R/V versus C/K

[Norwegian Bow-tie]

Hello Chevy friends! We are currently having a discussion on our Norwegian forum www.offroad.no (http://www.offroad.no)
Sometimes GM call their trucks R/V. Other times they are referred to as C/K
What is the history behind these letters? Also;Is this correct: R = 2x4 V = 4x4 C =2x4 K = 4x4.

[john8662]

From what I've heard, GM changed the VIN designation in the early 90's and then went back to the designation later on.

You've got the right interpretation though...

[arveetek]

1987 was the first year for the R/V designations. I'm not sure when they switched back, but it wasn't too long after that.

Casey

[ace58]

R and V designation started in 1988 with the body change of the pickup trucks. The new style was not available in any 8 lug configuration (3/4 or 1 ton) or chassis/cab single or dual wheel. The other models were phased in over the next few years.

The old style trucks took on the R and V designation throughout the transition while the new trucks received the C and K.

[Norwegian Bow-tie]

Thank you everybody for you answers! smile.gif

[Norwegian Bow-tie]

Originally posted by ace58:
R and V designation started in 1988 with the body change of the pickup trucks. The new style was not available in any 8 lug configuration (3/4 or 1 ton) or chassis/cab single or dual wheel. The other models were phased in over the next few years.

The old style trucks took on the R and V designation throughout the transition while the new trucks received the C and K. It is still unclear to me. This link shows R/V designation in use earlier than 1988 http://brochures.slosh.com/index.shtml?1977gmc

[ace58]

I was not aware of earlier useage of the R and V designations, but I am only passing on what I was told by a GM parts man as it pertained to my 1988 V3500 GMC cab and chassis, 4 wheel drive dually (old style 1973-1990).

[ace58]

I used the link you posted and I too am confused. I could not find the C and K designations in the RPO listings, only R and V. Sorry to add to the confusion.

[GMCfourX4]

I don't know about pre-'87, but I do know that from '88-'92 GM used R instead of C and V instead of K for the old body-style Blazers, Subs, and pickups (like the heavy-duty's) that hadn't switched to the new body style yet. I owned an '88 V-1500 Jimmy, and it was a constant pain, people would often lookup 'K' when I said fullsize, and get parts for an '88 IFS pickup.

-Chris

[Norwegian Bow-tie]

What about pre 88' anyone? smile.gif

[nathan71]

My '87 is a V2500.

[ulhpilot]

1973 through 1986 model year General Motors full-size pickup truck or chassis cab models of the "C" (2WD) or "K" (4WD) series which include the following models: Chevrolet C10, C20, C30, K10, K20, K30 and GMC Truck C1500, C2500, C3500, K1500, K2500, K3500, and

1987 through 1991 model year General Motors full-size pickup truck or chassis cab models of the "R" (2WD) or "V" (4WD) series, which include the following models: Chevrolet R10, R20, R30, R2500, R3500, V10, V20, V30, V2500, V3500 and GMC Truck R1500, R2500, R3500, V1500, V2500 and V3500.
*NOTE* not sure which year Chevrolet changed 3/4 ton from R/V20 to R/V2500 and 1 ton from R/V30 to R/V3500.

1992 Designations were changed back to C/K