The Chevrolet Silverado from Chevrolet and its GMC counterpart, the GMC Sierra, are the latest line of full-size pickup trucks from General Motors.

As of 2006, the Silverado pickup is the second-best selling vehicle in the United States, behind the Ford F-150 pickup truck.

History

Although General Motors introduced its first pickup truck in 1930, the term "Silverado" was a designation only used to detail the higher-level trim for the Chevrolet C/K pickup trucks from 1975 through 1999. Similarly, GMC's C/K used the "Sierra" as the higher-level trim designation on its vehicles up until 1988. In 1988, GMC decided to use the "Sierra" name on all GMC pickup trucks, though the "C/K" nomenclature was continued through 1999. "C" trucks had rear-wheel drive while "K" models had four-wheel drive. Both Chevrolet and GMC dropped the "C" and "K" designations in 1999.

The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks have been essentially the same for their entire history. The Sierra today is generally advertised as the "tougher" version, and there are some trim and option variations as well. Early models included variations in the engine and equipment, but the present differences are slight. The 1999 redesign included different grilles and interior trim, and certain features (e.g. Quadrasteer) were included at different times on the two trucks.

GMT800

The GMT800 Silverado/Sierra 1500 (light pickup trucks) were released in 1998 as 1999 models. The "classic" light-duty GMT400 C/K trucks were continued in production for that first year alongside the new models, and the Heavy-Duty GMT400 pickups were continued through 2000, with the new GMT800 Silverado/Sierra HD (Heavy Duty) introduced in 2001.

Light duty

There are a number of models of light-duty Silverados and Sierras, including the half-ton, SS, and Hybrid.

The light-duty trucks generally use the 1500 name, can tow up to 10,400 lb (4,717 kg) and can carry 2,052 lb (931 kg) in their beds. They are available in three cab lengths, 2-door short cab, 3 or 4-door extended cab, and front-hinged 4-door crew cab. Three cargo beds are available, including a 69.2 in (1,758 mm) short box, 78.7 in (1,999 mm) standard box, and a 97.6 in (2,479 mm) long box. The short box is only available with the extended or crew cab, and is the only option on the latter.

For the first year, only the regular cab and 3-door extended cab were available, along with the Vortec 4300 V6 (regular cab only), Vortec 4800 V8, and the Vortec 5300 V8. A 4-door extended cab was added for 2000, and output on the 5.3 L engine increased to 285 hp (213 kW) and 325 ft·lbf (441 N·m).

The 6.0 L Vortec 6000 V8 was added for the 2001 Heavy Duty models, rated at 300 hp (224 kW), with the GMC Sierra 1500 C3 getting an uprated 325 hp (242 kW) version of this engine. The Silverado Z71 got an optional lighter composite box but lacked the high-output engine. The C3 became the Denali for 2002, and Quadrasteer was added.

GM launched a reworked version of the Silverado/Sierra in 2003, with a new front end, and a slightly updated rear end.

Models

GMC Sierra C3/Denali

GMC created an upscale version of its Sierra 1500 in 2001 called the Sierra C3. It used all-wheel drive and included the 6.0 L Vortec 6000 V8 rated at 325 hp (242 kW) and other upscale equipment. For 2002, the name was changed to Sierra Denali, but the specification remained the same. The Denali received the 345 hp (257 kW) GM Vortec engine#HO 6000 engine, previously used in the Silverado SS, in 2005.

The Denali is rated for towing 8,100 lb (3,674 kg) and hauling 1,575 lb (714 kg) in the cargo box.

Chevrolet Silverado SS

Launched in 2003, the Silverado SS is a high-performance two-wheel drive truck. It uses the 6.0 L Vortec High-Output V8 rated at 345 hp (257 kW) at 5200 rpm and 380 ftˑlbf (515 Nˑm) of torque at 4000 rpm. This engine was used previously for the Cadillac Escalade only. Chevrolet and GMC advertise this engine as the "VortecMAX", while Cadillac calls it the "HO 6000". The Silverado SS also comes with the Z60 performance suspension and 20 in (508 mm) chrome wheels.

Hybrid

GM launched a hybrid version of the Silverado/Sierra in 2005. It is a mild hybrid design, with the electric motor serving only power accessories and the system also automatically shuts down when the truck brakes below 13 mph, and uses electric power to restart it. It uses three extra 14 V batteries mounted under the rear seats to store power. The truck uses an 5.3 L Vortec 5300 V8 for primary power.

The truck features four 120 volt 20 amp AC outlets mounted in the bed. These are particularly interesting to the building/construction contractor market, since they often require AC power when on the job. Additionally, the extra reserves of power for the accessories make this truck well-suited to that market, where trucks often sit at idle for hours at a time.

Availability was extremely limited at first, with commercial buyers getting the first allotment. Later in 2005, the truck was offered at retail in Alaska, California, Florida, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Finally, for 2006, the truck was generally available to retail buyers in all US states.

Vortec Max

The Vortec Max package, made available in 2006 on extended and crew cab Silverados and Sierras, adds the 6.0 V8 found in the HD models, as well as a heavy duty transmission and suspension. It boosts towing capacity to over 10,000 lbs.

Heavy Duty

The HD variant is a heavy-duty light truck. It is a strengthened version of the Silverado/Sierra light-duty, and is available in the 1500HD, 2500HD, and 3500 models. The 1500HD, introduced in 2001, offers a Vortec 6000 V8 with 295 hp (220 kW) at 5200 rpm and 335 ft·lbf (454 N·m) of torque at 4000 rpm with a Hydra-Matic four-speed transmission. The 2500HD also offers an available Duramax V8 with 310 hp (231 kW) at 3000 rpm and 605 ftˑlbf (820 Nˑm) of torque at 1600 rpm. Also available is the Vortec 8100 V8 with 325 hp (242 kW) at 4200 rpm and 447 ftˑlbf (606 Nˑm) of torque at 3200 rpm.

The 2500HD has an available five-speed Allison 1000 transmission. The Silverado 3500 offers the same engine/transmission features that the 2500HD does, however it is usually equipped with "dualie" twin wheels at the rear and has a much stronger chassis. The HD models are primarily used for towing and high-weight cargo.

Towing capacity for the 1500HD is rated at 10,300 lb (4,672 kg), and can haul 3,129 lb (1,419 kg) in the bed. The 2500HD ups these ratings to 16,100 lb (7,303 kg) and 4,058 lb (1,841 kg), while the 3500 can tow 16,700 lb (7,575 kg) and haul 5,511 lb (2,500 kg).

GMT900

The redesigned GMT900 generation of the Silverado/Sierra is coming in the second half of the 2007 model year. It will feature a redesigned exterior, interior, frame, and suspension as well as a power boost on certain engines. It is expected to take styling cues from the 2007 Tahoe and Yukon. The GMT800 models will continue in 2007 badged as "Classic", just as the GMT400 models continued for a year alongside these trucks.

Awards

The Silverado was Car and Driver magazine's Best Pickup Truck for 2001 through 2003. The Silverado was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 1999 and the Heavy Duty version won that award for 2001.

See also

• Chevrolet Avalanche - SUT; A mix between the Suburban and Silverado
• Chevrolet C/K - Chevrolet's previous full-sized pickup
• Chevrolet S10/Chevrolet Colorado - Chevrolet's compact pickup

External links

• GMFullSize.com
• GM-Trucks.com
• SilveradoSS.com
• Chevy Silverado pics (CarDomain)
• AutoGuideWiki.com: 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Regular Cab Work Truck