Is a GMC truck just a dressed up Chevy truck?

Actually no, GMC also used the long control arm/coil spring rear suspension on 1/2 tons in that era. Worked on lots of them, and buddy of mine has owned at least 7 or 8, still has a 71 GMC 1/2 ton with that setup. Does make for a much better ride than parallel leaf springs and can still haul a decent amount of weight.
And it is an excellent traction device, works kinda like a long ladder bar. Nascar stockers still use a variant today.