A Look at the GMC Monster Truck You Never Knew You Needed
Even though the GMC TopKick has been out of production for over 10 years, it's still wildly popular. Find out why this GMC truck continues to turn heads.
have lots of advantages; they are practical, durable, and some of the best are American-made. Generally, trucks are more reliable than other vehicle types, meaning they last a lot longer and retain their value better, too.
But for some drivers, none of this matters. For them, the main attraction to owning a truck is the “King of the Road” feeling you get from sitting in the driver’s seat.
There’s no denying that massive trucks are fun, and each new generation of pickup seems to be bigger than the one that came before it. However, if you are looking for the biggest and baddest one out there, don’t bother with new models. You need a GMC TopKick.
What is a GMC TopKick?
MORE: How did a ‘90s GMC Syclone Pickup Truck Beat a Modern Ferrari?
, you’re not allowed to drive a monster truck on the road, but a GMC TopKick is the next best thing.
First developed in 1980 as a basis for dump trucks, school buses, utility vehicles, ambulances, and other work-oriented trucks, the TopKick stayed in production until 2009. And while the TopKick was versatile and strong enough to be anything you wanted it to be, a large number were converted into “conventional” pickups by simply adding a bed to the back.
It is these TopKick trucks that are still in demand today. Their hulking frames are larger than any other pickup on the market, and there’s plenty else to admire too.
While unrivaled size is the main attraction, these converted pickups are more than just eye candy.
Post-2005, most TopKicks had a 325-hp 8.1-liter V8 engine. The base model (C4500) boasted a payload capacity of 5000 lb and a towing capacity of 14,300 lb. That’s more than most new trucks!
Many TopKicks came equipped with four-wheel drive, and despite the size, the handling was surprisingly good. The top speed was 75 mph, which considering the weight of the truck (11,300 lb) is pretty good too.
How much does a used GMC TopKick cost?
MORE: How to Get Cheap Truck Insurance for Your Pickup Truck
The answer to this is unsatisfyingly vague.
Because GMC TopKicks were modified in so many different ways, and because the newest models are already 13 years old, the price range varies a lot. MotorBiscuit cites examples of TopKicks selling for as little as $2,000, and as much as $60,000.
The average price for a relatively new model with less than 100,000 miles is closer to the top of that range. So good ones don’t come cheap. But if you want to be the proud owner of a comically oversized—and yet street legal truck, the GMC TopKick should be high on your list.
How much does a GMC TopKick cost to insure?
It’s not easy to project how much a GMC monster truck might cost to insure. But you can get a pretty good idea—and a good deal—if you use the
app. A licensed broker, Jerry will source quotes from over 50 top insurance companies such as State Farm, Progressive, Allstate, and more! The average user saves almost $900 per year.
4.7
