PUTC Buyer's Guide: 2003 Chevrolet Silverado HD

		Reader Ratings: See what others have to say or add your own comments about the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD and Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD. Discussion Board: Chat about GM Trucks Shop For This Truck: InvoiceDealers.com Price: $23,405* (2500 HD 4x2 Regular Cab) $25,655* (2500 HD 4x2 Extended Cab, Short Bed) $25,955* (2500 HD 4x2 Extended Cab, Long Bed) $27,655* (2500 HD 4x2 Crew Cab, Short Bed) $27,955* (2500 HD 4x2 Crew Cab, Long Bed) $26,255* (2500 HD 4x4 Regular Cab) $28,455* (2500 HD 4x4 Extended Cab, Short Bed) $28,755* (2500 HD 4x4 Extended Cab, Long Bed) $30,705* (2500 HD HD 4x4 Crew Cab, Short Bed) $31,005* (2500 HD HD 4x4 Crew Cab, Long Bed) $27,215* (3500 HD 4x2 Extended Cab) $29,215* (3500 HD 4x2 Crew Cab) $27,755* (3500 HD 4x4 Regular Cab) $30,305* (3500 HD 4x4 Extended Cab) $32,305* (3500 HD 4x4 Crew Cab) Add $720 destination charge. *Prices are base prices. Engines: Three engines are available for the Silverado HD 6.0-liter OHV V8 with cast iron block 300hp @ 4400 360ft-lbs. @ 4000 8.1-liter OHV V8 with cast iron block 340hp @ 4200 455ft-lbs. @ 3200 6.6-liter OHV V8 with cast iron block 300hp @ 3100 520ft-lbs. @ 1800 Transmissions: Four transmission choices exist for the Silverado Lineup: M74 (Allison 1000) 5-speed automatic ML6 (ZF S6-650) 6-speed manual M50 (4L60-E) New Venture Gear 3500 5-speed manual MT1 (4L80-E) 4-speed automatic MPG (city / highway): 6.0-liter: N/A 8.1-liter: N/A 6.6-liter: N/A Competitors: Dodge Ram HD Ford Super Duty GMC Sierra HD
Click Arrows to View Models Overview: Silverado offers a wide selection of powerful three-quarter and one-ton pickups, including 2500HD (3/4-ton) and 3500 Series (one-ton) regular cabs, four-door extended cabs, crew cabs and chassis cabs. For 2003, 14 different Silverado models can run on dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) or bi-fuel systems that operate on CNG or gasoline when equipped with a Vortec 6000 6.0L V8 with hardened upgraded valves and seats to withstand CNG's lack of lubricity and cooling effects. Special versions with reduced gross vehicle weight ratings (8,500 pounds) allow customers to meet fleet requirements in "non-attainment" areas. Higher-capacity 9,200 pound GVWR models are also available. With awesome power, tough frames, advanced suspensions and high-capacity brakes, the 2500HD/3500 Series provides outstanding payload capacities and impressive hauling and trailering capabilities. The 3/4-ton models have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) as much as 9,200 pounds (4,173 kg), and payloads as much as 3,964 pounds (1,798 kg). The one-ton pickup models have a GVWR of as much as 11,400 pounds (5,171 kg) GVWR and payloads of as much as 5,753 pounds (2,610 kg). Silverado HD has an 11,400-pound (5,171 kg) GVWR for 2WD chassis cabs and 12,000-pound (5,443 kg) GVWR for 4WD chassis cabs. Chassis cabs provide payloads of as much as 6,089 pounds (2,762 kg). Both the Vortec 8100 and Duramax 6600 diesel V8 tow as much as 12,000 pounds (5,443 kg); they provide a maximum 22,000-pound (9,979-kg) gross combined weight rating (GCWR). With a fifth wheel or gooseneck hitch, trailering capability increases to 15,800-pounds (6,804 kg). The Vortec 8100 provides its maximum ratings with either a 4.10:1 or 3.73:1 axle ratio; the Duramax 6600 offers a 3.73 axle ratio. With a weight-distributing platform hitch and 4.10 axle ratio, the Vortec 6000 V8 permits towing trailers weighing as much as 10,500 pounds (4,763 kg), and provides a maximum 16,000-pound (7,257-kg) GCWR. The heavy-duty pickups are trailer-ready. A handling and trailering package is standard. A trailering equipment package provides the weight-distributing hitch platform, eight-wire trailer harness with mounted connector and a jumper harness with a plug-in for the electric trailer brake controller. Exterior Design: For 2003, the Silverado HD will feature the same bold and expressive styling as the half-ton Silverado. Interior Design: Regular, four-door, extended and crew cab sizes have significant interior room and outstanding seating comfort. The extended cab has the industry's largest rear-door openings. A standard four-wheel disc brake system features GM's powerful Hydro-Boost brake-apply system and four-wheel ABS. The 2500HD/3500 Series has the OnStar system, standard on uplevel Silverado LT extended cab and crew cab models. OnStar is an innovative in-vehicle communications and assistance service designed to provide drivers with access to live, personalized service and emergency assistance at the touch of a button, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Customers can use OnStar for hands-free personal calling or can have e-mail read to them, in addition to other OnStar services. All models have standard dual air bags, with a passenger-side deactivation switch on regular and extended- cab models to protect small occupants. Powertrain: Silverado HD offers an impressive array of powerful gasoline and diesel engines. The Duramax 6600 6.6L diesel V8 - with world-class performance in an incredibly quiet package - kicks out 300 hp at 3100 rpm and 520 lb-ft (705 Nm) of torque at 1800 rpm. An optional Vortec 8100 8.1L V8 gas engine has 340 hp at 4200 rpm and 455 lb-ft (617 Nm) of torque at 3200 rpm. For 2003, the Vortec 8100 receives a more efficient Denso starter that draws about 10 fewer amps. The Vortec 6000 V8 produces 300 hp at 4400 rpm and 370 lb-ft (501 Nm) of torque at 4000 rpm.