Famous Trucks: Officer Baker's '77 GMC K1500 from CHiPs

CHiPs debuted in 1977, running for six seasons through 1983. The show followed California Highway Patrol officers Jon Baker (Larry Wilcox) and Frank “Ponch” Poncherello (Erik Estrada) as they patrolled Los Angeles freeways on their white and black, police-issued motorcycles. 

CHiPs is a blast from the past, depicting the charm of late 70s and early 80s LA. The show is known for its high-speed chases, dramatic stunts, and buddy-cop humor. If you have an affinity for vintage Americana and over-the-top Hollywood action, CHiPs is definitely worth watching. 

The Truck: Officer Baker’s 1977 GMC K1500

While the majority of the show focused on on-duty escapades, CHiPs occasionally gave viewers an insight into the personal lives of its leading heroes—Officers Baker and Ponch. In season two, Baker retired his personal sedan for a striking blue GMC K1500 stepside. The truck served as more than a set piece—it was a reflection of Baker’s all-American personality. After all, General Motors is known as “the Heartbeat of America.” 

2017 Reboot: CHiPs

In classic Hollywood fashion, 2017 saw the release of a CHiPs reboot, decades after the initial show’s cancellation. The film, starring Dax Shepard as Jon Baker and Michael Peña as Ponch, was more of a spoof of buddy cop flicks, earning an R rating due to its adult humor. 

While the intention was there, the film largely failed due to its straying from the original series’s more family-friendly and approachable tone. Still, the reboot served as a reminder of the ongoing legacy of CHiPs. 

Build Your Own CHiPs-Inspired Truck

If Officer Baker’s truck made as much of an impression on you as it did on us, consider building a tribute truck to honor the CHiPs legacy. In this section, learn the parts and accessories required to create a screen-accurate replica of Jon’s GMC K1500. 

Platform

To begin, we’ll need a platform to build upon. The screen-used truck is a 1977 model GMC K1500 (4x4) step side featuring a short bed. While rare to find a ‘77 in this configuration, this body style persisted for several years across both Chevy and GMC’s lineups—from 1973 to 1987. Given the rarity of these pickups, any short-bed, step-side, four-wheel-drive truck from this generation would be worth acquiring for this project. More minor details, such as year-accurate headlights and trim, can be sourced aftermarket or secondhand. 

Body

The body of the screen-used truck is relatively stock, wearing factory body panels and chrome bumpers. While it’s unclear whether the truck wears a factory base coat, our best guess is that it does—either Bright Blue Poly (2893) or Medium Blue (2188). What definitely isn’t factory paint is the angular blue graphics on the sides of the body, which, when paired with the body-color-matched wheels and roll bar, make the truck a definite stand-out. 

Wheels and Tires

Officer Baker’s truck appears to be equipped with aftermarket steel wheels, featuring chrome lips and color-matched faces. While we don’t carry an identical wheel design, aftermarket aluminum options, like the Raceline Rockcrusher or American Racing AR62 Outlaw II, feature similar styling and modern construction. Color-match the faces blue and wrap them in rugged off-road tires, like the Toyo Open Country M/T, for a setup that looks and rides great, on and off the road. 

Suspension

While the screen-used truck appears to sit on factory-height suspension, that doesn’t mean a few upgrades aren’t in order. The ride quality of a ’70s American pickup truck won’t ever be remarkable, but you can reign it in with upgraded dampers from RealTruck. High-end shocks, such as the Superlift Shadow Series, deliver solid on- and off-road performance. 

Roll Bar

One of the most iconic features of Officer Baker’s truck is its color-matched roll bar, painted the same blue hue as the wheels and body. To recreate this look, we recommend a similarly styled roll bar from Go Rhino. Pair this bar with Rugged Ridge rectangular off-road lights for a period-correct look and enhanced visibility. 

Bull Bar and Auxiliary Lights

Lastly, Officer Baker’s truck features a color-matched bull bar to finish off the monochromatic blue look, similar to the Westin E-Series. Depending on the sequence, the truck may or may not feature KC off-road lights, such as the KC HiLiTES Daylighters. 

Build Your CHiPs-Inspired Truck with RealTruck Parts

With these parts ordered, you’ll be well on your way to cruising around town as TV’s Jon Baker. As always, we carry all the parts and accessories you’ll need to complete this build and countless others. Stay tuned for next month’s Famous Rides feature as we dive into another iconic car, truck, or Jeep®.