1986 Chevrolet Chevy K30 Specs
by Vern Hee
The 1986 K30 came out at the end of the longest running line of Chevy trucks that ran from 1973 to 1987.
Starting in 1960, Chevy used the K to designate a four-wheel drive truck. In 1986 Chevy used number designations for truck size. A ten designated a half-ton truck, a 20 designated a three-quarter-ton truck and the 30 designated a one-ton truck. Thus, a K30 meant the truck was a one-ton four-wheel drive truck.
Engines
The 1986 K30 came with the LT9 350 cubic-inch small block V-8 engine with 160 horsepower and 260 foot pounds of torque. In addition, Chevy offered two other gasoline V-8's and a V-8 diesel. Consumers who needed power turned to the big block LE8 454 cubic-inch 230 horsepower engine with 360 foot-pounds of torque. Chevy offered the 305 cubic-inch V-8 with an output of 160 horsepower, with 235 foot-pounds of torque for those who were worried about gas consumption. Finally, Chevy offered the 6.2 liter 379 cubic-inch V-8 diesel engine with 135 horsepower and 240 foot-pounds of torque for diesel lovers.
Body
In 1986 the end of the "rounded line" came. This body style was roomier then the previous generation with larger cabs and 6 foot and eight foot beds. The style was very boxy but called the "rounded line" because of the curved side windows and sloped side panel that ran the length of the truck. But by 1986 the hoods had gained a sloped nose. The company offered two types of body styles, fleetside and stepside, and crew cab or bonus cabs. K30 trucks had a wheel base of 131.5 with a length of 212 inches on a six-foot bed or 244.43 inches with an eight-foot bed. The K-30 came with a 7,500 pound rear axle and featured a four-speed automatic.
Features
In 1986 the K30 had the following trim packages available: custom deluxe , Scottsdale, Cheyenne and Silverado. The Silverado was the top of the line, offering items like full gauge instrumentation, full door trim panels with matching carpet on the bottom of the door, door pockets, and full cowl trim in the floor area. This era introduced more vinyl-covered seats and plastics in the interiors. Some optional equipment of the time included AM/FM radio, clock, power steering, sliding rear window, cargo lamp, gauge package, air conditioning, tachometer, tilt steering and tool storage.
References
Writer Bio
Vern Hee started writing professionally in 2009. He works as a reporter for the "Pahrump Valley Times." Hee taught elementary school for eight years and worked in the landscape construction field for 20 years. Hee holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California Berkeley and is a veteran of the United States Navy.
