This page features the Vans, Trucks and 4X4 vehicles offered by Chevrolet in 1986. Since I condensed this information from a Canadian book, some models may not have been offered in the States and vice versa. If you found this page interesting you might find the pages listed below of interest too.
This "Mini" van as it is called was designed to compete with the Dodge Caravan when it came out in 1984. Introduced in mid-1985 it was more of a truck than a car which is what the Caravan's were praised for. But with a truck-design came the towing ability and durability of one. The cargo van which came with 2-seats and blacked out rear-end, came with a 2.5l 4-cylinder. All other versions of the van came with the 4.3l V-6 which provides more than adequate power to move the van when packed with 8 people.
This vehicle is based on the S-10 truck chassis with a roof over the cab-end and a seat in the back for three. Called a recreational vehicle then, it is known as a SUV today and they sold them only as a 2-door at that time. Both Rear and 4WD were available along with a standard 2.5l 4-cylinder and optional 2.8l V-6. They were somewhat under-powered considering the weight of the 4WD model at over 3000lbs. But they sold well and paved the way for the modern SUV with 4-doors and large V-6 or V-8 engines.
This is the big brother to the Blazer. The smaller Blazer was based on the big Blazer hoping to sell buyers on a smaller version of this truck. A part-time 4WD system very similar to the smaller Blazer is standard here. A 5.0l V-8 is also standard with optional 4-speed automatic, auto-locking hubs and 6.2l V-8 Diesel engine.
Do you want something ever larger than the Blazer. Then you might like the Suburban. This truck is absolutely huge, with 4 full-size doors, plenty of room inside for people and cargo and optional 5.7l Gas and 6.2l Diesel V-8 engines. A 5.0l is standard with a 4-speed automatic and a 4-speed manual is standard with the 4WD w/5.7l V-8. This truck is definitely not for everyone because it stretches over 230 inches long and is a wide as a lane of traffic so squeezing thru holes in traffic is impossible although you would probably wish driving over other cars was legal.
This truck is what is called a compact pickup. It is still a truck with Rear or 4WD and comes with a bed in the back capable of carrying lots of cargo. Engines used are alot smaller than the big guys, with a 2.5l-4 standard with an optional 2.8l V-6 available on all models. There are 3 model choices: short bed, long bed and extended cab with a choice of 2 or 4WD. Transmissions are a choice of 4-speed manual or 3-speed auto.
Chevrolet's classic pick-up which has sold well for 50 years, is offered as 2WD in the C series and 4WD in the K series. A C-series stripper with 4.3l V-6, 3-speed manual and short-bed sells for under $8,000. Standard on the K-series is the 4-speed manual with optional transmissions on both models being 4-speed overdrive manual and 3 or 4 speed overdrive automatics. Optional engines are the 5.0l and 5.7l gas V-8's with an economical 6.2l V-8 diesel option for those interested in economy, not power.