Here’s how GM survived the Chevy/GMC C/K pickup exploding gas tank scandal

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Жыл бұрын

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In this episode I provide the history of the Chevrolet and GMC C/K pickups, which were produced over 4 generations from 1960 through 2000. They were the first light/medium duty trucks made by GM that were on their own dedicated truck platform not shared with any cars. Although they were the most profitable vehicle GM made, a critical design choice for the third generation beginning in 1973 almost led to the truck's downfall, due to the fuel tank being positioned outside the frame rail, so as to allow the tank to be larger and optionally add a second tank on the other side. This position made it vulnerable to side impact crashes, and risk of fire. In 1992, the NBC news program Dateline featured a story about how unsafe these trucks were, but the footage they created showing the resulting explosion was found to have been rigged to make it look good for TV, resulting in NBC later having to admit the lie on air. Despite this, the C/K pickups continued to sell well, and today are still selling as the Silverado and Sierra, although with the fuel tank inside the frame rails.

Пікірлер: 394

@DUSTINODELLOFFICIAL Жыл бұрын

It's interesting that Dateline rigging the tank to explode and getting caught completely shifted the blame to NBC. Like you say in the video, despite being more deadly than the Pinto, we don't think about this series of trucks as death traps, and the Dateline debacle probably gave GM something of an out.

@broeheemed32 Жыл бұрын

GM was the darling of the "media" - therefore the government - especially since Ford never took bailouts like GM did. The government basically owned GM.

@coltonregal1797 Жыл бұрын

It wasn't more deadly than the Pinto. It had more accidents because there were legions more of them on the road.

@broeheemed32 Жыл бұрын

@@coltonregal1797 - Considering the offending Chevrolet and GMC "squarebody" pickups were produced for 15 years, there were "legions" more sold than the Pinto.

@shadowopsairman1583 Жыл бұрын

Its because they were in fords wallet

@bradzimmerman3171 Жыл бұрын

@@coltonregal1797 problems with the pinto was restricted to one model "the runabout "only where as all the square bodies were boomers

@edwardpate6128 Жыл бұрын

What everyone always seems to forget is how much safer from a gas tank perspective these trucks were to those that preceded them where the gas tank was inside the cab and behind the seat.

@samholdsworth420 Жыл бұрын

My buddies 57 Chevy pickup had the tank in the cab. Two sixteen year olds riding around in a fuel tank. Not cool lol

@LaurentiusTriarius Жыл бұрын

@@samholdsworth420 my mom's husband had a modified 57" Chevy with a fuel cell in the bed, I was always wondering why. Now I know.

@Project_Low_Expectations Жыл бұрын

How was it more dangerous in the cab. In order for a car to hit the tank, the driver would be *pretty messed up*. In the cab was statistically safer.

@Poopsticle_256 Жыл бұрын

@@Project_Low_Expectations It’s a case of, “It may have a smaller chance of going wrong, but if it does go wrong, it goes very wrong very badly.” Plus, if there’s a fuel leak then you end up with gas fumes inside the cabin

@postersm7141 Жыл бұрын

I completely forgot about the trucks that had the fuel tank behind the seat, in the cab. Wow I completely forgot about that

@CJColvin Жыл бұрын

You gotta love the Square Body GM trucks, they're probably one of the best GM trucks ever made.

@borla4491 Жыл бұрын

I'll take a 80s Suburban square 3/4 ton with a 454 V8 ( or a 6.2 diesel V8) with 4 wheel drive please Thank you.

@CJColvin Жыл бұрын

@@borla4491 You're welcome brother, imagine if Pontiac made they're own version of the Square Body Pickup truck in 1973 along with Chevy and GMC.

@borla4491 Жыл бұрын

@@CJColvin Yes! with the HD 455 Buick engine V8!

@CJColvin Жыл бұрын

@@borla4491 Right or the Pontiac 455 just to keep it all Pontiac.

@borla4491 Жыл бұрын

@@CJColvin Yep, that too!

@Valorius Жыл бұрын

I don't recall it being a scanda, I do recall 60 Minutes absolutely lying about it and getting sued

@edwardpate6128 Жыл бұрын

It wasn't 60 Minutes, it was NBC's Dateline.

@foch3 Жыл бұрын

Yeah it exploded before the tank was ruptured. Total fraud, but it was the thought that counts/s

@Ward413 Жыл бұрын

@@edwardpate6128 Don’t confuse him. He seems lost already.

@JayCAlan Жыл бұрын

Surprised for you to report that there was no recall issued. A 17 year old me owned a 76 GMC during the mid-nineties, and specifically remember getting a settlement from Gm that involved a very slight discount off a new truck due to the fires. I remember laughing about it because buying a new truck was very much not an option for me at the time.

@chrislemaster2695 Жыл бұрын

You need to do the 1970-1980 Ford Pinto rear gas tank exploding when hit in the rear. Ford said it would be cheaper to pay death lawsuits rather than spend a recall on a $9.00 part to fix the gas tank problem, You also should due the one on the Ford/Firestone Tire debacle of 2001 involving the Firestone Wilderness A/T ATX ATX II tread separation and rollover causing 400 injuries and 100+ deaths and Ford/Firestone blamed each other These two would make good video topics.

@Noah_E Жыл бұрын

My dad used to own an auto restoration business and a square bodies would be in one of his booths once or twice a month. The white paint would peel off them in sheets. It was a great source of consistent cash while longer term projects were in other parts of the shop.

@DiamondKingStudios Жыл бұрын

When I was growing up one of the assistant Scoutmasters of my troop had a Chevrolet C/10 from the 1970s (early 3rd gen) which, despite the paint having been peeling off for the last few years, was still in relatively good shape. It had a two-tone paint scheme and a camper shell on the back that was flush with the rest of the truck's dimensions. For all I know he probably still drives it.

@sreilly Жыл бұрын

Still have my ‘87 c10 to this day. Plan on restoring it this winter. The truck just never quits. And the fuel selector between both tanks still works!

@scout9479 Жыл бұрын

I'm gonna be honest. I love my '84, but fuck I wish mine had the double tanks.

@sreilly Жыл бұрын

@@scout9479 oh it is, as long as the tank selector valve still works lol. Mine still does to this day but I hear if it goes out, theres no where to find a replacement.

@kainhall Жыл бұрын

@@sreilly bro.... you can get AC DELCO!!! valves AND switches........ still to this day!!!! . now the quality might be crap today.... but at least you can get it working for a few months to a few years the AC DELCO parts should be decent..... . at the VERY LEAST doorman would still make this but the doorman part would probably cause a gas tank explosion by it self LOL

@sreilly Жыл бұрын

@@kainhall damn really? I was told that those fuel selectors solenoids were ‘unobtainium.’ And I thought I was the lucky one with the original solenoid still working hahaha! Good to know. And yeah Dorman has some good parts - they seem to have gotten better over the years. Funny thing is I just discovered a fuel leak on my c10 the other day in the filler neck for the passenger side tank! Here in PA, they switched the nozzles at the gas station to these short stubby ones. So now when the pump clicks off, the fuel fills all the way into the filler neck. So now I’m replacing both filler necks with stainless steel instead of rubber.

@Choralone422 Жыл бұрын

I remember the whole NBC news scandal with those trucks and it made me really question if what was being presented on Dateline was true all the time or not. Outside of that I think GM survived that mess for a number of reasons. One huge reason is those trucks had been very well established for a very long time and seen as being tough and mostly safe. Compare that to the Pinto which in it's time was seen as radical design choice that had what seemed like an obvious flaw in a vehicle that was new, seen as untested and not yet trusted. Plus NBC's decision to fake the results further cemented public opinion that the C/K gas tank issue wasn't as serious as some felt it was. My family owned a commercial roofing company which at one time had a lot of 3rd gen C/K pickups (along with other trucks) in their fleet. I remember the issue of the C/K gas tank fires coming up at a family event shortly after the initial Dateline episode. But as soon as the word that NBC faked the results came out the issue was never brought up again and those trucks stayed in service until they eventually broke down over time and were replaced.

@fosterfuchs Жыл бұрын

The particular collision that was shown on Dateline was rigged. But the point they made was true. All they had to do was add a caption and/or voiceover that this is a re-enactment of actual events, and they would have stayed out of legal trouble.

@Choralone422 Жыл бұрын

@@fosterfuchs I'm not saying the problem didn't exist, just that there wasn't a public perception that there was a serious problem. The Dateline incident made the issue seem like it wasn't a serious problem because if it was then why would the test need to be rigged. Hence why it seemed to become a non-issue in my own experience once Dateline was exposed for what was done. The real sad part is that GM allowed the fuel tank issue to go on as long as they did with so little regard for it and so much stonewalling of the govt. Also, they continued to make similar safety mistakes with the ignition switch issue on vehicles in the 2000s as another good example.

@stewpuddy4161 Жыл бұрын

I was born in 1979. Sure wish Dad had kept all the square bodies he owned over the years. My first was a 88 2500, then a 95 Z71, then a 2001 Z71 1500, then a 2002 2500 hd diesel, followed by a 2011 1500 extended cab that I bought brand new and I just traded in this past spring for a 2022 crew cab 2500hd gasser. Chevy truck loyalty is deep in my family!

@94XJ Жыл бұрын

Sadly it'd be pretty tough to do with square bodies. The penny-pinchers had a heavy hand in design of those trucks leaving us with thinner frames and body panels than generations before and after. Since the 00s, I've always wanted a clean Camper Special that I could breathe a little more life into the 454 but finding one that hasn't rotted into the dirt is damn near impossible.

@jonrolfson1686 Жыл бұрын

My Dad’s 1960 GMC 305 cubic inch V-6 pickup with ‘four on the floor’ was my first post drivers-ed driving experience. Low end torque was ample, and the truck was not over tall: At sixteen or seventeen years old, and only five and a half feet tall, I could toss hay bales into the bed over the side of the truck (I can’t even see over the sides of current ‘full-size’ pick-ups). The down-side was that a couple of the high-school girls who had agreed to go out with me changed their minds when I showed up with the GMC.

@livewire2759 Жыл бұрын

Their loss... LOL If she nitpicks your truck, she'll nitpick everything else in your life! I'd say you dodged some bullets there!

@kainhall Жыл бұрын

see... i got compliments from girls when i got my 77 K10 but its north east Montana........... . too bad i didnt have the self esteem to ask them out...........

@greggc8088 Жыл бұрын

My Dad had a 72 and later a 76 half ton Chevy 2WD. The 76 was best but it got 12 mpg. It got 12 mpg uphill, down hill, towing 5000 lbs, and falling out of an air plane. 350/350 with 3:43 gears. I had an 87 and liked it but my 95 was best for MPG, comfort, power, and even durability.

@cnorton1us Жыл бұрын

Although I never owned one, I do have fond memories of some of the '70's and '80's Chevy/GMC pickups, from the summer job I had during college where I learned to drive a 3-on-the-tree in a 1970 C10 and friends or neighbors owning square-body trucks. Like many people, I remember when trucks were often less expensive than cars, and although they weren't fancy they had all the things you really needed. And the 1/2 ton 2WD versions often rode pretty similar to a rear drive full size car, though heavier duty 4WD models did need several hundred pounds of weight in the bed to not feel like the axles were just bolted to the frame. Great video, and I definitely learned some things about these iconic vehicles.

@nathancook1404 Жыл бұрын

I think Dateline NBC shouldn't have tried to stage that Crash Test Video in the first place, Because all that'll do is cause auto manufacturers to play the victim next time when a real accident report happens, it stuff like this that gives manufacturers to find a ways to avoid responsibility, And I'm aware that some manufacturers have did some recalls to fix some of the problems but TV Talk Shows need to becareful when it comes to calling out manufacturers for their mistakes.

@robertdavis32 Жыл бұрын

My dad had 3 4th Gen models, 1 Regular Cab and 2 Extended Cabs with the last one being a 98 Sierra (C1500). He finally sold it a few years ago after it had accumulated 261k miles and even by then he didn’t really want to part with it because of how solid it had been

@spartanlink_047 Жыл бұрын

Not sure if you did it yet, but the last generation of Pontiac Grand Prix is one of my favorite cars I have ever owned. My 04 Grand Prix was the best car I ever had. Miss that old thing.

@natan762 Жыл бұрын

This truck had some variations around the world too, with different designs both for 10 and 20 series (60, 70 and 80 medium and heavy trucks too) they used A,C and D prefixes (alcohol, gasoline, diesel) and was the first truck to offer alcohol engines here in brazil (first mass produced alcohol car was made by fiat in 1978)

@timmythompson2186 Жыл бұрын

I assume what you are calling alcohol is similar to what our ethanol is? I believe I remember that Brazil made it from cane sugar rather than our corn. If I am correct, I am curious as to how cars did with it? Ethanol made from corn has less energy per gallon so we lose 15% or so when compared to the efficiency of gasoline

@bradzimmerman3171 Жыл бұрын

To much alcohol creates gM truck sales ( yes the ones with weak frames)

@timmythompson2186 Жыл бұрын

@@bradzimmerman3171 lol, awesome response. I meant alcohol as fuel to power the truck, not alcohol to power the buyer. Lol, that is probably my favorite response ever though

@natan762 Жыл бұрын

Here, during the petrol crisis we had everithing fueled by alcohol (ethanol) (research began in 1974) motorbikes, buses, tractors, cars, pickups, trucks... Big truck companies like Mercedes Benz, Scania, Ford, GM, Dodge (before being bought by vw in 1979) Cummins, Mwm Volkswagen did this, nowadays alcohol still strong in passenger cars here, every car made here is bi-fuel

@evanthompson8925 Жыл бұрын

My 1967 C10 is still up and going, one advantage of having the fuel tank behind the seat is the ease of filling up the tank at the service station.

@DanielleWhite Жыл бұрын

We had an 87 third gen on the farm. I'm not sure of all the details because it had been a fleet vehicle for an ag services company. I did learn something about the dual tank switch when I went parking with a date one night. It was possible to get it to stay between the two positions which we did by accident. You can probably imagine the panic when it would crank but not fire...

@scout9479 Жыл бұрын

I've got a third gen C10, and its still probably one of the most safest and reliable trucks on the road. Mine specifically has a rebuilt 250 inline 6 and a 3 speed auto. Shifts and runs like new. Besides, it doesn't have any electronics to help run the engine, so you don't have to worry about anything electrical going out besides the headlights, blinkers, tail lights, dash lights, and windshield wiper motors.

@brazenhammer3307 Жыл бұрын

Gotta say the tank placement was safer than the models before and I believe from 83 on up there was a bottom skid plate option to protect the cas tank, while it is not a full cage it's something at least, 4th gen is pretty cool too, though due to the first generation throttle body intake it was plagued with issues until it was changed to a better design about 4 years later, love these trucks love your videos

@wranglercody8422 Жыл бұрын

My first car was a 98’ k1500. Got it from my uncle who bought it new. Had it 10 years and sold it a year or so ago. Still see it around. Like a rock.

@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman Жыл бұрын

My first vehicle in 1981 when I was 15 was a 1976 Chevy Cheyenne & during the '80s I had an '83, '85, '86, '87 & in 1990 I got a new 454SS! Wish I had every one of them back as they are worth a lot of money now! ✌💖☮

@thesam19841 Жыл бұрын

I owned an 88 GMC Sierra C1500 regular cab longbed w/ the 305 V8... it was called a grandpa spec... it was peppy and only broke down on me once in 5 years (it was a fuel sensor that was fixed in half an hour)... got it at 220k and traded it for my first jeep... that truck had bad valve seals and always smoked when started but ran great... 285k the day I traded her... I slowly had cleaned her up, fixing the rust and bumps and bruises, matching wheels and two toned with a dark wood, which was very sharp with red paint and interior... never owned a truck since, just midsized SUVs and a 01 chevy tahoe, but that truck was special and its been one of my longest car ownership of 5 years... drove my wife to our wedding, picked up my first dog and moved into our first house... a great extra vehicle, that id have kept if it wasnt so big for my wife to drive... the 94 xj was our first shared car as a married couple, as we each had our own car

@Bruehoyt Жыл бұрын

I am a life long car enthusiast born inn '67. One of my best friends had a last year wrap around windshield '63 Chevy truck around 1990. I miss that truck and Rob Laubach who taught me so much about cars.

@Bruehoyt Жыл бұрын

congrats on the omaze sponsorship. This channel deserves it! Keep up the awesome work.

@gthelee3412 Жыл бұрын

I loved my 77 C10. 2 wheel drive, plane Jane, simple 350 engine. Easy to work on, it always started and never let me down. Bought it to haul band gear in the 80s...my drums, riser, and monitors. It hauled a boat all over Colorado and to western Nebraska. Many loads of landscaping rocks, dirt and sod. The only problem was it rust. Oh boy, did it rust. 😄 My truck looked just like the one in the Dateline episode. Same copper color. Forgot about that!!

@kriche74 Жыл бұрын

I own a C/K truck from 1979. I love it.

@imrytebeehyneu Жыл бұрын

Did the gastank explode? 😮

@andia6865 Жыл бұрын

I am from 1979, too. Pretty good year ^^

@kriche74 Жыл бұрын

@@imrytebeehyneu No. Not yet.

@CJColvin Жыл бұрын

Awesome brother

@gregholloway2656 Жыл бұрын

I’ve been driving a 1977 C10 for the last 25 years. It’s so simple, it’s forever fixable.

@kingkat8080 Жыл бұрын

Interesting episode, this shows you why The media in The USA is held in such low regard. Anything I see on CBS,NBC,ABC, I make sure I take with a whole salt shaker.

@ooorah8499 Жыл бұрын

I had a 99 k1500 Silverado with 5.3 LS engine with piston slap at cold start. Sold It to 6 years ago and now have a 1994 k1500 Silverado been restoring the last 6 years and is mint and I love it.

@bobhill3941 Жыл бұрын

My dad's uncle had an 85 that he drove until it fell apart, it was like his calling card. It was on a big card for his 80th birthday displayed prominently in his games room. Growing up the son of a next door neighbour has one too.

@frankortiz_HeroDad Жыл бұрын

I'll take a good condition square body over the Hummer EV any day.

@borla4491 Жыл бұрын

And I'll take a 3/4 ton Suburban with a 454(or 6.2 diesel V8) and 4 wheel drive over the Hummer EV!

@CJColvin Жыл бұрын

Awesome brother same here, the modern GM trucks are pure garbage.

@bobbbobb4663 Жыл бұрын

Dennis Collins has a knack for finding clean examples. Check out his yt channel.

@joelikespotatoes8321 Жыл бұрын

These old trucks and cars are so pretty, I wish cars today looked half that good.

@ryurc3033 Жыл бұрын

So when I was a kid, I remember when my dad got a check to fix the fuel tank issue on his 84 dually, and bought tires instead.

@pranshupathak7555 Жыл бұрын

i am a viewer from kuwait these old C/K trucks are really popular in kuwait and middle east in general . they are seen everywhere and are part of our culture . dough kuwait is one of the hottest countries in the world i have never seen a C/K catch fire .

@OLDS98 Жыл бұрын

Very well done. It was good. The information was interesting . The facts stand out. I liked the footage as well. I must admit you come up with interesting facts that make videos interesting and entertaining. Thank you.

@ApeGorrillo Жыл бұрын

Ooh, you're doing old pickup videos now. That means you could be doing a Dodge Dakota video soon. I like it!

@jmc6000 Жыл бұрын

I second this! Have owned many Dakotas over the years they are really good rigs

@ApeGorrillo Жыл бұрын

@@jmc6000 Agreed. I've been bugging him on every video to make one.

@PhantomLover007 Жыл бұрын

I don’t even remember anything about the saddle tanks exploding on the Chevy trucks. I definitely remember about the Pinto/maverick and about 80s model Ford pick ups having issues.

@devonriley110 Жыл бұрын

Because it wasn't really a thing, the ones mentioned in the video that burned mostly had nothing to do with the tanks. Mostly electrical fires.

@AJ-HawksToxicFinger Жыл бұрын

What a great idea for a video, love it!!

@HollywoodHornet Жыл бұрын

I remember these. I also remember the Hyundai Tiburon...a car we need an episode on, I might add.

@UNCFIPP Жыл бұрын

One of the vehicles i learned to drive in.. 81 c20 custom deluxe ¾ton. Dual tank version. That extra 20 gallons helped in the snow

@gofast3209 Жыл бұрын

Finally a my old car video of a vehicle i own. I have a 94 gmc 1500 4x4

@FEDsShotMOM Жыл бұрын

im dailying a 76'. gives me something to work on while still being reliable ride to work every day. C10 shortbed fleetside Custom Deluxe. im surprised you didnt talk about all the trim levels changing names frequently. usually 4 trim levels year to year in a simple progression of features but they changed the names alot

@mattbrown5511 9 ай бұрын

All you have to do is look at the after-market support to see how much love there is for the "Square Body". LMC alone can let you build an entire truck from scratch. All you have to do is add the power train.

@christopherandersch1299 Жыл бұрын

I had a 73 stepside and was part of the class action suit against GM, when the suit was settled,what did I receive?, really nothing!, if I signed a statement that if my truck caught on fire,from a side collision, that I would not sue, then I would receive 1 coupon for $1000 off a new chevy pick up, the 1k would only be applied after the truck had been purchased. But the coupon could be transferred, but for HALF value!!!!. In the end,lawyers got paid, money went to safety "programs", and the consumer got screwed!

@jetcitykitty Жыл бұрын

Your channel is totally inspiring especially knowing that you are involved in car sales as well and I have the feeling that that magic voice gives you a big Edge when it comes to Car Sales, particularly during the interview stage when you're getting a job and I'm totally going to take some inspiration from your presentation and manner of speaking as I attempt to enter Car Sales myself. I would love to hear what advice you might have about pursuing a career like that, I've been watching my Doug demuro and your Channel to increase my knowledge LOL

@MyOldCar Жыл бұрын

So yes, I am working at a Cadillac dealership, but not as a salesman. I'm their product specialist, so I teach the customers how everything works in their car, as well as help customers who come in with technical questions. I am also starting to take over some of the online marketing and social media work. Although I am now taking some of the burden off the salespeople by helping with the final delivery, I've seen enough of what the salespeople do to know that learning the whole financial side of it would require a lot more training that they simply don't offer. Being a Cadillac dealer, they only hire in experienced salespeople.

@jetcitykitty Жыл бұрын

@@MyOldCar thank you for taking your time responding and for providing that insight!

@gregvarner9562 Жыл бұрын

In my opinion the late sixties Chevy pickup was the best looking of all of them. There was just something about the rounded yet straightforward look to them. You could really make them look good with some appropriate wheels and wider white letter tires. Plus a good engine swap to something with some go wouldn't hurt either along with a proper exhaust system. Saturday night cruiser for sure. The Fords from that period just looked too county bumpkin to me and the Dodges looked like they were designed by a bored forth grader during history class on the blank back page of his textbook.

@clayton5584 Жыл бұрын

They are such cool trucks that the risk of explosion is worth it

@djverhulst Жыл бұрын

great video, I love those square body trucks

@jackbower8671 Жыл бұрын

>When the GMT400's showed up in the video >My head: Do it, SING IT >ME: "LIKE A ROCK"

@howebrad4601 Жыл бұрын

I own a 73 C10 and love it, but I'm still glad you played it straight on the fire story for both it, and the Pinto which is also unfairly maligned.

@NDC1115 Жыл бұрын

The 1988-1991 R/V series also included Suburbans and Blazers, they weren't redesigned until the 1992 model year. Most of the R/v trucks were 1 tons, chassis cabs and other "specialty" trucks

@aaronsalcido90 Жыл бұрын

My dad got me a 1977 GMC Sierra Grande 25 about 10 years ago and I liked the truck; I just wish I hadn't had an accident and sideswiped another truck with it...

@mikemc330 Жыл бұрын

Another well done video! Thanks

@georgeh6856 Жыл бұрын

When we had sleek, aerodynamic cars like the Mazda RX-7 and Pontiac Fiero in the 1980s, I hated the boxy 3rd gen. GM pickup trucks. I always thought they looked 10-20 years outdated in styling at the time.

@borla4491 Жыл бұрын

The sqaurebody pickups (and the 4 door duallies 1 ton) along with the Suburbans and jimmy and blazers, make the current generation GM trucks and suburbans look too feminine. I'll give credit for the current generation's power . However still!

@CJColvin Жыл бұрын

At least it looks better than what you drive mate.

@georgeh6856 Жыл бұрын

@@CJColvin No need to troll. Sorry you feel like you have to troll.

@MetaFoxx278 Жыл бұрын

Since we're on the subject of pickup trucks from back in the day, you should do an ep on the old Ford Ranger line. My first vehicle was an old '93 Ford Ranger STX Supercab (with a 5-spd Manual). It was on its last legs when I bought it and didn't last very long, sadly. I ended up trading it in for an '01 PT Cruiser (and even that one was on its last legs). Some of those old Rangers didn't hold up very well, which I kind of find to be one of the reasons (not the ultimate one) why Ford discontinued them here in the states all those years ago, only to reintroduce them back a couple of years ago (though now they're bigger).

@SRQmoviemaker Жыл бұрын

I'll second the ranger idea, I learned to drive on my grandpa's 1991 (at 13)

@MirkoC407 Жыл бұрын

Even for me as a German a childhood dream car, thanks to The Fall Guy airing in the mid-80es here.

@dougc190 Жыл бұрын

Remember my dad telling me when this happened that GM had investigators search the junk yards of America looking for that truck they used and that episode, obviously they found it

@nunopereira6092 Жыл бұрын

That Ford Pinto bit from Top Secret is legendary :D

@anthonyrivera4735 Жыл бұрын

Please Do a video on the Ford Explorer sport trac pickup

@imrytebeehyneu Жыл бұрын

Or the Ford Exploder: the Firestone scandal...

@spukersonmerlosk1661 Жыл бұрын

In general. Do a video of the "sqaurebody" C/K and R/V GMC/Chevy Pickup Trucks(including the dually four doors) and the Full Size Jimmys/Blazers of GMC/Chevy , along with the Suburban. All Half tons to Full tons with V8 454s to the V8 6.2 Detroit Diesel engines. All from 1973 to 1991.

@wutang80oc39 Жыл бұрын

I had a 2000 gmt400 tahoe Z71, it was the last year of the gmt400, and it came with body colored bumpers/fender flares, forged aluminum 5 spoke 16" wheels, brush guard, full skid plates, bilstein shocks, rear locker and the bumper from the diesel Silverado with driving lights. It was a cool ride I do miss it but it being an automatic meant that I would eventually get rid of it.

@NickTarterOKC Жыл бұрын

The 4th gen trucks are fantastic, especially the later ones with Vortec heads. They are super reliable and long lasting pickups.

@HotWheelsBurban Жыл бұрын

Yes they're solid trucks. I've had two GMT 400 Suburbans, still have one, and I recently got a crew cab long bed GMT 400 pickup. These trucks are nice inside, way plusher than the previous generations, but still tough enough to do truck stuff when necessary.

@DUNEATV Жыл бұрын

Still got my 1992 C1500 short bed 5.7L Auto!

@masjuggalo Жыл бұрын

From what I understood about this whole thing is that some ck pickups that were sideswiped did catch fire like pintos and first generation Mustangs. However when the news Outlet tried to recreate it they crashed like a dozen trucks and not one of them caught fire they got busted because they didn't declare they used a model rocket engine to cause the fire. However before they got busted I distinctly recall them saying that General Motors would install a liner in the tank that would have 100% eliminate the risk of the fire. I was especially concerned because my grandfather drove a k30 wrecker and my uncle had a the super common standard cab short bed K10 on 35s

@davinp Жыл бұрын

GM, Ford & Chrysler don't want to spend money fixing a problem like this. Remember the Ford Pinto catching fire when rear-ended due to the placement of its fuel tank. Ford didn't want to spend money fixing it

@iznbrgwhite421 Жыл бұрын

I loved my 2003 Chevy 4x4 Blazer. I never ever got stuck and believe me I tried .. I only wish Chevy got it through their thicke heads that most ppl would be plenty happy with that last gen blazer that I had. Rugged yet comfortable enough for long drives. And yes I know my 03 blazer isn't a "true " blazer like the k series. Thanks for these great clips keep pumping them out they are awesome!

@iznbrgwhite421 Жыл бұрын

Please do a clip on the first gen 1989 Acura integra !! Pls

@MrBeeradb1 Жыл бұрын

1988 was the first year for GM to move the gas tanks inboard of the frame on pickups.

@ajwillett7302 Жыл бұрын

I have a 93 k1500 in my driveway. I also think you should do an episode like this on on the dodge ram trucks and ramchargers from the 70's to the early 90's rarely see them. But had a 87 ram w150 and a 90 ramcharger w150. Wish I still had them.

@hunterphille1280 Жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed this video. I've owned trucks for the better part of 25 years, some wheel drive and the majority 4 wheel drive. I've worked for the same company building ambulances for 22 years so I've seen some cool advances in truck technology. The one thing that irritates me is that 3/4 and 1 ton trucks that were once used for heavy duty purposes are now so up scaled in luxury that they aren't even used to haul bags of trash. They're only used for a status symbol and that really bothers me.

@landonbenford8369 Ай бұрын

When "Star Trek IV (1986)" was filmed it was VERY Rare to see a woman behind the wheel of a pickup truck. Or ANY Truck!!!😮😮

@slocavky Жыл бұрын

Just picked up a 2021 Silverado with the fantastic 3.0 Liter Duramax inline 6 Diesel. I absolutely love the thing. and NO way would I ever get an electric truck... no thanks..

@shawnbauman5463 Жыл бұрын

I've owned three squarebody C30 dump trucks. Simple, reliable, gets work done. My current 85 will be around and hauling when the new electric trucks are in the scrap heap.

@TheRustyGuitarist Жыл бұрын

Voyage Home is one of my favorite movies ever...

@popebryanii7224 Жыл бұрын

I remember the NBC scandal about the tanks exploding. Because I remember a buddy got t boned in a 81 k20 and his tanks didn't even get touched.

@ddrowdy7666 Жыл бұрын

I had a 1986 GMC with saddle tanks but it was a diesel so I didn't worry too much about it.

@SimonTekConley Жыл бұрын

Was listening this while using my 04 ram 2500, to tow my 95 c1500.

@gravesclayton3604 Жыл бұрын

Still have the '74 K10 Fleetside my father bought new in the summer of 1974. In 1986 we did a frame-off restoration and motor rebuild, as well. Today it is a worse rust-bucket than ever, including the fuel tank. It runs ok, but the 250 L6 needs another overhaul, or just replacement now. Doors, fenders, hood, and bed are all rusting to pieces, again, as well as the fuel tank. The 4 leaf springs sag in the wrong direction when loaded, and the 4.10/4.11 gearing has always made fuel economy lousy. I keep overhauling the brakes & fuel system to keep it roadworthy, but it is an uncomfortable pain in the neck. My father replaced it with a new '92 C-10 TBI 350 5-speed that rode and towed like a Caddilac, and I bought the K10 from him , because no one else in the family wanted to drive or maintain it. It's been a love/hate relationship for nearly 50 years, so I keep it going mostly out of spite. Sometimes I wonder if I should sell while it's still shaped like a truck, lol!

@nathanramstorf1033 Жыл бұрын

Love ALL the ST:IV references!

@reptarkidd Жыл бұрын

K blazer Tahoe Yukon . Full size not the small one.

@Beaula2 Жыл бұрын

Would love to see a video on the Oldsmobile 88 lineup. It’s quite a story.

@milfordcivic6755 Жыл бұрын

@7:50 - That Lincoln totally demolished that ambulance and the Lincoln drives away without a scratch on it!

@darrellasmith77 Жыл бұрын

Love the old square body Chevys. Can't wait to see an episode on the Honda CRX

@googleuser3760 Жыл бұрын

Excellent video 👍👍

@BassDude789 Жыл бұрын

I have an ‘83 K20, ‘90 K20 and a ‘14 1/2 ton All amazing trucks, no major problems with any of them. My grandad bought the ‘90 new, almost 320K miles on it now, very minimal repairs. I still drive it regularly. Best trucks ever made, no one will convince me otherwise

@michaelsimko7694 Жыл бұрын

Third gen 2-door shortbeds have the perfect exterior design and size for making them street cars and hot rods

@cptnmactavish4436 Жыл бұрын

I work at a gmc dealership and we are still waiting on our two Hummer EV’s. We had to spend 500k USD on facilities to support these trucks but we still haven’t got them

@stewartgregory3364 Жыл бұрын

I was working as a mechanic at Chevy when then the 4th generation pick up came out. It was so bad that we thought that some one had screwed up & dropped off a load of Fords.

@WhittyPics Жыл бұрын

I can still hear those Chevy trucks rusting

@chrislemaster2695 Жыл бұрын

on the First Generation Ford Explorer made from 1991-2001

@flyingbodysymphony Жыл бұрын

A coworker of mine had a third gen K that was incredibly dear to his heart - an 86 GMC Sierra Classic. He recently lost it in a t-bone collision after sixteen years of reliability. He’s still looking for a suitable replacement chassis.

@ColePhelps-cv2qh Жыл бұрын

I still see plenty of gmt400 trucks on the roads in my area. Though I grew up in a square body suburban so I have a soft spot for sqaurebodies.

@hardankles3382 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video!!!!! As usual….

@NikateeN Жыл бұрын

Just got an ad for the new Silverado while watching this. 😂

@Project_Low_Expectations Жыл бұрын

The carry all name was a nickname… I’ve seen nothing anywhere that shows it was ever called that. I do have GMC documentation showing it being a suburban as far back as 67… and might be able to look at the 60-66 stuff too

@livewire2759 Жыл бұрын

The suburban name started in the 1920s, if I remember right, but it wasn't always used. The utility vehicles in the '60s were usually just called panel vans or wagons, since the official name was "panel body" or "panel truck"... something like that. But yeah, they revived the "Suburban" moniker in '67 and have used it ever since.

@Project_Low_Expectations Жыл бұрын

@@livewire2759 1935 was the first Chevy suburban, and Chevy has had the suburban every single year since, always under the name suburban, longest nameplate in automotive history. The panel truck had no windows in the rear, except on the rear barn doors. That was discontinued in 1969 after the van went full size in 67.

@livewire2759 Жыл бұрын

@@Project_Low_Expectations Right, but my point was that the Suburban name wasn't on EVERY utility vehicle that people call "suburbans". I believe in the 50s and 60s the name only described the top trim level in the long wheelbase utilities. It wasn't until '67 that the name was given as a model moniker to every long wheelbase utility vehicle. It's the same basic thing they did with the "silverado" name. For decades, it was just a top trim level, then in '99 it became its own model.

@Project_Low_Expectations Жыл бұрын

@@livewire2759 it was for the model of light duty truck with windows and back seats. Never a trim model ever since 1935. It is a specific series of model numbers. If it was a GM wagon style body, with seats and windows, had 2 doors from 1915 to 1966, 3 doors in 67-72, or 4 doors 73 to date it was a suburban per gm’s naming, on the owners manual, on the title. That’s it case closed end of story

@HotWheelsBurban Жыл бұрын

GM called them "carryall suburban" up through the 60-66 generation. Into the 67-72 generation, the panel truck continued into the 67-72s. When the square body Burbs came out in late '72 as '73 models, these were the first ones to be called "Suburban" without the carryall too. The 4 door Burb was the one that started to become really popular because people saw how versatile they were. Then their popularity really grew with the next generation GMT400 series. And then in '95 they made a 3/4 size Burb called the Tahoe and Yukon, and sport utility vehicles became the new family sedan....

@S1nwar Жыл бұрын

so thats why DeLorean was soproud of putting the tank well protected in that Y shape of the chassis

@justsumguy2u Жыл бұрын

The Pinto was ultimately found to be no more of a fire risk than it's competitors, and likewise, the Audi 5000 was exhonorated for unintended acceleration. On the other hand, the outboard placing of the fuel tanks on the 3rd gen GM trucks was truly a dumb idea, and was indeed a serious fire risk. And that's coming from someone who owned 3.

@abpsd73 Жыл бұрын

I remember seeing a lot of third gen carry over into the early 90s, such as the crew cabs, duallies, and suburbans, probably because they didn't have the gen 4 production lines set up yet for those models.

@Project_Low_Expectations Жыл бұрын

They all held on till 92 if memory serves

@b.s.adventures9421 Жыл бұрын

It was 91

@borla4491 Жыл бұрын

@@b.s.adventures9421 Yep. 1991. And that is when the 454 3/4 squarebodies had the 4L80E

@b.s.adventures9421 Жыл бұрын

@@borla4491 Yes. The unicorn.