1999-2006 Chevy Silverado 1500

THE modern era of Chevrolet/gmc trucks (‘99+) includes the first-generation Silverado model (’99-’07), which has really outperformed any of the previous Chevy models in both sales figures and overall power. Light duty 1500 model pickups were made available in 1999 alongside the last batches of the OBS style that were still being released from the factories for nearly two more years. The 1500 Silverado was initially only available in regular cab and extended cab offerings, and came factory equipped with Vortec 4300 V-6 and 4800 and 5300 V-8 power plants. It wasn’t until one year later that Silverado pickups were made available in three 1500HD, 2500HD and 3500HD heavy-duty models that were built to excel in the fields of tow ratings and hauling heavy cargos. The inclusion of high-output Duramax diesel engines, the Allison 1000 transmission and dually twin rear wheels in later models of this first generation of Silverado pickups. This first generation gave truck fans so many more options than ever before whether they were looking to work or play hard. Other notable releases during this first era also included the Silverado SS, which was designed to be a factory-tuned high-performance pickup that featured an upgraded drivetrain, Z60 performance suspension and 20-inch aluminum wheels and, of course, badging that let other drivers know this was an enhanced version of the rest of the other Silverados on the road. In 2004, a Silverado hybrid was released, which was GM’S first ever hybrid passenger vehicle. There really was a Silverado model becoming available for almost every type of consumer as the first generation progressed onward. As the natural lifespan of any successful vehicle expands, there is a constant cycle of evolution, and over the years the Silverado continued to grow right along with the needs and demands of the consumer. A significant body

style redesign that boasted increased aerodynamics (which in turn increased better fuel economy forecasts) was at the forefront of setting the second-generation Silverado (’07-’14) apart from the last. The interior also received a healthy change, naturally, as did the H-D suspension system that changed to a fully boxed, high strength steel frame in 2011. Another notable change in this generation is the ditching of manual transmission in full-size truck offerings as of 2008 within the U.S. and Canada—who really wants to be thinking of shifting in traffic when going out shopping for a newer truck anyway? These upgrades are the types of specs that impressed the consumer base, automotive media and industry leaders to award the second-generation Silverado with the honors of North American Truck of the Year. The third generation (’14-’19) kept the momentum moving with the introduction of the Mylink touchscreen infotainment system that incorporated a lot of what truck buyers were once looking to aftermarket audio brands to provide in their interior.