1999-2006 Chevrolet Silverado: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Chevrolet's Silverado 1500 with half-ton capacity was closely related to the GMC Sierra 1500. Chevrolet and GMC offered parallel lineups, but had slightly different styling and features. Silverado styling remained familiar, but the pickups got new V8 engines and a few first-in-their segment features. Bodies were about 9 inches longer overall and wheelbase grew by 1.5 inches for regular-cab models, 2 inches on extended cabs. Two series were offered: half-ton 1500 (described here) and 3/4-ton 2500. A right-side third door now was standard instead of optional on extended cabs. Both body styles came with Fleetside or flare-fender Sportside cargo beds in 6-foot length, or with an 8.1-foot Fleetside bed. Antilock braking again was standard, but these were the first full-size pickups to get standard four-wheel discs. Another "first" was adjustable ride control, which allowed the driver to switch between two levels of shock-absorber firmness. Base engine was again a 4.3-liter V6. Replacing the previous 5.0- and 5.7-liter V8s were new 4.8- and 5.3-liter V8 engines, generating 25 and 15 additional horsepower, respectively. All engines except the 5.3-liter came with manual or automatic transmissions. The automatic introduced a Tow/Haul mode that reduced shifting under heavy loads. Optional Autotrac four-wheel drive was a "first" on any pickup. It could be left engaged on dry pavement, and locked in 4WD or allowed to automatically engage the front axle when rear-wheel slippage was detected.