Chevrolet Kodiak

The Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick are a range of medium duty trucks that were produced by the Chevrolet and GMC divisions of General Motors from 1980 to 2009. Introduced as a variant of the medium-duty C/K truck line, three generations were produced. Slotted between the C/K trucks and the GMC Brigadier Class 8 conventional, the Kodiak/TopKick were developed as a basis for vocationally-oriented trucks, including cargo haulers, dump trucks, and similar vehicles; on later generations, both cutaway and cowled-chassis variants were produced for bus use.

Following years of declining market share, General Motors (in line with Ford Motor Company) sought to exit heavy-truck manufacturing. After struggling to enter joint ventures or sell the rights to its product line, the company ended production of the Kodiak and TopKick in 2009.^[2]

For the 2019 model year, after a ten-year hiatus, General Motors re-entered the medium-duty truck segment. Developed in a joint venture with Navistar International, the Chevrolet Silverado 4500/5500 is a Class 4-6 vehicle.^[3] Slightly smaller than the Kodiak/Topkick, the Silverado 4500/5500 is marketed exclusively as a Chevrolet (with no GMC counterpart).

First generation (1980–1989)

First generation (C70/C7000)
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	10.4 L (636 cu in) Caterpillar 3208 turbodiesel V8
Transmission	5-speed manual 5-speed manual x 4-speed auxiliary (20-speed) 10-speed manual 13-speed manual 4-speed automatic 5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	137–254 in (3,480–6,452 mm)

For 1980, General Motors introduced the Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick as Class 7 conventional trucks. Slotted between the medium-duty C/K truck line and slightly below the Chevrolet Bruin/GMC Brigadier short-hood Class 8 conventional, the Kodiak/TopKick were developed largely in an effort to offer the medium-duty C/K with the Caterpillar 3208 diesel V8.^[4] To accommodate the larger engine, GM designers added a taller, boxier hood (similar to the Bruin/Brigadier), requiring the cab to be raised several inches.^[4] The grille was widened, shifting the headlights from inside to below 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). As with the C/K, the Kodiak/TopKick were offered with two-door and four-door cab configurations.

The Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick were powered by a single engine: the Caterpillar 3208 10.4L V8 diesel, in both naturally-aspirated and turbocharged forms.^[5]

Second generation (1990–2002)

Second generation (GMT530)
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 3126B/E 6.6 Caterpillar 3116

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

The second generation of the Chevrolet Kodiak/GMC TopKick was introduced for 1990. Under the GMT530 architecture, all GM medium-duty trucks were consolidated under the Kodiak/TopKick nomenclature, with C/K shifting to consumer-derived vehicles (pickup trucks). Following the 1986 joint venture between GM and Volvo, GMC ended production of the General, Astro, and Brigadier, leaving the Class 6-7 Kodiak/TopKick as the largest vehicles produced by GM.

In line with the previous generation, while designed with its own heavier-duty chassis, to lower the costs of tooling, the cab of GMT530 trucks was derived from the GMT400 C/K pickup (introduced in 1988). As before, two-door and four-door configurations were offered; a raised-roof cab became optional during the 1990s. Over its thirteen-year production run, the GMT530 platform underwent relatively few changes; as airbags were not required in medium-duty trucks, the 1988-design interior was retained through the entire production run. For 1995, GM replaced the Kodiak and TopKick badging with C4500-C8500 model names, bringing the medium-duty trucks in line with the rest of the C/K naming convention. As an option, a lower-profile "aerodynamic" hood became an option (not offered on severe-service or school bus applications).

In a break from the single engine offering of the first generation Kodiak/TopKick, GMT530 adopted the powertrain line of the 1973-1989 medium-duty C/K trucks. Gasoline engines were offered as standard equipment, with diesel engines as an option. The standard gasoline engine was a 6.0L fuel-injected V8, with an optional carbureted 7.0L V8 (replaced by a 7.4L V8 in 1991); in the mid-1990s, the 7.4L became the standard gasoline engine. In 2002, the 7.4L V8 was replaced by an 8.1L V8 (the highest-displacement V8 ever built by Chevrolet). In place of the Caterpillar 3208 V8, as a diesel engine, the GMT530 trucks offered the Caterpillar 3116 inline-6, with the Caterpillar 3126 inline-6 introduced as a second diesel engine in 1997.

After GM ended production of the GMT530 for the US market after 2002, production for Mexico continued in Toluca, Mexico, through 2008. From 1995 to 2001, the GMT530 was assembled in Brazil using components imported from Mexico, built to Mexican specifications. All Brazil-market examples were produced with the Caterpillar 3116 diesel engine. In Brazil, the trucks were badged according to their GMVR (in metric tons) and rounded horsepower output (12-170 for 12 tons-170 hp, 14-190 for 14 tons-190 hp, and 16-220 for 16 tons-220 hp).

Third generation (2003–2010)

Third generation (GMT560)
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

For 2003, General Motors released the third-generation Chevrolet Kodiak/GMC TopKick under the GMT560 architecture. As General Motors felt the two names had better marketplace recognition, the medium-duty truck line was released under the previous Kodiak/TopKick nameplates, with Cx500 as a secondary part of the nomenclature. Showcased as part of the redesign was a change in the design layout of the Kodiak/TopKick. To better compete with the better-selling International DuraStar and Freightliner Business Class M2 medium-duty truck ranges, the GMT560 trucks switched to a vertically-oriented cab configuration to allow for a lower cab floor, increased cab space, and better entry and exit. Derived from the Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana full-size van, the cab was produced in two-door and four-door configurations (as the commercial trucks had a GVWR of over 8500 pounds, they were produced without airbags).

During its production, the GMT560 was produced with few changes. With the exception of grilles, Kodiaks and TopKicks are nearly identical; depending on trim, versions are produced with either two or four headlights. Carried over from the previous generation, the GMT560 chassis was produced in Class 5-7 configurations, in C4500, C5500, C6500, and C7500 models. Effectively a successor to the GMC Brigadier, a tandem-axle C8500 model was introduced (with up to a 46,000-lb GVWR).

On the GMT560 Kodiak/TopKick, the powertrain configuration was derived from the model specification. On C4500/C5500s, an 8.1L V8 was carried over from the previous generation, with a 6.6L Duramax V8 diesel replacing the Caterpillar 3116. Diesel engines were standard on C6500s and up, with the 7.8L Duramax LG4 inline-6 as standard, with a 7.2L Caterpillar C7 (a redesigned Caterpillar 3126) offered as an option.

Discontinuation

In December 2007, GM announced its intention to sell its medium-duty truck business, including the Kodiak and TopKick, to Navistar International.^[6] In August 2008, both GM and Navistar announced that their memorandum of understanding for the purchase had expired and was not renewed.^[7][8]

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,^[9] General Motors decided to wind down its medium-duty truck operations.^[2] Production of the Chevy Kodiak and GMC TopKick medium duty trucks in Flint ceased on July 31, 2009. The Montreal plant also closed on July 31, 2009.

Successor

At the 2018 Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, Indiana, General Motors launched a new line of medium-duty trucks for the 2019 model year. Developed in a joint venture with Navistar International,^[3] Chevrolet launched the Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD (for Classes 4,5, and 6, respectively).^[3][10] In a shift from the previous Kodiak brand name, Chevrolet is expanding to the Silverado brand name across nearly its entire truck range (currently, no GMC counterpart has been announced).^[11]

Sharing its cab with the Silverado pickup truck range, the HD model range is given its own chassis with a tilt-forward hood. As with the GMT360, 4x2 and 4x4 drive configurations will be offered. At its launch, a single powertrain will be offered: a 350 hp 6.6L Duramax turbodiesel V8 with an Allison automatic transmission.^[3][10][12]

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 first three 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 the President of the United States. 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 CTS). 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).^[13] 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