What was the first year for the Chevy 1 Ton 4x4 IFS?

[DPI]

My nephew is looking at a 1988 K3500. I could have sworn the first year for the IFS was 1992, but this shows to be an 1988. However, the car fax he ran shows the first event as 1993, but doesn't show the mileage. It has no history, on car fax anyway, between 1988 and 1992. Does this sound fishy or am I just loosing my mind.

 

[sweetk30]

axle info

if its a std cab, ext cab 88-up. if its a crew cab 92-up. car fax is only good if the damage was reported to the insurance company , so thay can list it . i have seen lots of good clean carfax info , but car or truck has been trashed before.

 

[firefighter184]

Didn't they sell both a K3500 AND a V3500? I think the K model had the IFS from 88 on, but the V3500 had the old sheet metal and solid axles? I might be wrong, but I'd swear I read a post on this a couple years ago.

 

[atho]

from what I understand, in 87 the 4x4s became the V series, and the 2wds the R series. In 88, the new sheetmetal ifs 4x4's became the K series, and the new body style 2wds were C series.

besides Blazers and Burbs, the only V series truck were the crew cab pickups and the chassis/cab models (which could be reg cab as well). but all single cab 1 ton 4x4 pickups were IFS.

correct

 

[firefighter184]

I think you got it right Atho.

 

[James670X]

Atho's got it right.
1988 is this first year GM went with the IFS front on there 4x4s which were designated as K series trucks.
From 1988-1991 GM still offered old square body style SFA 4x4 Blazers (all), Suburbans (all), Crew Cabs (all), Cab&Chassis' and finally Regular Cab Duallies all of which were designated as V series trucks.
Edit: I have a 1988 Chevrolet V30 (SFA 4x4) regular cab dually.

 

[Pookster]

Might be wrong, but here goes-

88 was the introduction of the newer body style, but was only applicable to the 1/2 ton and the 3/4 ton Regular and ext cab styles. The one ton remained the same until a later date, (I believe 1991 was the last year of the older body style). There was some terrible naming conventions however- The pickups were named, the Chevy "C/K Pickups" (C=2wd, K=4wd). Crew cabs were not avaliable on anything less than a 1ton.

There were some other things I havent been clear on- When was the production dates for the 3500 HD units? (they come standard with 19.5" wheels, and I believe are 2wd only). THey do however, use a solid front dummy axle.

 

[u2slow]

88 was the introduction of the newer body style, but was only applicable to the 1/2 ton and the 3/4 ton Regular and ext cab styles.

Add reg cab & ext cab 1-tons to that too. They also started making the new body style dually while the SAS was still in production. I can't nail it any closer than 88-91 though. These trucks usually turn up with that odd-ball Dana 70-3U in them.

Crew cabs were not avaliable on anything less than a 1ton.

Lots of C20 crewcabs were produced. '88 was the latest R-series I have encountered. They have a 1-ton frame & axle, but the 3/4-ton brakes.

There were some other things I havent been clear on- When was the production dates for the 3500 HD units? (they come standard with 19.5" wheels, and I believe are 2wd only). THey do however, use a solid front dummy axle.

'91 is the first year. They're on Dremu's brochure page. I believe '01 or '02 is the last year. They're based on the heavy P30 chassis used in the bigger step-vans and A-class motorhomes.

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

3500HDs come in 4wd also. If you've ever seen a 4wd tow truck they're kinda common.

 

[6.2Blazer]

A guy in our club has an 1988 1-ton dually extended cab with the new body style and IFS. It has a TBI 454 and th400 trans.

 

[tarussell]

3500HDs come in 4wd also. If you've ever seen a 4wd tow truck they're kinda common.

The 3500H.D.'s did not come 4WD from GM - They were aftermarket conversions.
Tom

 

[hardcore71]

3500HD 4x4's were not factory produced. They were 3500HD 4x2's that were sent to aftermarket upfitters prior to delivery from the dealer. I know because I was working at a large GM dealer throughout the 90's. (I remeber brand new '91 Blazers sitting on the lot) You can check my 3500HD theory by looking at the VIN. The 5th digit on all the 90's era 3500HD's is a C......2WD.

 

[atho]

the 3500HD 4x4 conversions use 10 lug dana 70 front axles...