GMC TopKick C4500–C8500

GM's third-generation (GMT560, 2003-2009) medium-duty line was the Chevrolet Kodiak's twin, spanning Class 4 through Class 8 from the C4500 up to the tandem-axle C8500 and notably ditching the pickup-based cab for one derived from the Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana full-size van to chase the International DuraStar and Freightliner Business Class M2. A civilian C4500 crew-cab pickup conversion built with Monroe Truck Equipment debuted at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show around $70,000 and became pop-culture famous as Ironhide in the Transformers films. After buyout deals with Navistar (collapsed mid-2008) and later Isuzu fell through, GM killed the line and the final GMT560 truck rolled out of Flint Truck Assembly on July 31, 2009.