Chevy added to the confusing mix of letters and numbers of its models by separating the existing “Rounded line” pickups at the end of the third generation and renaming them the R/V series. The seller refers to this truck as a K20, but then lists it as a two-wheel drive, so it’s not easy to decipher the alphabet soup that Chevy used for model designations, even for sellers. This 1989 Chevrolet R2500 3+3 Cheyenne Crew Cab can be found here on craigslist in Edgewood, Washington, and they’re asking $13,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
What a great-looking truck! I love these big crew cab trucks, even in 2WD configuration. For the transition truck years in the third-generation C/K pickups (1973-1991), Chevy came up with the R/V nomenclature to differentiate the old guard from the new designs, so between 1987 and 1991 they were R for 2WD and V for 4WD trucks. It’s a weird and confusing way to do that, in my opinion, but questioning a multi-billion-dollar global corporation while sitting behind a $2,000 laptop is pretty funny – and dumb. I’m sure they had a good reason for it.
Something smacked into the right rear of that bumper, or maybe someone was trying to back this non-backup-camera-equipped, gigantic, 20.5-foot-long four-door Fleetside truck. I assumed this truck had been debadged and repainted, but the seller says the Flame Red paint is 100% original. We have to believe that, having nothing else to go on, and it sure looks great other than the flaking paint on the right corner, as seen in the photo above. Pages 6 and 7 of this 1989 Chevrolet pickup brochure show the R/V series.
The interior also looks great, with just a few dash cracks, and not having a 4-speed manual with a floor shifter, which would have put this one over the top. A 4-speed manual was the base transmission, but this one has a three-speed automatic. The 3+3 name means, of course, three passengers in front and three in the rear seating compartment. I see the badge for that on the B-pillar, along with Cheyenne badges there as well. The seller even included an underside photo, so kudos to them for having such a nice range of images; very rare for a craigslist ad.
The engine should be Chevrolet’s 350-cu.in. OHV V8, which would have been rated at 210 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque when new. Power is passed through the THM automatic to the rear wheels, and the seller says it has a new fuel pump, new tires, and is 100% original. If that beautiful body (that sounded creepy) is all original, including the paint, that’s amazing after 37 years. Any thoughts on this ’89 Chevy truck?
Cool find for sure!!! I’m with Scotty, a 4 speed would’ve been icing on the cake for this one. I will always think of the “Square Bodies” as the C or K series. I never quite got the hang of the newer model designations either Scotty. If this is the original paint, which it could be judging by the small damage in the back, it may be original paint and primer and if it is, this is truly a survivor in my book. 350 will run forever, and if its a 3 speed auto then its a THM400, also a great transmission in these trucks. This is a good one Scotty. Very nice.
Nailed it, Driveinstile. Other than that whiskey bump on the back this is pretty darn clean for what is said to be a survivor. Worth the money to someone that likes these, and a lot of us really do like them.
“ but questioning a multi-billion-dollar global corporation while sitting behind a $2,000 laptop is pretty funny – and dumb. I’m sure they had a good reason for it.”
Ahahahahahahahahahaha They went Bankrupt!! Because of nonsense like this!
Heckle all you want. When you go to the parts counter and ask for pieces for your ’89 C/K, it’s a different truck.
Hey BF, 13K is to cheap for a truck that’s doing a time warp! Here in the Rust East, that 20K+ truck will still be around after the newer trucks have become Coke a Cola cans. Maybe I’ll get those new bed quarters for my 88 crew cab. Thanks great to see!
Thanks, guys! I couldn’t find a Hagerty value for a 2WD model, but the “V” 4WD trucks were listed at a bit more than this, although not in a crew cab configuration, but in an extended cab. So… yeah, sorry, that made no sense at all. It looks like a lot of truck for that asking price if it checks out, rust-wise.
There never was an extended cab in this body style, 1988 was the first year for them and they were on the new GMT400 platform from the start.
nlpnt, that’s what I thought, but this is what I was going by. Hagerty lists a K2500 3/4-ton “extended cab” long-bed value. Although, K doesn’t = V, so thanks for pointing that out! I was wrong on that.
https://www.hagerty.com/valuation-tools/chevrolet/k2500/1989/1989-chevrolet-k2500-3!4_ton
I did an extended cab version a year or two ago, just to see what it may have looked like.
For some reason, the body styles seem to carry over in the heavy duty and odd configuration trucks for at least a couple years after a major change such as this one with the square bodies. I would assume that that change in nomenclature would be a big help to aftermarket upfitters to bring attention to these carry overs when ordering accessories.
I did a whiplash look. Wow what a beauty!!!
These were great trucks and served buyers well for almost two decades on the market. Using R and V in the nomenclature was clever of the Truck Group. After all, the HDs, Blazer/Jimmy and Suburban were indeed aimed at the RV market. I believe that this one has been painted as it leaves only the painted grille and black floor covering to indicate that it’s a Custom Deluxe. If it has a 4.10 gear you’re ready for most anything.
It’s interesting how something can gain popularity as time goes on. In the 60s you would find these as crew trucks but by the 70s these were really coming into their own. Dad bought an International 1200D in ’69 and it wasn’t long before other players began to enter the game.
We sold a pile of these to rodeo crews and they used them to pull those (upwards of 30 ft) horse trailer/tack room/living quarters from event to event. Of course they were mostly powered by 454 engines. Some tried diesels but the earlier versions from GM didn’t quite measure up.
GM did the same thing on the car side a few years before when the new-for-82 FWD midsize cars took over the “A-body” designation and the carryover RWD models were redesignated G-body.