Rear axle gearing: positraction available on all ratios (2.29, 2.41, 2.56, 2.73, 3.08), 7.5' ring gear pitch diameter Rear axle differential to ground: 6.3 in. Rear axle: Salisbury-type, hypoid gearing Ramp breakover angle: 13 degrees, 45 min. Parking brake: pedal-operated, cable to rear wheels, 63.73 sq. Minimum running ground clearance: 5.8 in. Lowest ground clearance: rear shock absorber bracket Height rocker panel rear to ground: 9.9 in. Height rocker panel front to ground: 8.9 in. General suspension provisions, anti-squat control: rear suspension geometry General suspension provisions, anti-dive control: front suspension geometry General suspension provisions, leveling: front stabilizer bar Front wheel bearings: taper roller, two per spindle, inner 1.25in, outer. Front suspension: independant coil springs and 1' shock absorbers

Front shock absorbers: direct, double-acting hydraulic Frame: Carbon steel, perimeter type, sigma-section rails, welded front and rear crossmembers with bolt-in tubular transmission support

Driveline type: tubular exposed, single, 2 Cardan universal joints with pre-packed anti-friction bearings Control arms: reinforced stamped steel with pre-loaded steel-encased rubber bushings at pivot Brake booster: Delco two-diaphragm, 7.9in. Brake master cylinder: dual resevoir (front/rear split) Brakes: Hydraulic, self-adjusting, power assisted, 10.5in. Body mounting: 7 each side of frame, 10 double cushion and 4 single cushion Axle shaft: integral shaft and drive flange Obviously there may be some holes in this information but we are always updating this site and endeavoring to make our lists more complete. In the articles that follow, please note that any RPO (Regular Production Option) codes we list are confirmed to be appropriate by either GM paperwork or by individual build sheets. From 1978 to 1982, the model designation for the El Camino was AW80, and from 1982 to 1987 the model designation was GW80. It wasn't until 1982 that the 'G' body designation took effect officially. The El Camino was produced in plants located in: Baltimore, MD Doraville, GA Leeds, MO Arlington, TX Fremont, CA Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, and Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.įrom 1978 through 1981, The El Camino was technically still called an 'A' body by GM. The GMC version of the El Camino was virtually identical, except for a few small cosmetic and naming differences to rebadge the product as a GMC. GM chose not to continue the El Camino platform for several reasons: a suitable rear-drive platform was not available at the time with GM's switch to mainly front-drive platforms, and GM claimed waning interest in the El Camino although sales charts do not back this up as sales were steady until GM announced the discontinuation of the platform. Some model year 1987's (420 El Caminos and 325 GMC Caballeros) are listed as new car retail deliveries in calendar year 1988 based on their date of first retail sale. In 1985 GM shifted El Camino production to Mexico.Įl Camino production ended in late 1987.

The Malibu sedan and station wagon ceased production after the 1983 model year, as well as their cousins in the other GM lines Buick, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile. The frame of the El Camino is not the same one used in the station wagon. Rear air shocks were standard equipment so that the car-like ride would be preserved until hauling capability was needed, when the shocks could be aired up. The floorboard design is mostly shared with the wagon, up to the end of the cargo location. For the first time, though, the El Camino had a unique chassis shared with no other Chevrolet. The station wagon tailgate is roughly the same but has differences like an exterior latch, and no upper indented character line. The rear bumper was shared with the Malibu station wagon, although the tailgate was not, contrary to popular reporting. The front end sheet metal and doors (two door Malibus) were shared with the Malibu, although the window glass was different. The fifth generation El Camino started production in 1978, adopting the new Malibu styling, suspension parts, and a one-inch longer wheelbase of 117 in.

1985 el camino ss interior