1997 Chevrolet K1500 Specifications
by Justin CuplerChevrolet began selling trucks in 1918, the same year that the maker became a part of General Motors, GM. The C/K series of pickup trucks lasted from 1988 through 1999, to be replaced by the Silverado in the 2000. The C-series were the two-wheel-drive versions, while the K-series trucks were the four-wheel drive versions. The 1997 K1500 had many body and engine options available, so it was able to be built to suite different needs.
Drivetrain
The 1997 K1500 had four engine options available. The standard engine had a 4.3-liter V6, produced 200 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 260 foot-pounds of torque at 2,800 rpm. The smallest of the gasoline V-8 engines, the 5.0 liter, produced 230 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 285 foot-pounds of torque at 2,800 rpm. The largest gasoline engine, the 5.7-liter V8, produced 255 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 330 foot-pounds of torque at 2,800 rpm. The only diesel engine offered was the 6.5-liter V8; it produced 180 horsepower at 3,400 rpm and 360 foot-pounds of torque at 1,800 rpm. This 1997 K1500 had two transmission options available: a four-speed automatic and a five-speed manual.
Fuel
The 5.7 liter equipped 1997 K1500 got 13 mpg in the city and 17 to 18 mpg on the highway. When fitted with the 5.0-liter V8, the K1500 got 13 to 14 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. The 6.5-liter diesel version got 15 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. When equipped with the standard 4.3-liter V6, the K1500 got 15 mpg in the city and 19 to 20 mpg on the highway. The 1997 K1500 had two fuel tank sizes; it had a 34-gallon tank when it had an eight-foot bed and a 25-gallon fuel tank when a short-bed was used.
Exterior
The exterior dimensions of the 1997 K1500 varied, depending on body selections. It was 194.5 to 237.4 inches long, 76.8 to 77.1 inches wide, 73.2 inches high and had a 117.5 to 155.5 inch wheelbase. The curb weight raged from 4,206 lbs. to 4,873 lbs.
Interior
The 1997 K1500 had seating for up to three people with a regular cab and up to six people with the extended cab. It had 39.9 inches of front headroom, 37.5 inches of rear headroom, 41.7 inches of front legroom, 34.8 inches of rear legroom, 65.4 inches of front shoulder room, 67.6 inches of rear shoulder room, 60 inches of front hip room and 64.2 inches of rear hip room.
Hauling
Being a truck, both maximum towing and payload capacities are important. The Work Truck, W/T, models of the 1997 K1500 had the lowest maximum towing at 5,000 lbs. The regular cab models -- except the W/T models -- could tow up to 7,000 lbs. The highest towing capacity was provided by the extended cab models, they could tow up to 7,500 lbs. The maximum payload capacity -- the maximum amount of weight the chassis can bear -- varied greatly depending on options ranging from 1,668 lbs. to 1,938 lbs.
References
Writer Bio
Justin Cupler is a professional writer who has been published on several websites including CarsDirect and Autos.com. Cupler has worked in the professional automotive repair field as a technician and a manager since 2000. He has a certificate in broadcast journalism from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. Cupler is currently studying mechanical engineering at Saint Petersburg College.
