About Chevrolet Silverad 3500HD Crew Cab
Chevrolet announced a new generation for the Silverado lineup in December 2012 for the 2014 model year, and customers could get it in the tough and ready-to-haul 3500HD version.
There were many pickup trucks on the market claiming that they could tow and haul heavy items, but not all of them could compete with the rugged Silverado 3500HD. Its dual wheels at the back and the sturdy chassis made it more suitable for those jobs than most of its competitors. In addition, General Motors made the big and heavy-duty pickup available with a few features more commonly seen in luxury cars than in blue-collar vehicles. GM did that because it noticed that the Silverado was no longer used just to haul bulldozers on trailers but also big boats and RVs by families, and they asked for more comfort than just a bench and fan on the dash.
Chevrolet made the third generation of the Silverado with a new front fascia that showed twin headlamps on each side fitted with projector beams and corner-mounted turn signals. There were upper and lower rectangular pieces of chromed trims that formed the main grille and sported the bow-tie badge in the middle, connecting them. The Silverado 3500HD sported a power dome-style hood with a louvered design. On the lower bumper, depending on the grade, the automaker added a set of fog lamps on the outer corners. Furthermore, a skid plate was available underneath the bumper, protecting the engine and the transmission.
From its sides, the Silverado 3500HD Crew Cab was instantly recognizable due to its angular-shaped wheel arches. Their straight cuts were unique in the segment. Depending on the grade, the vehicle featured black or chromed door handles and side steps under the sills to help with ingress and egress from the cabin. The bed featured enlarged quarter panels that made room for the dual-wheel system, which was required for vehicles with such a high payload ability. In the back, Chevrolet installed in-bumper steps that helped customers reach inside the bed if they needed to. As an option, they could get it with a fifth wheel or just a regular hook.
Chevrolet made the 3500HD Crew Cab available in three grades: WT, LT, and LTZ. While the base model featured just a manual AC unit, the upper trim levels were available with dual-zone climate control. Bluetooth was available for the entire range and standard for the LTZ. At the front, the automaker installed a standard split-folding (40/20/40) bench seat for the WT and LT, while the LTZ was fitted with bucket seats. The bow-tie brand also offered several packages that made life onboard easier for its customers, and that included leather seats, a power-operated sunroof, and a power rear window.
Under the hood, Chevrolet installed a choice of two V8 engines: a 6.0-liter naturally-aspirated gasoline and a 6.6-liter turbo diesel. Both versions were paired with a six-speed Allison automatic gearbox that sent power to the rear or in all corners since the Silverado 3500HD Crew Cab was available either as a 4x2 or a 4x4 affair.