1971 Chevrolet Truck Specs

Half-ton C10 and K10 trucks come in two wheelbases: 115 inches, with a 6.5-foot box, and 127 inches, with an 8-foot box. Both Fleetsides, with a flat bed exterior, and Step-Sides, with flat interior and protruding wheel wells, are available. A chassis-and-cab option with no bed is also available in both wheelbases. The 3/4-ton C20 and K20 come with the 127-inch wheelbase. Customers could also order the C20 as a "Longhorn" edition with an 8.5-foot bed, which rides on a 133-inch wheelbase. The enclosed Suburban truck has two doors on the passenger side and one on the driver's, with either a tailgate or double doors at the rear. It is available in either 1/2-ton or 3/4-ton guise, always with the 127-inch wheelbase. Finally, the one-ton C30 rides on a wheelbase of 133 inches and is available as a Fleetside, Step-Side, chassis-and-cab, chassis-and-cowl or stake truck. Customers could also buy it as a chassis and cab with a 157-inch wheelbase, mostly for use in building recreational vehicles.

Base Custom pickups have white bumpers and painted hubcaps. The next highest level, previously the Custom/10, became the Custom Deluxe; it features a full-width bench seat, vinyl upholstery, padded arm rests and other upgrades. The Cheyenne trim level adds a cargo lamp, cab headliner, extra sound insulation and upgrades to seating and interior trim. The Cheyenne Super trim, added at mid-year, also includes a chrome tailgate release and wood-grain side moldings.

The base engine for all trucks is an inline, overhead-valve six-cylinder displacing 250 cubic inches, with a cast iron block, seven main bearings, mechanical valve lifters and a Rochester one-barrel carburetor. It produces 145 brake horsepower at 4,200 rpm. A similar but larger six-cylinder displacing 292 cubic inches is also available; it produces 165 brake horsepower at 4,000 rpm.

Three V8 engines are available as options. The smallest displaces 307 cubic inches and produces 200 brake horsepower at 4,600 rpm using a two-barrel Rochester carburetor. A 350-cubic-inch V8 with a four-barrel carburetor produces 250 brake horsepower at 4,600 rpm. And a 402-cubic-inch V8, also with a four-barrel, produces 300 horsepower at 4,800 rpm.

A three-speed manual with column-mounted shifter is standard, while a four-speed and an automatic are optional.

Half-ton trucks use a semi-floating rear axle, while 3/4- and 1-ton trucks use a full-floating design. Front disc and rear drum brakes are standard. Options include power brakes, power steering, tilt steering wheel, tinted glass, dual outside mirrors, air conditioning, radio and a gauge package.

Gross vehicle weight (GVW) is rated at up to 5,100 lbs. for the C10, up to 5,600 lbs. for the K10, up to 7,500 lbs. for the C20 and K20, and 6,600 to 14,000 lbs. for the C30.