Used Chevy Silverado through the Years

The Chevy Silverado is, simply put, a mainstay of American byways and highways. Used Silverados were designed as a workhorse for whatever a truck owner needs, on the farm, for construction workers, small-business owners, or a family in need of HP for towing or hauling. Chevrolet's hauler is known for its reliability and longevity.  The modern-day Chevy Silverado is available with a long list of body styles, bed lengths, powertrains and trim levels - one for just about any truck owner. In addition to the Silverado 1500 there are also used heavy duty Silverado trucks as well as Sport versions, called the SS. The SS come complete with a rumbling V8, bucket seats and flashy wheels.

Silverado trucks dating back more than ten years stand up with strong work ethic; however, they are often criticized for their bland, often overly plastic-endowed cabins. The latest version, however, exhibits greatly improved fit and finish, so any potential truck buyers may want to shop for a Silverado from within the past five year. The newer Silverado cabins now offer rich upholstery, soft materials and precise fitments.  Although Chevrolet has produced a pickup truck since 1918, the truck never received a formal name until 1999 at which point it was dubbed the Silverado. The present-generation Silverado debuted for 2007 and is largely the same as the current Silverado, with the exception of the 6.2-liter V8 and six-speed automatic transmission that were both introduced for 2009.

First Generation Silverado

 The previous generation of Chevrolet Silverado pickups ran from 1988-'98, and were simply known by their number nomenclature - 1500 (half-ton), 2500 (3/4-ton) and 3500 (1-ton). Standard cab and extended cab body styles were offered, as was a crew cab, though the latter was actually from the previous 1981-'87 generation. The most popular engines from this era were the 5.0- or 5.7-liter V8 mated to a four-speed automatic. In keeping with tradition, one could choose either rear-wheel drive (indicated by a "C") or four-wheel drive (indicated by a "K"). Trim levels for these C/K1500 trucks include the base Cheyenne, midlevel Scottsdale and top-line Silverado. Strengths of these trucks include strong, durable powertrains, while weaknesses center on sketchy build quality and materials within the cabin.

Second Generation Silverado

The previous generation Silverado ran from 1999-2006. This generation is popular among used truck buyers. These Chevy's offer a line of V8 engines, ranging in size from 4.8 to 6.0 liters. They offer output running from 255 hp with the smallest 4.8-liter to 345 hp from the high-output 6.0-liter V8 in the Silverado SS. For the first generation a base V6 is as well as a 6.6-liter turbo diesel V8 or an 8.1-liter gasoline V8 for Silverado HD.  A unique four-wheel-steering option (called QuadraSteer), came on line about midway through this generation and cut the truck's turning circle down to 37.4 feet -- around 10 feet less than a typical full-size pickup. Unfortunately, QuadraSteer was discontinued for '06, as buyers were put off by the high cost of this option.

Chevy Silverado Changes Year to Year

2009 Silverado

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is visually unchanged from 2008, but adds the availability of a new 6.2L FlexFuel engine, a new six-speed automatic transmission, electronic stability control standard on all V8-powered trim levels, as well as optional Bluetooth and XM NavTraffic.

2008 Silverado

The Chevrolet Silverado was redesigned for 2007, so the 2008 model is essentially a carryover. It aims to continue its reputation as the 'strongest, most dependable and longest lasting truck on the road.'

2007 Silverado

The all-new Chevy Silverado arrived this model year. Completely redesigned, the new Silverado is built on a stiffer chassis. Also very important, the 2007 Silverado features an all-new interior that can be outfitted for work or pleasure. The new Silverado is designed to continue its reputation among owners as the 'strongest, most dependable and longest lasting truck on the road.'  The new styling is bold yet still conservative when compared with the latest pickups from Dodge, Nissan, Toyota and Ford. While the sheet metal is all new, the main reason the new Silverado looks bolder is that it's three inches wider in front and an inch wider in the rear than the outgoing generation. The new Silverado is, of course, available in a range of body styles with a wide variety of engines, drive trains and suspensions designed to meet every need.

2003-2006 Silverado

 Chevrolet's full-size pickups got an edgy new look in 2003. Furthermore, hidden beneath are considerable changes. Chevrolet Silverado boasts more than 40 major changes for 2003. Some you'll notice, such as the interior refinements. New audio and climate controls are easier to use and more sophisticated, the latter available with well-designed digital controls. Other changes are harder to discern, but are important from reliability and engineering standpoints, such as the all-new electrical system that eliminates thick bundles of wires and hundreds of connections. V8 engines offer improved throttle response and reliability and reduced emissions, while V6 engines deliver better performance and reduced emissions (Some of these changes were actually made mid-cycle to the 2002 models). Silverado's of this generation aggressive stance is jolting for drivers used to conservative-looking Chevy pickups, but it's an evolutionary change and one that was needed. For 2005, most Silverados come with wider, lower-profile tires on 17-inch wheels, promising better handling than before. Short-box Extended Cabs with 4WD now offer a more powerful all-alumium V8, while a gas/electric Hybrid option promises lower operating cost with V8 performance. There's a sporty SS model, for buyers who value muscle-car acceleration and handling over towing/hauling capacity. More minor changes for 2005 include dual electric cooling fans, which are quieter and more efficient than the engine-driven fan used previously. Aerodynamic refinements to the front end and running boards reduce wind noise and promise a slight improvement in fuel economy.

2002 Models and Older

For 1999 Chevrolet completely re-engineered and redesigned its line of pickup trucks. For the first time, the truck is officially called the Silverado, and the new pickup is better than the old one in every respect. It rides better, it handles better, it stops quicker, it's faster and more powerful and it's more comfortable. It was considered one of the best full-size pickup on the market. For 2001, Silverado added even more power, convenience and durability. All extended-cab models now have two auxiliary rear doors, rather than just one on the curbside. Extended-cab 1500s with four-wheel drive is available with a Pro-Tec fully composite box that's virtually impervious to dents or corrosion.  The 6.0-liter V8 that is standard in 2500 models has been given aluminum heads and more aggressive valve timing, for a nice, round 300 horsepower at 4400 rpm, and 360 pound-feet of torque at 4000.