From Dale Wickell,
Your Guide to Trucks.
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If you're a Chevy fan, and looking for a full-size truck, there's probably a Silverado model that will suit you. Versatility is one of the reasons the Silverado is Chevrolet's most popular vehicle. Here's what you can expect to see for 2005.

Silverado Configurations

• Regular, Extended or Crew Cab bodies
• Standard 6.5 foot or extended 8-foot boxes
• Fleetside or Sportside box styles
• 1500 half-ton or 2500 three-quarter-ton models
• 2WD or 4WD systems

Engine Choices, Light Duty

• 4300 4.3 L V-6
• 4800 4.8L V-8
• Two models of the Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8
• Vortec 6000 6.0L V-8

Fuels & Emissions

• All Silverados with the Vortec 4300 4.3L V-6, and trucks sold in California with the Vortec 4800 4.8L or Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8, have a catalytic converter system that meets Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards.

• Trucks equipped with the Vortec 6000 6.0L V-8 come with a dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) or bi-fuel system that can run on CNG or gasoline.

• Light-duty Silverados with the Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8 offer an option that allows owners to operate them on varying blends of ethanol and gasoline, up to a maximum of 85 percent ethanol.

Hybrid Silverado

A gas-electric hybrid model was introduced in 2004 and remains in the lineup for 2005. Hybrid Silverados offer up to 10-percent better fuel economy, 120-volt electrical power with ground fault detection, and accessory powering capabilities, with power outlets under the rear seat of the cab and in the pickup bed.

You won't find a hybrid Silverado at most Chevy dealerships. The trucks are available in limited quantities and are only being sold in six states:

• California
• Oregon
• Washington
• Alaska
• Nevada
• Florida

The hybrid's Vortec 5300 V-8 engine delivers 295 horsepower and 335 lb.-ft. of torque, the same as its non-hybrid counterpart.

Hauling & Towing

Payload capacities range from 1,295 pounds to 4,047 pounds for 2500 heavy duty models. Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings range from 6,100 pounds to 9,200 pounds on properly equipped heavy duty versions.

Quadrasteer Option

GM's Quadrasteer four-wheel steering system is available on 1500 Extended Cab short-box and 2500 Crew Cab Silverado pickups.

OnStar

GM's OnStar system is standard on LT and available on LS light duty models. For the heavy duty trucks, OnStar is standard on Silverado LT Extended Cab and Crew Cab models, and available on 2500 HD and 3500 models.

Special Silverado Trim Packages

Silverado SS

Silverado SS starts out as a 1500 Series Extended Cab with a short bed. Then Chevy adds some muscle by way of a high-output version of GM's Vortec 6000 V-8, with 345 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is paired with a Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic overdrive transmission equipped with a 3.06 first gear and 0.70 final gear to deliver rapid acceleration and easy highway cruising.

More SS Features:


• A full-time, electronic all-wheel-drive viscous-coupled transfer case for good handling on wet or dry pavement.
• A Z60 high-performance chassis and tire package that includes a 20-inch wheel and tire combination.
• An optional power sunroof.
• Silver Birch Metallic paint is offered in addition to Victory Red.

Z71 Offroad Package

The Z71 offroad package includes 45-mm gas-charged shock absorbers, offroad jounce bumpers, specific stabilizer bars, a skid-plate package, and a high-capacity air cleaner. Z71 decals are used on the pickup box to identify the trucks.

More Z71 (Optional) Features:


• Cruise control
• Rear defogger
• Power door locks
• Remote keyless entry
• AM/FM stereo with CD and cassette player
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Power windows
• Fog lamps
• Color-keyed grille
• Deep-tinted glass

The Z71 package is available on half-ton 4WD Silverados.

Heavy Duty Silverados

Choose a heavy duty Silverado from numerous weight ratings, body styles and powertrain combinations including diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG) models.

GM's Duramax 6600 6.6L (V-8) turbo-diesel delivers 310 horsepower at 3000 rpm and 605 lb.-ft. of torque at 1600 rpm when equipped with the Allison automatic transmission.

An optional Vortec 8100 8.1L V-8 is rated at 330 hp and 450 lb.-ft. of torque. The Vortec 6000 6.0L V-8 produces 300 hp and 360 lb.-ft. of torque.

The three-quarter-ton models have a GVWR as much as 9,200 pounds and payloads up to 3,964 pounds. The one-ton pickup models have a GVWR up to 11,400 pounds and payloads up to 5,753 pounds.

More About the 2005 Silverado

• Silverado Photo Gallery
  
• Snapshot Look at New Features