The date code is on the inside facing sidewall on the tires. The outside is just showing the plant and option codes. Most white-wall or white letter tires have the full DOT/TIN on the white sidewall.
It is a wonder to me that GM perfected the timing of the "leaky gasket" (and plastic parts) to coincide with the warranty expiration date. Yankee ingenuity!
It's probably the most under-stressed powertrain GM has ever produced. So much torque the TH400 doesn't need to downshift to execute a pass, and if you were brave/dumb enough to hit the kickdown the rear tires would instantly light off. The Syclone was the serious performer. The 454SS is the redneck down at the Cars and Coffee burning donuts until the tires pop.
peanut ports , single exh! small bad flowing catalytic converter,2 barrel efi with protruding huge injectors(same as with the 305/305s of the era,they had the same cam same inj... calibration did nothing to save the 350,305s ran better until you started towing).The 454ss got the same 454 as the workhorse 3500 dually , its vocation was to tow in an era when diesels weren t popular.Its a beatyful truck and very civilized (especially for its era),and remember 1990 the revolution was all based on the 5.0L mustang , you know that tire blazing 15 second menace...
This, to me, is still the greatest of all the muscle trucks. A big block Chevrolet engine in the lightest weight 1500 series truck? YES! And there was a lady in my area driving one about 20 years ago. She was (at the time) likely 55-60 years old, the truck still looked BRAND NEW and had a GLORIOUS sounding aftermarket dual exhaust.... And she barked the tires taking off from the light. It was beautiful. And I see a gentleman about the same age driving a GORGEOUS 1996 Corvette with its LT4 with an aftermarket exhaust rumbling through the same area a few days later, and he too, did the same thing. The 454SS truck is one of the few vehicles I would keep looking pretty much stock, and make mild upgrades for more power, but not go crazy.
Man I used to have an obsession for these trucks before I was 16. Test drove 7 of them but never was able to get one. Still love them today no matter how slow they are.
My late brother had one like that (but in white color and tinted windows). He bought it in Mexico back in 1991. Here, it was called Silverado SS. Even though the HP wasn't impressive just like Car Wizard said, the torque was a whole different beast! Thanks Wizard, this vid brought to me good memories 😊 ❤
I had a '74 Camper Special Chevy pickup. 454 with super turbine 400 transmission and a 4.10 rear axle. Four doors and an auxiliary 85 gallon fuel tank in the bed in addition to two saddle mounted 20 gallon fuel tanks. I replaced the stock overlap emission camshaft with an after market "torque" cam and improved the centrifugal timing. It already had headers and 2 1/2" exhaust pipes. The fuel economy increased from 6 mpg city and 8 mpg highway to 10 mpg city and 13 highway. Not fantastic but that sucker would pull tree stumps up.
My friends dad had one of these new. Put a lumpy roller cam, had the heads gone through, few other tricks. I'll never forget how long that thing would roast the tires after it hit second gear if you stayed in it. It would rip the tires off at pretty decent speeds if you jumped on it.
That is a GORGEOUS truck. Its obviously had some minor restoration work done which is likely where the custom work was done. The wheels have almost certainly been refinished and the seats look like they've been redone and a few other tidbits in the interior. Immaculate truck though, beautiful paintjob. Kudos to the owner for giving the truck all the love it needs. I'm jealous.
I hardly think that 260 hp makes this a "muscle truck". Back when these were new I met a man who had one and he loved it. But he made a point of saying that it wasn't all that fast, but boy did it ever tow his 30 foot boat around. Basically, the point of the big block V8's from American manufactures was smooth quiet TORQUE, not screaming horsepower, and it is known in circles that these engines were generally not as tough as small block V8's. These engines were supposed to be like electric motors, providing instant thrust with NO sound or vibration. Great video!
These were such a cool truck. I seen one one the highway a few years ago. Always wanted one. HP was low but still had decent torque. Thanks for a great memory!
@2k5 230hp {est were closer to 250-260} 385 lb-ft which for 1990 was not too shabby considering the majority of vehicles made only between 120-200hp, not many were more than that
When I was a young dude buying a used Camaro Berlinetta at the local Chevrolet dealer, they had a few of these ready for sale. October 1989, and at $20k they were way out of my price range and budget. I am planning to reinstate a 1999 GMC Suburban with the 454 in it for towing this year. I’ll be sure to check out that intake issue you mentioned. Thanks! 😊
I got a 99 GMC suburban c2500 with the 454. 258k daily driver I noticed mine is seeping from the front slightly...I don't leak oil though so I'm not gonna touch it 😂
I have one of these, too. The OEM 454 jumped timing at 145K miles and bent all the pushrods. I installed a GMPP BBC 454; it's a Gen 5, not a Mark IV. So there are subtle differences. I also replaced the THM 400 with an R4 with an OD unit. Mileage around 9.6 MPG, but it's not my DD, so no matter. Smiles PG is more important! I also replaced the tires with BF Goodrich 285 x 55 x 15 on CenterLIne rims. It is an attention getter at gas stations, and around the neighborhood. It garners way more attention than my '06 Corvette. Since the new engine was installed, I've put 19K miles on it and about 5K on the R4. I don't care much for the PlaySkool type gauges, and like the later dashes with real needle gauges and tach. The later years also had an OD transmission, which the first ones should have come with, especially considering the 3.73 rear axle. The 454SS trucks are certainly iconic muscle trucks!
My closest neighbor has had one since as far back as I can remember. I bought my parents house couple years ago and he still has it. So going on 30 years
This might've been General Motors first muscle truck, but not the first on the American Market. That award goes to Dodge lil'Red express truck in 1978. At the time, Car and Driver tested it as the quickest American made vehicle in 0-100mph.
1964 Dodge CSS was the first muscle truck 426 Wedge they ran high 12's in the 1/4 mile with slicks of the day that had traction of a 215/70 series modern trailer tire!
I actually owned a muscle truck that came before this truck and I think paved the way for the 454ss. It was the 1976 Big 10. A 1/2 ton shortbed c10 with 454 carbureted, th400, 12 bolt with posi and 3.42, and 3/4 ton brake. It also had a factory tach and Silverado trim. It came in a time when 3/4 ton and up was exempt from smog because of gvwr so it came with true dual exhaust and no cats. That was a real muscle truck and mine was black on black with brown interior and staggered (15x6 and 15x8) rally wheels. It was basically a 454ss before the 454ss was ever a concept.
My dad gave me one of these for graduation in 1997. It would get 5-6 mpg and it ran 14.80s in the 1/4 with true dual exhaust and sticky tires. I sold it in 2018 before the obs prices got crazy.
My grandfather had a 454 3500 single cab chevy manual transmission 4v4 as his farm truck. It pulled all the hey and straw around the farm, moved equipment wherever needed, and then hauled the cows and sheep up into the mountains to graze for a few months out of the year. It got 9-10 mph and that was it. No more no less but it got the job done. He had two additional gas tanks that sat along the sides of the bed so he could do long road trips when hauling live stock. Those were good times. Because this was Utah it eventually rusted out and died a slow death as most Chevrolet trucks do thanks to salt on the road.
The first muscle truck was dodges Little Red Express. In fact, Little Red Express was the first Muscle Car to emerge after they died off in the early 70’s since trucks didn’t have the same regulations as cars.
I'll never forget the first GMT400 truck I ever saw, sitting on a Chevy lot as I was looking for a new truck. I ended up with a used Jeep CJ-7 and never owned a GMT400, still kinda regret that- even as the CJ was a great Jeep.
@waterloo123100 they definitely did they were all over the bronx at that time. I was a mechanic in the bronx at the time, too. I worked on many of them.
@JD-yx7be These were illegal unlicensed fly by night tow rigs in the Bronx. They didn't care about capacities. I've been fixingbcars fornover 30 years. i know what they were. I've worked on them.
Oh man, one of my favorites! My younger brother bought a new one & we destroyed the rear tires....many times! Just a good looking truck & I wished he had kept it ✌💖☮
I remember when these first came out and boy did I want one! It was definitely an eye catcher and it was still a useable, functional truck. That paint really pops!
Eric The Car Guy has a cool Chevy pick up truck around the same year that is customized and quick. It was his dad's truck and he put in a whole new and different power train and other performance mods. Maybe you like to see online his truck?
I’ve seen it. It was a 1990 C1500 Sport originally built with the 350 and manual transmission, then had an aftermarket automatic for many years, until Eric’s dad brought it down to him. Sweet looking truck without the 454SS price tag.
Bringing back memories here! My cousin had a white 454ss then traded it in for a Monte Carlo ss but these trucks definitely still have the cool factor. Crazy to think with such little hp how they were considered “muscle”.
I remember these competing with the Ford Lighting. Back in the 90’s these were cool “muscle” trucks and now, even though their horsepower isn’t that impressive, they still look great. Good luck finding one that isn’t completely trashed.
I was in high school in the mid 90’s driving a 1985 Grand Prix (150hp 305) which was totally gutless. I remember driving one of these 454 SS and an F150 Lightning and being overwhelmed by all of the power. 😂
@@jpete3027666 man, how many people had those mid 80’s Olds, Pontiac and GM cars with air shocks and Keystone classics. I graduated in 86 and those things were everywhere. They were great looking cars but that engine…..
I had one in 90, only thing was it ate water pumps, starters and hoses. It came with a great warranty. But I sold it when it reached 70K miles and the warranty expired. Still loved it.
My neighbor had purchased one new at the time. The window sticker advertised it as having ten miles per gallon city and eleven miles per gallon highway but it would get up and go. We called those radial ac compressors. They were getting away from the axial compressors
As a prior owner of a modded 454ss they were fun trucks to drive and own. Mine had a not street legal chip with way advanced timing 28° advanced at just off idle, longtube headers, borla race magnum mufflers, k&n 5 inch open element airfilter, msd 7a ignition module, taylor 10.2mm wires. Was loud as heck and ran in the high 13s when you got a smooth launch. On most roads you got a nice tire smoking show instead. Could have used some sticky tires in retrospec.
What a nice honest truck. The outside is nice and clean but, the owner didn't obsess over covering 24 years of underhood wear. It's been driven and is enjoyed rather than being another museum piece that only moves on a dollies.
ultra simple to work on and pretty dependable - when trucks were affordable even a fancy tricked out one - the mileage sucks but less maintenance and cheap maintenance makes up for it #jb weld
While you're at it pull the heads for some bowl work and gasket matching, clean the valves and make sure they're sealing, up grade the cam for a 220+ @.050 .5+ lift, and a very important 107LSA, may as well throw in a set of roller rockers. With my previous post this should double the HP and torque. I know but I couldn't help myself, all the best.
That is one of the all time greats right there, thank you for the fantastic video of nostalgia. Had a 1994 Silverado Step Side with that same interior and 383 dropped in it. Never should have sold it.
I put a Gear Venders 2-speed overdrive on mine, as well as taller rear tires. I liked the interior, the seats being darn comfy. If I remember correctly, you can lift out the drink holders in the center council to provide a decent handgun hidey-hole.
One of our friends bought one of these trucks to tow his boats, which included a rather large twin-engine job, but he wanted to get better mileage driving empty. First, he threw an electric overdrive behind the Turbo 400. Then he yanked the whole tranny and put a 4L80-E in there with some external computer (he owned a transmission shop.) I'm pretty sure that the only two things that it ever did well was towing and drinking fuel... (I would have preferred any of the other GM Big blocks.)
I had 1990 model first year of 454ss. The 1990 had a gen 2or 3 HO block i think its was with 400 turbo transmission.. The rear end was a special rearend made specific for the 454 SS truck. Mine had factory 411 postive traction. 3/4 ton 14 bolt center section with shorter axles custom made for the model. Impossible to find if issues arise. Thankfully it is very robust in strength. Mine jumped time sometime around 100,000 and bent valves in the peanut port heads. I replaced the intake with aluminum model from edelbroke for the throttle body injection and 396 close chamber heads . And a adjustable fuel regulator, bigger injector pods. Looking back it needed a better cam and replace the tbi with a performance carburetor.
3:20 go to RA to check for an upgraded design compressor. I got a Santech style compressor to replace my GM HT6 which develops belly leaks, the huge o-rings needed to seal the front and back to the round middle housing. The Santech doesn't have these seals.
I remember building a ton of these of the AMT models, I would make them hop, custom paint jobs and interior, just a little 5 year old kid sniffing paint 🤣 all day
I had a '91 Chevy Sport truck. Non-SS, mine came with a 350 and a NV 5spd. Ended up swapping a 400sbc in with a 4.11 lsd in the back. I miss that truck.
Just rebuilt my 1978 chevy c20 truck 454, had the good oval port 781 heads cost me 2000$ with machine work. put 9 to 1 pistons in it, runs strong pulling 6k pound trailer.
He’s not wrong about the intake no matter what engine…had a ‘92 Yukon with a 5.7l and changed the original intake gasket at 220k. It needed to be redone at 260k. New intake and gasket it is. 😂
Those 454's in these trucks were absolute dogs....but, they are so cool. A 1/2 ton to come factory with a Big Block is just awesome. The 92-93 model years are the best ones to get. They had some front suspension changes and had the better analog gauges with actual needles. I could be wrong also, but I believe those years didn't come with the crappy smog pumps too.
I love these trucks, even if they are pretty slow by modern standards. I imagine some nice flowing heads and intake might liven it up significantly, as surely the heads are the limitation on that engine?
So what ! 230hp ! Big Block I swapped in a small block 350 in mine with a 11 inch clutch and 5 speed trans . It makes more horse power than that ! That makes mine a little Super Sport , Cost was under $1000 Maybe i should paint mine black 😂
1964 Dodge C/SS was the 1st Muscle Truck!! 426 Wedge 365 hp and they ran them to high 12's in the 1/4 mile .. You could also get the 318,361,383 from later on,they also had a console and bucket seats! Also the 1978-1979 Dodge LiL Red Express with the E-58 360 would smack the 454 SS.
Up the road from my house, there is a run down mechanic shop with multiple cars in the front yard. Amongst them is a Chevy 350 SS pickup. I'm not sure if it's as rare as a 454 SS, but wonder what stories that still beautiful truck could tell
I had a 1984 GMC S-10 Jimmy with the 2.8 liter V-6 that blew out the manifold gaskets in 1993, no problem fixing them, but the valve covers leak like sieves, tried everything, ran until 2000 when my Type 2 Diabetes got so bad I couldn't feel the pedals, also the fuel gauge gave up the ghost around 1987-88, we tried 3 sender units in the tank, but still no go, I got reading good at figuring out the range of the tank.
I've always been told "Theres no power like BBC power!". Seems even Car Wizard agrees. I tend to follow his advice, so I may have to try this "BBC" myself.
It was a Turd brand new, thanks Tonawanda. Ordered a 3/4 ton 454 in 92, over heated when I towed, joined the alternator and heater fan of the Month club. Replaced the independent front diff twice under warranty and I sold the truck. GM and I parted ways.
Road tests from back in the day show a gmc Sonoma gt with a 4.3 was only .2 of a second behind the 454ss..... Everyone comments the first was the dodge trucks with stacks (express/warlock) or the "dude" a wedge powered 60s truck. But Chevrolet offered a big block short bed 1/2 ton from 67 forward. Rally gauges were an option. Th400, 12 bolt with a posi...... So in 73 you could get a non smog 454, th400 and 12 bolt with big brakes.....in a 4000lb brick
I wanted one of these in 1990, so I went to Davy Chevrolet in Danvers, MA, to visit my friend's wife, who worked in the sales department. To my surprise, she talked me out of the truck and put me in a beautiful, used 1987 Silverado Stepside for a great price I still love this 454 truck, but they were tough on fuel.
They got a lot better in 1991. The 4L80E trans replaced the THM400 and the dashboard got an update including a tachometer. Fueleconomy went from real bad to liveable..
Motor makes 230 hp at 3600 rpm. Anemic. Just a few go-fast parts will wake this engine up. Without taking the motor out, a cam and headers, new manifold and carb will easily get this thing in touch with 300 hp and well over 400 ft/lbs. A new set of aluminum heads would be tremendous. 350 hp and 450 torque is easily achieved.
Many car manufacturers should study this truck. There is no replacement for displacement. Not turbo nor direct injection can deliver what this has to offer on the reliability/longevity scale. But they dont care because they want you to buy a new one every 5 years anyway
I had a 1991 Chevy Silverado with the 350. Harrison made the AC compressor. I replaced three of them before I finally got rid of the truck after I had about 197,000 miles on it.
if this 454 was anything like the other TBI fed V8s (305 and 350) the two biggest restrictions to making power were the heads, exhaust manifolds, and a crappy cam. i had a 89 camaro RS i swapped a 350 TBI into years ago. the 350 TBI was better then the 305 but it still wasnt incredibly better. i swapped heads and it woke right up. those swirl port heads were boat anchors. a set of vortec heads would probably wake this truck right up
Back in '63, '64, and '65, Dodge offered the "Street Wedge". A couple of them had 413 cid, most of them got a 426 four barrel with automatic trans. my friend had a poster of one. I think his poster was a picture of a Max Wedge. He said you could order it in anything.
1st muscle truck was the 1963 Dodge CSS!! 413 V8 The 1964 came with a 426 Wedge and ran high 12's in the 1/4 mile with slicks of the day..Slick then were like running a 215/70 series trailer tire on a modern vehicle,thus no traction! They had buckets,console and a stripe on the hood... Dodge LiL Red Express 1978-1979 were also a Muscle Truck the E-58 360 those ran 14's in the 1/4 mile in a smog era low power years..The 78 was quicker as the feds made Dodge add cat conv to the 79 and some more regulations.
The date code is on the inside facing sidewall on the tires. The outside is just showing the plant and option codes. Most white-wall or white letter tires have the full DOT/TIN on the white sidewall.
Glad someone is taking care of that truck. It's so cool. Just needs a few parts which is awesome for being nearly 35 years old.
“How do they get such little horsepower out of such huge engines” Jeremy Clarkson --- it does have a beautiful paint job though!
It is a wonder to me that GM perfected the timing of the "leaky gasket" (and plastic parts) to coincide with the warranty expiration date. Yankee ingenuity!
@@oldrrocr its easy, they just stole the research done by subaru and bmw.
Peanut ports and low compression ratio !!
It's probably the most under-stressed powertrain GM has ever produced. So much torque the TH400 doesn't need to downshift to execute a pass, and if you were brave/dumb enough to hit the kickdown the rear tires would instantly light off. The Syclone was the serious performer. The 454SS is the redneck down at the Cars and Coffee burning donuts until the tires pop.
peanut ports , single exh! small bad flowing catalytic converter,2 barrel efi with protruding huge injectors(same as with the 305/305s of the era,they had the same cam same inj... calibration did nothing to save the 350,305s ran better until you started towing).The 454ss got the same 454 as the workhorse 3500 dually , its vocation was to tow in an era when diesels weren t popular.Its a beatyful truck and very civilized (especially for its era),and remember 1990 the revolution was all based on the 5.0L mustang , you know that tire blazing 15 second menace...
The lil red express and the warlock where the first muscle trucks I do believe
They were second. Early 60's Dodge Cutom Sport Special had 413 wedge and the late having a 365hp 426 wedge.
@@Sc2ner You beat me to it!
Then there was the Shelby Dakota, in the late 80's.
Thank you
Or perhaps the Dodge Dude.
This, to me, is still the greatest of all the muscle trucks. A big block Chevrolet engine in the lightest weight 1500 series truck? YES! And there was a lady in my area driving one about 20 years ago. She was (at the time) likely 55-60 years old, the truck still looked BRAND NEW and had a GLORIOUS sounding aftermarket dual exhaust.... And she barked the tires taking off from the light. It was beautiful. And I see a gentleman about the same age driving a GORGEOUS 1996 Corvette with its LT4 with an aftermarket exhaust rumbling through the same area a few days later, and he too, did the same thing. The 454SS truck is one of the few vehicles I would keep looking pretty much stock, and make mild upgrades for more power, but not go crazy.
The Syclone is the best muscle truck ever built. The 454SS had a boat anchor for a motor. lol
Had a buddy who bought one brand new to take his garbage pale to the end of his 1 mile long driveway. True story.
Wow! Guess it's like the guys today who buy a raptor as a commuter vehicle.
Did it take a half tank of gas to do that? I bet it did.
Man I used to have an obsession for these trucks before I was 16. Test drove 7 of them but never was able to get one. Still love them today no matter how slow they are.
My late brother had one like that (but in white color and tinted windows). He bought it in Mexico back in 1991. Here, it was called Silverado SS.
Even though the HP wasn't impressive just like Car Wizard said, the torque was a whole different beast!
Thanks Wizard, this vid brought to me good memories 😊 ❤
In Mexico it was called the 400 SS and there are still some around but they ask huge money for them.
I remember seeing a 1990 SS 454 truck in a Houston showroom with a $5,000 gross profit add on. Some things never change with car dealers then as now.
I had a '74 Camper Special Chevy pickup. 454 with super turbine 400 transmission and a 4.10 rear axle. Four doors and an auxiliary 85 gallon fuel tank in the bed in addition to two saddle mounted 20 gallon fuel tanks. I replaced the stock overlap emission camshaft with an after market "torque" cam and improved the centrifugal timing. It already had headers and 2 1/2" exhaust pipes. The fuel economy increased from 6 mpg city and 8 mpg highway to 10 mpg city and 13 highway. Not fantastic but that sucker would pull tree stumps up.
Shit if you're gettin 6mpg, going up to 10 I'd wanna throw a party😂
Should have shown the instrument panel lit up...show blank plastic slabs is totally bad video...smh
You just described my friends truck. We use it to trailer cars, gather wood, etc. He once spun it a complete 360 on ice - all fun.
Hell, if you were lucky enough to have a switch-pitch transmission, you didn't need that deep of an axle ratio!!
People like what they like and don't like what they don't like. I am a truck guy. Sweet ride!🫡
My friends dad had one of these new. Put a lumpy roller cam, had the heads gone through, few other tricks. I'll never forget how long that thing would roast the tires after it hit second gear if you stayed in it. It would rip the tires off at pretty decent speeds if you jumped on it.
Came for the BBC content. Was not disappointed.
Everyone likes a BBC but most can’t handle it…. at the fuel pump….
@@RustyZipper The British Broadcasting Corporation leaves much to be desired, I feel your sentiment.
That is a GORGEOUS truck. Its obviously had some minor restoration work done which is likely where the custom work was done. The wheels have almost certainly been refinished and the seats look like they've been redone and a few other tidbits in the interior. Immaculate truck though, beautiful paintjob. Kudos to the owner for giving the truck all the love it needs. I'm jealous.
I hardly think that 260 hp makes this a "muscle truck".
Back when these were new I met a man who had one and he loved it. But he made a point of saying that it wasn't all that fast, but boy did it ever tow his 30 foot boat around. Basically, the point of the big block V8's from American manufactures was smooth quiet TORQUE, not screaming horsepower, and it is known in circles that these engines were generally not as tough as small block V8's. These engines were supposed to be like electric motors, providing instant thrust with NO sound or vibration.
Great video!
The torque makes the muscle my man
@@samholdsworth420 People buy horsepower but drive torque my man-
230 hp @ 3600 rpm
My 99 mustang gt only has 260 hp! Ha.........I know, lame. That's why a kenne bell supercharger is on my list.
@@andys8718 There is a big difference with 260 hp in a 5000 pound truck and a 3400 pound Mustang....
These were such a cool truck. I seen one one the highway a few years ago. Always wanted one. HP was low but still had decent torque. Thanks for a great memory!
What maybe 380?
@@flight2k5 probably somewhere around there, not sure
Internet says 385, you were close
@2k5 230hp {est were closer to 250-260} 385 lb-ft which for 1990 was not too shabby considering the majority of vehicles made only between 120-200hp, not many were more than that
@@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman it’s a joke
When I was a young dude buying a used Camaro Berlinetta at the local Chevrolet dealer, they had a few of these ready for sale. October 1989, and at $20k they were way out of my price range and budget.
I am planning to reinstate a 1999 GMC Suburban with the 454 in it for towing this year. I’ll be sure to check out that intake issue you mentioned. Thanks! 😊
I got a 99 GMC suburban c2500 with the 454. 258k daily driver
I noticed mine is seeping from the front slightly...I don't leak oil though so I'm not gonna touch it 😂
I have one of these, too. The OEM 454 jumped timing at 145K miles and bent all the pushrods. I installed a GMPP BBC 454; it's a Gen 5, not a Mark IV. So there are subtle differences. I also replaced the THM 400 with an R4 with an OD unit. Mileage around 9.6 MPG, but it's not my DD, so no matter. Smiles PG is more important! I also replaced the tires with BF Goodrich 285 x 55 x 15 on CenterLIne rims. It is an attention getter at gas stations, and around the neighborhood. It garners way more attention than my '06 Corvette. Since the new engine was installed, I've put 19K miles on it and about 5K on the R4. I don't care much for the PlaySkool type gauges, and like the later dashes with real needle gauges and tach. The later years also had an OD transmission, which the first ones should have come with, especially considering the 3.73 rear axle. The 454SS trucks are certainly iconic muscle trucks!
I put a 5.7 L Toyota engine on mine. 👍
The overdrive trucks had 4.10 gears
True, but the OD still reduced final drive ratio below 3.73. @@mauricecooper176
@@claiborneeastjr4129 but first gear was the same ratio so those trucks are a little quicker out the gate or they just spin the tires more
Right. So, really the best of both worlds! Mine will easily break those 285s loose in first gear.@@mauricecooper176
Love this era of chevy trucks. Even with a big block there’s still tons of room in the engine bay.
My closest neighbor has had one since as far back as I can remember. I bought my parents house couple years ago and he still has it. So going on 30 years
This might've been General Motors first muscle truck, but not the first on the American Market. That award goes to Dodge lil'Red express truck in 1978. At the time, Car and Driver tested it as the quickest American made vehicle in 0-100mph.
1964 Dodge CSS was the first muscle truck 426 Wedge they ran high 12's in the 1/4 mile with slicks of the day that had traction of a 215/70 series modern trailer tire!
I actually owned a muscle truck that came before this truck and I think paved the way for the 454ss. It was the 1976 Big 10. A 1/2 ton shortbed c10 with 454 carbureted, th400, 12 bolt with posi and 3.42, and 3/4 ton brake. It also had a factory tach and Silverado trim. It came in a time when 3/4 ton and up was exempt from smog because of gvwr so it came with true dual exhaust and no cats. That was a real muscle truck and mine was black on black with brown interior and staggered (15x6 and 15x8) rally wheels. It was basically a 454ss before the 454ss was ever a concept.
My dad gave me one of these for graduation in 1997. It would get 5-6 mpg and it ran 14.80s in the 1/4 with true dual exhaust and sticky tires. I sold it in 2018 before the obs prices got crazy.
My grandfather had a 454 3500 single cab chevy manual transmission 4v4 as his farm truck. It pulled all the hey and straw around the farm, moved equipment wherever needed, and then hauled the cows and sheep up into the mountains to graze for a few months out of the year.
It got 9-10 mph and that was it. No more no less but it got the job done. He had two additional gas tanks that sat along the sides of the bed so he could do long road trips when hauling live stock. Those were good times.
Because this was Utah it eventually rusted out and died a slow death as most Chevrolet trucks do thanks to salt on the road.
14 bolt axle with 5 lug wheels. Now that's a special combo.
Yes, it is only vehicle to get it
It is the 3/4 ton 2wd rear end with different axles. Same rear end used in some offroad truck series arena trucks.
The first muscle truck was dodges Little Red Express. In fact, Little Red Express was the first Muscle Car to emerge after they died off in the early 70’s since trucks didn’t have the same regulations as cars.
I was scrolling down to see how long it would take for someone to call this out and tell the truth.
Nope, it was the Dodge D Series HPP
I am trying to understand your comment about the early '80's since the Li'l red Express was a 1978 model.
@@mexicanspec typo. Meant early 70’s
Well that makes more sense.@@isaaccan3155
I'll never forget the first GMT400 truck I ever saw, sitting on a Chevy lot as I was looking for a new truck. I ended up with a used Jeep CJ-7 and never owned a GMT400, still kinda regret that- even as the CJ was a great Jeep.
Paint job is really nice. Understated. Someone put in some work there. Sounds sweet, too.
I owned one of these! Fun truck, tons of torque. Went through lots of tires. Sounds killer with flowmaster super 40.
Trick Flow makes a head / intake / cam kit that will double the power numbers.😊
I had a coworker that had 2. A black one and a white one. Both were clean.
Those trucks were all over NYC , everywhere, used as unlicensed tow trucks.
Your not towing much with a SS😂 you got the wrong truck bud
@waterloo123100 they definitely did they were all over the bronx at that time. I was a mechanic in the bronx at the time, too. I worked on many of them.
@@toecutterjenkins they don't have to payload to be a tow truck, it was probably a 2500 with the 8.0L
@JD-yx7be These were illegal unlicensed fly by night tow rigs in the Bronx. They didn't care about capacities.
I've been fixingbcars fornover 30 years. i know what they were. I've worked on them.
These trucks were setup with the cheater wheel lifts. Running in NYC pulling cars,repoin’ them. Don’t need to be a 2500.
Back in the 90’s when I worked for Schneider they gave one of these away to an employee. They had different trucks at every terminal
The last bbc, the 8.1 after this is absolutely amazing.
Flashbacks to "old memory lane". Nice truck.
I always loved how those speedometers could wrap around.
Oh man, one of my favorites! My younger brother bought a new one & we destroyed the rear tires....many times! Just a good looking truck & I wished he had kept it ✌💖☮
I remember when these first came out and boy did I want one! It was definitely an eye catcher and it was still a useable, functional truck. That paint really pops!
Eric The Car Guy has a cool Chevy pick up truck around the same year that is customized and quick. It was his dad's truck and he put in a whole new and different power train and other performance mods. Maybe you like to see online his truck?
I’ve seen it. It was a 1990 C1500 Sport originally built with the 350 and manual transmission, then had an aftermarket automatic for many years, until Eric’s dad brought it down to him. Sweet looking truck without the 454SS price tag.
Bringing back memories here! My cousin had a white 454ss then traded it in for a Monte Carlo ss but these trucks definitely still have the cool factor. Crazy to think with such little hp how they were considered “muscle”.
I remember these competing with the Ford Lighting. Back in the 90’s these were cool “muscle” trucks and now, even though their horsepower isn’t that impressive, they still look great. Good luck finding one that isn’t completely trashed.
I was in high school in the mid 90’s driving a 1985 Grand Prix (150hp 305) which was totally gutless. I remember driving one of these 454 SS and an F150 Lightning and being overwhelmed by all of the power. 😂
@@jpete3027666 man, how many people had those mid 80’s Olds, Pontiac and GM cars with air shocks and Keystone classics. I graduated in 86 and those things were everywhere. They were great looking cars but that engine…..
I had one in 90, only thing was it ate water pumps, starters and hoses. It came with a great warranty. But I sold it when it reached 70K miles and the warranty expired. Still loved it.
My neighbor had purchased one new at the time. The window sticker advertised it as having ten miles per gallon city and eleven miles per gallon highway but it would get up and go. We called those radial ac compressors. They were getting away from the axial compressors
I always love seeing cool Mercedes in here, could we all see G wagons on here too, I do love this old black pickup truck, she’s a beauty 1:08
As a prior owner of a modded 454ss they were fun trucks to drive and own. Mine had a not street legal chip with way advanced timing 28° advanced at just off idle, longtube headers, borla race magnum mufflers, k&n 5 inch open element airfilter, msd 7a ignition module, taylor 10.2mm wires. Was loud as heck and ran in the high 13s when you got a smooth launch. On most roads you got a nice tire smoking show instead. Could have used some sticky tires in retrospec.
What a nice honest truck. The outside is nice and clean but, the owner didn't obsess over covering 24 years of underhood wear. It's been driven and is enjoyed rather than being another museum piece that only moves on a dollies.
I don't like trucks... But this one is an exception
My favorite pickup!!
That 454 SS looks good
ultra simple to work on and pretty dependable - when trucks were affordable even a fancy tricked out one - the mileage sucks but less maintenance and cheap maintenance makes up for it #jb weld
While you're at it pull the heads for some bowl work and gasket matching, clean the valves and make sure they're sealing, up grade the cam for a 220+ @.050 .5+ lift, and a very important 107LSA, may as well throw in a set of roller rockers. With my previous post this should double the HP and torque. I know but I couldn't help myself, all the best.
That is beautiful, hands down!
That is one of the all time greats right there, thank you for the fantastic video of nostalgia. Had a 1994 Silverado Step Side with that same interior and 383 dropped in it. Never should have sold it.
I put a Gear Venders 2-speed overdrive on mine, as well as taller rear tires. I liked the interior, the seats being darn comfy. If I remember correctly, you can lift out the drink holders in the center council to provide a decent handgun hidey-hole.
One of our friends bought one of these trucks to tow his boats, which included a rather large twin-engine job, but he wanted to get better mileage driving empty.
First, he threw an electric overdrive behind the Turbo 400. Then he yanked the whole tranny and put a 4L80-E in there with some external computer (he owned a transmission shop.) I'm pretty sure that the only two things that it ever did well was towing and drinking fuel... (I would have preferred any of the other GM Big blocks.)
Sure loved the sound on those old big blocks. The exhaust note I nice and not overly load.
ahhhh the flames that add at least 50 hp
I had 1990 model first year of 454ss. The 1990 had a gen 2or 3 HO block i think its was with 400 turbo transmission.. The rear end was a special rearend made specific for the 454 SS truck. Mine had factory 411 postive traction. 3/4 ton 14 bolt center section with shorter axles custom made for the model. Impossible to find if issues arise. Thankfully it is very robust in strength. Mine jumped time sometime around 100,000 and bent valves in the peanut port heads. I replaced the intake with aluminum model from edelbroke for the throttle body injection and 396 close chamber heads . And a adjustable fuel regulator, bigger injector pods. Looking back it needed a better cam and replace the tbi with a performance carburetor.
3:20 go to RA to check for an upgraded design compressor. I got a Santech style compressor to replace my GM HT6 which develops belly leaks, the huge o-rings needed to seal the front and back to the round middle housing. The Santech doesn't have these seals.
Thats a nice truck for being 34 years young ! It doesnt take much to unleash the potential from that engine !
Eric the Car Guy's "Dad's Truck" darn near, but ETCG's has the Sport package and branding.
I was gonna post this but you beat me to it!
@@nknasi I thought ETCG might have driven to Kansas for a hot second.😁
yes I remember that series turned out great ,hers what my 91 looks like now ruclips.net/video/-BDUuHcDqW4/видео.html
Wish they made a truck this size today. They can even put a 2 liter turbo if they must.
One of 100 or so auto builds floating in my mind is a lowered, extended cab 4x4 Silverado with full time conversion and a big block. The 454x4 SS Ext.
Absolutely loved these trucks.
Thank you that this truck doesn't have stupid huge tires and jacked up into the next time zone.
cup holders were for drive in movies etc.
I remember building a ton of these of the AMT models, I would make them hop, custom paint jobs and interior, just a little 5 year old kid sniffing paint 🤣 all day
Looks to be a military themed paint job, beauty. Salute to the owner likely a veteran
I had a '91 Chevy Sport truck. Non-SS, mine came with a 350 and a NV 5spd. Ended up swapping a 400sbc in with a 4.11 lsd in the back. I miss that truck.
Just rebuilt my 1978 chevy c20 truck 454, had the good oval port 781 heads cost me 2000$ with machine work. put 9 to 1 pistons in it, runs strong pulling 6k pound trailer.
He’s not wrong about the intake no matter what engine…had a ‘92 Yukon with a 5.7l and changed the original intake gasket at 220k.
It needed to be redone at 260k.
New intake and gasket it is. 😂
I’d say the little red express was the first muscle truck. LRE would smoke that 454SS
She's beautiful glad to see her taken so well care of
Those 454's in these trucks were absolute dogs....but, they are so cool. A 1/2 ton to come factory with a Big Block is just awesome. The 92-93 model years are the best ones to get. They had some front suspension changes and had the better analog gauges with actual needles. I could be wrong also, but I believe those years didn't come with the crappy smog pumps too.
I love these trucks, even if they are pretty slow by modern standards. I imagine some nice flowing heads and intake might liven it up significantly, as surely the heads are the limitation on that engine?
So what !
230hp ! Big Block
I swapped in a small block 350 in mine with a 11 inch clutch and 5 speed trans .
It makes more horse power than that !
That makes mine a little Super Sport ,
Cost was under $1000
Maybe i should paint mine black 😂
1964 Dodge C/SS was the 1st Muscle Truck!!
426 Wedge 365 hp and they ran them to high 12's in the 1/4 mile ..
You could also get the 318,361,383 from later on,they also had a console and bucket seats!
Also the 1978-1979 Dodge LiL Red Express with the E-58 360 would smack the 454 SS.
Up the road from my house, there is a run down mechanic shop with multiple cars in the front yard. Amongst them is a Chevy 350 SS pickup. I'm not sure if it's as rare as a 454 SS, but wonder what stories that still beautiful truck could tell
There is no such thing. Those were just stickers that someone bought and put on. #truckrice
There was a 350 Sport Edition, but no 350SS. Dealers slapped the decals on them.
Wow that truck takes me back to highschool.
I had a 1984 GMC S-10 Jimmy with the 2.8 liter V-6 that blew out the manifold gaskets in 1993, no problem fixing them, but the valve covers leak like sieves, tried everything, ran until 2000 when my Type 2 Diabetes got so bad I couldn't feel the pedals, also the fuel gauge gave up the ghost around 1987-88, we tried 3 sender units in the tank, but still no go, I got reading good at figuring out the range of the tank.
I've always been told "Theres no power like BBC power!". Seems even Car Wizard agrees. I tend to follow his advice, so I may have to try this "BBC" myself.
If you want to feel big block power find an old 70s one or the 8.1l in the early 2000s trucks. The 8.1 is a true torque monster
Once you go BBC you won't go back, or at least they say
Unfortunately the 8.1 was plagued with issues after a few years. Parts are expensive and there isn’t much aftermarket
Oh dear, and I made my first comment without seeing the video. That color......I love it. Dang what a sweet truck!
It was a Turd brand new, thanks Tonawanda. Ordered a 3/4 ton 454 in 92, over heated when I towed, joined the alternator and heater fan of the Month club. Replaced the independent front diff twice under warranty and I sold the truck. GM and I parted ways.
Awesome find, I remember one of these in my home town when they were new
Road tests from back in the day show a gmc Sonoma gt with a 4.3 was only .2 of a second behind the 454ss.....
Everyone comments the first was the dodge trucks with stacks (express/warlock) or the "dude" a wedge powered 60s truck.
But Chevrolet offered a big block short bed 1/2 ton from 67 forward.
Rally gauges were an option. Th400, 12 bolt with a posi...... So in 73 you could get a non smog 454, th400 and 12 bolt with big brakes.....in a 4000lb brick
I wanted one of these in 1990, so I went to Davy Chevrolet in Danvers, MA, to visit my friend's wife, who worked in the sales department. To my surprise, she talked me out of the truck and put me in a beautiful, used 1987 Silverado Stepside for a great price I still love this 454 truck, but they were tough on fuel.
They got a lot better in 1991.
The 4L80E trans replaced the THM400 and the dashboard got an update including a tachometer.
Fueleconomy went from real bad to liveable..
Love the sound of that beast!
Motor makes 230 hp at 3600 rpm. Anemic. Just a few go-fast parts will wake this engine up. Without taking the motor out, a cam and headers, new manifold and carb will easily get this thing in touch with 300 hp and well over 400 ft/lbs. A new set of aluminum heads would be tremendous. 350 hp and 450 torque is easily achieved.
That’s one beautiful truck! I miss my 1990 Sierra 1500
Many car manufacturers should study this truck. There is no replacement for displacement. Not turbo nor direct injection can deliver what this has to offer on the reliability/longevity scale. But they dont care because they want you to buy a new one every 5 years anyway
ox blood is what they called that color interior design I loved it
I had a 1991 Chevy Silverado with the 350. Harrison made the AC compressor. I replaced three of them before I finally got rid of the truck after I had about 197,000 miles on it.
if this 454 was anything like the other TBI fed V8s (305 and 350) the two biggest restrictions to making power were the heads, exhaust manifolds, and a crappy cam. i had a 89 camaro RS i swapped a 350 TBI into years ago. the 350 TBI was better then the 305 but it still wasnt incredibly better. i swapped heads and it woke right up. those swirl port heads were boat anchors. a set of vortec heads would probably wake this truck right up
Back in '63, '64, and '65, Dodge offered the "Street Wedge". A couple of them had 413 cid, most of them got a 426 four barrel with automatic trans. my friend had a poster of one. I think his poster was a picture of a Max Wedge. He said you could order it in anything.
BBC power 😂 I dont think he thought this through
or maybe he did, it is a black truck after all
Yes what's with British Broadcasting Network 😂
He probably fantasies over them.
😂😂
He knew exactly what he was doing.
Looks like something that could come in a GI Joe set in the early 90s. Just screams that type of design.
Drove one of these in HS straight piped.
1st muscle truck was the 1963 Dodge CSS!! 413 V8
The 1964 came with a 426 Wedge and ran high 12's in the 1/4 mile with slicks of the day..Slick then were like running a 215/70 series trailer tire on a modern vehicle,thus no traction!
They had buckets,console and a stripe on the hood...
Dodge LiL Red Express 1978-1979 were also a Muscle Truck the E-58 360 those ran 14's in the 1/4 mile in a smog era low power years..The 78 was quicker as the feds made Dodge add cat conv to the 79 and some more regulations.
I am loving that maroon interior!