What year did Chevy stop the square body?
What defines the square body?
The transition wasn’t just cosmetic. It reflected a broader shift in GM’s engineering and design language, as the company adopted a new platform and updated drivetrain options to improve efficiency, safety, and performance in a competitive pickup market.
Timeline of the transition
- 1987 model year: The final year of the traditional square-body C/K pickups. Production and sales continued, but styling returned to close-out the square-panel design.
- 1988 model year: Introduction of the new body style on the GMT400 platform, featuring rounded edges, revised front fascia, and updated interior and chassis architecture.
- 1988–1998 model years: The GMT400-based C/K/Sierra/Silverado family continued with ongoing updates, but without returning to the square-body styling.
The end of the square-body era is generally framed around the 1987-to-1988 transition, with 1988 marking the official start of the new, rounded design language that would carry GM’s light-duty pickups through the late 1990s.
What changed in 1988
- New GMT400 chassis and body styling, moving toward rounded corners and a more aerodynamic silhouette.
- Updated front fascia, grille, and headlight treatment that differentiated it from the previous generation.
- Reworked interior and dashboard with updated materials and ergonomics.
- Improvements in chassis rigidity, engine options, and drivetrain choices to align with evolving market expectations.
In short, 1988 marked the official start of the modern-looking Chevrolet pickups, with broad changes that extended beyond styling to engineering and interior design.
Why the change mattered
Summary
Is Chevy bringing back the square body in 2025?
And 80s. And the only bed size you will get in the new square. Body is a 6 1/2 ft bed. Now you have the option between four-wheel drive or two wheel drive.
What was the worst year for Chevy Silverado?
The worst Chevy Silverado years are often cited as 2007-2011, 2014-2017, and 2019-2021 due to frequent problems like engine issues, oil consumption, transmission failures, and electrical and AC problems. The 2014 model year is especially notorious for a high volume of complaints and numerous recalls, while models from 2007-2011 had engine problems linked to the Active Fuel Management system, and 2019-2021 models experienced engine bearing and lifter issues.
2007-2011
- Engine Problems: Many engines with the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system experienced high oil consumption and lifter failures.
- Recalls: This generation had several recalls, including issues with Takata airbags in some models.
2014-2017
- 2014: This year is frequently listed as one of the worst due to a high volume of complaints and 19 recalls.
- AC and Electrical Issues: The air conditioning system was a major problem, with many owners reporting failure.
- Transmission Problems: The new 8-speed transmission experienced issues like clunking and eventual failure in some instances.
- 2015: Experienced a high number of recalls and complaints related to the transmission.
- 2017: Had numerous transmission problems, including rough shifting and shuddering, leading to low reliability ratings.
2019-2021
- Engine Issues: These models are known for Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) lifter failures and engine bearing problems, which led to recalls.
You can watch this video to learn about the worst model years of Chevy Silverado: 57sGarage of TimeYouTube · Aug 11, 2025
Is GM really making a $8000 pickup truck?
No, GM is not making an $8,000 pickup truck; this is a false rumor likely originating from clickbait videos. GM's smallest truck, the Chevrolet Montana, is sold only in South America, and its price would be significantly higher than $8,000 in the U.S. even if it were imported.
This video discusses the GM $8,000 pickup rumor and its potential impact on the market: 58sGarage HeadsYouTube · Jun 1, 2024
- False rumor: The idea of an $8,000 pickup truck is a marketing tactic that has spread through sensationalist videos and online posts, often misattributing the claim to GM or Ford.
- Chevrolet Montana: GM does sell a small truck called the Chevrolet Montana, but it is designed for the South American market and is not sold in the United States.
- Pricing in the US: Even if the Montana were available in the US, its price would be much higher than $8,000 due to import taxes and other market factors.
- Actual GM trucks: GM's current trucks, such as the Chevrolet Silverado, have starting prices far above this amount, with prices ranging from roughly $30,000 to over $80,000 depending on the model and features.
When did Chevy stop making square bodies?
1987 to 1991
The Final Years: 1987 to 1991
Chevrolet continued producing the Square Body platform for heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 versions until 1991 using R and V nomenclature for 2WD and 4WD models, respectively.
