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November 12, 2008 http://www.thecarconnection.com/fullreview/chevrolet_silverado-2500_1999

  TheCarConnection Team
 TheCarConnection Team

You’re looking at the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado, the soldier of the future in the largest and longest running new-vehicle war in the United States — the battle of full-sized pickups between GM and Ford.

Ford’s F-150 and GM’s Chevy/GMC C/K pickups have occupied the top two slots in vehicle sales (cars and light trucks combined) for the last 10 years. (Dodge’s Ram has made strong inroads in the pickup market and ranks in the top 10 in vehicle sales in the U.S.) Why are big pickups so popular here? One reason is low gas prices that allow U.S. customers to indulge freely in their preference for larger vehicles. Another, more important reason is that full-sized pickups are genuinely versatile vehicles — ones that can seat up to six while also hauling thousands of pounds of bulky cargo.

The Silverado, and its twin at GMC, the Sierra, replaced GM’s 11-year-old C/K pickups last year. Like the full-sized rivals at Ford and Dodge, the Silverado can be can be ordered thousands of different ways. Four different wheelbases are available, and three different cabs — a "regular" two-door, an "extended" three-door (with a cramped rear seat), and a "crew-cab" (with four full-sized doors and a full-sized rear seat.) Short (6.5-foot) and long (8.0-foot) cargo beds are available. A short "Sportside" bed, with steps in the side for easier loading, is also available.

Optional mayhem

The list continues. You can choose either rear- or four-wheel drive. There are five engines — a 4.3-liter V-6; a 4.8-, 5.3- or 6.0-liter V-8; or a 6.5-liter turbodiesel — and two transmissions — a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual. Dual rear wheels (two per side) with extended-width fenders are available for towing heavy trailers — up to 11,000 pounds.

Inside, the interiors run from the most basic, with rubber floor mats and vinyl seats, to opulent, with leather seats and thick carpets. Detroit’s cars used to be sold like this too — with thousands of option combinations — but those days are gone. Pickup trucks, though, must appeal to a much wider cross-section of buyers — from plumbers and carpenters to old folks looking to tow a vacation mobile home to luxury-car owners looking to make a fashion statement.

You’re looking at the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado, the soldier of the future in the largest and longest running new-vehicle war in the United States — the battle of full-sized pickups between GM and Ford. Ford’s F-150 and GM’s Chevy/GMC C/K pickups have occupied the top two slots in vehicle sales (cars and light trucks combined) for the last 10 years. (Dodge’s Ram has made strong inroads in the pickup market and ranks in the top 10 in vehicle sales in the U.S.) Why are big pickups so popular here? One reason is low gas prices that allow U.S. customers to indulge freely in their preference for larger vehicles. Another, more important reason is that full-sized pickups are genuinely versatile vehicles — ones that can seat up to six while also hauling thousands of pounds of bulky cargo. The Silverado, and its twin at GMC, the Sierra, replaced GM’s 11-year-old C/K pickups last year. Like the full-sized rivals at Ford and Dodge, the Silverado can be can be ordered thousands of different ways. Four different wheelbases are available, and three different cabs — a "regular" two-door, an "extended" three-door (with a cramped rear seat), and a "crew-cab" (with four full-sized doors and a full-sized rear seat.) Short (6.5-foot) and long (8.0-foot) cargo beds are available. A short "Sportside" bed, with steps in the side for easier loading, is also available. Optional mayhem The list continues. You can choose either rear- or four-wheel drive. There are five engines — a 4.3-liter V-6; a 4.8-, 5.3- or 6.0-liter V-8; or a 6.5-liter turbodiesel — and two transmissions — a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual. Dual rear wheels (two per side) with extended-width fenders are available for towing heavy trailers — up to 11,000 pounds. Inside, the interiors run from the most basic, with rubber floor mats and vinyl seats, to opulent, with leather seats and thick carpets. Detroit’s cars used to be sold like this too — with thousands of option combinations — but those days are gone. Pickup trucks, though, must appeal to a much wider cross-section of buyers — from plumbers and carpenters to old folks looking to tow a vacation mobile home to luxury-car owners looking to make a fashion statement. You’re looking at the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado, the soldier of the future in the largest and longest running new-vehicle war in the United States — the battle of full-sized pickups between GM and Ford . Ford’s F-150 and GM’s Chevy/GMC C/K pickups have occupied the top two slots in ...