Talk to me about 2000+ Silverado's

[ar0ck]

So I'm thinking of selling my S10 to upgrade to a Chevy Silverado. I'll obviously be looking for something within the same price range, condition, year, and all that jazz which I think is doable. Is there anything I should know about this particular generation that I should look for. I'm not really in it for the 4wd just a bigger truck with a little more grunt then my weak 4cyl S10. Fuel consumption isn't a concern so I'd like to go with a V8.

[NJ Torque]

My friend bought a used 03 with a 5.3, pretty peppy truck... Cant say he's had any problems with it.

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

4.8 or 5.3 in the 1/2 tons, all peppy, and much different driving than the Dime. I like them. I was driving a 4.8 1/2 ton shortbed regular cab and that thing moved out pretty good. Much better than I figured. I like them, and don't think there are any major recalls or anything to watch out for.

edit: Why not the 99s? It's the first year of that generation...

[BigAls87Z28]

Solid trucks no doubt, but I dunno why you need a truck outside of towing.

IMO, RCSB 5.3 HO 2WD G80 rear and with Z85 suspension package. I found one about 2 years ago on a dealer lot about this time as it was Red Tag sale time. Regularly 30k, they had this thing under 22k. 17 inch 5 spokes on it too...it was hawt. Leather buckets in it with XM radio. Was a true sports truck waiting to happen.

As for repairs, cant say I have seen a lot of problems with them. My brother's 05 Avi was awesome, but thats a little different then a Silvy.

[GP99GT]

my dad has an 02 which i think youve seen alex...reg cab, short box, 4.8L v8. its pretty quick for what it is. just under 100k miles and nothing but oil changes and regular maintenance so far

[ar0ck]

A majority of the time I need a truck to haul my bike around. I foresee track days with the bike as well as taking it on vacations with me. I just need some more caljones from something other then my weak 2.2lt 4cyl. Also back seats are a plus.

Would a 4.8 be sufficient enough to tow the Camaro though? Will the trans hold up too?

[BonzoHansen]

A majority of the time I need a truck to haul my bike around. I foresee track days with the bike as well as taking it on vacations with me. I just need some more caljones from something other then my weak 2.2lt 4cyl. Also back seats are a plus.

Would a 4.8 be sufficient enough to tow the Camaro though? Will the trans hold up too?

If you plan on towing a lot you might consider a 2500

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

How much do you plan on towing? 1/2 tons with the 4.8 can definitely tow your car. I think it's all the same trans in the 1/2 tons? If you don't tow anything heavier than the Z, I wouldn't get a 3/4 ton. You'd get a huge hit in mileage all the time. 1/2 tons half plenty of towing capacity for 5k lbs.

[Tru2Chevy]

If you plan on towing a lot you might consider a 2500

Yes, if you plan on getting a trailer and hauling the Camaro around you should definitely spring for a 2500 / 6.0L.

If you just want to be able to pull it around once in a while then a 1500 / 5.3 would be just fine. The 4.8 would be able to tow it as well, but it would be more of a struggle.

- Justin

[camaro2you]

i love the older generation chevy trucks, we have a 02 2500 avy with the 8.1 in it and it rides and tows like a dream.

[ar0ck]

Well it wouldn't be a dedicated towing vehicle, mostly for emergencies it would be convenient to pick up my car if something were to happen. So if it struggles thats ok with me.

My price range is sub 8,000. I think I can get $6,500 if I'm luck for the S10. I payed $8,000 for it in Nov. of 07.

[Knipps]

2000 Silvy Info
http://www.media.holden.com.au/ca/gm/en/products/chevy_truck/archives/2000Silverado.html

GVWR (min/max) (6100 / 6400 lb.)

[maroman88]

my friends dad leant him money to buy a new 05 silverado base model... my friend went to the dealer and ordered the posi rear package.... which meant he had to get the V8, and didnt mention that to his dad lol. annnyywwaaayy he loves it, its dark gray metallic, reg cab short box 2wd, even came with chrome rims:)

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

BTW, Rob and deadtrend Tim both have 4.8 1/2 ton Silvy's

[mc73nova]

Mine is a 1500 5.3 and I trailer my car all the time. A 1500 is more than enough. What are you looking to spend?

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

Mine is a 1500 5.3 and I trailer my car all the time. A 1500 is more than enough. What are you looking to spend?

My price range is sub 8,000. I think I can get $6,500 if I'm luck for the S10. I payed $8,000 for it in Nov. of 07.

:wink:

[sweetbmxrider]

i would definitely go for the 5.3 1500. they are all awesome trucks. i can't think of anything major either.

[deadtrend1]

I never have a problem towing with my 4.8 Silvy

[procamaroz28]

Z71 FTW!!!!

[baddest434]

Yes, if you plan on getting a trailer and hauling the Camaro around you should definitely spring for a 2500 / 6.0L.

.

- Justin

yep thats what i gots. 03 2500HD 4x4 great for towing. other then being a gas guzzler iv'e had no problems with it, 12 mpg..10 mpg towing my car!

[Mike]

why would anyone need a 2500? i tow with a trailblazer

[WildBillyT]

why would anyone need a 2500? i tow with a trailblazer

Long distance/heavy trailer maybe? Does your TB have an electric brake hookup?

[deadtrend1]

Long distance/heavy trailer maybe? Does your TB have an electric brake hookup?

I put one in my truck. You pretty much have to if you want your brakes to last with 2 axle trailers.

My camper weighs around 3500 lbs. and I just put it into tow/haul mode. Only thing is when in overdrive any slight hill will make the engine downshift so a 5.3 will probably be better to go with towing.

But the newer 4.8s got the vortec max so im not sure if they got any more power out of them.

[V]

i dont have much experience with silvy's but as for towing... ive towed many cars.. tow dolly, open trailers and 24' enclosed even. With my denali, (99 OBS) even towing a empty open car trailer was noticeable of the truck, in regards to acceleration handling and braking. I would never have attempted anything more than an open loaded aluminum car hauler. I would not have felt safe. However, any larger towing, i did with my dodge ram, 2500 cummins diesel, even going up hills you could barely feel the strain and even handling was almost normal. we used antisway bars with the 24' and it felt like an empty open trailer. i towed a blown sbc 1940 Willys to nj from CT with no worries. Even at higher speeds, a trailer behind the ram felt MUCH better. Ive towed some stuff at 95mph(yea not safe, i know but i did). Id never do that with my Denali either.

Now granted, this doesnt have much to do with the silvys, bt i just wanted to share that in some cases, TQ and chassis/suspension does make a big difference. For the ocasional towing of you car on an open trailer, a 4.8 should be good. I plan on getting a 20' enclosed someday for my SS so hence why i'll always keep my dodge ram.

[cdacda13]

I love the 5.3L that's in my Sierra. Great low end torque. Gas mileage isn't as bad as I thought it would be.
When I was looking at trucks a few months ago, I looked at both Sierras and Silverado's. The thing that lead me to the Sierra over Silverado was the interior. Its just so nice.

[heavy_chevy29]

i have a 04 gmc sierra 2500HD. this is a great truck. i really love this thing. i havent had any problems with it. it has the 6.0L and it is a bit of a gas guzzler. for what you are looking for i would rec a 1500 with the 5.3. great truck and great motor. it should have no probs pullin the camaro on occassion. the big thing with the larger(HD) trucks is the price. they cost more when buying them and they cost most when **** breaks or weres out. i got a 2500HD because i new that i would be towing my car every weekend. i dont think you are going to find anything with lower miles on it in ur price range. when i was looking at trucks i was surpprised at how much they still cost. i got mine for $22K and it had 17000 miles on it. it was a pretty good deal so i took it. good luck.

[qwikz28]

alex. keep the s10. it hauls your bike and thats the main thing, since you do that more often. if you need to tow, use your dad's car. it will suffice. your trading a good running truck for one that is less efficient (not by much, but still) and will either be higher in miles or more money. if getting your dads truck is an issue, that is understandable. but if it isn't, then why burden yourself during an economic crunch? thats my opinion. take it for what its worth. put the money you were planning on spending on the truck into a new clutch or paying off the bike

[badzracing]

I know a guy that had a pretty fast Silverado

[7pointoh]

I needed a hauler when my car was down with a blown block. Had an 90 Suburban that I got to get me around for awhile but I only paid 600 for it and it required more maintenance than my car. So I stripped it sold it for parts and got me my '03 Silverado 1500HD. I don't go offroad so I didn't need the 4x4. I bought the truck because it suited my needs. It has become my daily driver.

I drove it cross country twice without any problems. I've got a crewcab so It can sit 5 comfortably and a 6 1/2 ft bed. LQ4 with 4.11's is not great on the gas mileage but I didn't buy a truck for the gas mileage. But what is really awesome is the quadrasteer. It makes towing easy and U-turns a breeze. Quadrasteer is not a gimmick.

[deadtrend1]

i view quadrasteer as something else to go wrong. While its kewl and could be useful, i just cant think of any time that i would have needed it

[johnjzjz]

i view quadrasteer as something else to go wrong. While its kewl and could be useful, i just cant think of any time that i would have needed it

Parking boats in a boat yard its a must


I have a 03 2500 HD duramax w/allison 4x4 4 door not a dually cheaper on tolls - tows our 10,000 RC trailer 75 in cruse all day and night if need be and gets 15 to a gallon it now has 112,000 and still runs like new

had dodges w/ gas and diesels all junk and ended up 1/2 def and road like the shocks were really boards bolted on instead

every ford i had left me on the road somplace in the middle of the night at 10 below and was leaking oil from the pan that rotter out

by far the chevy gmc is a choice for those who need a real truck that drives like a car -- jz

[LTb1ow]

Parking boats in a boat yard its a must


Not if your good...

[nj85z28]

i currently have a 2005 silverado, and love it. 5.3 auto, daily driver. plenty of balls and since i got the extended cab alot of room for all my stuff in the back like tools work clothes etc i guess it would be considered the base model

my previous truck was a 2000 Z71 Silverado, essentially the same truck, but much nicer inside. the push button 4wd was also alot nicer.

my dad is on his 3rd silverado. he had off the lot, a 92, a 99 and 2004, and he drives the hell out of them making cross country trips more often than not. none of the trucks we have ever had ever gave us any sort of problem aside from the occasional water pump and routine maintence. its the best truck you can get, hands down.

[Mike]

Long distance/heavy trailer maybe? Does your TB have an electric brake hookup?

yes, and a 6800lb capacity

[NJSPEEDER]

The TB tows really nice too. Been with Mike a few times with a loaded trailer and seems to drive very well.

[Mark B]

Ive got a 2000 GMC 3500 Standard Cab, Long Bed with the 5.7L Vortec. I love it. I tow my camaro all the time. The truck is so heavy duty that you cant even feel the extra 4k lbs back there! Picked mine up for $4500 with 108k on it.

[qwikz28]

yes, and a 6800lb capacity

but will the trans hold? :)

(sorry someone had to say it. i actually don't know how your trans has held up but i hear many are having problems)

[Mike]

but will the trans hold? :)

(sorry someone had to say it. i actually don't know how your trans has held up but i hear many are having problems)

the first one blew up with 2200 miles, the second one is still going strong.
im placing an order on a very nice vector performance trans cooler thats big enough to look like a small intercooler lol


then again, thats why i bought the 5 year 50k extended warrenty

[johnjzjz]

the first one blew up with 2200 miles, the second one is still going strong.
im placing an order on a very nice vector performance trans cooler thats big enough to look like a small intercooler lol


then again, thats why i bought the 5 year 50k extended warrenty

too big a trans cooler in the east COLD weather is not i good thing for todays special rubber trans seals < they the seals want to be hot and the fluid flow pressures will be un normally high most of the time confusing shift points you might even get codes from it - just a thought - places that are vegas hot want the help not jersey - jz

[johnjzjz]

Not if your good...

no one is that good with out that trucks turning ability - puting boats into parking spaces in alternate side parking streets in brklyn from the street into d ways you have to hand wheel it with out that truck -- jz

[camaroracer1992]

i have a 06 3500 silverado diesel, had 5.7's and a 8.1 id NEVER go back to gas. if youre gonna buy a truck buy once/cry once and get diesel you wont regret it!