The Chevrolet Silverado (along with its GMC counterpart, the GMC Sierra ), is the latest line of full-size pickup trucks from General Motors.
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 1960 through 1999. GMC used a few variations of the "Sierra" name (Sierra, High Sierra, Sierra Grande, Sierra Classic) to distinguish the different trim levels through 1987, though the "C/K" nomenclature was continued through 1999. "C" (or "R" for 1987) trucks had rear-wheel drive while "K" (or "V" in 1987) 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 Silverado today is generally advertised as the "lower" version, while the Sierra has more luxury options. 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 (alongside the GMT400 SUVs) 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. 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 (1757.7 mm) short box, 78.7 in (1999 mm) standard box, and a 97.6 in (2479 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, 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 by 15 hp (11 kW) and 10 lb·ft (14 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 25 hp (19 kW) version of this engine. The Silverado Z71 got an optional lighter composite box, with a suspension package for towing, 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.
In IIHS frontal crash tests the Silverado was given a "Marginal" overall score.
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) with other upscale equipment. For 2002, the name was changed to Sierra Denali , but the specifications remained essentially the same except for the addition of Quadrasteer. The Denali received the 345 hp (257 kW) Vortec 6000 engine, previously used in the Silverado SS.
The Denali is rated for towing 9,100 pounds (4,100 kg) and hauling 1,595 pounds (723 kg) in the cargo box.
The Sierra Denali was initially equipped with Delphi's Quadrasteer system as standard equipment. It was a 4-wheel steering system that greatly reduced the truck's turning radius and improved lane changing while towing. General Motors dropped Quadrasteer from its entire lineup after 2005 due to poor sales of this expensive option.
For the '07 model year, the Sierra Denali shares the same billet grille from the other Denali models, and also has the same dash as the '07 SUV's. The '07 Sierra Denali is the only half ton pickup that has a 6.2 liter with 403 hp (301 kW) and 417 lb·ft (565 N·m) of torque coupled to a six speed transmission. This truck is also an optional all wheel drive vehicle and goes 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds.
Chevrolet Silverado SS
Launched in 2003, the Silverado SS is a high-performance pickup truck built by Chevrolet. It is based on the standard 1500 Silverado, with upgrades in drive train and both exterior and interior appearance. It uses the 6.0 liter Vortec High-Output V8 rated at 345 hp (257 kW) at 5200 rpm and 380 lb·ft (515 N·m) of torque at 4000 rpm. This was the same engine used for the second generation Cadillac Escalade. Chevrolet and GMC advertise this engine as the "VortecMAX", while Cadillac calls it the "HO 6000". The SS debuted with a standard All Wheel Drive setup, but was later changed to the current Rear Wheel Drive only format. The Silverado SS also comes with the Z60 performance suspension and 20 inch chrome wheels.
Intimidator SS
In 2006, Chevrolet released a special edition Silverado SS under the name "Intimidator SS" (licensed by Dale Earnhardt Inc.) to honor the late Dale Earnhardt. The truck that came with several minor appearance upgrades, a lowered ride height, performance suspension, two-stage multi-leaf springs, Tenneco shocks, a stiffer front stabilizer bar and harder front jounce bumpers, but left the bulk of the truck the same as the regular SS.
Vortec High Output / Vortec Max
The Vortec High Output (also known as the VHO by some enthusiasts) was first introduced in 2004 to a limited market (mainly consisting of Texas and several surrounding areas). The VHO package (under option code B4V) included several options previously not found on the standard 1500 model, most notably the LQ9 6.0 L V-8 engine (the same used for the Silverado SS and the Cadillac Escalade). The LQ9 motor was rated at 345 hp (257 kW) at 5200 rpm and 395 lb·ft (536 N·m) of torque at 4000 rpm, which was the same specifications shared in the SS models. The package also included one style of the newly introduced GM 20 inch wheels installed from the factory. The B4V package could only be ordered on an extended cab, or 4-door crew cab light duty, 2 or 4 wheel drive Silverado or Sierra. with or without Z71 packages. This marked the first time the LQ9 engine was available for a two wheel drive application. For the 2006 model year the Vortec Max package replaced the VHO with an array of similar features and new badges. It was also made available for crew cab models (in addition to the extended cab) and customers were able to purchase these trucks outside of the original market of the VHO. The newest Vortec Max Performance package introduced in 2007 on the GMT900 boasts an industry leading 10,500 pounds towing capacity.
Hybrid
GM launched a hybrid version of the Silverado/Sierra in 2005, becoming the first ever GM hybrid passenger vehicle. Known within GM as the Parallel Hybrid Truck or PHT it is not actually a parallel hybrid by the current defintition, but a type of mild hybrid design. The electric motor housed within the transmission flywheel housing, serves only to provide engine cranking/starting, battery charging, and powering accessories. The engine automatically shuts down as the truck comes to a stop and uses 36 Volt electric power to the starter/generator unit to restart the engine as the brake pedal is released. Besides the typical 12V automotive battery the PHT uses three additional 12 Volt valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries mounted under the rear seat to store and provide power. The truck uses a 5.3 L Vortec 5300 V8 for primary propulsion power.
The PHT features four 120 volt 20 amp AC outlets, two in the bed and two inside the cab under the rear seat. 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, Washington and Canada. For 2006-07 the truck was generally available to retail buyers throughout North America. The Parallel Hybrid Truck was discontinued for the 2008 model year with the release of the GMT900 truck line, however General Motors intends to offer the Chevrolet Si
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