Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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.

See WikiCars' comprehensive Chevrolet Silverado Review.

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Current Model Year (2006)

Recent Changes

• In 2006 Chevrolet made the Silverado Hybrid model available nationwide.
• A high performance model was releaseed under the famed SS (Super Sport) badge.
• For 2006 the Silverado receives a mild styling update in the form of a new front-end design with domed hood.
• A Performance Package offering enhanced towing capability for 2500 4WD models features a VortecMAX 6000 V-8.
• An Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission is available with a Duramax Diesel engine on the Heavy Duty (HD) model.

Styles and Major Options

Chevrolet offers many configurations of the Silverado ranging from light duty pickups to commercial grade work trucks.

1500 (Half-Ton)

• 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.

1500 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

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The engine compartment of a 2006 GMC Sierra Hybrid

• GM launched a hybrid version of the Silverado/Sierra in 2005, becoming the first ever GM hybrid vehicle. 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 in-bed AC outlets in a 2006 GMC Sierra Hybrid

• 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.

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).

Pricing

MSRPs for the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500:

Dealer Invoice for the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500::

Today's actual prices by city can be found at CarsDirect.

Gas Mileage

EPA estimates Chevrolet_Silverado.shtml

Engine	EPA Estimated MPG city/hwy.
1500 models with Vortec 4300 V6
2WD 4-speed automatic	16/21
2WD 5-speed manual	16/22
4x4 4-speed automatic	15/18
4x4 5-speed manual	15/20
1500 models with Vortec 4800 V8
2WD 4-speed automatic	16/21
2WD 5-speed manual	16/21
4x4 4-speed automatic	15/19
4x4 5-speed manual	15/19
1500 models with Vortec 5300 V8
2WD 4-speed automatic	16/21
4x4 4-speed automatic	15/19
1500 Vortec Max 6000 V8
2WD 4-speed automatic	14/19
4x4 4-speed automatic	14/17

Safety

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NHTSA Frontal Crash Test

• ABS Standard on all Silverado models.
• DIC (Driver Information Center) Standard on all Silverado models.
• Traction Assist Available for select 1500 2WD and 1500 HD 2WD models.
• Dual-Stage Frontal Air Bags Standard on all Silverado models.
• Passenger Sensing System Standard on all Silverado models.
• OnStar Available for 1LT, 2LT and 3LT models.

Photos

Exterior and interior photos of the 2007 Chevy Silverado. chevrolet/silverado_1500/pictures

Colors

The Silverado is available in 10 colors. chevrolet.com/silverado/colors/

Main Competitors

• Ford F-150
• Dodge Ram 1500
• Toyota Tacoma

Resale Values (5 out of 5)

Autos.com rates the resale value of the Silvardo at 5 out of 5 stars [1]

Criticisms

• Outdated interior styling and appointments
• Poor gas mileage

Previous Generations

Fourth generation (1987–1999)

• The GMT400 model introduced in April 1987 as 1988 models (known as the GMT400), there were 10 different versions of the C/K line for 1988: Fleetside, Fleetside Extended Cab, Fleetside W/T, Sportside, and Sportside Extended Cab, each in either 2WD (C) or 4WD (K) drivelines. Engines were a 160 hp (119 kW) 4.3 L V6 or a 210 hp (157 kW) 5.7 L V8. A 230 hp (172 kW) 7.4 L V8 came in 1990, and a 175 hp (130 kW) 5.0 L V8 added in 1994. The Vortec V8s were introduced in 1996, with power boosts across the board for the gasoline V6 and V8 engines. A 6.5 L 180 hp (134 kW) diesel V8 replaced the 6.2 in 1993. 3- and 4-speed automatic transmissions were offered, with the 3-speed dropped and a 5-speed manual transmission added in 1992.

Third generation (1973-1987)

The refreshed 1973 version had a longer wheelbase — 117.5 in for short-bed and 131.5 in for long-bed. A crew cab was introduced on a super-long 164.5 in wheelbase. A real all wheel drive system was added as an option. Engines were a 100 hp (75 kW) 250 in³ (4.1 L) I6, a 350 in³ V8, and a 240 hp (179 kW) 454 in³ (7.4 L) V8. A four wheel drive one-ton truck was added in 1977, and a 350 in³ Oldsmobile LF9 Diesel V8 was added in 1978.

1975 introduced two important names as trim lines, Silverado for Chevrolet and Sierra for GMC. In order, the new trim lines for Chevrolet and GMC were:

• Custom Deluxe/Sierra — base model
• Scottsdale/Sierra Grande — cloth seats and chrome trim
• Cheyenne/High Sierra — more sound deadening and chrome
• Silverado/Sierra Classic — wood interior accents, carpeting, and more chrome

The revised 1981 model had a new 160 hp (119 kW) 305 in³ (5.0 L) V8, with the 250 and 292 in³ (4.1 and 4.8 L) I6, 350 in³ (5.7 L) V8, and 454 in³ (7.4 L) V8 also available. A 6.2 L Detroit Diesel V8 debuted in 1982, and the Vortec 4300 was introduced as the base engine in 1985. In 1987, Chevrolet mysteriously changed the "C" designation to "R" and the "K" to "V" (in response to the introduction of the GMT400 platform in April 1987), but these switched back the very next year for the GMT400 design. The R/V designation remained in use for the crewcab bodies and SUVs (Chevrolet K5 Blazer and Suburban) until 1991.

Second generation (1967-1972)

A new, more modern look came in 1967. It was with this revision of the C/K truck that General Motors began to market trucks as general transportation rather than as work vehicles and nothing else. One 1968 magazine ad ran with the line "A Chevy pickup is built to be womanhandled." This was evident throughout its construction; the majority of half-ton 1967-1972 trucks were shipped with a coil spring trailing arm rear suspension, which greatly improved the ride over traditional leaf springs. However, leaf spring rear suspension was available on all trucks; four-wheel drive models had leaf springs on both axles.

In 1968, the 283 in³ (4.6 L) V8 was replaced with a 307 in³ (5.0 L) and a 310 hp 396 in³ (6.5 L) V8 was offered for the first time. Side-marker reflectors were added and the small rear window cab was no longer available. The GMC grille was revised, with the letters "GMC" no longer embossed in the horizontal crossbar.

1969 saw a new V8 engine: a 255 hp 350 in³ (5.7 L). Along with the new engine came a new grille design for Chevrolet trucks and a more upright hood for both Chevrolet and GMC trucks. A utility variant known as the K5 Blazer was also introduced with a shorter wheelbase of 104 inches. The GMC version, known as the Jimmy, was introduced the same year.

The only noticeable change for 1970 was a minor update to the Chevrolet grille.

Several changes occurred in 1971. First came another new grille design for Chevrolet trucks and black paint over portions of the GMC grille. Second, an additional trim package was introduced, the Cheyenne. On GMC models, this was referred to as the Sierra. These packages consisted mostly of comfort features — nicer interiors, AM/FM radios, and two-tone paint with side molding options. Finally, the front brakes on all trucks were switched from drum brakes to disc brakes, resulting in much less brake fade under heavy use. While all prior C/K half-ton trucks had used a six-lug bolt pattern (6 x 5.5") for the wheels, two-wheel-drive models switched to a five-lug pattern (5 lugs — 5 inch bolt circle) common to Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Cadillac passenger cars. The 1/2 ton 4 x 4 retained the 6 lug bolt pattern. This bolt pattern would remain the standard through the end of the C/K series (along with the Chevrolet/GMC vans).

1972 models were virtually identical to 1971 models with the only change being that the rear view mirror was glued to the windshield instead of being bolted to top of the cab.

First Generation (1962-1966)

1962 C/K trucks were available in smooth "Fleetside" or fendered "Stepside" versions. GMC called these "Wideside" and "Fenderside." Half-ton models were the C10 and K10 short-bed trucks, and C15 and K15 long-bed trucks. The 3/4 ton C20 and K20, as well as the one-ton C30, were also available. GMC did not use the "C" nomenclature, though their 4x4 versions had the "K" designation. Trim lines were base and "Custom." Engines included 135 hp (101 kW) 236 in³ (3.9 L) and 150 hp (112 kW) 261 in³ (4.3 L) straight-6s, and a 283 in³ (4.6 L) V8 with 160 hp (119 kW). GMC trucks were also offered with the 305 in&sup3 (5.0 L) V6 engine, which ranged in power from 125 hp (93 kW) to 142 hp (106 kW).

A coil-spring front suspension came in 1963 along with a new base engine, a 140 hp (104 kW) 230 in³ (3.8 L) I6, and an optional 165 hp (123 kW) 292 in³ (4.8 L) I6. The cab was changed for 1964, with elimination of the "wraparound" windshield and a new front grill design, along with various interior changes. Air conditioning and a 220 hp (164 kW) 327 in³ (5.4 L) V8 came in 1965. A new base engine finished the model in 1966 with a 155 hp (116 kW) 250 in³ (4.1 L) I6.

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.

External Links

• Official Manufacturers Site

• Reviews
• Enthusiast Site