Chevrolet Kodiak

Chevrolet Kodiak/GMC TopKick
Overview
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	1980–2009
Assembly	Flint, Michigan Toluca, Mexico Bogota, Colombia Tejerías, Venezuela^[1] Janesville, Wisconsin São José dos Campos, Brazil (GMC 12-170/14-190/16-220)
Body and chassis
Class	Medium Duty Truck
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive

The Chevrolet Kodiak (also called GMC TopKick) is a line of medium duty trucks that was marketed and sold by General Motors from 1980 to 2009, when the company exited the medium-duty truck segment.

The Kodiak/TopKick were commonly used as a basis for work trucks, cargo haulers, dump trucks, and similar vehicles which required medium duty torque, GVWR, towing capacity. There are aftermarket coachbuilders that built them as pickup trucks and commercial trucks for consumers.

First generation (1980–1989)

First generation
1980-1989 Chevrolet Kodiak towing mobile police command post
Overview
Production	1980-1989
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door truck 4-door truck
Powertrain
Engine	Gasoline 6.0L 366cid Mark IV V8 7.0L 427cid Mark IV V8 Diesel 10.4L 636cid Caterpillar Inc 3208 Turbocharged Diesel V8 8.2L 501cid Detroit Diesel V8 8.2L 501cid Detroit Diesel Turbocharged Diesel V8

For 1980, General Motors introduced the Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick as Class 5-7 conventional trucks. Slotted above the medium-duty C/K trucks and slightly below the Chevrolet Bruin/GMC Brigadier, the Kodiak/TopKick combined the updated cab of the C/K with a heavier-duty GVWR and a larger hood, allowing for mid-range diesel engines, up to the Caterpillar 3208 V8. Two-door and four-door cab configurations were available.

Distinguished by the C/K by its larger hood, the Kodiak/TopKick was given a full-width grille. In place of twin headlights inside the grille, the trucks were given quad rectangular headlights mounted below the grille; the Chevrolet/GMC emblem was moved from inside the grille to the grille. The Kodiak followed the Chevrolet naming tradition of "frontier beast" names for heavy conventionals (Chevrolet Bison and the Chevrolet Bruin) while the TopKick was a military slang term (in line with the GMC Brigadier and GMC General).

Shared with the C/K, the Kodiak/TopKick had two Chevrolet big-block engines for the gasoline engine lineup: a 6.0L V8 and a 7.0L V8. Two diesel engines were available: a Detroit Diesel 8.2L V8 (in turbocharged and naturally-aspirated "Fuel Pincher" form) and a Caterpillar 3208 turbocharged V8.

Second generation (1990–2002)

Second generation
1990-1994 Chevrolet Kodiak
Overview
Production	1990–2002 1990-2008 (Mexico)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door truck 4-door truck
Platform	GMT530
Powertrain
Engine	8.1 liter V8 Big-Block gasoline 7.4 liter Vortec V8 gasoline 7.2 liter I6 diesel Caterpillar 312j j kkk6B/E) 6.6 Caterpillar 3116

1997-2002 GMC TopKick in use as a crew transport truck

For 1990, General Motors redesigned the Kodiak/TopKick model lines as part of a redesign that consolidated its multiple large truck lines into a single product line. The GMC General and Astro had already been discontinued by Volvo GM, and General Motors consolidated the Chevrolet Bruin/GMC Brigadier, the medium-duty C/K, and the Kodiak/TopKick lines into the newly introduced 1990 Chevrolet Kodiak/GMC TopKick. Based on the all-new GMT530 architecture, the conventionals adopted their cabs from the GMT400 C/K pickup introduced in 1988. As before, two-door and four-door cab configurations were available; a raised-roof cab was an optional configuration.

Over its thirteen-year production run, the Kodiak/TopKick changed relatively little. In 1995, the Kodiak and TopKick nameplates were dropped, in favor of C4500-C8500 nameplates, bringing the medium-duty trucks in line with the rest of the C/K naming convention. In the mid-1990s, a low-profile "aerodynamic" hood became an option; it was not available in severe-service and school bus configurations. Brazilian versions, badged according to the GVWR in metric tons and a rounded power figure (12-170 for 12-ton GVWR and 170 hp, 14-190 for 14-ton GVWR and 190 hp, and 16-220 for 16-ton GVWR and 220 hp), were assembled from 1995 to late 2001 mostly from imported components and following Mexican specifications, though they were only available with the Caterpillar 3116 engine. While U.S. production of the Kodiak/TopKick ended after 2002, it remained in production for the Mexican domestic market in the GM Toluca, Mexico facility through 2008.

As with its predecessor, the Kodiak/TopKick/medium-duty C used gasoline engines as the standard offering. The 6.0L V8 remained as the base engine until its mid-1990s discontinuation, while the 7.0L V8 was replaced in 1990 by a 7.4L V8; while a larger displacement, the 7.4L engine offered the advantage of fuel injection. In 2002, the 7.4L V8 was replaced by an 8.1L V8, the highest-displacement standard production engine ever built by Chevrolet. In addition to the gasoline engines, GM offered variants of the Caterpillar 3116 and 3126 inline-six diesels throughout the production run of the vehicle.

Third generation (2003–2010)

Third generation
GMC TopKick C5500 crew cab utility vehicle
Overview
Also called	Isuzu H-Series
Production	2003–2009
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door truck 4-door truck 2-door cutaway
Platform	GMT560
Related	Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana "Cadillac One"
Powertrain
Engine	6.6 L Duramax V8 diesel V8 7.8 L LG4 diesel I6 8.1 L L18 V8 gasoline
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 9-speed manual 10-speed manual 5-speed automatic 6-speed automatic

Chevrolet Kodiak C5500 in use as a bus on Maui Island

For 2003, the General Motors medium-duty range was again redesigned. Due to their nameplate association, the Kodiak and TopKick nameplates were reinstated alongside their various model ranges. Based on the new GMT560 architecture, the Kodiak/TopKick made a major shift in their overall layout. To better compete with the class-leading International DuraStar and Freightliner Business Class M2, General Motors switched from a pickup-based cab to a more vertically-oriented cab based upon the Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana full-size van, allowing for better entry and exit. Although an extended cab was unavailable, a four-door crew-cab was produced with four full doors. Also available as cab and chassis for class 8 truck 8500 series tandem with gvw rating up to 46000lbs

Depending on size range, the Kodiak/TopKick was available with several different engines. On 4500/5500 models, an 8.1L gasoline V8 was standard, with the option of a 6.6L diesel V8. On 6500 models and up, an Isuzu-built 7.8L diesel inline-6 available, in addition to Caterpillar C7. In 2005, factory-installed four-wheel drive was added as an option to Kodiak/TopKick C4500/5500s. These trucks featured solid front axles, instead of independent front suspension featured on the Class 3 3500 Silverado/Sierra. The drive-train consisted of a 6.6L Duramax V8 diesel, Allison 2000 series 5 speed 2003-2006, Allison 2350 series 6speed transmission, and a. Dana s135 2003-2005 Dana S14- 110L rear axle 2005-2009. The 4x4 models added a New Process 273 C Transfer case and a reverse cut Dana 70hd front axle. An optional 9000lb spring and brake package was offered from 2007-2009 for the Dana 70hd as well rear axles could be had in sizes from 11000lb 13500lb,15000lb,19000lb axle options all from Dana. 15k,19k lb options for two wheel drive only. 4x4 came in only 5.13gear ratios

Isuzu H-Series

For 2003, Isuzu marketed a badge-engineered variant of the Kodiak/TopKick named the Isuzu H-Series. Based on the 6500/7500, the Isuzu H-Series was powered by the 7.8L inline-six shared in larger Kodiak/TopKicks and larger Isuzu COE trucks outside North America. Intended largely as a vocational truck, the H-Series was the first conventional sold by Isuzu.

Discontinuation

In December 2007, GM announced its intention to sell its medium-duty truck business, including the Kodiak and TopKick, to Navistar International.^[2] In August 2008, both GM and Navistar announced that their memorandum of understanding for the purchase had expired and was not renewed.^[3]^[4]

After four years of working with multiple potential buyers, including an anticipated five-year deal with Isuzu Motors announced late in January 2009 to take over the production line in Flint, Michigan,^[5] General Motors decided to wind down its medium-duty truck operations.^[6] Production of the Chevy Kodiak and GMC TopKick medium duty trucks in Flint ceased on July 31, 2009.

Variants

School bus

Blue Bird/GMC school bus

Following in the tradition of its medium-duty C/K predecessor, the second-generation Kodiak/TopKick was utilized by General Motors to supply the school bus industry throughout its production run. In an unusual move at the time, starting in 1992, GM offered the Kodiak/TopKick solely to a single body manufacturer, Blue Bird Corporation from 1992 to 2002. While the GM chassis was not offered to other manufacturers, Blue Bird offered other available combinations (Ford B700, International 3800, and the later Freightliner FS65) for an additional price. The pairing of manufacturer and chassis supplier would become common through the 1990s in school bus manufacturing, but after 2002, General Motors would become unable to remain a chassis supplier. The Kodiak/TopKick school bus chassis is also notable for being one of the last full-size school bus chassis powered by a gasoline engine.

Pickup conversion

Chevrolet Kodiak C4500 with a 5th-wheel trailer-towing rear utility/pickup body

A special Kodiak C4500 was introduced at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show. Aimed at the International RXT (also introduced there), pricing was set at $70,000. The two shared a number of similarities, such as the options included in their premium packages (a powerful audio system and DVD-based navigation system). In comparison, the C4500 had higher power (300 hp versus 230 hp) while the RXT had a higher towing capacity at 16,000 lb (7,300 kg); the C4500 was a 4x4 like the larger International CXT.

A conversion of the commercial GMC TopKick called the Ultimate Class IV TopKick Pickup crew cab pickup truck was developed by General Motors and Monroe Truck Equipment (MTE). This special version features an 8-foot (2.4 m) steel dually pickup box and tailgate with custom composite side panels and protective Rhino interior lining. This vehicle serves as the alternate mode for the character Ironhide in the 2007, 2009 and 2011 Transformers films.

Cadillac One

"Cadillac One", a one-of-a-kind Cadillac body mounted on the Kodiak chassis.

Main article: Presidential state car (United States)

Entering into service on January 20, 2009, Cadillac One is a common name for the Presidential State Car of United States President Barack Obama. Unlike previous presidential limousines, it is not at all based on a production vehicle, borrowing assemblies from several different vehicles from the 2009 Cadillac line (primarily the Escalade and STS). Although it wears a Cadillac limousine body and badging, the armored vehicle utilizes a four-wheel drive chassis and powertrain of a General Motors medium-duty truck (Chevrolet Kodiak/GMC TopKick).^[7] Due to the high-security nature of its use, many details about Cadillac One remain classified.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to GMC Topkick and Chevrolet Kodiak.

Car and Driver road tests for the C4500.

References

Chevrolet

A marque of General Motors

Current

Cars	Camaro Caprice Corvette Cruze Impala Malibu Matiz Onix/Prisma Sail Sonic Spark SS Volt

Pickup trucks	CMP Colorado/S-10 Colorado/D-Max Montana Silverado HD LSSV Pickup

Crossovers/SUVs	Captiva Captiva Sport Equinox Grand Vitara Grand Vitara Classic Niva Suburban LSSV SUV Tahoe LSSV SUV TrailBlazer Traverse Trax

Vans	CMV City Express Enjoy Express/Savana N200 Spin Tavera

Commercial trucks	CYZ FTR FVZ N-Series

Former models

1910s and 1920s	490 Baby Grand Classic Six Light Six Little Four Little Six Series AA Capitol Series AB National Series AC International Series D Series F Series FA Series FB Series H Series M Copper-Cooled Superior

1930s and 1940s	3100 3600 3800 AC Advance Design AK Series Deluxe Eagle Fleetline Fleetmaster Loadmaster LQ Master Mercury Series AD Universal Series AE Independence Series BA Confederate Special Standard Six Stylemaster Thriftmaster

1950s	31 50 100 150 210 3100 3200 3600 Apache Beauville Bel Air Biscayne Brookwood Cameo Cameo Carrier Delray El Camino Kingswood Parkwood Spartan Task Force Townsman Viking Yeoman

1960s	400 Blazer CUCV Pickup/SUV C10 C15 C20 C30 C/K Caprice Chevelle Chevy Chevy II Constantia Corvair Corvette Stingray G10 Greenbrier K10 K15 K20 Kingswood Estate Kommando Lakewood Nova Opala Parkwood Sportvan Titan Van Veraneio

1970s	350 1700 2500 3800 4100 Ascona Beauville Bison Bruin Chevair Chevelle Laguna Chevette Commodore Custom Deluxe De Ville El Torro G20 G30 Iran Laguna Type S-3 LUV Monte Carlo Monza Pickup Rekord Royal Royale San Remo Scottsdale Senator Vega Vega 2300

1980s	A10 A20 Aska Astro Beretta S-10 Blazer Cavalier Celebrity Chevy 500 Citation Citation II Corsica D10 D20 Gemini Ipanema Kadett Kodiak Marajó Metro Monza S-10 Samurai Spectrum Sprint Super Carry Suprema Trafic T-Series Tracker Vitara

1990s	454 SS CUCV II Pickup Alero Astra Calibra Cassia Chevy Classic CMP CMV Combo Corsa Esteem Exclusive Frontera Grand Blazer Joy Lumina Lumina APV Matiz Metro Nabira Niva Omega Prizm Rodeo Savana Swift Taxi Chronos Tigra Trans Sport Trooper Urvan Vectra Venture Xtreme Z34 Zafira

2000s	Alto Avalanche Aveo Cobalt D-Max Epica Estate Evanda Forester Grand Vitara HHR Jimny Kalos Lacetti Lova Lumina Coupe Lanos Matiz Eco Logic Meriva Nubira Optra Rezzo Sonora SSR T-Series Tacuma Tosca Uplander Vitara XL7 W-Series

2010s	Agile Celta Epica Lumina Lumina Ute Nexia Optra Orlando Vivant Omega

Concept cars

Category
Commons

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