New Chevrolet Kodiak Pickup: Buff, Beautiful and Brawny
Source: General Motors Press Release Posted: 10-28-02 05:00

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The Chevy Kodiak Pickup is what the ultimate class 4 regular-cab pickup might look like with an 8-foot steel dually pickup box and tailgate with custom composite side panels and protective Rhino interior lining.

GM worked with Monroe Truck Equipment of Monroe, Wis., to develop this special version of the Kodiak C4500 to show customers and converters what is possible with the new GM medium-duty trucks.

Monroe's extensive engineering and testing efforts developed a patent-pending sub-frame structure to isolate the pickup box from chassis inputs, as well as accommodating fifth-wheel and goose-neck trailer applications.

The Kodiak Pickup includes the addition of a 50-gallon aluminum tread plate from Transfer Flow, cross-mounted in the pickup box, increasing total fuel capacity to more than 90 gallons.

Adding to the exterior styling of the Kodiak Pickup are the Pace Edwards roll-top pickup box cover, aluminum-like wheel simulators, composite mud flaps, and Euro-style rear taillights to complement the polished 3-inch diameter stainless steel cab-entry steps that extend to provide access to the pickup box.

Interior enhancements include: dual-tone leather seats, complementary gray carpeted floor, aftermarket dash and door trim, as well as an upgraded interior rearview mirror.

"The new medium-duty Chevy Kodiak and GMC TopKick offer the opportunity to fulfill an enormous variety of end-customer needs, from carrying huge and heavy landscaping or construction materials to hauling horses, boats and race buggies," said David Dunahay, marketing director for GM Medium Duty Trucks. "And, with aggressively competitive advantages - including clean back-of-cab and flat and straight frame-rails to make installations easier, enhance quality, and reduce costs - upfitters have a very compelling reason to purchase and sell this vehicle."

The Chevy Kodiak features the backbone of a medium-duty truck, but offers large-truck capabilities with the ride, comfort and interior sound level similar to that of a mid-size sedan.

With best-in-class visibility and maneuverability and conversion-ease, the C4500 meets the needs of knowledgeable retail customers, commercial owners/operators, and converters and specialty vehicle manufacturers.

The C4500 is also available in 16,000-lb., 16,500-lb. and 17,500-lb. GVWR, offered with the Duramax 6600 diesel or Vortec 8100 8.1-liter GM Powertrain gas engine with a choice of six-speed manual or the Allison 1000 automatic with optional PTO drive. The clean shape and positioning of the body-mounted side mirrors also improves aerodynamic efficiency and adds to the quietness of the C4500 cab.

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