1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

What do you remember of the 1966 to 1981 Chevrolet H/J series 93" BBC conventional cabs?

(1966 Series HV70 with Detroit Diesel 6V-53N engine)

(1978-81 Bruin Series HY80 with Cat 3208 engine)

(1978-81 Bruin Series JJ90 with Detroit Diesel 6V-92TA engine - it's the light blue truck)

HOW TO IDENTIFY AN H/J SERIES

1966-1968 = Red Chevy bow tie logo on hood, C-H-E-V-R-O-L-E-T lettering on grille just below. Tonnage series emblem (70 for diesel models and 80 for gas models) is on front fender right next to the cab door.

1969-1972 = Blue Chevy bow tie logo on hood, same lettering style for grille as '66-'68. With the 1970 addition of the Series 90 (and related engines, including the Detroit Diesel 6-71 and 8V71), some models with the tilt-open hood had a different grille. Tonnage series badge (70/80/90), with the same blue Chevy bow tie and red background where tonnage series number is, is slightly re-located.

1973-1981 (except Bruin) = Gold Chevy bow tie on hood, same lettering style for grille on models with butterfly hood as '66-'68, and same grille on models with tilt-open hood as '70-'72. Same tonnage series emblem placement as '69-'72.

1978-1981 Bruin = Newer gold Chevy bow tie on hood, and grille below (on tilt-open hood models) loses the C-H-E-V-R-O-L-E-T lettering. Bruin emblem is on front fenders, and the Chevrolet 80/90 Diesel emblem is on cab door.

Starting in mid-1979, series designations were streamlined. All models in series 70/80 become J80s regardless of axle setup, and the same went for all series 90s that became J90s. So, how would one designate a tandem-axle series J90 internally in regards to the '79-'81 Bruins?

ENGINES
GMC 401 V-6 = used on gasoline Series 80 models with engine code "?" (1966-74)
GMC 478 V-6 = used on gasoline Series 80 models with engine code "?" (1966-74)
Chevy 427 V-8 = used on gasoline Series 80 models (incl. Bruin) with engine code "?" (1975-81)
Detroit Diesel 6V-53N = used on diesel Series 70/80 models (incl. Bruin) with engine code "V" (1966-81)
Detroit Diesel 6-71N = used on diesel Series 90 models (incl. Bruin) with engine code "I" (1970-81)
Detroit Diesel 6V-92T/TA/TT/TTA = used on diesel Series 90 models (incl. Bruin) with engine code "J" (1976-81)
Detroit Diesel 8V-71N = used on diesel Series 90 models (incl. Bruin) with engine code "H" (1970-81)
Chevy Toro-Flow DH-478 = used on diesel Series 70 models with engine code "M" (1966-72)
Chevy Toro-Flow D-637, DH-637 = used on diesel Series 70/90 models (the latter with 93" BBC only) with engine code "J" (1966-72)
Cat 3208 = used on diesel Series 70/80 models (incl. Bruin) with engine code "Y" (1975-81)
Cummins N series (NH-230, NTC-290, NTC-350, et al) = used on diesel Series 90 models (incl. Bruin) with engine code "N" (1970-81)
Cummins V-903, VT-903 = used on diesel Series 90 models (116" BBC only) with engine code "?" (1970-76)

Please feel free to reply with any additions or corrections.

Thank you,



Ben Edge

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

That's good info. I still see these trucks running from time to time. I see them at shes,too. Here are a few from a show a while ago. Fred Craig,the owner of the black truck was a great guy. A true GMC truck/Detroit Diesel fan as well. He passed away a couple years ago and his son sold some of his collection. I'm not sure if this one was sold or not. I'd love to have it!

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Take a ride in a 9500,the truck on the left in the second picture above. First,up VA211 out of Sperryville into Shenandoah National Forest to under the Skyline Drive bridge. Next,back down the west side towards Luray. The third is just what it takes to shift that 8v-71 powered 13spd Jimmy.

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Good post. I used to own a '67 GMC 7500 with a 6V-53 very much like the one in the first video that you have posted and I used to drive a '71 GMC 9500 Tandem for a company.

Also check out the '67-72 C/K/T-40's-90's!' post we have going on here as well as the Tow Trucks/Rollbacks/Hauler Pics post.

Bill

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

One I see that is missing from the list is a 637 V-8 Gas. They put them in GMC 9500's anyway, not real sure about Chevys.

Bill

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Whole lot of good stuff here...

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Here's another quick clip:

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

This is a 1966 chevrolet series 70 with a gmc 401 v6 that my rents construction company used untill it was scrapped last year it was originally orderd and used by Nebraska Public Power District why was it ordered with a gmc engine and why were some availble with a gmc v6 i dunno?

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

My way of understanding it was that in the earlier years of '60 to '66, Chevys got Straight 6's and GMCs got V-6's. When the new style was introduced GM probably figured that the limited Chevy 292 was not as good as a choice as the more powerful, larger cubed 351, 401 and 478 V-6. This way the customer still got a "6", but a more suited one. Plus they all are basically the same truck, built by the same company. I liked it better that you could get, or more get something that one brand had and the other didn't.

Bill

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Even though I have this one posted in another thread, it seems only fitting to add it on here as well:


Bill

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970S-1980S-...-/291077707525

Does anyone remember this off of a Chevrolet Series 90 diesel? Supposedly this variation was made when they were still making gas-powered Series 90s.

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Appears to be a 66/67 badge. Very very cool!

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

The red 4 by in the semis thread is a 70 series with the diesel badge, as does the long nose Chevy I posted....(ibthink) wish I was not on my phone I could link them here.

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Post # 452 in the semi's thread is a 90 series with the red diesel badge.

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

I would have to check some of my books to be sure, but I don't believe they offered many Gas Engines in the 90 Series trucks. If it followed the pattern of GMC, there would be the 637 V-8 Gas for sure. I believe they just mostly wanted to "brag" about the word "Diesel" more than anything. It's pretty good advertising.

Bill

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

I'd believe that since the 6V92T and 6V92TT diesel engines were only introduced for the Chevy and GMC H/J series 90 conventionals in 1977, that makes only one year before they were tagged as Bruins and Brigadiers respectively.

Does anyone own a pre-Bruin Chevrolet J90 conventional with the Detroit 6V92T engine?

~Ben

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

This being a '78 model, this example would be known as a Brigadier.

~Ben

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

The 637 gas V-8 did show up in some Chevy 90 series trucks from '70 to '72. I remember that 'Diesel 90' badge on some Chevy J series trucks well into the 70's.

As far as engine codes go, 'S' was Chevy straight 6, 'M' was GMC V-6, 'G' was Toroflow V-6, 'E' was Chevy V-8 or 637, and 'J' was Toroflow V-8.

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

My '70 MH 90 had the side hood badges as shown , and a small bowtie on the hood steel section above the grille .

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Were there any (pre-1978) short-hood (93" BBC) Series 90 conventionals that used the Detroit Diesel 8V71N and 6V92TT engines -- those that used the tilting hood?

~Ben

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

The Brigadier had a different Front Clip with the large square Grille. Now either the truck in the video was mis-labeled and it's really an earlier model or possibly some early '78's got the old style Clip. One guy did tell me once that '78 was a "split year" but I never proved that to be true or not.

Bill

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

I'd have to get my book out to be sure, but I would say that there were plenty of 8V-71's in the short hood Chevys. Not real sure about the 92's.

Bill

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c34LvE2AXJc

Did anyone get a chance to buy one of the last Bruins ever built, this 1980 model JV80 (4x2) with a Detroit Diesel 6V53T engine (boosted to 300 hp from the factory 225 hp) and Allison MTB654CR automatic transmission?

~Ben

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

What is confusing is that the old H/J steel 'butterfly' hood and fenders were an option through 1980. Those trucks were Brigadiers but looked like the older model.

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Bob,

I have known it to be that the old 9500's became Brigadiers, but the 7500's still looked like the old style. But could you actually get the old style look as an option?

Bill

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

All the 7500-9500 H/J trucks became 'Brigadier' in 1978. The steel 'butterfly' hood was an option through 1980 on 9500's with 6-71 engines. All the 7500/8500's could be ordered with either hood. There were other differences between a 1977 H/J and a 1978 Brigadier/Bruin than just the hood.

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

I also found out that the only engines available for the short-hood (93" BBC) H/J 90 series in 1970 were the Detroit Diesel 6-71 and the Cummins NH 230.

In 1971, a tilting hood was made available for the short-nose models, and thus the Detroit Diesel 8V71 and the Cummins NHC 250, previously only available for the long-nose (C/M 90 series) models, were also available for the short-nose models.

Additionally, the Cummins-powered models were given two designations: the HN/CN (4x2) and JN/MN (6x4) models were given NH-230 engines; while the HC/CC (4x2) and JC/MC (6x4) models had the "Custom Torque" NHC-250 models.

~Ben

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Ben,

You are locating some interesting info. Are they from GM Manuals ?

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

While we are all talking about confusion, lol, let's talk about the 12V-71 in a 9500 Long Nose !!

Most say that they weren't available, although we had heard from a couple of guys who actually owned some. Recently it was proved to be true to a higher degree.

Maybe Dan can jump in with some more info on it.

Bob, what would be your experience with this application?

Bill

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Brochures? Yes.

~Ben

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

A tilting fiberglass hood was available on short-nose GMC H/J 9500's starting in 1966. Chevy didn't get a H/J 90 series until 1970. In 1971, both Chevy and GMC did start to offer the 8V-71 and the larger Cummins (including the 903 V-8) in the short nose 90/9500's, BUT those trucks had a raised cab and a different hood. You can quickly tell the raised cab versions apart because the headlights are at the lower edge of the grille

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Never actually seen one of those unicorns. I am fairly certain the 12V-71 was only an RPO in Astro95/Titan90's. Maybe a few were built SEO. The 12V would have been a natural for the General/Bison, but by the time they came out the 8V-92 had replaced the 12V-71 in highway applications.

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Ben------Do you have access to info that might verify how many MH 90s or MH 9500s might have been badged Chevy . I have one !

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

I've always been interested in the cabs on these trucks. Really weird looking design, looks like a cross between a 67-72 and 73-87 C-series. Anyone got any information or history on the cabs used on these trucks?

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Special-k, since you posted the video I will ask you, but anyone else feel free to answer if you know. In the shifting video, the interior view one, I see the Range and splitter air lines and switches ( well cant see the range switch but can see the line) but what are the other two lines and switches? I would assume if it was single it would be either an axle range ( 2 speed) or a Diff lock though I am not sure you want to run 2 speeds on a twin screw, though I guess i could still see diff locks working. Anyway any idea what they are?

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Were all of the dash panels covered in cheesy wood grain shelf paper? or was that optional ?

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Those cabs came out on the '66 models, They were GMC designed and built, and they were also used on GM medium duty 4500/5500/6500 'E' series trucks in addition to the larger GMC's. There were a few different versions of that cab, the main differences being the long-nose C/M versions having a flat firewall and the short nose versions having dog houses of varying sizes. The medium duty 'E' series trucks were replaced in the GMC lineup in 1970 by the Chevy mediums with their C/K style cab. In 1978 GMC introduced the Brigadier (Chevy Bruin) which used a redesigned version of this cab. The major changes were a larger windshield (still available in 1 or 2 piece design), a new steering column, and new fiberglass hoods. In 1987, GMC heavy truck operations were merged with Volvo's, and General Motors continued to build the Brigadier at Pontiac for WhiteGMC through the 1988 model year, possibly into 1989. That was the last use of that cab. Those cabs were pretty strong, all welded steel, but they did tend to rust like all steel cabs did back in the day. They were also one of the first to feature built in air conditioning as an option.

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

Neat info. I seen a brochure from '66 which showed these trucks somewhere. They just always looked like a very modern design for a cab that went into production for the '66 model year. And I always wondered if they had some kind of roots in the pickup division, being a early design/prototype or something.

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

I know I have posted this picture other places, but I would Love to see this thread grown and be a single point for this style of truck, currently they are mixed In with the semi sticky and another thread on the C series trucks. Anyone with nice H/J pictures.. please post them up!
[IMG]https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8870/...9055986a_c.jpgJV705 by Greywuuf, on Flickr[/IMG]

Re: 1966-81 Chevy H/J Series
 

WUF------As a little bit of history, we not only had tandem 2 speeds, but with Eaton axles , we had tandem 3 speeds. The 3 speed concept was an effort to compete with Roadranger transmissions, and was achieved by running 1 axle in low range, the other in high range and the ratio was equalized through the interaxle diff[ or power divider]. This concept came out in the early '60s, and worked OK except for occasional broken levers in the torsion spring assembly in the shift motor area. You had to be in low axle range in order to utilize the power divider to lock the axles together in slippery conditions. Keep in mind, on slippery conditions , unless the interaxle lock is activated, one out of 4 wheels can spin and the truck won't move. When you engage the differential lock , at least you have 1 wheel on each axle will spin . Nowdays many users will buy full locking diffs, where all 4 wheels are locked and will spin . The fleet I was in in the '60s had about 50 Fords and 50 Whites with tandem 3 speed axles. In '72, I worked for a Cleveland area grocery chain that had about 60 JI 9500 GMCs with the 6-71 and tandem 3 speed axles . I still remember a hotshot mechanic grabbing gears in the parking lot. It was a fast setup !