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Truck of the Day: March 17, 2010; Matchbox '86 GMC K-15 Sierra Tow Truck
Topic Started: Mar 17 2010, 12:02 AM (503 Views)
Scooter
Fullsize
This one took me a while to research what model it was BUT atlas I figured it out.

Todays CoTD is a 1986 GMC K-15 Sierra Tow truck. This fine example I have has about 170k on the motor and trans.

Posted Image


** Remember today is St. Patricks day Drink Dont Drive. Stay safe Beer is cheaper than Gas. and If your dumb enough to disobey this rule then expect one of these towing your truck and youll be in a world of hurt**

From WIKI

In 1973, GM's line of full-size trucks was redesigned and updated. Although rear-wheel drive Blazers were manufactured until 1982, the majority sold were four-wheel drive.

Until 1975, the K5 had a removable convertible top. In 1976, a half-cab design was introduced used until 1991.[1][2]

Although the GMT400 platform was introduced in the spring of 1987 as a 1988 model, the K5 Blazer, Suburban, and crew-cab trucks retained the earlier platform until 1991. In 1989, the front grille was changed to resemble the squared-off ones used on the GMT400 series of pickups.

The K5 Blazer is very popular in the off-roading scene. It is a strong truck with the 350 V8 (which was the optional power plant), the gear driven NP-205 and ten and twelve bolt axles. It is very easy to upgrade this engine, because there are many companies with performance parts available. Later models produced after 1980 used the chain-driven NP208 transfer case, and the NP241 after 1988.

Since 1981 (in the wake of the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo and the 1979 energy crisis), Chevrolet and GMC used the smaller displacement 305s with a 9.2:1 compression ratio. These engines produced nearly as much torque as the 350, giving a similar driving feel. However, these power plants were underpowered and susceptible to detonation (engine knocking), especially with the electronic spark control module. To achieve the 9.2:1 compression ratio, the cylinder head chambers were smaller, measuring 54 cc instead of 60 cc. Despite a camshaft swap, some Blazer owners swapped out the 305s in favor of 350s, since the smaller displacement power plant was used in all Chevrolet/GMC pickups and passenger cars.

1982 saw the Detroit Diesel 6.2 introduced; diesel-powered K5s are sought after (especially for diesel conversions running biodiesel and/or straight vegetable oil).

Around 1981, a prototype K5 Blazer was used as a testbed for a military CUCV vehicle. Between 1983 and 1987, what is known as the M1009 CUCV was the production militarized version of the civilian K5. The differences are the lack of an air conditioner an additional leaf spring in the suspension, a hybrid 12/24 volt electrical system (described in detail below), blackout headlights, a rifle rack, and special paint jobs. A majority of them are painted olive drab green or in the woodland camouflage pattern, though some vehicles that saw desert use were painted tan. All M1009s, including its derivatives, are powered with the 6.2 L Diesel power plant.

The M1009s have a split 24/12 volt electrical system. Most of the truck actually runs on 12 volts. It has two separate 12v alternators and batteries wired in series, only the glow plug system, the starter, and the jumper cable jack are wired to the 24 volt terminals. everything else in the truck runs on 12 volts. The glow plugs are actually 12 volt glow plugs with a resistor pack on the firewall to drop the 24v down to 12v. This resistor pack can be bypassed and the glow plugs run directly off of the 12v battery. If this is done and the 24v starter is replaced with a standard 12v starter the second alternator and battery are no longer needed. (If this is done then the military 24v slave adapter in the grille will need to be disconnected as well.)

Some decommissioned M1009s end up in law enforcement use (e.g. with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department) or sold through government auctions, but a handful are still in use by the National Guard.

After 1987, when throttle-body injection was introduced in the truck engines, the 350 was made the standard power plant.


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Also called GMC K5 Jimmy
Model year(s) 1973-1991
Engine(s) 250 in³ I6
292 in³ I6
305 in³ V8
307 in³ V8
350 in³ V8
400 in³ V8
6.2 L Detroit Diesel V8
Transmission(s) 4-speed SM465 manual
3-speed TH-350 automatic
3-speed TH-400 automatic
4-speed 700-R4 automatic
Wheelbase 106.5 in (2705 mm)
Length 184.8 in (4694 mm)
Width 79.6 in (2022 mm)
Height 73.8 in (1875 mm)
Fuel capacity 31 US gallons (117.3 L; 25.8 imp gal)

Posted Image
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
One of my favorites as a kid! I need to dig mine out to go with the Getty station Gunn just completed for me! Actually, I may have to find another one at a flea market and wipe the 'Frank's' off the sides and replace it with 'Swifty's'. ;)
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Sak
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Ezekiel 25:17
Wouldn't mind having THIS one!
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JustDavid
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SUV
Very nice! I remember this casting fondly.
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accobra64
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Minivan
Thanks Scoter for doing this one.
Most enjoyable to read and even better to view the well played with casting.
Just think of all the fun and play value that the tow truck provided for a child (age not defined deliberately).

"This fine example I have has about 170k on the motor and trans."
Decent shape, all things considered.
That's one of those fun to play with castings.

Cheers. Cobra
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
The heck with play value!! I want one of these---I don't have this tow truck in my collection!!!
Good choice, Scooter, I've admired this issue many times being shown in groups of trucks.
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Scooter
Fullsize
Ya know I kinda take it seriously with the cars. When i finally get time to build the city correctly and all each car will have plates inspection month tags, a DMV center maybe ill keep a database of cars and mileage just for things like CoTD to make the info a little more personal . wortha shot. You never grow out of this stuff. you just grow out of the "public view of Ok to be doing this". But nothing wrong with it in the least and the public wont ever understand it.
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
Scooter
Mar 19 2010, 02:44 AM
Ya know I kinda take it seriously with the cars. When i finally get time to build the city correctly and all each car will have plates inspection month tags, a DMV center maybe ill keep a database of cars and mileage just for things like CoTD to make the info a little more personal . wortha shot.
I like that idea, personally! A little late for me to start something similar...mainly because of the sheer number of cars in my collection, most of which have not traveled far from their blisterpacks to their car cases.
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harlans toys
matchbox
had atleast 2 of these as a kid used to love this model and also the chevy tow van at the same sort of time
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Tone
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Rocket 88
Can a tow truck function 100% when it's equipped with Bling Wheels?

Posted Image
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
Tone
Mar 21 2010, 11:57 AM
Can a tow truck function 100% when it's equipped with Bling Wheels?
Something has to tow donks when they break down! ;)
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