Chevrolet Silverado 1500

See WikiCars' comprehensive Chevrolet Silverado Review.

Current Model Year (2006)

Recent Changes

• In 2006 Chevrolet made the Silverado Hybrid model available nationwide.
• A new 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

Chevy offers many configurations ranging from light duty pickups to hard bodied work trucks.

3500HD

   Trim Levels
   * Work Truck is available on Silverado 1500, 2500HD, and 3500 models.
   * LS is available on Silverado 1500, 2500HD, and 3500 models.
   * 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT are available on Silverado 1500, 1500HD, 2500HD, and 3500 models.
   * SS is available on Silverado 1500 Extended Cab Standard Box 2WD model.

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 [1]

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

• 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.

Hybrid Models

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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.

Previous Generations

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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.