And yet, GM didn't post pictures of the interior. Should we assume it's a copy of the 2500/3500?

Now, I'm just waiting to see one in nuclear green colored paint on the cover of Truckin' magazine in 3, 2, 1...

 

There's a photo of the aux switches on the Chevrolet consumer site and it looks to be the same as the current HD interior.

 

I want to see how that black 4500 4x4 looks with a 3500 bed installed.

 

Just guessing... like the owner has a big Viagra prescription and has googled for penile implants and a good urologist.

 

That's a big truck! Love it!

 

This Chevy Truck looks awesome! I bet this will take many sales away from Ford. It's about time!!! But, I know even if this truck is better, Ford will still claim to be the best.

 

I think it definitely compares very favorably to the Ford and Ram competitors, but it isn't exactly apples to apples. Those trucks don't have a straight frame. They are a little bit shorter and lighter in class 4 and 5 guise - making them more attractive for wrecker service and other areas where height may be a concern. You have to go up to the F650 to get the straight frame from Ford. I don't think Ram offers one at all - and some customers don't actually want a straight frame.

You can also get the Ford medium duty trucks (at least the F450 and F550) almost completely loaded with all of the consumer features in the F350. Chevrolet has historically not offered quite as many options on their medium duty trucks in the past. These new Class 4, 5, and 6 Chevrolets will stick to the WT and LT trim levels - so there is a good chance Ford will have the advantage in consumer features.

I'm not sure about how well it will go up against the Class 5 and 6 versions of the Freightliner M2. Chevrolet seems to be the 'tweener between those two truck styles, which is an area I suspect there is a lot of demand. The Chevrolet is probably offering a "nicer" interior with more features than the Freightliner and Hino competitors, but fewer chassis configurations.

The medium duty segment will probably grow in the next few years, so no particular competitor will probably see a significant drop in demand.

It's definitely a suitable replacement for the Kodiak and Topkick and I think it will be popular with the same type of up-fitters and users as those trucks were.

 

Ford still offers the gas V10 in their medium duty, and Ram has the 6.4L. Wonder what the take rate is on gas vs diesel, and if that puts GM at a disadvantage. The V10 is about $8k cheaper than the Powerstroke.

 

I think Chevrolet will eventually bring a gasoline engine to at least the class 4 and 5 trucks.

I'm impressed. They added a class 6 version too, so the rumors about that were true. It's a good looking rig, and I suspect that having the air springs available from the factory will give it a nice advantage. Supposedly Chevrolet will also be involved with Navistar for a Class 7 and Class 8 truck in 2-3 years.

I think that they are just in time for a hike in capital expenditures for businesses, fueled by tax reform.

 

Commercial buyers will be all over these.

 

Too Bad Mother Barrah did not invest in Navistar stock and let Volkswagen take a piece of it.

 

I don't think it's a copy of the 1500/2500/3500 interior. This is based on a Navistar product, so it wouldn't surprise me to see the interior lifted from one of their International Trucks products, with some potential "Chevy-esque" touches (i.e. steering wheel; head unit; etc).

It uses the same interior as the K2 3500 pickup. I'm actually glad they didn't go with International interiors for this segment.

The Class 6-8 MV replacement will also involve Chevrolet. They will likely go with an entirely new cab for that in a few years.

 

..........The Class 6-8 MV replacement will also involve Chevrolet. They will likely go with an entirely new cab for that in a few years.

I have heard that. In addition, there is a rumor that Isuzu is working on a class 7 LCF, basically a larger version of their new FTR series. Chevy sells the FTR as the 6500XD, I wonder if Chevy will get the larger version.

 

What's with the bowtie positioning in the grille? That's driving me insane that it's not centered on the bar.

 

Pile on the pressure, Chevy!

 

Head light on top of head light. Grill on top of grill.
I can't help but see the Family Truckster from National Lampoon's Vacation.

 

That looks like a home run to me, they did their homework. Fleet mechanics are going to love that clam-shell hood as well. Looks to be everything you'd want in this class of vehicle, as far a gas engine option I'm not sure why it would be needed, I certainly would order the diesel either way.

 

I'd agree although I think the popularity of gasoline engines in the class 4 and 5 segment may increase. Maybe the 6.0L could be offered for a while.

Diesels are the most popular in this segment by far though. International Trucks will get a leg up now that they will be using Duramax instead of their Maxxforce engines.

 

I see the replacement for my 2005 Monroe GMC TopKick C4500, will use it to Haul my Airstream Trailer and Boat. As for diesel only, well that will change, I can see an LT1 or likely the LT2 patterned V8 in hopedully 427 or 454.

 

90% of upfitter bodies are compatible with BOTH ford/ram and MED duty "straight rail" trucks like a PETE 337
as for the clamshell hood all the M/D trucks offer it that way except RAM/FORD and this LOOKS more like a Hino/PETE 337 competitor then a FORD/RAM

as for petrol/gas engines the M/D trucks are DIESEL ONLY right now BUT the International owned IC busses offer a PSI built 8.8l GM big block based V8 with Allison 1500 trans and is said to drive like a Cummins B6.7L Diesel as a HIGH UPTIME engine for LOW speed service where DIESELS and DPF systems cause a LOT of downtime issues to a POINT school bus fleets are actually BUYING more busses to have spares for the DOWNTIME experienced with MODERN Diesel engines and add in "green" points for LPG "autogas" versions

 

as for petrol/gas engines the M/D trucks are DIESEL ONLY right now BUT the International owned IC busses offer a PSI built 8.8l GM big block based V8 with Allison 1500 trans and is said to drive like a Cummins B6.7L Diesel as a HIGH UPTIME engine for LOW speed service where DIESELS and DPF systems cause a LOT of downtime issues to a POINT school bus fleets are actually BUYING more busses to have spares for the DOWNTIME experienced with MODERN Diesel engines and add in "green" points for LPG "autogas" versions

MD are not Diesel Only, the 6.8L V10 is in F 550-F 750, with the 140 (1400 ft/lb) Torque Shift behind it. Blue Bird Bus has made the move to V10 Gas availability, there are a couple around here. Mileage is around 8 MPG (Imp) much like the International Diesels. Just a whole lot less down time.

There are 2 Big Bus contract holders here. One is a Customer, he is ready to move to Gas. There just isn't the advantage anymore. Extra $10K up front, Services are triple, Down Time is Local, (Warranty) is 300 miles away.

 

A couple of answers:


Yes it uses the current 1500/2500/3500 interior (pics at link below).

Yes it is a joint design with Navistar but it is NOT a Navistar design that was spun off for GM -- just the opposite -- GM had the lead on most of the design with some input from Navistar. That Navistar pic shown above is not their version for this class range, that's for the heavier 7/8 class (which GM is not entering).

More info and specs on the GM Fleet website:
https://www.gmfleet.com/chevrolet/silverado-chassis-cab-lineup.html

 

It's very much like the old Topkick/Kodiak 4500/5500, which also used a straight rail frame. Using the Silverado cab at least partially addresses the Topkick/Kodiak height issue. I had heard rumors of a 6500 version, but I wasn't expecting it for another year or two.

 

Looks great I would like a 5500HD 4x4 with about a 14 foot stake bed .

 

Looks great I will take a regular cab 5500HD 4x4 with about a 14 foot stake bed .

 

They're going to regret not offering a gas engine. Our fleet started going gas on the 650 Ford's after 2011 or so. WAY less downtime, no def for workers to contaminate (a massive fleet problem) and the gas V10's are one of the best engines Ford made, very dependable. Plenty of other fleets were going the same way, they're just sick of all the emission garbage causing issues. Some of these commercial trucks spend plenty of time idling, some have to in order to run V-mac's, PTO's etc...this causes huge issues on modern diesels with DPF filters.

Other than that these trucks look great in and out. I'm glad to see GM back in the med-duty game.

 

I am seeing the same thing. A lot of ambulance rigs that were diesel are going to gas. Simply too many issues with the diesel Ford and Ram trucks in that application.

 

I think we will see a gas engine option before 2020. Many fleets are going back to gasoline, diesel just don't make economic sense for many fleets. Also, CNG/LNG/propane conversions of gasoline engines are much less expensive than diesels.

BTW- the 8.1L was dropped from the 2500/3500's in 2006 because the take rate was 2-3%. Had nothing to do with emissions.

 

I know a fleet that runs little box truck NPR's with the 6.0 Vortec, they get amazing service out of those engines 300+K without issue. He figures it would cost on average 20K more per unit if he ran diesel, from initial cost to maintenance and repair. My fleet would be 100% gas without hesitation.

 

I have a couple of jet skis and mountain bikes to haul.
Any word on rebates? GMCard topoffs?

 

In the unveiling, Chevrolet mentioned how there won't be gimmicks with the GVW and that you could easily handle all engine maintenance without removing the cab.

That's a overt dig a Ford, right?

 

In 4WD, form, this would make a very good RV chassis

 

With Plastic China.

 

They list some motorhome chassis options for the 4500 (specifically a special Allison transmission). I am sure we will see these as a 'Super C' chassis. Not sure about 4X4 though.

 

Would be cool to also see school bus chassis option and hearing the sound of the Allison transmission as well.

 

It's a manly looking truck, that's for sure. I hope it gives Ford a good run for the money too.