1998 T-Series

[ClassicTVMan1981X]

Does anyone remember the 1990s T-series (T6500, T7500 and T8500) that had the Isuzu-designed Tiltmaster cab placed on top of a modified C-series (C6500, C7500 and C8500) chassis?

If so, what did you think of them?

~Ben

[Bob B.]

Yes, came out in 1997 and were built at Janesville. Good trucks, the first couple of years they were available with 6.0L TBI gas V-8's or Caterpillar 3116's, in 1999 the gas engine option was dropped and the HEUI equipped 3126 diesels became an option. The tandem axle 8500 was new, tandems were never offered on the predecessor Forward/Tiltmaster Isuzu built trucks. Also offered tractor equipment in both single and tandem configurations.

Story was Truck And Bus had wanted to build a cabover companion to the GMT-530 TopKick and Kodiak in 1990 to replace the larger Isuzu cabovers, but couldn't justify the expense. Using the new Isuzu cab on a modified GMT-530 chassis was viable, so the T series made it into production for the '97 MY. What was interesting was that the cabover 530 truck also replaced the imported Isuzu F series mediums sold by Isuzu truck dealers in the U.S.. The 1997 F series used the Isuzu cab on a 530 chassis just like the GM T series, but came with an Isuzu 6 cylinder diesel. In turn the Isuzu 6 cylinder diesels became optional in the GM T-series and the later GMT-560 TopKick and Kodiak.

[ClassicTVMan1981X]

Originally Posted by Bob B.

Yes, came out in 1997 and were built at Janesville. Good trucks, the first couple of years they were available with 6.0L TBI gas V-8's or Caterpillar 3116's, in 1999 the gas engine option was dropped and the HEUI equipped 3126 diesels became an option. The tandem axle 8500 was new, tandems were never offered on the predecessor Forward/Tiltmaster Isuzu built trucks. Also offered tractor equipment in both single and tandem configurations.

Story was Truck And Bus had wanted to build a cabover companion to the GMT-530 TopKick and Kodiak in 1990 to replace the larger Isuzu cabovers, but couldn't justify the expense. Using the new Isuzu cab on a modified GMT-530 chassis was viable, so the T series made it into production for the '97 MY. What was interesting was that the cabover 530 truck also replaced the imported Isuzu F series mediums sold by Isuzu truck dealers in the U.S.. The 1997 F series used the Isuzu cab on a 530 chassis just like the GM T series, but came with an Isuzu 6 cylinder diesel. In turn the Isuzu 6 cylinder diesels became optional in the GM T-series and the later GMT-560 TopKick and Kodiak.

For 1999 both the 6.0L and 7.0L gas V-8s were replaced by a single new series, the Vortec 7400MD V-8 (this was the first time the 454 V-8 had been produced for medium-weight trucks since 1980), and the 7400MD was then itself replaced for 2002 by the 8100MD V-8.

I wonder if any of the 1999s had the 7400MD V-8?

~Ben

[Bob B.]

Originally Posted by ClassicTVMan1981X

For 1999 both the 6.0L and 7.0L gas V-8s were replaced by a single new series, the Vortec 7400MD V-8 (this was the first time the 454 V-8 had been produced for medium-weight trucks since 1980), and the 7400MD was then itself replaced for 2002 by the 8100MD V-8.

I wonder if any of the 1999s had the 7400MD V-8?

~Ben

No the T series didn't. Some of the sales literature stated the 7400MD would be available in the T-series for 1999, but it never happened. Something about the air cleaner not fitting?

[70c10-08]

Here is a 1997 GMC T6500 that was for sale locally to me a couple of years ago set up as a mobile news truck that, once was owned by KCCI TV out of Des Moines equipped with a Cat 3126 and a manual transmission.