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Chevy-kodiak-c4500
Chevrolet Kodiak
Chevrolet
aka Chevrolet 4500 thru 8500
Production produced from when to when+total units made (optional)
Class Medium Duty Truck
Body Style how many doors+how many seats+what type of body
Length length - type here
Width Width - type here
Height Height - type here
Wheelbase wheelbase - type here
Weight Weight - you get the point
Transmission Allison 1000 HS Series
Allison 1000 RDS Rugged Duty Series
Allison 1000 EVS Series
Allison 2350 HS/RDS Series
Engine 6.6 litre Duramax Diesel V8
8.1 litre Vortec V8
Power 325 hp @ N/A rpm
450 lb-ft of torque @ N/A rpm

300 hp @ N/A rpm
520 lb-ft of torque @ N/A rpm (optional)

330 hp @ N/A rpm
620 lb-ft of torque @ N/A rpm (optional)
Similar Kodiak (1981-1989):
Ford F-600/F-700/F-800 (1984-1994)
Dodge D600 (1973-1978)
International Harvester S-Series (1978-1989)
Kodiak (1990–2002):
Ford F-600/F-700/F-800 (1995-1999)
Freightliner Business Class (FL-Series)
International 4000 Series (1990-2002)
Mack Midliner CS
Kenworth T-300
Dodge Ram 6500
C4500 Kodiak:
Sterling Bullet 4500
Ford E-450 (2008–2014)
Ford F-450 (2008–2010)
Hino 165
C5500 Kodiak:
Sterling Bullet 5500
Ford E-550 (2002–2003)
Ford F-550 (2008–2010)
Hino 185
International DuraStar 4100
Kenworth T-170/Kenworth T-180
Peterbilt 325
C6500/C7500/C8500 Kodiak:
Xos MDXT
Ford F-650/F-750 Super Duty (2000—2015)
Dodge Ram 6500
Sterling Acterra
Hino 238/338
Peterbilt 337/Peterbilt 537
Kenworth T-270/T-370/Kenworth T-280/T-380
Mack MD
Freightliner Business Class M2 106
International DuraStar 4300
Dina HTQ
KrAZ-5233
Designer Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort)

The Chevrolet Kodiak (and similar GMC Topkick and Isuzu H-Series) is a line of medium-duty trucks manufactured from General Motors.

First Generation[]

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The Kodiak and TopKick (after-Chevrolet Model T, Chevrolet M / R / X, Chevrolet Series LM / LO / LP (1927), Chevrolet Series LQ / LR / LS (1928), Chevrolet Series LQ / LR / LS (1929), Chevrolet Series LQ / LR / LS (1930), Chevrolet Series LT / M / N (1931), Chevrolet Series LT / M / N (1932), Chevrolet Series OA / OB / OC / OD (1933-1934), 1935-1937 Chevrolet Montpelier COE, Chevrolet Montpelier COE (1937-1939), Chevrolet COE (1939-1941), Chevrolet COE (1941-1946), Chevrolet Advance Design Loadmaster COE (1947-1953), Chevrolet Advance Design Loadmaster COE (1954), Chevrolet Task Force LCF-Series (1955-1957), Chevrolet Task Force LCF-Series (1958-1959), Chevrolet Series 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 LCF (1960-1961), Chevrolet Series 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 LCF (1962), Chevrolet Series 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 LCF (1963), Chevrolet Series 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 LCF (1964-1966), Chevrolet C-Series Medium-Duty (1967–1972), and Chevrolet C-Series Medium-Duty (1973–1980)) were introduced in 1980 as stronger versions of GM's existing medium-duty C-Series trucks. "Kodiak" followed the pattern of "frontier beast" names given to heavier trucks such as the Chevrolet Bison and Chevrolet Bruin, while "Top Kick" came from military slang and tied in with GMC's heavy truck names of General and Brigadier. First (after-Chevrolet Model T, Chevrolet M / R / X, Chevrolet Series LM / LO / LP (1927), Chevrolet Series LM / LO / LP (1928), Chevrolet Series LQ / LR / LS (1929), Chevrolet Series LQ / LR / LS (1930), Chevrolet Series LT / M / N (1931), Chevrolet Series LT / M / N (1932), Chevrolet Series OA / OB / OC / OD (1933-1934), 1935-1937 Chevrolet Montpelier COE, Chevrolet Montpelier COE (1937-1939), Chevrolet COE (1939-1941), Chevrolet COE (1941-1946), Chevrolet Advance Design Loadmaster COE (1947-1953), Chevrolet Advance Design Loadmaster COE (1954), Chevrolet Task Force LCF-Series (1955-1957), Chevrolet Task Force LCF-Series (1958-1959), Chevrolet Series 60 / 80 Diesel LCF (1960-1963), Chevrolet Series 60 / 80 Diesel LCF (1964-1966), Chevrolet/GMC H/J-series Short Hood (1966-1977), and Chevrolet Bruin/GMC Brigadier)-generation models can be distinguished by a full-width grille with quad square headlights arranged horizontally in chrome bezels underneath with the GMC lettering or Chevy "bowtie" above the grille; normal 1973-89 C50-C80s had single round headlights and the emblem all incorporated into the grille area.


Second Generation[]

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With the second generation in 1990, all GM medium conventionals took on the "Kodiak" or "Topkick" names, until they were dropped in 1995; these models used the GMT400 pickup cab until 2003, always with the original "square" dashboard dropped from light-duty models in 1995. While U.S. production ended in 2002, they continued to be produced for the Mexican domestic market in GM's Toluca plant through 2008.

Third Generation[]

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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 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of over 8500 pounds, they were not equipped with airbags).

During its production, the GMT560 was produced with few changes. C4500 and C5500 models utilized a separate hood design from the C6500 and heavier-duty models. A "Deluxe Front Appearance Package" was available on all models, featuring a chrome-trimmed mesh grille, a chrome bumper, and, on C4500 and C5500 models, chrome-trimmed quad headlights. The mesh grille without chrome was available as a separate option as well. 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 8.1-liter V8 was carried over from the previous generation, with a 6.6-liter Duramax V8 diesel replacing the Caterpillar 3116. Diesel engines were standard on C6500s and up, with Isuzu's 7.8-liter Duramax LG4 inline-six as standard, with a 7.2-liter Caterpillar C7 (a redesigned Caterpillar 3126) offered as an option.

GMT560 four-wheel drive[]

In 2005, GM added four-wheel drive as a factory-installed option on C4500/C5500 Kodiak/TopKicks. In a break from GM truck naming tradition, the models did not adopt the "K" nomenclature, becoming the C4500/5500 4x4 model line. In place of independent front suspension (used on the 3500-series pickup trucks), the GMT560 4x4s used a solid front axle suspension. Powered by a 6.6L Duramax V8, the 4x4 used a 5-speed Allison 2000 series in 2005-2006 (replaced by a 6-speed Allison 2350 automatic) with a New Process 273C transfer case. 5.13:1 was the only axle gear ratio offered for 4x4 versions.

For 2007, GM introduced a heavier-duty 9000 lb spring and brake option package for the Dana 70HD front axle; rear axles (Dana S14-110L) were available in four sizes: 11,000 lb, 13,500 lb, 15,000 lb, and 19,000 lb (the latter two were options on two-wheel drive configurations).


External Links[]

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