Values for GM’s full-size trucks (1988–2002) are still rock-solid
Like a rock
I’m six years old again. I’m in my grandma Squeak’s living room, playing with Hot Wheels on drab brown carpeting.
I was as strong as I could be
In the kitchen, Grandma is making some sheet-pan cookie concoction. An early 1980s TV set hums before me. Onscreen, a tableau of concentrated, unfiltered Americana flashes by.
Like a rock
The people onscreen congregate and toil around some boxy Chevrolet trucks. A contractor shows some architectural plans to two other folks with the documents unfurled over the truck’s slab-like hood.
Nothin’ ever got to me
A blue shortbed crashes through slime and mud. A rodeo cowboy jumps in his crew cab to escape a charging bull. A towhook snaps taut, erecting the structural framing of a barn. I’m transfixed.
Like a rock!
I think a sizeable portion of the millennial and Gen-X population has some memory sequence parallel to mine. All you’ve gotta do is queue up Bob Seger’s gravelly, rawhide anthem to trigger a thousand-yard stare. Chevy’s tremendously successful “Like a Rock” campaign that ran from 1991 through the early 2000s sold a lot of trucks. Judging by Hagerty Price Guide values, it continues to do so today.
General Motors’ full-sized trucks and SUVs produced between 1988 and 2000 (2002, if you count the HD family) have long existed in a liminal space in collecting. The GMT400 trucks, as they’re collectively known, were positioned as direct evolutions of the ultra-popular Square Body Chevy C10 and GMC Sierra, and they exited the scene just as full-size SUVs were beginning to take over every school carpool line. Now, surging interest and values in these trucks has us humming one of Mr. Seger’s biggest hits as we investigate what might behind this gradual rise to collectibility.
In the past three years, values of Chevy GMT400-series trucks have increased by 63 percent. No coincidence, calls to Hagerty agents for quotes on insurance for the trucks have increased 58 percent in the same period. For GMT400 GMC trucks, values are up 52 percent, with 53 percent growth in insurance quotes.
It’s no surprise the Chevys bring more money than the GMCs, even if they are the same under the skin (and even the skin ain’t that different). Enthusiasts naturally prefer certain body styles, as well. For instance, the latest Hagerty Price Guide pegs a 1988 Chevy K1500 4×4 two-door fleetside short-bed pickup at $15,600 in Good (#3) condition. That’s nearly 80 percent more than three years ago. And perhaps because so many of these trucks lived exceptionally hard lives, collectors are paying a hefty premium for the finest examples. Find an Excellent (#2) ’96 short-bed with a 255-hp small-block V-8, and you can expect to shell out more than $35,000.
If you’re thinking that sounds like a lot of coin for a mass-produced truck churned out more than a quarter of a century ago, we’re with you. But the rise is not without precedent.
First, remember that the long-lived Square Body generation of trucks appreciated early among insurgent truck values. Caveman simplicity, stout dimensions, testosterone styling, and a cavernous engine bay transformed these vehicular cudgels into street rods, backwoods 4×4 brawlers, cherry boulevard cruisers, weatherworn workhorses, and everything in between. People love these bricks because they’re brutish and simple.
It’s 1988, and here comes the GMT400. Computer-aided design took on a larger role than it ever had before in the design and production of the new truck. Still ludicrously boxy by today’s standards, this generation previewed the slow trudge toward today’s curvaceousness, with semi-rounded edges, flush fittings, and sedan-style doors.
The biggest changes hid underneath the new sheetmetal. Four-wheel-drive K-series trucks packed a new independent torsion-bar suspension, and ABS made its first appearance on GM trucks. Compared to the relatively floppy and rust-prone Square Body, the new GMT400 platform incorporated extra galvanized steel and a fully welded frame featuring a boxed front section for extra rigidity.
Powertrain options are stout, too. The base engine is a 4.3-liter Vortec V-6 with enough torque to serve as basic work truck and transportation. Most of the more expensive GMT400s come to market with one of the V-8s, whose displacements started at 5.0 liters and spiked to a mighty 8.1 for the HD haulers.
All this relative modernity, while still remaining rugged, the semi-simplistic mechanicals, and the masculine design—in the long run, the combination proved to be the best of both worlds. Hagerty Price Guide editor Greg Ingold has owned three GMT400 trucks over the years, and he’ll be the first to sing their praises.
“I appreciate how GM refined the idea of the truck,” he says. “They made them nicer to drive compared to the Square Bodies. They’re nothing like the near-luxury trucks of today, but they’re not too utilitarian.
“The GMT400 is sort of that goldilocks truck. GM got it just right, and the people who own them seem to appreciate them for that reason.”
By and large, the GMT400 was considered just an old, used truck for the better part of 25 years, and the values reflected this. But, for those of a certain age, the love never faded.
There’s a lot to love. Between no-frills, never-gonna-break work trucks and the stylish, high-performance 454 SS, the GMT400 fills quite a few niches. (The 1990–1993 1500 454 SS is the most valuable of GMT400s, with Condition #2 values creeping close to fifty grand.) When they do break down, parts supply is absurdly comprehensive and you can fix them with basic tools. Just ask Hagerty editor-at-large Sam Smith how simple and lovely his old 1500 Cheyenne was.
It gets better. The GMT400’s blend of modernity and old-world aesthetic attracted customizers and hot-rodders like Carlisle does Corvettes. The “Sport Truck” subgenre of hot-rodding erupted while the truck was new, with big names like Boyd Coddington and Belltech creating “static dropped” customs with neon paint and vibrant graphics.
And, like so many “vintage” trucks, this one seems to appeal to a broad swathe of collectors. Plenty of millennials and Gen-Xers are showing interest, but one in every three people calling us about these trusty trucks is a baby boomer.
That wide interest, along with the stunning appreciation we’ve seen for trucks and SUVs of all stripes, leads us to believe that the rise of GMT400s is no fad.
And now, since you’ve made it this far, we’ll give you some TV time:
Check out the Hagerty Media homepage so you don’t miss a single story, or better yet, bookmark it.
The first used 93 Silverado half ton extended cab, long bed, 2 wheel drive “work truck”, as well as hauling 4 kids, 6 bicycles, and everything in between! When I bought it, it was advertised, as a beast of luxury, and it truly is!!! After 10 years, and 276,000 miles, with only routine maintenance repairs, I drove the rust bucket to the salvage yard. Immediately started searching for the same model, and found one rust free from N Carolina, drove it back to Pa. and eventually replaced the motor with a Jasper, and we are closing in on 300,000!!! We may eventually restore, and add it to the other vehicles I have insured with Haggerty? Such a great ride ;)))
In my opinion the GMT400s (called OBS – Old Body Style – by enthusiasts) were the last good-looking GM full-size trucks. I love my somewhat uncommon OBS short-bed crew cab C2500.
I own a1990 Chevy Silverado 2 door sportside 4×4 pickup and had it at local car show where I was asked what class I wanted it in, but before I could say anything they said it should go in the custom truck class, where I won 1st place. These trucks have defiantly passed the test of time and no surprise that they appeal to a large audience. Every time I have my truck out someone asks if it is for sale or complimenting on how nice it looks.
squarebody is better overall especially latemodel ones, the frame is better on the gmt400 , the thing they really screwed up on the gmt400 is the door hinges , garbage hinges just like third gen camaro and the s-10. i own all of these for years and those hinges being welded is absolutely terrible!
I bought a 1994, Chevy Cheyenne first generation (there is a 1994 and 1/2). It cost $12,500 out the door. Now with 127,000 miles, it continues to drive perfectly. The 4.3 liter engine has been “like a rock.” Faithful oil changes, 1 wiper motor, 1 water pump and the old water base paint experiment that failed, I love this truck. Early on, I had several guys from Alaska asked to buy it. Not sure why until a guy told me that the long bed trucks have a suspension that works well on Alaskan roads. This truck rides quieter and smoother than many cars. The heater allows you to dry your clothes before you’re home. But it is time to lose the cassette player.
Easy fix in the cassette player. I added an Apple CarPlay, with dvd and SiriusXM, with a slight dash mod and part! Look awesome too!
The GMT-400 series was the last reliable, well-built truck GM ever produced. These days I never see one with less than 300k on the clock – most have more!
I jumped from the 400 series to the 900 series. What a friggin mistake that was! The 400 got over 200k miles on the ball joints, u-joints, and hub bearings. My 900 only hit 38k before the lower ball joints failed. By 50k, the upper ball joints and 1 strut failed, while the hub bearings began to get noisy. Forgot to mention the 6 or 7 warranty brake jobs for brake pulsation that started with FORTY miles on the clock that GM couldn’t fix (because their parts were all 3rd world, low-bidder JUNK). At 97k I pulled the rear diff cover for it’s 2nd oil change ever, and found the magnet LOADED with metal – all the tips of the spider gear teeth sat there. 6k miles later, the transmission smoked 3rd & 4th, leaving every bit of their clutch material in the pan. Drove home at 4k RPM. Thing has been the biggest POS I’ve EVER owned, and that’s saying something. I drove $500 beaters all through the 90’s and early ’00’s that had well over 200k miles on them already, and NEVER had ANY of these problems!! Case in point – I still own a ’86 Grand Marquis after 20 years. Has 294k miles on the ORIGINAL driveline, and ORIGINAL electric in-tank fuel pump! Try that with a new GM truck! My 900 has been plagued with squeaks and rattles from poor build quality and cheap materials. I sold my 400 series truck with 266k miles on it, still quiet as a mouse inside, even here in MA where our roads rival 3rd world status. If I could find another mint 400 series, I’d dump this toilet 900 like a bad transmission.
Not to mention rotted out fuel and brake lines! My 03 F250’s fuel pump finally quit just over 311,000 miles. A GMC of that era would probably be on its 3rd or 4th fuel pump. Look, they all break and have their weaknesses, but the “OBS” Chevy and GMC, especially 96 and up, are arguably some of the best trucks made.
The OBS trucks in single, excab, and dually versions are already bringing big bucks in sales and builds. The other hot one is the 95-99 2×2 (2-door/2-wheel drive) Tahoe. I’ve seen several Tahoes bring upwards of $45k. I owned a ’96 and ’99 both 2×2 and they sold quickly for good money. The OBS trucks here in Texas have been doing very well and the customized versions are bringing big bucks if they are done right. These and the Square Bodies, 73-87, are the new Street Rods with lots of high-end builds passing the 6-figure mark. Hills Hot Rods in Lubbock, and others, have pushed these hot rod trucks into the stratos
This time around Chevy is going to over-do the Fleetwood Mac song “Everywhere” just as they did with Seger’s “Like a Rock!” Guess that’s better than “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” over and over and over again.
I bought my 1994 K1500 Silverado extended cab in 2015 with 233,000 miles as a “go to the dump and move friends” truck. It now has 312,000 plus on it. 5.7 and a dash that looks like jigsaw puzzle missing most of the important pieces which have fallen into the abyss. It has always been and is a daily driver. Can’t imagine how expensive it would be to fix all the bad stuff, but it is still dependable.
I have a 94 c1500 in Victory Red with new crate 5.7 350 and new paint. Bought this truck new off the dealership showroom in July 1994 for $21,600 tax and all. We are continually trying to make this truck better. Recently before new paint did a frame off restoration on a clean Texas truck and this truck still rides great. Consistently gets 17 mpg on the highway. Keep it stored in a locked shop on concrete floor. Love our truck.
They have been very highly desired for several years now.
What about the older trucks? I have a 73 Chevy long bed with a 250 six cylinder. I’ve had it for 48 years and
268K miles. Had to rebuild engine at 199K because of stuck thermostat. I have never put bearings in the differential. I don’t think many of the late model trucks will last this long. What is the purpose of a 4 door truck with a little bed? This is the only pick up I have ever owned.
Beautiful and solid trucks. Still see so many on the road. And a lot of them still look new. The 2 door Tahoe (full size Blazer) are probably the nicest looking vehicle in the GMT400 series. Those will be the real collector.
After a particularly ugly divorce in 1989, I bought a used 1988 Chevy half-ton long box – six cylinder stick shift. A real basic truck with a radio, heater, no A/C. It was so reliable I kept it 21 years then gave it to my daughter in 2010. She still has it and it’s her daily driver. 180,XXX miles, original engine, clutch, transmission, rear end. We did have to put a new driveshaft in it. If she tires of it, I’ll gladly take it back.
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In all of the cars bought since the early 60s, I’ve never had a pickup truck (or a Ford – came close with a 66 Mustang ‘vert but bought a Fiat 124 Spyder instead).
Main reason is that I need to drive in a F1 position or my back hurts, had to modify the seat in my Judge to recline 35 degrees. Then pick-em-up truck seats could not recline.
Back in the day before the mini-vans, Suburbans were mostly the province of small ladies with large families. Senior government employees had Caddys or Liincolns.
Today TV shows that are mostly sparks, burnouts, product placement (no ads. right.), and slapstick idolize pickups back to the bull-nosed 40s. No surprise they are popular.
Meanwhile my mostly two passenger tow cars with a lot of luggage space have been mostly station wagons with one minivan in the middle, and a Grand Cherokee today (is not real large so easy to park).
I’m a Ford guy. What do you think is the reason that Ford trucks don’t have similar value. Did something happen going into 80’s? Reliability….styling…they were cheaper (lower quality). I had a ‘91 full size Bronco I just LOVED! Just wanted your feedback.
Think about the car magazines, aside from the 56 F100 post war Ford trucks haven’t gotten near as much coverage as the GM. If you go into more specialty stuff, sure things like Bigfoot got their press.
Similar sales numbers most years since “modern truck” era began in the 60s… but Ford was really slow to get rid of the split beam front axle set up. This turned off many rodders –only in recent years with Crown Vic clip swaps and actual aftermarket support have the various decades of Ford trucks become more viable to resto mod at a reasonable budget.
My father has several 70s F series that he has picked up dimes to the chevy dollar in the last decade. The gap is closing, but the 67-72 GM are the clear leader. Squarebody and GMT400 are probably in the top 4 –maybe Hagerty’s stat’s show a generation of F series cracking the top 3?
Rising tide floats all boats has seen dentside Fords become way more sought after in recent years. Bumpside I don’t really see and the early 80s last of the coolest stepsides seem to have some following for Ford.
Meanwhile the cummins Dodges have held their own and the 94-2000? (I forget) Dodge Rams seem like they are gaining respect.
I suspect 30 years from now the dominant era of F150 sales post 2000 (I love the circa 2010-14 myself have owned a few) will get some love as they are computer-full but not to the brutal degree of the 2015+ everything with screens.
I had 3 of the 80s Fords, paint fell off and the ecm would die on you at random and leave you stranded, usually in the middle of rush hour…. Now I have a beautiful 2001 Silverado and 2001 Tahoe and have no such problems.
Fix Or Repair Daily or it will be Found On Road Dead! Until the advent of eco-boost V6 trucks Fords With gas engines were dogs. The parts availability and universal interchange of so many GM parts as part of their popularity. I’m a huge fan of the small block Chevy; durable powerful ubiquitous. I miss the generation of trucks that is the subject of this article, I had bought a 1985 2500 printer special with 92,000 miles on it drove it for 10 years put another hundred thousand on it then sold it for nearly what I paid for it. I bought a 2003 2500 HD with the vortex 6 L in it. This truck has 203,000 miles on it has been to hell and back and goes places the jeep guys marvel at.
Driveline is all original, have replaced wheelbearings brakes and six sets of tires! So I’m pretty much a Chevy guy for life With a soft spot for my two Pontiacs