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GMC Jimmy

The GMC Jimmy was an SUV marketed by General Motors that spanned four generations and two distinct vehicles:

  • The K5 Jimmy – a mid-size SUV built from 1970 to 1999 and based on the Chevrolet K5 Blazer. It was renamed to Yukon in 1991
  • The S-15 Jimmy – a compact SUV built from 1983 to 2001 based on the S-10 Blazer

First Generation

The first-generation GMC Jimmy, also known as the K5 Jimmy, was introduced for the 1970 model year as a direct competitor to the International Harvester Scout and Ford Bronco. Based on the Chevrolet K10 pickup truck, the first-gen off-road-focused SUV featured a shortened wheelbase and was available with either RWD or 4WD for its inaugural model year.

Notably, the 4WD model was equipped with a solid front axle and front / rear leaf springs, while the RWD model featured an independent front suspension and rear trailing arms, both of which were equipped with coil springs.


There were four powerplant choices on offer, including:

Model Year Engine Horsepower Torque (pound-feet) Fuel Type Aspiration Notes
1970 – 1972 4.1L I6 155 235 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -
1970 – 1972 5.0L V8 L14 200 300 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -
1970 – 1972 5.7L V8 LM1 255 355 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -
1970 – 1971 4.8L I6 170 275 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -

Transmission options included a three-speed automatic, three-speed manual and four-speed manual transmission.

The first-gen GMC Jimmy was available until the 1972 model year.

Second Generation

The second-generation GMC Jimmy was introduced for the 1973 model year, and was known internally at General Motors as the “Rounded Line” generation. When compared to the prior generation, the all-new K5 Jimmy grew in length by seven inches on a wheelbase that was 2.5-inches longer than the first-gen K5 Jimmy. Although RWD models were available until 1982, a majority of second-gen K5 Jimmys were equipped with 4WD.


For the 1981 model year, the second-gen K5 Jimmy was given a revision to better mirror the changes introduced to the 1981 C/K pickup trucks. Tweaks included a revised front fascia. For the 1989 model year, the front fascia was once again updated to reflect the pickup’s revisions.

An interesting piece to note is that the C/K designation was temporality dropped in for a new R/V designation from 1987 to 1991.


There were quite a few powerplant choices available, including:

Model Year Engine Horsepower Torque (pound-feet) Fuel Type Aspiration Notes
1973 – 1978 4.1L I6 LD4 105 185 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -
1973 – 1974 4.8L I6 120 215 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -
1973 5.0L V8 130 220 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated Federal Emissions
1973 – 1986 5.7L V8 LS9 160 275 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -
1975 – 1980 6.6L V8 185 300 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -
1979 – 1984 4.1L I6 LE3 130 185 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -
1981 – 1986 5.0L V8 LG4 160 235 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated Federal Emissions
1981 – 1986 5.7L V8 LT9 160 260 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -
1982 – 1991 6.2L V8 Detroit Diesel 135 240 Diesel Naturally Aspirated -
1987 5.0L V8 LG4 170 260 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated Throttle-Body Injection
1987 – 1991 5.7L V8 L05 210 300 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated Throttle-Body Injection

Transmission options included a two three-speed automatics, two four-speed automatics and a four-speed manual transmission.

The second-gen GMC Jimmy was available until the 1991 model year, when it was rebranded to become the GMC Yukon.

Third Generation

The third-gen GMC Jimmy was introduced in 1982 and launched for the 1983 model year as a compact SUV.

The third-gen Jimmy rode on the GMT330 platform, which it shared with the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer and Oldsmobile Bravada. Production took place at assembly plants internationally, including the GM Shreveport plant in Louisiana, the Pontiac West Assembly in Michigan, the GM Moraine plant in Ohio and the GM Valencia plant in Venezuela.

It was initially offered only as two-door, though a four-door version debuted for the 1991 model year. This generation is perhaps known the most for the GMC Typhoon, which was one of the world’s first high-performance SUVs.


The third-gen Jimmy never received a mid-cycle refresh, though it did get a few few updates every year from its production. The powerplant lineup consisted of atmospheric four and six cylinder engines, though a turbocharged V6 was offered.

Model Year Engine Horsepower Torque (pound-feet) Fuel Type Aspiration Notes
1983 – 1985 2.0L I4 LG2 83 108 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated
1983 – 1986 2.8L V6 LR2 115 150 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated
1983 – 1985 1.9L I4 LR1 82 101 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated California Only
1983 – 1985 2.2L I4 LQ7 58 93 Diesel Naturally Aspirated California Only
1986 – 1987 2.5L I4 LN8 92 134 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated Iron Duke
1986 – 1990 2.8L V6 LL2 125 150 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated
1988 – 1991 4.3L V6 LB4 160 235 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated
1992- 1993 4.3L V6 LB4 280 360 Gasoline Turbocharged GMC Typhoon
1992 – 1994 4.3L V6 L35 200 260 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated

Transmission options included a range of four-speed automatics and five-speed manuals.

Production of the third-gen GMC Jimmy spanned the 1983 to 1994 model years.

Fourth Generation

The fourth-generation GMC Jimmy was introduced in 1994, and launched for the 1995 model year as a midsize body-on-frame SUV. Both two-door and four-door variants were available.

The fourth-gen Jimmy rode on a revised version of the GMT330 platform, which it shared with the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer and Oldsmobile Bravada. Production took place at assembly plants internationally, including the GM Linden plant in New Jersey, the GM Moraine plant in Ohio, the GM São José dos Campos plant in Brazil, the GM Valencia plant in Venezuela, the GM Shenyang plant in China, the GM Bekasi plant in Indonesia, and the GM Elabuga plant in Russia.


General Motors never gave the fourth-gen Jimmy a mid-cycle refresh but did introduce a few updates every year, one of the most notable of which was the 1998 GMC Envoy. Interestingly, this upscale trim level eventually replaced the Jimmy following the 2001 model year.

There was only one powerplant on offer – a naturally-aspirated 4.3L V6 (Vortec 4300) rated at 190 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque.

Model Year Engine Horsepower Torque (pound-feet) Fuel Type Aspiration
1995 – 2001 4.3L V6 L35 (Vortec 4300) 190 250 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated

Transmission options included the GM four-speed automatic and a five-speed manual.


Production spanned from model years 1995 to 2001, while the 2001 Jimmy had a trim lineup that consisted of SL, SLE, SLS, and SLT.

Fifth Generation (Cancelled)

GMC Jimmy rendering.

A fifth-generation GMC Jimmy was planned and partially developed, but never made it to market.

Originally planned to launch in 2022 for the 2023 model year, the fifth-gen Jimmy was to share the GMT-32XX architecture with the third-gen GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado. The model was to be of midsize proportions (around 192 inches long) and was to take on the Toyota 4Runner, Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. As per exclusive GM Authority reporting, bold and muscular styling was planned for the exterior, while the cabin would have two rows of seating for five occupants.

Under the hood, the fifth-gen Jimmy was to feature a turbo four cylinder engine (2.7L I4 L3B) as the standard engine, or an optional GM Small Block V8, per another GM Authority exclusive. Even better, the Jimmy was to be exclusive to GMC, with no Chevy variant planned.

Due to GM’s push into electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous vehicles (AVs), both of which are very costly endeavors, the next-gen Jimmy project was cancelled, while the 32XX platform was scrapped. The Jimmy’s pickup truck variant, the third-generation GMC Canyon, ended up riding on a revised version of the GMT 31XX platform that underpinned the second-gen Canyon, known as GMT 31XX-2.

In June 2023, GM Authority rendered the fifth-gen Jimmy, despite GM not having plans to bring it to market.

More GMC Jimmy Resources

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