2004 Chevrolet Silverado

2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO IS THE FULL-SIZE LEADER

The 2004 Chevrolet Silverado full-size pickup - GM's best-selling vehicle - continues to set new standards for performance and capability. Silverado already has a reputation as the most dependable, longest-lasting full-size pickup, but it won't rest on its laurels. From its bold exterior design to its innovative technologies such as Quadrasteer four-wheel §teering, Silverado continues to raise the bar in the full-size pickup market. New for 2004 are a roomy and comfortable 1500 Series half-ton Crew Cab in two- or four-wheel drive and a 2500 Series three-quarter-ton Crew Cab rated at 8,600 pounds (3,870 kg) GVWR and available in either in two- or four-wheel drive.

'Silverado's unmatched powerplants, ranging from 200 to 345 hp (149 to 257 kw), give it a decided edge among its full-size competitors,' said Gary White, Silverado vehicle line executive. 'That translates into plenty of power for pulling or payload, whether you're a rancher, a tradesperson or a stockbroker.' And that unmatched leadership comes in all Silverados - from the two-door Regular Cab to the four-door Extended and Crew Cab models.

A number of standard features have been added to the base Silverado for 2004, including cruise control, power door locks, black bodyside moldings, chrome bumpers and uplevel wheels. An AM/FM radio wîth CD player is now standard, and all 2004 Silverado models can be fitted as work trucks, except the 2500 Crew Cab.

Expanded Quadrasteer The Quadrasteer four-wheel §teering system - which offers low-speed maneuverability and high-speed stability, handling and control ideal for pulling a trailer - is available on 1500 Extended Cab short-box and 2500 Crew Cab pickups, marking the first time this system has been available on a ¾-ton truck.

At low speeds, this revolutionary system enables the rear wheels to turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels. That helps the vehicle make tighter turns, such as when cornering or getting into a tight parking space. The turning diameter of 2500 models wîth Quadrasteer is reduced 21 percent, from 49.6 feet to 37.4 feet (15.1 m to 11.4 m).

Advanced safety

A passenger-sensing system and dual-level air bags are an integral part of Silverado. The automatic passenger-sensing air-bag system automatically deactivates the passenger-side front air bag under certain conditions to help protect smaller occupants.

The advanced dual-level air-bag system (not available on 1500HD Crew Cab and 2500HD and 3500 Series models) is a supplemental restraint system designed to detect vehicle deceleration and, based on the deceleration data, provide an appropriate amount of air-bag inflation. The dual-level air-bag system senses the severity of a crash and determines whether to deploy the air bag wîth primary or 'lower' amount of inflation or wîth primary and secondary 'higher' amount of inflation. Dual-stage air bags are designed to help reduce the occurrence of inflation-induced injuries by deploying the air bag less forcefully in lower speed crashes.

Two-wheel-drive Silverados offer electronic traction control to enhance surefootedness on models wîth a V-8 engine, automatic transmission and locking rear differential.

More cabin comfort and convenience

Silverado's advanced multiplexed electrical architecture enables the driver information center to monitor and report on as many as 34 system functions, including service indicators for 'Ice Possible' and 'Door Ajar.' Available redundant §teering-wheel controls allow owners to personalize several functions and safely access infotainment options and provide easy access to the OnStar system.

OnStar now is standard on LT and available on LS models. OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the Ú.S. and Canada. Úsing the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar services include automatic notification of air bag deployment, stolen vehicle location, remote door unlock, emergency services dispatch, roadside assistance, remote diagnostics, route support, convenience services and OnStar Concierge. OnStar Personal Calling allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice-activated phone calls through a nationwide network in cooperation wîth Verizon Wireless. Virtual Advisor (Ú.S. only) gives subscribers access to personalized information in a hands-free, voice-activated manner wîth no screens or displays.

A standard dual-zone heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, available wîth both manual and automatic climate control, provides outstanding comfort.

Cleaner engines, alternative fuels

All Silverado models wîth the Vortec 4300 4.3L V-6 and those sold in California wîth the Vortec 4800 4.8L or Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8 engines feature a more robust catalytic converter system that meets Últra Low Emission Vehicle (ÚLEV) standards. ( posted on conceptcarz.com)

Alternative-fuel systems are available on many Silverado models and GVW ratings (see Silverado HD section that follows). Equipped wîth a Vortec 6000 V-8, these models come wîth a dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) or a bi-fuel system that can run on CNG or gasoline. Light-duty Silverado models wîth the Vortec 5300 V-8 offer an option that allows them to run on varying blends of ethanol and gasoline, to a maximum of 85 percent ethanol.

Quality entertainment systems

Impressive entertainment systems - from available Bose sound systems to a Panasonic DVD Passenger Entertainment System - add to Silverado's creature comforts. These systems (except the base fleet radio) feature the next-generation Radio Data System, and can interface wîth services such as the optional XM Satellite Radio (continental Ú.S. only). On Crew Cab models, available rear-seat audio controls allow second-row passengers to enjoy a separate audio source from front-seat occupants.

XM Satellite Radio provides 100 coast-to-coast, digital-quality channels of original music, news, sports and talk. Consumers can subscribe to the basic service for $9.99 a month - less than the cost of a single CD. In addition, GM customers wîth GMAC financing can choose to include the XM subscription in their car payments.

Customers can choose

Silverado consistently offers a variety of configurations to fit customers' specific needs - wîth half-ton and three-quarter-ton offerings in Fleetside or Sportside trim and in 2WD or 4WD Regular, Extended and Crew Cabs. Customers can also choose a 6½-foot or 8-foot (2-meter or 2.4-meter) box. Silverado features an impressive Vortec gasoline engine lineup - Vortec 4300 V-6, Vortec 4800 V-8, Vortec 5300 V-8 and Vortec 6000 V-8 - ranging from 200 hp (149 kw) to 345 hp (257 kw). Payload capacities range from 1,593 to 3,224 pounds (717 to 1,451 kg), and Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings from 6,100 to 8,600 pounds (2,745 to 3,870 kg).

Offering the strength of a three-quarter-ton model frame, plus a Crew Cab's four full doors, is the Silverado 2500. It's powered by a standard 300-hp (224-kw) Vortec 6000 V-8 engine wîth a gross combination weight rating of 16,000 pounds, and a payload of as much as 3,143 pounds (1,414 kg). Maximum trailer weight is 10,300 pounds (4,635 kg).

The ultimate in four-wheeling fun and capability is available on the Silverado Z71 Off-Road Package on half-ton 4x4 models. The Z71 package includes 46-mm gas-charged shock absorbers, off-road jounce bumpers, specific stabilizer bars, a skid-plate package, a high-capacity air cleaner and distinctive Z71 decals for the pickup box.

Expanded offerings for 2004 Z71 models include cruise control, high capacity air cleaner, rear defogger, power door locks, carpeting, remote keyless entry, rearview mirror, AM/FM stereo wîth CD and cassette player, leather-wrapped §teering wheel, power windows, fog lamps, color-keyed grille and deep-tinted glass.

New tire, wheel choices

New tire choices for 2004 Sliverado include P265/70R17 on-/off-road white outlined-letter tires available on 4WD 1500 LS and LT Models and P265/70R17, on-/off-road, white outlined-letter tires available on 4WD 1500 LS and LT Models. A set of four six-lug polished cast aluminum 17-inch x 7.5-inch wheels, including a steel spare, is also available.

Silverado SS taps into Chevy heritage

Continuing wîth Chevy's 'Super Sport' heritage, Chevrolet is in full production wîth the Silverado SS, created from a 1500 Extended Cab short-bed to add fun and excitement without forfeiting Silverado's proven strengths and capabilities.

The SS badge made its debut on the 1961 Chevy Impala. For more than four decades, SS vehicles have provided on-road enthusiasts wîth outstanding performance, great handling and sleek, muscular designs. The Silverado SS is a contemporary expression of Chevy muscle, responding to enthusiasts who have migrated to full-size pickups.

For power, a standard high-output LQ9 version of the Vortec 6000 V-8, wîth 345 horsepower (257 kw) and 380 lb.-ft. (515 Nm) of torque, provides Silverado SS wîth exhilarating off-line acceleration and relaxed cruising. It mates to a Hydra-Matic 4L85-E four-speed automatic overdrive transmission, whose 3.06 first gear and 0.70 final gear contribute to the truck's impressive performance.

To enhance the package, a standard full-time, all-wheel-drive (AWD) viscous-coupled transfer case provides exceptional on-road, wet or dry pavement, handling.

The innovative Z60 high-performance chassis package is also unique, and includes Silverado's largest-ever, 20-inch wheel and tire combination, providing exceptional road holding and cornering capabilities.

Source - GM Corporation

Chevrolet Trucks: Building America for 95 years

It started wîth a simple idea – a few car chassis fitted wîth hand-built beds to help carry materials around a booming car factory. Before long, millions of Chevrolet pickups were woven into the fabric of a fast-growing country. Chevy trucks tackled the toughest jobs on farms and in the fields, hauled tools and lumber to the burgeoning suburbs and carried families and friends into the wilds for well-earned vacations.

'The legacy that Chevrolet trucks have built over the last 95 years is important to protect,' said Don Johnson, Chevrolet vice president of Sales and Service. 'The best way for us to do that is by delivering the capability and technology our customers have grown to expect, in both our current trucks and in our next generation of full-size pickups.'

Here are some Chevy truck highlights:

1918 Chevrolet Four-Ninety Half-Ton Light Delivery 'Cowl Chassis'
Although there are indications that some Four-Ninety based trucks were built for internal use in 1916, and that a few even earlier chassis may have been converted to ambulances and sent to France in 1914, the first customer chassis appears to have been built in Flint, Mich., on Nov. 22, 1916, and shipped from the factory on Dec. 2 that year.

Two four-cylinder models marked Chevrolet's formal entry into the truck market for the 1918 model year. Both were cowl chassis units that came from the factory wîth only frontal sheet metal. It was customary at the time for buyers to obtain a wooden cab and cargo box or panel van body to suit their purposes.

Priced at $595, the half-ton Light Delivery cowl chassis was essentially a bodyless Chevrolet Four Ninety car equipped wîth stronger rear springs. Mounted wîth a pickup box or panel body, it provided an agile and economical light-delivery truck for small businesses popping up across America in the boom following the First World War.

The second model, a 1-ton capacity 1918 Chevrolet 'Model T' (presumably for 'Truck') cost $1,125 without a body. It was based on the FA-series car, and was built on a truck frame that was longer and stronger than the half-ton model. A 37-horsepower engine gave the larger truck the power to haul heavier loads at a governor-limited top speed of 25 mph.

1930 Chevrolet Pickup


The simple cowl chassis models were replaced in the 1930s by factory-built pickups, which initially came wîth roadster and closed bodies. Chevrolet bought the Martin-Parry body company in 1930 and quickly began selling steel-body half-ton pickups complete wîth a factory-installed bed.

At the heart of these new pickups was a new Chevy inline six-cylinder engine, which soon earned names like 'Cast Iron Wonder' and 'Stovebolt' for its rugged design. First produced in late 1928, the new engine had a modern overhead-valve design. Inline six-cylinder engines became a mainstay in Chevrolet cars and trucks for decades to come.

By the mid-1930s, half-ton pickups wîth factory-installed steel boxes had become the lifeblood of the truck market, wîth brands like Mack, Studebaker, Reo, and International competing wîth Chevy, GMC, Ford and Dodge.

1937 Chevrolet Half-Ton Pickup


In the mid-1930s, as the Ú.S. economy began to recover from the Great Depression, Chevrolet pushed for leadership in a reviving truck market wîth what were designed to be some of the strongest, most innovative models produced to that point.

For 1937, Chevrolet introduced new trucks wîth streamlined styling that many still consider the best designs of the era. The '37 also featured a sturdier body and a larger and more powerful 78-horsepower engine, among other improvements.

A 1937 Chevrolet half-ton pickup was sent on a 10,245-mile drive around the Únited States that was monitored by the American Automobile Association (AAA). Carrying a 1,060 lb. load, the truck averaged 20.74 miles per gallon.

1947 Chevrolet Advance-Design Half-Ton Pickup


In early 1947, Chevrolet introduced its Advance-Design trucks, the first completely redesigned GM vehicles to appear following World War II. Owners of earlier pickup models had asked for a roomier, more comfortable cab wîth improved visibility and a wider pickup box. They got all of that and more.

Designers sought to make the truck's styling clean, brisk and attractive. Headlamps were now set wide apart in the front fenders and five horizontal bars made up the grille. The design was produced wîth few major changes from 1947 through 1953, and was then continued wîth a new frontal appearance into early 1955.

During the Advance-Design trucks' run, there was a measurable shift among Chevrolet customers to trucks. Prior to World War II, the production ratio of the brand's cars to trucks had been about 4:1. By 1950 – the year Chevrolet became the first brand to sell more than 2 million vehicles in a single year – the ratio of cars to trucks was closer to 2.5:1.

1955 Chevrolet Task Force Pickup


By the mid-1950s, the post-World-War II boom was under way, and customers were lòòking for style and performance even in pickup trucks. In mid-1955, Chevrolet introduced the all-new Task Force trucks, which shared design language wîth the 1955 Bel Air, and also offered the new small-block Chevy V8 as an option.

Also new to the 1955 truck line was the Cameo Carrier, a high-styled gentleman's pickup more at home in a trendy suburban California bungalow driveway than on a farm or in a factory yard. The Cameo Carrier was only produced through 1958, but it set the stage for new generations of well-equipped personal use pickups, including the El Camino, Avalanche, and Silverado crew cab.

A major engineering advance wîth tremendous future implications was announced for 1957, when a factory-installed 4-wheel-drive system became available for the first time on select models.

Chevrolet continued to offer the Task Force trucks wîth annual updates through 1959. During 1958, a new slab-sided Fleetside box option provided an alternative to Chevrolet's traditional step-side pickup box.

1959 Chevrolet El Camino


The original El Camino introduced for 1959 combined the dramatically finned styling of that period's Chevrolet cars wîth half-ton pickup utility. But the excitement was short-lived. After 1960, the El Camino went on a three-year hiatus.

Chevrolet revived the El Camino 'personal pickup' concept for 1964, wîth a new version based on that year's new mid-size Chevrolet Chevelle. During the 'muscle car' era that followed, El Camino buyers could order their truck wîth a Chevrolet high-performance big-block V-8 powertrain, creating a sport pickup that could 'haul' in more ways than one. By 1968, a complete Super Sport package was available.

The Chevelle El Camino enjoyed a devoted following and was produced through two more styling generations (1968-1972 and 1973-1977). For 1978, the El Camino was successfully transitioned to that year's new, smaller Malibu platform. The final El Caminos were 1987 models.

1961 Corvair Pickup


Although there had been a number of small pickups prior to the 1960s, the compact car boom that kicked off the decade brought wîth it a new crop of forward control trucks, including the Corvair 95. With its unitized body structure and rear-mounted engine, the 95 offered a lot of cargo space in a compact maneuverable package. The Rampside model offered a side gate on the right side of the vehicle, which allowed easy access to the low load floor at the front of the bed. Although clever in design, the Corvair 95 never caught on in the showroom, and in the final model year of 1964, only 851 were sold.

1967 Chevrolet C-10 wîth Custom Sport Truck Package


It took only one glance at any of the 35 Chevrolet C/K models for 1967 to see that Chevy trucks had a new look that year. The exterior profile, which would characterize Chevrolet C/K models through 1972, featured a lower-silhouette cab and large, rounded wheel openings. The new chassis had coil springs front and rear.

A new-for-1967 Custom Sport Truck package was a trend-setting option that included deluxe, car-like upgrades inside and out. The package could even be ordered in combination wîth bucket seats.

By 1967, the Federal Interstate Highway System was giving Americans unprecedented access to the nation's natural wonders and recreational areas. Customers who enjoyed such pursuits appreciated the small-block and big-block V-8 power choices that gave Chevrolet trucks the torque needed to pull trailers up grades, and horsepower to cruise comfortably wîth a camper at Interstate speeds.

1972 Chevy LÚV


In spring of 1972, Chevrolet started selling the LÚV pickup on costal markets. Built by GM partner Isuzu, the LÚV featured a 75-horsepower four-cylinder engine and four-speed manual transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) Although the specs were modest, the LÚV was a fully functioning pickup, wîth a ladder-style frame, a six-foot bed, and a payload of 1,100 pounds, plus room for two passengers. Within a few years, soaring gas prices would make compact pickups like the Chevy LÚV a major factor in the Ú.S. truck market, and it wasn't long before Chevrolet started work on a home-grown small truck.

1982 Chevrolet S-10


The Chevrolet S-10 was the first domestically produced compact pickup, larger than the imported Chevy LÚV but smaller than the full size C/K model. An 82-horsepower four-cylinder engine was standard, wîth an available 110-horsepower V6 – the only one in the class. Properly equipped, the S-10 could haul 1,500 pounds, and tow 4,000. The roomy cab and high levels of standard and optional equipment gave the S-10 a broader appeal than that of earlier, bare-bones small trucks, and it quickly became a mainstay of the Chevrolet lineup, appealing to everyone from young customers lòòking for a first set of wheels to businesses seeking a rugged work truck.

1988 Chevrolet Pickups


Pickup trucks had been slowly migrating from the worksite to the suburbs, and the 1988 Chevrolet C/K pickup accelerated that trend, bringing the aerodynamics, electronics and materials that had revolutionized the automobile over the past decade to the full-size pickup. Extensively tested to make sure it met the high bar for dependability set by previous Chevy pickups, the new truck also featured advanced aerodynamics for improved fuel economy, including a narrower cab for lower drag, flush side glass, and a sleek front end wîth integrated lamps.

A full range of powertrains was offered, from a 4.3-liter V6 through a 6.2-liter diesel V8. To enhance durability, the trucks featured extensive use of galvanized steel for corrosion resistance, and a full welded frame wîth a boxed front section for strength and rigidity. Civilized driving characteristics and styling moved full-size pickups closer to being the family vehicles they are today.

1999 Chevrolet Silverado


Chevrolet's all-new 1999 full-size pickups were the first to carry the Silverado nameplate. The new trucks resulted from the most intensive development program yet undertaken by General Motors and they arrived just in time for a boom in truck sales. The styling of the new Silverado pickups built on the purposeful design that characterized the preceding C/K pickups. Interiors had all the comfort and convenience features personal-use customers were starting to expect. Power came from a new generation of V8 engines.

2004 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab


The 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche pioneered the idea of a light-duty pickup that could comfortably accommodate the family, and the 2004 Silverado took this idea and ran wîth it. In less than eight years, light-duty crew cabs would dominate the full-size pickup market, accounting for more than two-thirds of all sales, and transforming pickups into a true multi-purpose vehicle for both work and family. Available creature comforts included dual-zone climate control, Bose sound systems, a rear-seat DVD player, OnStar and XM radio. Even wîth the creature comforts, Silverado maintained the Chevy truck capability.

2007 Silverado


The all-new 2007 Silverado provided significant improvements in performance and fuel economy, while strengthening the capability and dependability Chevy pickups were known for. It featured a new fully boxed frame, coil-over-shock front suspension, and rack-and-pinion §teering for improved ride and handling, while new Gen IV small-block 5.3L and 6.0L V-8 engines could deactivate four of the eight cylinders when not needed to save fuel. (concept carz) Safety advances included StabiliTrak electronic stability control and head-curtain side airbags for enhanced occupant protection.

2013 Chevrolet Colorado


Just as full-size pickups have become the lifeblood of the American economy, midsize pickups are important vehicles for businesses and families in many countries outside the Únited States. Chevrolet's new global mid-size Colorado pickup is designed to help expand the Chevrolet brand into many of the world's fastest-growing markets.

Developed under the direction of a truck-savvy team from GM do Brasil, the inaugural version of the global Colorado was launched in Thailand, the world's largest market for midsize pickups, in November, 2011. Over the next several years, Colorado will be introduced into many global markets, including the Únited States, where it will offer a more fuel efficient alternative for customers who don't need all of the capability of a full-size pickup.

Source - GM

NEW SIERRA MARKS 111 YEARS OF GMC PICKUP HERITAGE PHOTO HISTORY SHOWS EVOLUTION OF TRUCK DESIGN THROUGH 12 DECADES

• New Sierra Marks 111 Years of GMC Pickup Heritage

• Photo history shows evolution of truck design through 12 decades

DETROIT - The all-new 2014 GMC Sierra fullsize pickup will be the latest in a bloodline that stretches back over a century. The first truck to wear a GMC badge debuted in 1912, while a predecessor from the Max Grabowsky's Rapid Motor Vehicle Co. was the first commercial truck operated in the City of Detroit 10 years earlier.

Here's a list of highlights by decade, accompanied by a corresponding photo of each.
• 1900s: The first Rapid truck - little more than a seat, an engine cover and a frame - was delivered in 1902.
• 1910s: The GMC name takes its place on a truck grille for the first time in 1912 and the mix of trucks offered had either upright front ends or curved 'French' fronts.
• 1920s: 1927 was a milestone for design features wîth more stylized fenders, headlights attached to the radiator, and the first chrome-plated radiator surround.
• 1930s: Streamlining in the '30s added sloped grilles, more paint color options and passenger cabs inspired by car design trends, which helped expand the truck market.
• 1940s: Following the war, GMCs of the late '40s featured fully integrated headlights for the first time, as well as wider, lower, and bolder grilles.
• 1950s: Cars again influenced truck design in the '50s, resulting in more safety, comfort and performance. 1955 highlights were hooded headlights and panoramic glass.
• 1960s: The first GMC pickup wîth a full-width hood debuted in 1960. Other design cues included 'jet pod' grilles at the front and a pinched-waist body crease on each side. - 1970s: Padded materials replaced many metal interior surfaces in the '70s. Heavy duty models offered a dual rear axle for the first time and the Crew Cab debuted. - 1980s: In 1987, the Sierra name became standard for all full-size pickups wîth the introduction of a new, more aerodynamic generation of GMC trucks. - 1990s: The '90s brought the first rear-hinged three-door Extended Cab model. In 1999, new generation of truck introduced the first use of frame hydroforming. - 2000s: The new millennium brought the 'D' decade: The first Duramax diesel engine for Sierra HD added capability and the first Denali pickup set a luxury standard for trucks. - 2012: The new 2014 Sierra debuts on December 13.

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, and is one of the 's healthiest brands. Innovation and engineering excellence is built into all GMC vehicles and the brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SÚV and Acadia crossover. GMC is the only manufacturer to offer three full-size hybrid trucks wîth the Yukon, Yukon Denali SÚVs and the Sierra pickup. The Sierra Heavy Duty pickups are the most capable and powerful trucks in the market.

Source - GMC