for a 99. I expect it to last well over 200,000!
My father built tahoes / suburban/ yukons in my city and the plant had the best quality control of any GM plant until it closed.
Yes and yes
I've had a bunch of these bodystyle Chevrolets over the years and I love them! I currently have a 99 tahoe it 4x4 with vortec 350 and it has 199,600 miles on it and runs and drives like new. I also have a 2018 silverado I bought new in June but, I'd rather have a new 1998 silverado in my opinion!
I don't know about best generation. 73-87/91 is superior. I own several of the 88-98/00 trucks, Common failures are... Door handles breaking, under dash wiring melting, 4wd actuator going bad, shift forks in transfer case failing and sticking between gears, tbi issues, Frame rust is extremely bad on these trucks. The best thing some of these trucks have is a 4l80e.
Best generation of Chevy truck ever 1988-1998!!!
technically 2000 with the k2500 so 12 years.
Agree
The 88-98s were more refined than there predecessors.
I bought new 88 & 97 K2500’s and still have them both.
Better aerodynamics, more comfy interiors, more room & overdrive transmission’s.
I’ve had and have several 73-87 trucks, 1/2 ton through 1 ton and they are simpler, more reliable trucks hands down. The parts are laughably inexpensive. I have a parts box that I keep in each truck that has a water pump, fuel pump, belts, hoses and alternator.
All of that stuff I can replace on the side of the road in no time with just a few hand tools.
The 88-98 drivetrain components are more lightly constructed and don’t hold up as well as the 73-87.
That being said you DO still see a ton of 88-98s still out there putting in the work.
Not being a hater at all, but how many 70s-90s Ford and Dodge trucks do see out there everyday still putting in a days work? 30 & 40 years later.
@@1234597114I wish Chevy trucks today was more refined like this today
That truck started a revolution in the 90s
This was probably the best vehicle Chevy ever made. The 4.3 was a great Marine engine as well.
I've seen that 4.3 Vortec in one of those huge Clarke forklifts, running on propane.
@Roscoe Dogg i had an 02, 2 door, 2wd blazer, Loved that thing!
That’s not saying much...
The 4.3 in marine applications was very reliable, but had no power. We have always bought boats with GM V8s (350, 305) and they never let us down.
@@jderocha19 I love those, especially the zr2 4wd, 02 was the last of the mohicans for the o.g blazers.
I have a 90s Chevy Silverado stepside single cab the best truck ever
I'm glad these old shows are on UA-cam.
I've had many of the 88-98 c-k series pickups 1500, 2500 and 3500 they've all been great reliable trucks. I still own the first one I bought 12 years ago from the original owner, a 1990 c1500 Silverado trim package had 600,000 miles on it when I bought it, still running but very tired it's been in the great plains all its life, so rust is thankfully not a problem here. We put a rebuilt engine and trans into it a month after I got it and it's been my favorite truck so far. With 710,000 now it's still solid and rust free, hopefully I'll be the one driving when it rolls over 1,000,000 .
I love these trucks . They live up to there names the most dependable longest lasting truck .
Chevy doesn't make simple work trucks anymore, they make luxury pickups now.
Well, now we have the Corolado WT
Yes they do, all companies still do. There's just so many trims and options.
They still have W/T trim as the base but evwn the base now still has more options and saftey features than a fully loaded truck had 30yrs ago. Some saftey features mandated and some standard equipment demanded, its not your typical spray out truck anymore.
Just like the new NSX, which is a computerized hybrid compared to it's raw original predecessor.
There Quality Control is shit now.
I have a 98’ k1500. I’ve had it for 7 years science I was 15. Great truck, wouldn’t trade it for anything. Never left me stranded and very easy to work on when it seldom needs to be fixed. LIKE A ROCK.
I still drive my late pops 94 Chevy K1500 4x4 5.7 lt. 350 auto-tranny daily wherever I go and it just tripped over 138,000 original miles and when something breaks on it I go get it fixed for I can't afford a new one these days at rape me prices !!
I have mine, a red and silver 2 tone extended cab from 1994 that has the factory 5.7L 350 and it has the stock output of 220hp. Good ole truck. Really really beneficial on the trails when I kick it into 4 wheel drive....oh did I forget to mention it was a Z71 too! I actually use mine for what it was built for. Not this pansy pants leather clad $90k sissy trucks of today’s generation! I only have a working A/C and heater, a working radio and cassette player and some gauges to give me info and that’s it!
The Rusty Hubcap US So True Pal and Today's Trucks are for Soccer Moms And White Collar Yuppies !
I borrowed one of these from a friend of a friend a few months ago to move a washer and dryer, it was a 95. I was surprised by how well it drove, even the ride was really good. Back when trucks were trucks. Too bad nobody offers a stripped down basic work truck for 25K. Now a full size is a mortgage payment and even a Colorado is 40K, dream on.
That's the problem with owning a pickup -- people always want you to help them move!
You can buy a stripped down one, they're just impossible to find
False false and false again you can buy stripped down work trucks bet you haven’t looked because you aren’t in the market if you’re borrowing from others
@@deaf2819 the problem is that stripped down literally means stripped down, doesnt even come with a floor mat
Gotta pay those UAW salaries.
That instrument cluster had a very retro feel.
Excellent 👍🏼😁
Today's trucks look too "pretend macho" - basically a caricature. Whatever happened to simple and purposeful?
@Take the red pill LOL spot on
@Take the red pill
Yeah dude, Starbucks baristas are even covered in tatts head to tow. Used to mean you were a badass now it means your parents make good money
You could still get a regular cab basic truck with no options?
Soy boys
Rockwood Joe yeah they were awsome back then. I mean the new ones are ok, their still tough, and you can get the Z71 package on the Silverado and Tahoe still, but the old bodies were awsome.
Had a ‘97 Tahoe and ‘97 Silverado. Sold them both at around 165k miles. Paint held up pretty well out here in the west. Very little rust, no rot. Aside from wear items like thermostats, water pump, fuel pump, intake gaskets, they were mechanically rock solid.
Such a workhorse. I still see these on the road. Even in the city. The classic styling of this generation still looks good
Man..that dude was rockin' that seat and tilt wheel..had thw whole truck bouncing
These guys always beat the shit out of the shifters and seat adjustments
I have owned a 96 and my current 90 4x4 in my thumbnail pic. Other than the paint flaking off the truck is all stock and works perfect!
Beautiful. An American classic.
how many fuel pumps and alternators or a/c sytems have you changed on you GM piece of shit
Todd bob
Or intake gaskets, rear ends, wheel bearings and all of the electrical?
@@toddbob55 did someone at GM bang your girl lol? You seem pissed in the few comments I've read
Full size then...... Mid size now
Truth. Modern 4cyl 2wd Colorado WT similar curb weight to the 88-94 C1500 base model.
Cars is reversed old vs new Impala. I miss my Town Car, that 1986 had room to spare.
303 Nitzubishi, not only that, but (between a C1500 and a G2 Colorado) their dimensions, except for the 8+ foot long bed, are pretty close. So the G2 Colorado is basically an updated (as in modern I4 and V6 gasoline and I4 TD engines) C / K 1500.
@@syxepop I had a '96 Silverado, and now have a 2016 Colorado. Can confirm, they feel really similar in size when driving. I love it.
True, my 06’ Dodge Dakota “midsize truck” is about the same size as an old std. bed D150, and has a 7,000 lbs towing capacity and 1,749 payload capacity with the 4.7 V8. Kind of the last of that old basic work truck setup when you think about it.
I had an 89 Silverado Z71 and later on had a 91 two wheel drive Stepside and love these trucks! Still do to this day!
My father had a 1988 C1500 Silverado as a work truck. It lasted until 2005 and had well over 300,000 miles on the odometer when it finally died. I dearly miss that truck.
These things are everywhere still. Even in Northern Ontario.
Me too, I still these old trucks here in Toronto, Ontario where I'm from ( alot of them)
How?? I swear Chicago road salt'll eat away Anything!!
I love these pickups. Made to last and so easy to work on!
These generation Silverados were just like the Energizer battery keep going and going still see some that look in good shape think these are my favorites Silverado trucks last 300-500k miles think the old ones as these are better along 99-02 generations.
As JOURNEY plays on the radio.....makes me wish I was back then in time happier simpler times.....good times.
I was attending University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND...and the local paper had an article about GM doing pre-production cold weather testing of these new "88 trucks in the area...mostly validating the HVAC systems.....and they had a picture of two of the trucks idling in a parking lot in town...this was in January, 1987. I believe they were on dealer lots later that spring. Compared to the square box previous generation, these trucks were really a step forward...also compared to the Dodge and Ford (which had a refresh for '87).
And the Blazer/Tahoe/Suburban variants of these trucks were not introduced until 1992.
yup, I have a 1991 Jimmy and it's a square body. The Suburban, Jimmy, blazer, dualy and crew cabs didn't get the refresh until '92. The c-bodies drove nicer but the old square bodies are beasts. Especially the 4x4's. Those are real trucks, they drove like trucks, they consumed fuel like trucks and they just kept going and going. The 4x4's were all straight axles on negative arced leaf springs. They didn't ride real nice, but it took a lot to break them.
@Mysterious Stranger From Arizona I only recall what was published in the paper.
5:05 John: And the center dash installation leaves it looking like it was installed in the designer's home garage on the weekend! LOL
The most thrilling channel on UA-cam
LIKE A ROCK! Standing arrow straight! LIKE A ROCK! CHAAAAAAAARGIN from the gate! LIKE A ROCK! Carryin' the weight!
Yes very reliable, easy, and cheap to fix truck. I love mine I don’t think I’ll sell it.
The handy cup holder in the glove box door ensures that the refreshing taste of Coca-Cola gets splattered all over your vehicle documents.
One hell of a reliable truck (in my case) as I haven't had to do a whole lot to it besides replace bad/worn parts that have been on since factory or have just worn out after years of use. I'm such a fan of the GMT400 that I refuse to buy any trucks that are newer than that are newer than 98' due to how reliable my 1988' Chevrolet has been over the years.
I honestly wish Chevrolet would bring something like this back as I want something simple with all of the basic functions and not over the top as well as being easy to work on and fix yourself. Newer trucks are nice and all but I prefer something that I know has been proven to be reliable.
You think these old trucks are reliable try a round body the 99 to 02 they are powerful and unkillable trucks
Wish I kept my 1989 Scottsdale step side 4x4 350ci TBI. Was a great truck. I was the second owner and had it for 11 years. Had over 300K miles on it. I sold it in 2015 for a newer 06 5.3 Vortec which was also a great truck.
Now I have an 08 LMM Duramax fully deleted and EFI Live tuned.
Once you go turbo diesel, you don't go back. Lol so addictive.
My grandpa owned several over the years. This was the truck he taught me in when I first started driving when I was 15. Memories I’ll have for the rest of my life.
*Bullet Proof Compared to todays Aluminum Plastic wrapped Garbage Cans* 🚂
when you realize that 30 years ago the large pickups are smaller than our compact pickups and still get similar mpg
Its funny watching these old reviews, I still drive my 94 like it's any other car..I often forget its 27 years old. It was around before me....like a rock!
Still see plenty of them in southwestern Ontario. Same with Ford/Dodge trucks of similar age. Lot of em are starting to succumb to rust but they run well enough. I will say though I see more 20 year old trucks in 2018 than I did in 1998
Oscar Ogg the dodges are rarer around here (the only ones that were saved were the diesels). The ford’s and chevys are still around.
CamaroAmx it’s due to dodges transmissions, the diesels I believe didn’t have dodge designed trannies.
ZRGaming Dodges 3-speed rwd transmissions were bulletproof. However rust claims all.
I've seen a boatload of 1988-98 Chevrolet trucks 🚚 on the road in my home state of South Carolina. Those owners who cared for Chevrolet trucks very carefully love them 💘 and those who don't would allow them to rust 😯. I prefer mostly Chevrolet & Ford trucks better over Dodge/Ram.
Kevron Harris it's not everyday you hear someone saying that they like both Ford and Chevrolet. Good to see
@@eightosaurusspelunk1598 My grandfather own a Chevrolet truck and a family friend owned a Chevrolet truck too.
Some of the 1988-98 Chevrolet trucks are customized and modded with lift kits.
@Squirmin Herman the one eyed German There only one ram truck guy at my church lol😁😁😁😁
Kevron Harris i like Toyota Tacoma that all.😎
My 88-98 truck still works like new.
Man those were great trucks. I had a '91 and loved it, and wish I still had it. I kept it until 2005 and sold it with 365k miles on it, and then bought a 2005 model with the 5.3 V8, which I still have, and will NEVER sell it! The '91 that I had was really a great truck and very reliable and durable, but my '05 has turned out to be even better. It's going on 15 years old and still going strong. And they asked about rust, well here in north Texas they don't rust, not even a little, none.
One of my favorite Chevy trucks of all time best year ever 88 to 98 but also love the 77 to 91 classic
I love how the ease of maintaining the truck is mentioned in the review. Car reviews of the 2010's never mention maintenance, only touchscreens and hipster gadgets.
Just another aspect of life effeminate Millenials are ruining……🙄
I have a 92 I brought new. Has only 9k miles on it. I knew these were going to be classic someday so from day 1 I treated like a show car. It's a beautiful truck.
9k miles!!!!!
What a flash back! Had one of the early K2500's, ran the wheels off it, replaced it with a new '02 K1500 which I still have to this day(233k and still rolling!) , my first new truck. Cannot believe I have been watching MotorWeek since before I could drive. Thanks to John and Pat!
I do remember when this 1988 model first came in , my friend had a step-side/sport-side it is my favourite Chevy truck model up to this date , it is an amazing design, they started all that crazy pickup customisation culture back in the late 80’s and 90’s ... I love them so much .
To paraphrase the immortal words of Dan Neil, the quality of plastic in that truck's interior would embarrass a Taiwanese water pistol factory.
lmao
Right Lane Hog I’d say dodge has the cheapest plastic interiors of all time.
@@kingconker7795 You may be right. I believe the quotation I mangled was from a review of a Dodge product.
As would all GM interiors up until the late 2000s.
It was better than the plastics they used in the early 2000's that would crack within 20k. Fit and finish between 98 and 08 was terrible for many of their cars and trucks.
I miss my 89 c1500. 5.7 v8 just wont give up. Just a great and I think perfect truck. Nothing less nothing more.
I still drive my 89 5.7 silverado to work every day. 310000 miles with only minor repairs.
The gold here is the interior stayed that beautiful until 1994.
We had one of these at work for years. Loved it! And yes, rust unfortunately took ours away. Floorboard rusted out.
The truck at 6:38 is a probably one of my favorite designs for GM trucks
Mine favorite too. Too bad they don't make that stepside bed model anymore
Yes, the V8's are great for serious work, but if all you haul are occasional light loads, the 4.3-liter V6. as in this Cheyenne, is one of the best truck engines EVER!!!! DON'T knock it until you've tried it!!!!!
I still have mine.
@Squirmin Herman the one eyed German What did GM do with the other 2 cylinders after they were chopped off?
I found a 455 out in the boonies or so they told me. I think it's a 307 old that's why I got rid of my 262.
landyachtfan79 is better than the 5.7 350
-TheManInDboX - i own one and is very common but cheap and easy to fix.
But other than that keep it doing regular maintenance no issues and my truck has been past down to me my dad bought new
Is 1993 half cab stepside Silverado with body kit that came with as option back in the day by choo choo customs
This design was ahead of its time...handsome then and still today... i owned several and may look for another one at some point.
Had an '88 and an '89 with 4.3 auto and 5.7 5 spd loved them so much I bought a '94, '95 and a '97 . Wish I still had even one of them. They were great trucks and never let me down or stranded on the road. Had their issues of course here and there but man they were great.
the good old days..throttle body injection and a 700r4 ..reliable and easy to fix when there is a problem.
The 700r4/4L60 is garbage.
My 89 Silverado is a 350/700r4 I have had no no issues after 170,000 miles?!
@@nickbishop8930 My 94 Silverado has 300k on the original 4L60 and 5.7 liter engine, no oil burning or transmission problems.
0:53 If they called it a Hard-Working Indian today, there would be riots all over the country 🤣
Mel Laknanurak cnn would've ate this up
Not really?
Mel Laknanurak in today society who ever came with the calling it Indian would be fired next day lol
Happy holidays.
Highly doubtful that anyone would even notice, but yes, these days respectful adults watch what they say if their words might be offensive to other people. The only people who find this trend annoying are the folks who are ticked off that they can no longer act like assholes with impunity. We know the writers for MW meant nothing by it, but today they wouldn't do it because they know Native Americans deserve respect.
Some of the best trucks ever made in my opinion. Lots of them still on the road and used everyday.
Love that generation of trucks, the styling is timeless. They're pretty simple but they finally got rid of the stupid electronic carburetors of the previous gen, drivebility/reliability improved greatly. Had a 1991 Cadillac Brougham, came factory with the L05 350 Chevy truck motor and trans. Had that car for 4 years, drove it from 100k to 150k. Most reliable car I ever owned, never had to work on the engine or transmission once.
Sounds like a pretty cool ride. That Cadillac would have actually had the car motor, not the truck. The cars had roller cams while the trucks had flat tappets. Identical otherwise, though. GM's pre-Vortec TBI system is phenomenal for reliability and torque.
@@ironpanther2420 they both had the same RPO code (L05) and were rated at the same hp and torque
@@ironpanther2420 Loved that car, but sold it to somebody who wanted to do a cosmetic restoration on it, I just didn't have the time/expertise/space to really get that car back to 100% like it should have been. As for the L05 350 engine, lots of torque, zero top end, felt like a truck motor, was kind of loud and not that smooth.
Hands-down the best truck ever made mine has 256,000 miles on it still running like a champ
I own a 86’ Ram and 03’ Silverado. The trucks are fleet models and simple. Not possible to buy a truck at a dealership today without bells and whistles.
Yes, you can. Fleet sales only.
Mines rust free , just freshning up the engines and a respray , looks tough and still modern looking
So happy that I own one of these!
Back when trucks were easy to work on
things got amazing when they put the 5.7L vortec in.
I love the 90s truck interiors, most don't but I just like how simple it was. Easy to clean and nothing to go wrong, just the perfect amount of electronics that anyone with basic vehicle knowledge could work on em.
Miss my 1990 S10 with the 4.3 Vortex engine. Used to load up the truck and our water crafts and head to Lake Havasu.
these old girls are capable of way more than you would expect, from the factory prewired trailerbrakes mine with the 5.7 and a installed 5thwheel hitch and a 7k lb towing capacity pulled my 9k lb camper 1k miles through some of the steepest mountain highways wv and virginia has to offer. mutch respect 250k on factory everything, went to replace the ball joints ( choice not necessity) and they had to cut the factory seals. 250k miles on the original parts
The truck is amazing, just be aware there are common problems with the fuel injector and idle air control valves. If either one goes bad, you'll have stalling issues but overall it's a very reliable truck if you can take care of it.
My first truck was a 90' Sierra SLE RCLB 2WD/350TBI... Many memories with my high school sweet heart. We now have a full family ❤️ These are just more than an old hunk of metal too us. They are a piece of me
Bought a 96 W/T 1500 new, tough dependable and got great gas mileage with the 4.3 V6.
This really is an excellent truck... and I say that as a Ford man. Good is good.
Old girls like this generally live a good life in Alberta.
Not really the best candidate for a rig rocket.
@@Bartonovich52 bbbhhhhaaa the Forestry Trunk Road bobsled????
I wish they could make trucks like this today. Reliable and good looking.
The 1988-1998 Chevrolet Silverado C/K Pickup Trucks Are The Best Pickup Trucks Ever Made, I Love Them So Much. My Dad Had A 1991 Chevrolet Scottsdale Regular Cab 4X4 Long Box, He Bought It In April 1995 And He Sold It To My Uncle In March 2009. He Now Has A 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab 4X4 Long Box, He’s Owned It Since March 2009.
Wish trucks were still that affordable
I bought my full size Chevy in 1990 brand new, it was the Cheyenne trim level. The same truck with the Silverado trim level was easily twice the price. After a few years of service my truck still looked great while the Silverado trim pieces were falling apart and looked like crap
Dealership near where i live sell the Colorado ext cab work truck with 4 banger engine for $19,000
@@Gbus85302 Don't even start to compare the two...
@IsThisTheKrustyKrab? more like 20k. the model shown in this video would've been 28k today so take in account all the features etc, the new 2020 Silverado WT for around 28-30k is very modest.
Thank you for preserving the 60 fps motion in the deinterlacing!
themaritimegirl you’re welcome.
I love my 94 dually 4 door except for the 6mpg 454.. I LOVE GM TRUCKS
General Misscarriage is your junk box Obama motors junk heap.
My 89 GMC c1500 single cab stepside with the 350 motor has about 270,000 miles and still running strong on original motor & transmission. Only flaw is my paint has lots of oxidation. This generation of Trucks are absolute tanks.
Riggs from the Lethal Weapon movies had one of those. Although it was a dually with 4 doors I think. His damn partner was getting too old for this shit too.
Faux Craig Singhaus tan metallic paint too.
Lmfao
Lethal weapon 2 featured this body style in the 1ton dually just before it was released, and lethal weapon 4 featured the new Grand Ams and the new one ton dually as well. Product placement in film one of the oldest marketing tricks in the book!
His truck in the first movie was a square body K3500 Crew Cab High Sierra
1st movies was gmc square body crew dually 4x4 an 86. second movie was 88 ext cab dually 4x4. 3rd was 91 same config as the 88 but was a newer truck. headlights are the give away its newer. 4th had a 99 sierra 1500 ext cab z71.
4:00 "HI, FOLKS! BILLY MAYS HERE FOR MOTORWEEK!"
Been waiting FOREVER for this!
One of the best trucks on the road, hold up great here in Texas.
My 94 full-size Blazer is still running strong @255k miles
"Maintenance is easy. The spacious engine bay provides plenty of workroom and all fluid reservoirs are clearly marked." Yeah, back in the days when people could work on their own cars instead of the computerized, engine-cover infested, technologically over-engineered gadgetry we have now. You have no choice but to take it to the dealer and get ripped off from having to buy straight from the dealer parts just so dealers can generate tons of money.
mine hase 450k miles (1995 4.3 4x4 4door Blazer midsize) and 2000 Blazer, and i havent replaced ANY single electronic element/ ECM/ module except all the speakers. Even all the LEDs in dash board (PRNDM321) still lit.
Front door hinges are not ok after 200k miles pins needs to be replaced.
Dont know what to buy nowadays...
Engine covers are for NVH. Take them off if you want.
Just because you don't know how to work on them doesn't mean you can't work on them at home. People have been saying this same thing for decades as automotive technology progresses. I agree that older cars are easier to work on, but that's because you and I understand mechanical aspects well. Today, cars are much more electronics focused, and as future generations learn how to troubleshoot electronics, it will be no problem.
@@halfchocolatecow3501 Electronics are not the issue for a lot of people, it is the fact that you have to take 9 things off just to fix the part that is not working anymore. Whether it is a sideways 4cy where you cannot take the inside fenderwell out (due to genius engineering), or it is a new diesel with the engine packed up to within an inch of the hood, Space is much more limited, there are more parts, and several items must be removed for the simplest task increasing time wasted and money spent on repairs at Garages, not to mention each time you take something off and put it back on the risk of damage increases. Lastly I would have to say the fact that Cabs need to be taken off of several of the Current Truck Generations to work on the engine is not a feat of Engineering, it is Blasphemy. JMO
@Richard Skipper Yeah, the mechanical part is as easy as ever, it's just the electronics that have become more complicated. Most of the time you can still repair or replace them yourself though.
I still have my Chevrolet brochure from 1988 when I was going to purchase a new Blazer. It is ironic that I just found that brochure the other day and then stumbled across this video.
G. K. Older gentlemen i purchased my 96 GMC Sierra from still had the original window stickers in the dash and what all came on the truck sticker.
When I was a kid, I really loved that sport side Chevy truck. I thought it looked so cool, and it still does to this day!
"almost idiot-proof adjustments" @ 04:50... I love it! :-) ...back when we could just talk as PEOPLE do.
Remember normal?
Amazing the difference between what was considered full sized then and now.
Michael X, think of the G2 Colorado as an UPDATED '88 C / K 1500 (have been saying that all along...).
Obesity is an epidemic now, even the trucks fell victim to it
These newer full-size trucks might look like they're a lot bigger but that's because they have a lot of unnecessary bulges
These are great trucks, I have a 94 my father bought new. Love it!
These were the best and most simple Chevy trucks ever to date. Basic, simple to repair, this is the generation most used truck buyers go for. All engines very very good, but the gas TBI injected mills were the best, and the auto OD trans was the best GM ever made. If 1 lived in rust free climates, that was 1 of those truck that lasted 1 a lifetime. I'm a Dodge guy at heart, but these Chevys were IMO the best trucks on the road. It's not so now, with trucks costing a house payment and frequent ridiculous electronic repairs and updates. GM, and everybody else, will make big bucks when they bring out such a basic truck as this!