4x4Review Off Road Magazine
Review by Dr. David A. Zatz
| Review Notes: GMC Sierra 1500 HD Automatic 4WD | |
| Personality | Serious work truck with luxury amenities |
| Quirks | Door handle, brake release placement, cruise control |
| Unusual features | Interesting options, four wheel steering, power and payload |
| Above Average | Braking, capacity, technology – and integration of technology |
| Needs Work In | Lighter liftgate, better e-brake controls, door handles |
If anyone had told me in 1976 that a work-oriented pickup truck would cost $45,000, I’d probably have laughed at them. Then again, that was before OnStar, built-in video systems, four-wheel steering, or satellite stereo. Indeed, heavy duty trucks were, in the 1970s, often powered by six cylinder engines putting out a hundred horsepower – roughly a third of what our test Sierra 1500 HD’s six-liter Vortec V8 produces.
For a light duty truck, the Sierra HD packs quite a wallop – ours had a load capacity that makes it immune to fuel economy regulations. The end result is a pickup that can comfortably carry five people, yet tow a fairly massive trailer with ease. On the other hand, those who think the built in DVD system – complete with roof-mounted viewing screen, separate rear controls, and headphones for two passengers ($1,295) – make it an ideal family hauler should think twice, unless they already travel in one of the aforementioned heavy trailers. The Sierra we tested, with its big V8 and high capacity, had the very stiff, bumpy suspension we associate with heavy-duty pickups, along with the gas mileage you’d expect – namely, around ten miles per gallon. That’s not bad for a heavy duty pickup, but it’s not what you want around town, either.
The sheer size of a crew cab pickup means it doesn’t fit into many parking spaces, but if there’s room, the four wheel steering makes it far easier to get into those spaces. It cuts the turning radius to sports-car territory, allowing the Sierra to thread so angles one would not expect. That may make the $5,525 Quadrasteer option worthwhile to 
those who keep their trucks a long, long time. It comes with roof marker lamps (big-rig style), manual-select ride control, heavy duty trailering equipment, a limited slip differential, and an extra-large 145 amp alternator.
Quadrasteer is an electromechanical system that turns the vehicle’s rear wheels (up to 12 degrees) in relation to the front wheels, resulting in unprecedented low-speed maneuverability and high-speed stability. At lower speeds, Quadrasteer reduces the 1500 HD models’ curb-to-curb turning diameter by up to 21 percent, to 39.2 feet, comparable to the 37.1-feet turning radius of a Saturn S-Series compact car. At higher speeds, Quadrasteer reduces the vehicle’s “yaw,” or rotational motion, for better control during lane changes and when being passed by a large truck.
Quadrasteer also provides significant benefits to customers who trailer, enabling drivers to change lanes with more confidence and with less trailer sway. During low-speed towing maneuvers, such as backing into a boat launch or parking a camper, four-wheel steering greatly improves the trailer response to steering input.
Two generic GM features were included in our test vehicle: XM stereo and OnStar. The first is a subscription radio service with a hundred stations, featuring music you will not hear on centrally programmed, monopoly-owned commercial radio. There are few ads, little DJ chatter, and an incredible variety of music, and the system is programmed into the radio as just another band, like FM. But the name of the channel (e.g. Bluegrass, DeepTrak, the 1970s) is shown on the display so you know where you are. You can use presets to return to your favorite XM stations. If you’re on the road a lot, this system is well worth the $325 down and monthly subscription. Likewise, 
OnStar, which is cleverly integrated into the mirror and speakers (with a microphone hidden somewhere), can quickly make itself useful for those who travel and sometimes need a little help getting un-lost. By automatically calling an ambulance after an accident, OnStar may even save your life.
Our vehicle had a compass and external thermostat unobtrusively built into the auto-dimming rear view mirror, along with OnStar controls on the bottom. Also present, though you can’t see it, is a system that automatically deactivates the passenger-side air bag, based on the weight and position of the passenger seat occupant, to help protect children and small adults from air-bag induced injury.
Commercial operators will be happy with the annual mileage log and separate personal and business trip logs (which also record gas mileage and average speed), built into the odometer display with wheel-mounted controls. The oil life monitor and personal preference panels (e.g. door locking actions) are built into that system, as well. The information makes record keeping easier, and setting your own preferences is a friendly and helpful feature.
We are usually annoyed by automatic headlights, but GM has a headlight-defeat feature which lets you shut them off – giving you a warning light and resetting to defaults with the next trip.
Other features include a towing mode for the transmission and four wheel steering, automatic or manual pushbutton four wheel drive, and an optional, easy to use thermostatically controlled, dual-zone climate system. The fan makes little noise even on high, thanks to large openings.
While GMC designed the optional features very well, some of the basic layout is a bit uncomfortable. The stalk-mounted cruise control is inconvenient to all but GM purists, the door handles are set too far back and rise at an 
odd angle, and the emergency brake release is under the steering wheel, further to the right than it should be. The emergency brake goes right down to the floor each time you press it, giving no evidence of grabbing, and slams up loudly when released.
On the lighter side, there are many convenient aspects of the cab, including a massive, Ram-style covered center console with a built in coin holder (no pennies allowed) and cushioned top, a central storage bin including large dual cupholders, and two empty spaces in the center console for sunglasses and such – lined with rattle-removing rubber. The rear seats fold down if needed, and all four main seats are generously sized. The crew cab has enough room for four full size adults to sit in comfort, and will handle five without difficulty. The high roof means your hat can stay on, too. Rear passengers get four cupholders, two from the front console and two from their own console. Our Sierra had an optional rear sound system, too, so they could choose their own music.
On the road, the Sierra HD is very quiet, with a burbling exhaust that sounds as though a massively powerful six-liter V8 engine is on the other side. Handling is surprisingly good on the highway, but it is clearly still a truck, and if you treat it like a sports car, someone will be sorry. Around town, the heavy duty suspension tells, with some loss of traction on rough pavement unless there’s a load to damp down the suspension.
Braking is far better than equivalent Fords, which is reason enough to choose a GMC over an F-150. Four wheel antilock disk brakes with dynamic proportioning are standard on the HD. Since it’s almost a safety feature, we will also mention the standard passlock theft protection system.
The ride is typical of a heavy duty truck, with serious bouncing that calms under a heavy load, and a very stiff suspension that passes along bumps and joints.
Acceleration is very good, which is hardly surprising given the power under the hood. The emphasis is still on 
torque, so don’t expect to give a sports car a run for their money, but you can get to highway speeds quite quickly. A very gradual tip-in means that you have a lot of control over when the engine kicks in, handy for those times when you need to move just a little, but a bit hard to get used to at first. The engine provides good feedback. On the other hand, because it is a heavy duty truck, the tires sometimes skipped and squealed if acceleration from a stop was too fast; the same effect also affected sharp turns.
Visibility is good in all directions, thanks to large mirrors and small cab posts. We’re hoping GM’s infra-red parking sensor system makes it to trucks someday, though. Small cars are quickly eclipsed by the tall truck.
With GMC making trucks like this, we have to wonder about all those Ford pickup buyers – have they compared spec sheets or taken a ride in a GMC? The Vortec engines are more efficient than their Ford counterparts, the brakes far better, the interiors a step up, even the heavy-duty hydroformed frames an advance over the F-series. These are compelling trucks.
Overall, the 1500 HD is a top-of-the-heap work truck, even when loaded with incongruent consumer goodies like DVD entertainment systems. Don’t buy one for commuting, though – the gas mileage, ride, and sheer bulk make it less than practical for casual drivers, and the height of the pickup bed make it less convenient for carrying “ordinary” loads. It is designed for heavy towing and hauling, and will be welcome for those who need it.
Specifications
|
Overview |
|
|
Models: |
GMC Sierra 2500 HD, 3500 Regular Cab Wideside Long Box SL and SLE 2500 HD Extended Cab Wideside Short Box SL, SLE, SLT 2500 HD, 3500 Extended Cab Wideside Long Box SL, SLE, SLT 2500HD Crew Cab Wideside Short Box SLE, and SLT 2500HD, 3500 Crew Cab Wideside Long Box, SLE and SLT 3500 Chassis Cabs |
|
Body style / driveline: |
2/3-passenger regular cab, |
| EPA vehicle class: | full-size truck |
| Manufacturing location: | Flint, Michigan; Pontiac, Michigan; Fort Wayne, Indiana |
| Key competitors: | Ford F250, F350 Super Duty; Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 |
| Engine | |||
| Vortec 6000 6.0L V8 (LQ4) |
Vortec 8100 8.1L V8 (L18) |
Duramax 6600 6.6L V8 (LB7) |
|
| Type: | 6.0-liter V8 | 8.1-liter V8 | 6.6-liter V8 |
| Displacement (cu in / cc): |
364 / 5967 | 496 / 8128 | 403 / 6599 |
| Bore & stroke (in / mm): |
4.00 x 3.62 / 101.6 x 92.0 | 4.25 x 4.37 / 107.95 x 111.0 | 4.06 x 3.90 / 103.0 x 99.0 |
| Block material: | cast iron | cast iron | cast iron |
| Cylinder head material: | cast aluminum | cast iron | cast aluminum |
| Valvetrain: | OHV | OHV | OHV |
| Ignition system: | composite distributor, platinum-tipped spark plugs, low-resistance spark plug wires | coil near plug, platinum-tipped spark plugs, low-resistance spark plug wires | compression ignition direct injection |
| Fuel delivery: | sequential fuel injection | sequential fuel injection | high pressure common rail |
| Compression ratio: | 9.4:1 | 9.1:1 | 17.5:1 |
| Horsepower (hp / kw @ rpm): |
300 / 224 @ 4400 | 340 / @ 4200 | 300 / 224 @ 3000 |
| Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): |
360 / 488 @ 4000 | 455 / 617 @ 3200 | 520 / 705 @ 1800 |
| Recommended fuel: | 87 octane | 87 octane | diesel |
| Maximum engine speed (rpm): | 5600 | 5000 | 3250 |
| Emissions controls: | three-way catalytic converter, exhaust gas recirculation, positive crankcase ventilation, evaporative collection system | three-way catalytic converter, exhaust gas recirculation, positive crankcase ventilation, evaporative collection system | turbocharged, intercooled (no exhaust after treatment needed) |
| Transmissions | ||||
|
Hydra-Matic
4L80-E |
MW3 New
Venture Gear |
ML6 ZF
S6-650 |
M74
Allison 1000 |
|
| Type: | 4-speed auto | 5-speed manual | 6-speed manual | 5-speed auto |
| Gear ratios (:1): | ||||
|
2.48 | 5.61 | 5.79 | 3.10 |
|
1.48 | 3.04 | 3.31 | 1.81 |
|
1.00 | 1.67 | 2.10 | 1.41 |
|
0.75 | 1.00 | 1.31 | 1.00 |
|
– | 0.75 | 1.00 | 0.71 |
|
– | – | 0.72 | – |
|
2.08 | 5.04 | 5.23 | 4.49 |
| Final drive ratio (with all transmissions): |
Vortec 6000: 4.10 standard all models Vortec 8100: (optional) 3.73 or 4.10 on 2500 HD; 4.10 standard on 3500 Series Duramax 6600: 3.73 ratio standard all models |
|||
| Chassis/Suspension | ||||
| Front (all models): | long- and short-arm independent torsion bar | |||
| Rear: | ||||
|
2500HD pickups: |
semi-elliptic two-stage multileaf spring | |||
| 3500 chassis cabs: | three-stage multileaf spring | |||
| Steering type: | integral power recirculating ball | |||
| Steering ratio: | 24:1 | |||
| Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock: |
3.14 | |||
| Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m): |
Regular | Extended | Crew | |
| 2500 HD series single wheel pickups: |
2WD: 43.8 / 13.4 4WD: 43.8 / 13.4 |
2WD: 46.8 / 14.3 4WD: 50.8 / 15.5 |
2WD: 49.6 / 15.1 4WD: 49.6 / 15.1 |
|
| 3500 series dual wheel pickups: |
2WD: 43.7 / 13.3 4WD: 43.7 / 13.3 |
2WD: 50.7 / 15.5 4WD: 50.7 / 15.5 |
2WD: 53.5 / 16.3 4WD: 53.5 / 16.3 |
|
| 3500 series dual wheel chassis cabs: |
2WD: 44.9 / 13.7 4WD: 51.9 / 15.8 |
2WD: 51.9 / 15.8 4WD: 58.8 / 17.0 |
– | |
| Brakes | ||||
| Type: | power, HydroBoost brake apply system, four-wheel disc, four-wheel ABS | |||
|
2500 H.D. Pickups 9200-lb GVW
|
3500 Series Pickups, Chassis Cabs 11400-lb GVW
|
3500 Series Chassis Cab 12000-lb GVW
|
||
| Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm): | ||||
|
12.8 x 1.50 / 325 x 38 |
12.8 x 1.50 / 325 x 38 |
12.8 x 1.50 / 325 x 38 |
|
|
12.8 x 1.20 / 325 x 30 |
12.8 x 1.20 / 325 x 30 |
12.8 x 1.20 / 325 x 30 |
|
| Swept area (sq in / sq cm): | ||||
|
245.5 / 1583.8 | 245.5 / 1583.8 | 245.5 / 1583.8 | |
|
235.1 / 1516.6 | 235.1 / 1516.6 | 235.1 / 1516.6 | |
| Wheels/Tires | ||||
| Wheel size & type: | ||||
| Standard: | 16-inch steel | 16-inch steel | 16-inch steel | |
| Optional: | aluminum / chrome | Bright Rally trim rings w/bright hubcaps | Bright Rally trim rings w/bright hubcaps | |
| Tire size & type: | LT245/75R-16E all-season steel belted radials | LT215/85R-16 D&E all-season steel-belted radials | LT215/85R-16 D&E all-season steel-belted radials | |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Exterior |
2500HD / 3500 Regular Cab Long Box
|
2500HD Extended Cab Short Box
|
2500HD / 3500 Extended Cab Long Box
|
2500HD Crew Cab Short Box
|
| Wheelbase (in / mm): | 133.0 / 3378 | 143.5 / 3645 | 157.5 / 4001 | 153.0 / 3886 |
| Overall length (in / mm): | 222.1 / 5641 | 227.7 / 5784 | 246.6 / 6264 | 237.3 / 6027 |
| Overall width (in / mm): | ||||
| With base fleet mirror folded |
2WD: 79.7 / 2024; 4WD: 96.1 / 2441 | 79.7 / 2024 | 2WD: 79.7 / 2024 4WD: 96.1 / 2441 |
79.7 / 2024 |
| With std. YE9 mirrors folded: |
2WD: 81.5 / 2070; 4WD: 96.1 / 2441 | 81.5 / 2070 | 2WD: 81.5 / 2070 4WD: 96.1 / 2441 |
81.5 / 2070 |
| With extended YE9 mirrors | 2WD: 93.1 / 2363; 4WD: 96.1 / 2441 | 93.1 / 2363 | 2WD: 93.1 / 2363 4WD: 96.1 / 2441 |
93.1 / 2363 |
| Overall height (in / mm): | ||||
| 2WD: 2500 HD: 76.2 / 1935 |
76.2 / 1935 | 2500HD: 76.2 / 1935 | 77.0 / 1956 | |
| 3500: 76.7 / 1948 | 3500: 76.3 / 1938 | |||
| 4WD: 2500 HD: 76.5 / 1943 |
76.5 / 1943 | 76.5 / 1943 |
77.4 / 1966 | |
| 3500: 76.7 / 1948 | ||||
| Min. ground clearance (in / mm): | ||||
| Front, 2WD: | 2500HD: 8.6 / 218.4 3500: 8.8 / 223.5 |
8.5 / 216 | 2500HD: 8.5 / 216 | 8.7 / 221.0 |
| Front, 4WD: | 2500HD: 8.9 / 226.1 3500: 8.8 / 223.5 |
8.8 / 223.5 | 2500HD: 8.8 / 223.5 3500: 8.7 / 221.0 |
8.9 / 226.1 |
| Rear, 2WD: | 2500HD: 7.5 / 190.5 3500: 7.6 / 193.0 |
7.4 / 188.0 | 2500HD: 7.4 / 188.0 | 7.4 / 188.0 |
| Rear, 4WD: | 2500HD: 7.5 / 190.5 3500: 7.6 / 193.0 |
7.4 / 188.0 | 2500HD: 7.4 / 188.0 3500: 7.5 / 190.5 |
7.4 / 188.0 |
| Step-in height (in / mm): | ||||
| 2WD: | 24.9 / 632.5 25.5 / 645.2 |
24.4 / 619.8 | 24.4 / 619.8 24.9 / 632.5 |
24.6 / 624.8 |
| 4WD: | 25.4 / 645.2 | 24.6 / 624.8 | 24.6 / 624.8 24.9 / 632.5 |
25.1 / 637.5 |
|
Crew Cab
Long Box |
Crew Cab
Chassis Cab |
Reg. Cab
Chassis Cab DRW |
Extended Cab
Chassis Cab DRW |
|
| Wheelbase (in / mm): | 167.0 / 4242 | 167.0 / 4242 | 2WD: 137.0 / 3480 4WD: 161.5 / 4102 |
4WD: 185.5 / 4712 |
| Overall length (in / mm): | 256.2 / 6507 | 246.7 / 6266 | 2WD: 225.0 / 5715 4WD: 249.5 / 6637 |
4WD: 273.5 / 6947 |
| Overall width (in / mm) | ||||
|
79.7 / 2024 | 2WD: 79.7 / 2024; 4WD: 94.0 / 2388 | 94.0 / 2388 | 4WD: 94.0 / 2388 |
|
81.5 / 2070 | 2WD: 81.5 / 2070; 4WD: 94.0 / 2388 | 94.0 / 2388 | 4WD: 94.0 / 2388 |
|
93.1 / 2363 | 2WD: 93.1 / 2070; 4WD: 94.0 / 2388 | 94.0 / 2388 | 4WD: 94.0 / 2388 |
| Overall height (in / mm): | ||||
|
2500HD: 77.0 / 1956 3500: 77.3 / 1963 |
2500HD: 77.0 / 1956 3500: 77.3 / 1963 |
76.0 / 1930 | – |
|
2500HD: 77.0 / 1956 3500: 77.3 / 1963 |
2500HD: 77.0 / 1956 3500: 77.3 / 1963 |
76.0 / 1930 | 76.0 / 1930 |
| Min. ground clearance (in / mm): | ||||
|
8.7 / 221.0 | 8.7 / 221.0 | 8.8 / 223.5 | – |
|
8.7 / 221.0 | 8.7 / 221.0 | 8.8 / 223.5 | 8.8 / 223.5 |
|
7.6 / 193.0 | 7.6 / 193.0 | 7.6 / 193.0 | – |
|
7.6 / 193.0 | 7.6 / 193.0 | 7.4 / 188.0 | 7.4 / 188.0 |
| Step-in height (in / mm): | ||||
|
2500HD: 24.6 / 624.8 3500: 24.7 / 627.4 |
2500HD: 24.6 / 624.8 3500: 24.7 / 627.4 |
25 / 635 | – |
|
2500HD: 25.1 / 637.5 3500: 24.8 / 629.9 |
2500HD: 25.1 / 637.5 3500: 24.8 / 629.9 |
25 / 635 | 25 / 635 |
| 2500 HD | 3500 Series | |||
| Track (in / mm): | ||||
|
68.6 / 1742 | 68.6 / 1742 | ||
|
66.0 / 1676 | 74.7 / 1897 | ||
|
GVW (lbs / kg)
|
Base Curb Weight
(lbs / kg) |
Payload (lbs / kg)
|
Weight Distribution (% front / rear)
|
|
| 2WD pickups / chassis cabs: | ||||
| C25903 reg. cab long box |
8600 / 3900.2 | 5059 / 2294.3 | 3541 / 1605.9 | 57 / 43 |
| C25903HD reg. cab long box: |
9200 / 4173 | 5153 / 2337.0 | 4047 / 1835.4 | 55 / 45 |
| C25753HD ext cab short box: |
9200 / 4173 | 5402 / 2449.9 | 3798 / 1722.4 | 56 / 44 |
| C25953HD ext cab long box: |
9200 / 4173 | 5556 / 2519.7 | 3644 / 1652.6 | 56 / 44 |
| C25743HD crew cab short box: |
9200 / 4173 | 5615 / 2546.5 | 3585 / 1625.9 | 55 / 45 |
| C25943HD crew cab long box: |
9200 / 4173 | 5779 / 2620.9 | 3421 / 1551.5 | 55 / 45 |
| C35943 crew cab long box: |
11400 / 5171 | 6168 / 2797.3 | 5232 / 2372.8 | 52 / 48 |
| C35953 ext. cab long box: |
11400 / 5171 | 5951 / 2698.9 | 5449 / 2471.2 | 53 / 47 |
| C35003 reg. cab chassis cab: |
11400 / 5171 | 5530 / 2507.9 | 5870 / 2662.1 | 53 / 47 |
|
C35053 ext. cab |
11400 / 5171 | 5971 / 2707.9 | 5429 / 2462.1 | 54 / 46 |
| C35403 reg. cab chassis cab: |
11400 / 5171 | 5612 / 2545.1 | 5788 / 2624.9 | 55 / 45 |
| C35453 ext. cab chassis cab: |
11400 / 5171 | 6057 / 2746.9 | 5343 / 2423.1 | 55 / 45 |
| 4WD pickups / chassis cabs: | ||||
| K25753 ext, cab short box |
8600 / 3900.2 | 5524 / 2505.2 | 3076 / 1395.0 | 59 / 41 |
| K25903HD reg. cab long box: |
9200 / 4173 | 5440 / 2467.1 | 3760 / 1705.2 | 57 / 43 |
| K25753HD ext cab short box: |
9200 / 4173 | 5631 / 2553.7 | 3569 / 1618.6 | 58 / 42 |
| K25743HD crew cab short box: |
9200 / 4173 | 5892 / 2672.1 | 3308 / 1500.2 | 57 / 43 |
| K25943HD crew cab long box: |
9200 / 4173 | 6056 / 2746.5 | 3144 / 1425.9 | 57 / 43 |
| K25953HD ext cab long box: |
9200 / 4173 | 5828 / 2643.1 | 3372 / 1529.3 | 58 / 42 |
| K35903 reg. cab long box: |
11400 / 5171 | 5841 / 2649.0 | 5559 / 2521.1 | 54 / 46 |
| K35943 crew cab long box: |
11400 / 5171 | 6459 / 2929.3 | 4941 / 2240.8 | 54 / 46 |
| K35953 ext cab long box: |
11400 / 5171 | 6231 / 2825.9 | 5169 / 2344.2 | 54 / 46 |
| K35003 reg. cab chassis cab: |
12000 / 5443 | 5800 / 2630.4 | 6200 / 2811.8 | 55 / 45 |
| K35053 ext. cab chassis cab: |
12000 / 5443 | 6262 / 2839.9 | 5738 / 2602.3 | 55 / 45 |
| K35403 reg. cab chassis cab: |
12000 / 5443 | 5906 / 2678.5 | 6094 / 2763.7 | 57 / 43 |
| K35453 ext. cab chassis cab: |
12000 / 5443 | 6341 / 2875.7 | 5659 / 2566.4 | 56 / 44 |
| Cargo Box |
Short Box (6.5-foot)
|
Long Box (8-foot)
|
||
| Cargo volume (cu ft / liters): |
56.9 / 1611
|
70.7 / 2002
|
||
| Length at floor (in / mm): |
78.7 / 1999
|
97.6 / 2479
|
||
| Opening width at floor (in / mm): |
64.8 / 1646
|
64.8 / 1646
|
||
| Opening width rear at top (in / mm): |
61.9 / 1572
|
61.9 / 1572
|
||
| Cargo width at wheelhouse (in / mm): |
50.0 / 1270
|
50.0 / 1270
|
||
| Length at top (in / mm): |
77.8 / 1976
|
96.7 / 2456
|
||
| Inside box height (in / mm): |
19.5 / 495.3
|
19.5 / 495.3
|
||
| Interior | Regular Cab | Extended Cab | Crew Cab | |
| Head room (in / mm): | ||||
|
41.0 / 1041.4 | 41.0 / 1041.4 | 41.0 / 1041.4 | |
|
– | 38.4 / 975.4 | 39.0 / 990.6 | |
| Leg room (in / mm): | ||||
|
41.3 / 1049.0 | 41.3 / 1049.0 | 41.3 / 1049.0 | |
|
– | 33.7 / 856.0 | 39.1 / 993.1 | |
| Shoulder room (in / mm): | ||||
|
65.2 / 1656.1 | 65.2 / 1656.1 | 62.5 / 1656.1 | |
|
– | 66.3 / 1684.0 | 65.1 / 1653.5 | |
| Hip room (in / mm): | ||||
|
61.4 / 1559.6 | 61.4 / 1559.6 | 61.4 / 1559.6 | |
|
– | 61.5 / 1562.1 | 62.9 / 1597.7 | |
|
3 | 6 | 6 | |
| Capacities | ||||
| Fuel tank (gal / liters): | ||||
| Short Box: | 26 / 98.4 | |||
| Long Box: | 34 / 128.7 | |||
| DRW chassis cab: | 50 / 189.3 | |||
| Trailer tow maximum (lb / kg): | ||||
| 2500 H.D. alt fuel with 6.0L V8, auto trans: | 8200 / 3718.8 with weight distributing hitch and sway bar. Alt fuel vehicles are neither designed nor intended to tow 5th wheel or gooseneck trailers. | |||
| 2500 H.D. with 6.0L V8, manual or auto trans: | 10,600 / 4807.3 with weight distributing hitch and sway control or with 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer | |||
| 2500 H.D. with Vortec 8100 8.1L V8 or Duramax 6600 6.6L Turbo Diesel, manual or auto trans: | 12,000 / 5442 with weight distributing hitch and sway control. Increases to 16,100 lbs for 8.1L and 16,000 lbs. for Duramax 6600 with 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer | |||
| 3500 with Vortec 6000 6.0L V8, manual or auto trans: | 9,900 / 4489.8 with weight distributing hitch and sway control or 5th wheel or gooseneck trailers. | |||
| 3500 with Vortec 8100 8.1L V8 or Duramax 6600 6.6L Turbo Diesel, manual or auto trans:
|
12,000 / 5442.2 with weight distributing hitch and sway control. Increases to 15,500 lbs for Vortec 8100 and 15,400 lbs for Duramax 6600 with 5th wheel or gooseneck trailers. |
|||
| *For alternative fuel vehicles, trailer tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of total loaded trailer weight. On other models, trailer tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of total loaded trailer weight up to 1500 lbs. On all models, the base cooling system includes all content required to attain maximum trailering rating, and the Z82 Heavy Duty trailering package includes the trailer hitch platform and trailer electrical connector. | ||||
| Vortec 6000 | Vortec 8100 | Duramax 6600 | ||
| Engine oil with filter (qts / liters): |
6.0 / 5.7 | 6.0 / 5.7 | 9.3 / 9.8 | |
| Total cooling system (qts / liters): | ||||
|
15.2 / 14.4 | 23.6 / 22.3 | 21.8 / 20.7 | |
|
14.4 / 13.6 | 23.1 / 21.9 | 21.4 / 20.3 | |
Model Lineup – Options & Pricing
|
|
Engines |
Transmissions |
|||||
|
Vortec 6000
6.0L V8 |
Vortec
8100 8.1L V8 |
Duramax
6600 6.6L V8 |
5-spd
man (MW3) |
6-spd
man (ML6) |
4-spd auto
(Hydra-Matic 4L80-E) |
5-spd
auto (M74) |
|
| Pickups
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| C25903HD 2WD/ K35903 4WDReg Cab Wideside Long Box |
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| C/K25753HD 2WD/4WD Ext Cab Wideside Short Box |
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| C/K25953HD, C/K35953 2WD/4WD Ext Cab Wideside Long Box |
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| C/K25743HD, 2WD/4WD Crew Cab Wideside Short Box |
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| C/K25943 HD, C/K35943 2WD/4WD Crew Cab Wideside Long Box |
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| Chassis Cabs C/K35003, C/K35403 2WD/4WD Reg Cab |
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| C/K35053, C/K35453 2WD/4WD Ext Cab |
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What’s New For 2003
- Redesigned instrument panel and clusters, including standard new driver information center
- Extended floor console, standard with bucket seats
- Manual and automatic multi-zone climate control
- Optional eight-button steering wheel controls
- More flexible daytime running lamps, automatic headlamp control
- Advanced infotainment systems and segment-first Bose audio systems
- Optional Panasonic DVD Passenger Entertainment System for crew cabs
- Fully integrated, multiplexed electrical system, with more powerful generator on selected models
- Safer, more comfortable and stylishly sculpted seats
- Upgraded standard exterior rearview mirrors and optional camper mirrors
- Upgraded fog lamps
- Expanded alternative fuel system availability
- New exterior styling features
- Interior colors: Medium Neutral II, Pewter and Dark Pewter
- Exterior colors: Carbon Metallic and Marine Blue
Sierra HD Pricing (As of Oct 2002 / Prices Subject to change)
| Model | Pricing | |
| Sierra 1500HD | 2WD HD Crew Cab – SLE or SLT | $30,965 |
| 4WD HD Crew Cab – SLE or SLT | $34,365 | |
| Destination Freight Charge | $745 | |
| Sierra 2500HD | 2WD Regular Cab – Standard Decor | $24,472 |
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2WD Regular Cab – Work Truck Pkg. | $23,922 |
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2WD Ext. Cab – Standard Decor | $28,042 |
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2WD Ext. Cab – SLE or SLT, 4-Door | $30,406 |
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2WD Crew Cab – Standard Decor | $29,822 |
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2WD Crew Cab – SLE or SLT Decor | $32,109 |
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2WD Regular Cab-Standard Decor | $30,122 |
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2WD Crew Cab – SLE or SLT Decor | $32,409 |
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2WD Ext. Cab – Standard Decor | $28,317 |
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2WD Ext. Cab – SLE or SLT, 4-Door | $30,681 |
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4WD Crew Cab – Standard Decor | $32,847 |
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4WD Crew Cab – SLE or SLT | $35,134 |
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4WD Ext. Cab – Standard Decor | $30,824 |
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4WD Ext. Cab – SLE or SLT, 4-Door | $33,188 |
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4WD Regular Cab – Work Truck Pkg. | $26,767 |
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4WD Regular Cab – Standard Decor | $27,279 |
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4WD Regular Cab – SLE | $29,461 |
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4WD Crew Cab – Standard Decor | $33,147 |
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4WD Crew Cab – SLE or SLT | $35,434 |
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4WD Ext. Cab – Standard Decor | $31,124 |
| 4WD Ext. Cab – SLE or SLT, 4-Door | $33,488 | |
| Destination Freight Charge | $745 |
