Overview & Reviews
The Chevrolet Silverado 3500 has long been the monster hauler in the Silverado lineup. Serving as the go-to vehicle for towing and hauling huge loads across America, a 3500 "dually" is a truck that many people consider essential for tugging a Boston Whaler or the family's fifth-wheel Coachmen.
Although Chevrolet has used the "Silverado" name as a trim level on its old C/K pickup, it didn't decide to make it an official full-size truck name until 1999. Even then, it wasn't applied to the 3500 until Chevy's heavy-duty pickup trucks were completely redesigned a couple of years later. (Further information about the current-generation 3500, the 3500HD, is available here.)
While the Silverado 3500 could have benefited from better interior materials, its durability and tremendous hauling and towing abilities have kept generations of Chevy loyalists coming back to the gold bowtie. For shoppers interested in a used heavy-duty pickup that can take on just about any towing or hauling task, the Chevy Silverado 3500 is a solid choice.
Most Recent Chevrolet Silverado 3500
The Chevrolet Silverado 3500 was sold from 2001-'06 and lived for one final year in 2007 as the "3500 Classic." These trucks came in standard, LS and LT trim levels. Changes to this truck were minimal during its run. There were updates made to exterior styling and the interior for 2003, while a Work Truck trim was added for 2004. Further exterior tweaks were made for 2005. For 2006, there were three variations of the LT trim level. The 3500 was initially available only with dual rear wheels until the 2004 model year, when a regular rear axle version debuted.
The standard engine on the Chevy Silverado 3500 was a 6.0-liter V8 that made 300 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque. There were two optional engines: an 8.1-liter gasoline V8 producing 340 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque and a 6.6-liter turbodiesel producing 300 hp and 520 lb-ft. This diesel was upgraded in 2006 for more power and refinement and fewer emissions. It was rated at 360 hp and a whopping 650 lb-ft of torque. These engines carried over for the Classic. A five-speed manual transmission was standard with the 6.0-liter V8, with a four-speed automatic being optional. The 8.1-liter V8 and the diesel engines came with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic. (It became a six-speed for 2006.)
As is the case with the current 3500HD, we were always impressed by this generation's powerful engine lineup and substantial towing and hauling abilities. It was a reasonably comfortable truck for everyday use, but don't expect the plush ride of its light-duty siblings. Any of the three available engines will provide swift acceleration (for a huge truck) and ample towing power, but the diesel V8 is probably the best choice for those who tow heavy loads -- especially if it's the updated version. Our principal beef with the Silverado 3500 concerned the shoddy interior design, materials and build quality. Chevy improved it gradually during its lifespan, but it was never quite up to snuff.
Past Chevrolet Silverado 3500 models
The previous-generation Chevrolet heavy-duty pickups ran from 1988-2000 and were simply known by their number nomenclature -- 2500 (3/4-ton) and 3500 (1-ton). In keeping with tradition, one could choose either rear-wheel drive (indicated by a "C", e.g. "C3500") or four-wheel drive (indicated by a "K"). Trim levels for these C/K3500 trucks include the base Cheyenne and top-line Silverado, which later changed to base and LS for 1999. Strengths of these trucks include strong, durable powertrains, while weaknesses center on sketchy build quality and materials within the cabin.
User Reviews:
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DISAPPOINTED CHEVY OWNER - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
By MIKE - February 7 - 10:53 pmI am very disappointed with my purchase of the Chevrolet 4X4 crew cab 3500 pickup. I am towing about 8000 lbs on a regular basis and traded a 2004 Toyota Tundra for the Chevy. This truck rides okay when not towing, but hook a 26 trailer to it and the ride is so uncomfortable you have to pull over every hour or so or it will beat you to death. It averages 7-9mpg and seems to top out at 60 mph on slight inclines. The Tundra by far is a better vehicle more leg room and the overall package is 100% better than Chevrolets "best towing truck" It is too bad as I have been a long time Chevrolet owner but this will be the last.
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Z-85 - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
By Dale - December 30 - 12:33 amWhat a truck. The Z-85 is a real looker and all that I expected. 20" wheels, 5.3L, 4sp with posi - what more could ya want ?
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The Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
By Tyler Smith - December 1 - 2:00 amIf you want a truck that is powerful, quiet deisel engine, then the chevrolet 1 ton dually is the truck for you. It has slick, inovative styling making it aerodynamic and one big truck all at once. You can go through the drive thru of a resteraunt without having to turn off your truck. The truck to have is the 2004 Chevrolet 1 ton dually.Period.
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3500 DRW - Wow!! - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
By Pusher - November 12 - 2:26 pmThis truck is fantastic! I traded in a 2004 2500 Crew Cab with a 6.0L for this truck that has an 8.1L beast for an engine...and its fantastic. Tons of power, very smooth ride even with the DRW, and for such a big engine it gets fantastic mileage of 13 - 14 mpg. If youre towing, this is the truck for you. You can spend thousands up front for a diesel or save a little and go with the gas. Diesels are fine but I went with the gas as they warm up quicker in the winter. Very good truck and would recommend to anyone.
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No bad--but not perfect - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
By Chris - July 23 - 12:03 amI bought this vehicle for commercial use and it has been pretty good. Problem areas have been the fuel injectors (replaced under warranty), and faulty gauges. After almost 3 years of ownership, the truck still looks good and drives very carlike. I chose a Duramax for its smoothness over the Ford and Dodge diesels. My truck has the 12,000 GVW package and I have not been able to bottom out the suspension, in spite of my best efforts!
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Very nice truck - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
By Jon - June 20 - 3:33 amI know this is a late review, but I bought this truck used with a 100,000 miles on it and you could not tell by looking at it inside and out. I bought the 3500 because of the price, right time right price I use it to tow my travel trailer (my 1500 had tough time) Boy Ill tell you its like night and day this 3500 has no problem climbing hills and very comfortable to drive like driving your Lazy Boy chair around.
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Chevy stuff - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
By nmn.strabel - May 20 - 9:26 pmAfter accepting delivery of my expensive 2002 3500 duramax equipped Chevy truck I was very disappointed to discover that my 1 ton dually truck came with the cheapest steel wheels that are made. After only a few thousand kilometers there were rust spots appearing on them. After going as far as I could with GM Canada and getting nowhere, I ended up sanding and repainting myself. Ford & Dodge do not have this problem. A $50,000 truck with 10 cent wheels. The rest of the truck is pretty good.
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Love My Truck - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
By txgrandma - October 30 - 9:53 amIm a grandmother and use my truck to haul grandkids to the rodeos, get hay, and just general travel. It is the most comfortable truck that I have ever driven. Mechanically we have had only minor problems and it has over 170,000 miles on it. I cant really think of anything I dont like about it. If it ever gets replaces it will be with another Chevy 1-ton. It will pull anything Ive put behind it and is extremely reliable on the road. Nothing but a Chevy for me!
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DuraMax - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
By Ray Gaskill - March 17 - 2:00 amI tow a 18,000 lb trailer to all the Nascar events and love this truck. I originally drove Fords, but after looking at the numbers and talking to another DuraMax owner (who also had a Powerstroke and swithed to Chevy), I order the DuraMax and leave Fords and Dodge in the dust!
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I Love My 2000 Chevy Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
By My 2000 Chevy Truck - February 23 - 5:53 amWe mostly use our truck to pull a 30 foot Cabin cruiser boat. It has proven its self over and over again, pulling a 11,000 pound boat up some very steep,and wet boat ramps. We also pull a 25 foot camper with it. If we hadnt hooked it up and didt see it in the rear view mirror, you would never know it was back there. Our truck has proved to be every thing we had hoped for in a truck. All though a might harder to park than our Blazer, my wife had rather take it shopping.she likes the way it puts her up higher than most vehicles.
