User:Mliu92/sandbox/Chevrolet Tilt Cab

The Chevrolet Tilt Cab, also known as the T-series, after the chassis code, is a line of medium and heavy duty truck chassis cabs with a cab over engine design, introduced in 1959 for the 1960 model year by Chevrolet to compete with the Ford C series. The same truck also was sold by General Motors under the GMC brand as the GMC Tilt Cab. As the name implies, the cabin tilts forward to expose the engine for servicing. Styling was similar to the contemporary first generation C/K series light and medium duty pickup trucks. The Tilt Cab line was discontinued in 1980 and eventually was replaced by the Chevrolet and GMC Tiltmaster, rebadged versions of the Isuzu Elf, in 1984.

Cab
All models, as introduced in 1959 for the 1960 model year, shared the same steel cab, which measures 71.79 in long from the bumper to back of cab (BBC). The front step is approximately 20–23+1/4 in from the ground, depending on the truck ratings. There is an additional step of 15.42 in to the floor of the cab. From the bottom of the step to the top of the cab, the height is 74.42 in. One seat (for the driver) was standard, and one or two passengers could be accommodated with optional seats. The two-piece windshield has a total glass area of 1760 sqin, and the cab is fitted with a single-pane fixed rear window of 463 sqin. Each side has a glass area of 616 sqin, divided into a roll-down window (in the door), a pivoting vent window (in the door), and fixed rear quarter window (behind the door).

The tilting mechanism was modified starting with the 1962 model year, allowing the torsion bar suspension to be more easily adjusted. It is capable of tilting forward by 55 degrees; the "control island" between the seats, which contains the gearshift, stays stationary when the cab is tilted. For routine fluid checks, access panels are provided within the cab so no tilting is necessary.

Chassis
As originally released in 1959 (for the 1960 model year), the Tilt Cab line featured an independent front suspension with torsion bar springs. They were sold with nominal capacities of 1$1/undefined$-ton "special" (T60S), 2-ton (T60), 2-ton heavy (T60H), and 2$1/undefined$-ton (T70 and T80) with single rear axles and a choice of four wheelbases: 97 ,. The ladder frame is similar to contemporary conventional cab medium and heavy duty GM trucks, but the spacing between the rails flares out from 34 to 54+1/4 in forward of the front suspension crossmember.

For the 1962 model year, the trucks with diesel engines were identified with a "U80" chassis code, with equivalent ratings as the gasoline-powered T80 series, and carried a slightly raised cab. For the 1963 model year, the frame and front suspension were revised; the front suspension moved to a solid I-beam axle, suspended by variable rate leaf springs. For the 1964 model year, a fifth wheelbase option of 197 in was added. For the 1965 model year, the lighter-duty T50 series was launched. The range of available diesel engines was expanded, adding N50, N60, N80, and Y60 chassis codes to the existing U80 line.

Front axle weight ratings were 5000 lb for T60 models, with a 7000 lb axle available as an option. For T70 and T80 models, the 7000 lb axle was standard and an optional 9000 lb axle was available. Rear axle ratings were 15000 lb for T60, 16000 lb for T70, and 18500 lb for T80. For the 1965 model year T50, the rear axle was rated at 11000 lb with options for 13500 lb and 15000 lb. A single-speed rear axle was standard, and a two-speed rear axle was optional, with various ratios available:

For the 1966 model year, Chevrolet introduced a tandem rear axle version; these carried a "W" chassis code. In the 1967 model year, Chevrolet realigned its chassis codes to eliminate overlap. What was the T50 series (1$1/undefined$-ton) became the T40; similarly, the 2-ton T60 became the T50, and the 2-ton heavy T60H became the T60. In addition, a letter was added to designate the engine fitted.

Powertrain
For the 1962 model year, Detroit Diesel 6V-53 engines were available for the first time; these trucks were identified with a "U" chassis code (e.g., U8203 or U8303).

The standard engine fitted to 1963 T60 and T60H models was a 292 cu. in. "High Torque" I-6. One optional V-8 engine was available: the small block L30 327; for T80 models, the 348 "Turbo-Thrust" was standard and the 409 "High Torque" was an option.

The 1965 introduction of the T50-series also added a smaller, 230 I-6 as the base engine, with a choice of either optional 292 I-6 or small-block L32 283 V-8 engines. The T60 also gained the 348 V-8 as an option; this was the same engine fitted to the T80 as standard. 1965 also expanded the number of diesel-powered models available. N50-series trucks were equipped with the D351 "Toro-Flow" engine as standard; N60 trucks came with the D478, and the high output DH478 was an option; Y60 trucks were equipped with the Detroit Diesel 4-53N; N80 trucks came with the DH478; and U80 trucks continued with the 6V-53N. The Y80 model was dropped for the 1966 model year.

For the 1967 model year, the second letter in the chassis code designated the engine type and fuel. "S" chassis codes were equipped with gasoline I-6 engines, either the 250 (TS40) or 292 (TS50, TS60). "E" chassis codes were equipped with gasoline V-8 engines, either the 283 (TE40) or 327 (TE50, TE60), with the 366 as an option for TE50 and TE60. "M" chassis codes were equipped with the gasoline V-6 engines, with the 401 as standard (TM70, TM80, WM80), and the 478 V-6 an option for TM80 and WM80. "T", "D", and "V" chassis codes were equipped with Detroit Diesel Series 53 engines, including the 3-53N (TT40), 4-53N (TD50, TD60), and 6V-53N (TV70). "G" and "J" chassis codes were equipped with GMC V-6 and V-8 diesels, including the D478 (TG50, TG60) and D637 (TJ70), with options for the DH478 (TG50, TG60) and DH637 (TJ70) high-output variants. Several diesel engine options were dropped in the 1968 model year, and the GMC V6 diesels were gone by 1969.


 * Optional engine(s) for chassis codes are marked with an asterisk (*).