Humans love to connect labels and acronyms to pretty much the whole thing. From sports (MLB, NFL, NBA) to authorities entities (FBI, IRS, NATO), people (JFK, LBJ, RBG), and the whole thing in among (IBM, NBC, YMCA), we can`t forestall shortening the call of things. Even our texting "language" is packed with acronyms ("LOL," "OMG," "TGIF").
Car fanatics aren't anyt any different. Between what's normally taken into consideration the last decade from 1988 to 1998, Chevrolet vans have been constructed at the C/K GMT400 frame style (a few reassets consist of vans thru 1999, at the same time as others say 2000 or maybe 2002). Now, they are recognized colloquially as "OBS" vans: the time period can imply "antique frame style" or "unique frame style," however each imply more or less the equal thing.
The confusion stems from the truth that each Chevy and GMC shared the 4th era C/K platform (internally known as "GMT400"), however named their respective vans differently. Chevy used C/K, at the same time as GMC's full-sized truck changed into called the Sierra.
After some years, the C/K platform naming conference changed into utilized by each at the large SUVs as well. It may be located at the Chevy C/K, Blazer, Tahoe, and Suburban, at the same time as GMC used it at the Sierra, Yukon, and its very own generation of the Suburban. So ... now no longer puzzling at all.
Chevy/GMC "Square Body" vans that got here earlier than the GMT400 generally practice to fashions made among 1973 and 1987. Trucks that got here after (among 1999 and 2006) are known as GMT800s. The GMT400s are normally taken into consideration the candy spot among the uber boxy "Square Body" vans, and the softer rounded edges of the 800s.
These 'antique frame style' Chevy vans are fantastic
Several technical improvements additionally expanded the 400s above the antique-faculty bucket of bolts from in advance vans. These OBS vans have been assembled thru the modern-day computer-aided design (CAD) programs, used extra galvanized steel, and had a completely welded frame.
A wide variety of firsts seemed in the course of this period of truck, including anti-lock brakes (ABS), an extended-cab, and in 1995 had a driver-facet airbag (twin airbags got here in 1998). It changed into additionally the primary time General Motors (GM) used shift at the fly four-wheel drive (as opposed to locking hubs), and an unbiased torsion-bar and CV joint suspension on its K-collection vans. The wellknown engine changed into a 4.3-liter Vortec V6 with lots of torque, and later, each 5.0-liter V8s and 8.1-liter engines have become available.
That's now no longer to mention they were not with out issues. Motor Trend factors out they tended to end up closely rusted, dashboards regularly cracked because of the reasonably-priced plastic used, the paint faded, the clean coat oxidized, and the brakes have been too small. Despite their failings, those antique-frame-styled GMT400 vans keep a completely unique vicinity withinside the evolution of the pickup that has made them the correct automobile for fanatics to retrofit and customize — a lot in order that their price has taken off in latest years.
Hagerty states that Chevy GMT400s vans have improved in price through 63% during the last 3 years, at the same time as GMC's 400s are up 52%. An equally-telling statistic is that costs for coverage on those vans are up 58% and 53%, respectively.
