The 1973-1990 Gariner Sentinel was the 3rd generation of Gariner’s full size pickup truck lineup. The 3rd generation Sentinel was the longest running lineup of full size pickups for Gariner with a production time of 17 years, the second being the 4th generation with 14 years. The 3rd generation Sentinel was also the first pickup truck from Gariner that featured a diesel engine as an option. Along with the diesel engine, it was also the first to have front disc brakes and overdrive equipped transmissions.
Available engine options:
4.4L / 267CI Inline 6
5.1L / 311CI V8
5.8L / 357CI V8
6.9L / 424CI V8
7.3L / 445CI V8
7.0L / 427CI V8 Diesel
7.0L / 427CI V8 Turbo Diesel
Available transmission options:
4 speed manual
5 speed manual W/ overdrive
3 speed automatic
4 speed automatic W/ overdrive
Available trims & packages:
CL
CKL
CKT
CXT
MXT
High Saddle
Custom Deluxe
Silverside
The 3rd generation Gariner Sentinel had a more structured and standardized powertrain selection, as opposed to the 352CI and 402CI V8’s from the previous 2 generations. It was also the start of Gariner’s Magnum V8 brand after someone in the office said “What if we built a 357 cubic inch V8 and called it the 357 magnum”, referring to the .357 magnum caliber used in some revolvers.
The 357 Magnum V8 wasn’t the only cowboy themed option for the Sentinel, there was an offroad package called the High Saddle which came equipped with a factory lift kit and factory offroad tires. The High Saddle package was available in every trim level with the only exception being the lesser known below base model.
The engine availability for the 1500 was the 267CI Inline 6, 311CI V8 and 357CI V8, while the engine availability for the heavy duty trucks was the 357CI V8, 424CI V8, 445CI V8, 427CI naturally aspirated and turbocharged diesel V8. The 445CI V8 was reused from the Gariner Devil’s 445 Commanding Officer V8 which was detuned for the Gariner Sentinel and the 427CI diesel V8 was an on-road modified tractor engine from Gariner’s agricultural division, AgroGariner.
Vehicle progression:
1973: vehicle is introduced
1977: exterior facelift, front disc brakes and overdrive transmissions are introduced
1980: exterior facelift, interior facelift and 427CI diesel engine is introduced
1982: all carbureted gas powered engines are switched over to throttle body electronic fuel injection and front drum brakes are phased out
1988: exterior facelift and 427CI turbo diesel option is introduced
1990: naturally aspirated diesel V8 is phased out
1990.5: production ends
Thanks for reading my pickup truck lore dump, let me know what I should add 