1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Z71
This was the first generation that used the Silverado nameplate. It also introduced many of the modern design elements that customers associate with current Chevy truck design, especially the iconic Chevrolet front end.
The Z71 Off Road Package is available on the WT, LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country trims. Depending on trim, the package adds skid plates, a two-speed transfer case, hill-descent control, a heavy-duty air filter, and slightly more aggressive tires.
Fullsize pickups are the “work horses” of the light-duty truck market segment. Power, dependability and hauling capacity are essential elements for this segment.
NEW FOR 1999:
* All-new 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton trucks introduced
* Trucks re-named from Chevy C/K to Chevy Silverado
* New modular three-piece frame design contributes to structural integrity, crashworthiness and serviceability
* Three all-new series of Vortec V8 engines (4800, 5300 and 6000) which provide improvements in fuel economy, power, emissions and reliability/durability over the previous engines
* Standard 4-wheel disc brakes deliver world-class “pedal feel,” shorter stopping distances, linear straight-line performance and balance with varying loads
* Standard anti-lock brake system (ABS) is engineered with dynamic rear proportioning that allows for balanced front-to-rear brake loads
* Rack-and-pinion steering standard on half-ton, 2WD models
* Standard third door (with wider opening) on all extended cab models
* Standard 16″ tires/wheels on all models
* Increased cab interior dimensions (both regular and extended cab models) to accommodate 98% of the population, compared to 91.3% with previous truck
* Rear seatback angle increased from 14 to 18 degrees
* Cab frame and instrument panel structural rigidity reduces noise, vibration and harshness
* Wider track for enhanced stability
* Stronger and lighter control arms contribute to increased payload capacity
* New AutoTrac(tm) four-wheel-drive transfer case automatically transfers power to the front axle whenever it senses slippage at the rear wheels
* Redesigned front and rear axles contribute to fuel efficiency, quality and durability improvements while reducing noise
* Seat-mounted safety belts for increased comfort and convenience
* Lower step-in height provides easier passenger entry/exit without compromising ground clearance
* Driver message centre monitors and reports on 18 vital vehicle functions and includes segment-exclusive displays (“Transmission fluid hot,” ” Check engine oil level,” “Change engine oil,” and “Low coolant”)
* Tow/Haul mode enhances automatic transmission performance when trailering or hauling heavy loads
* Double door seals help reduce wind noise and water intrusion
* Integral fog lamps available on all models
* Telescoping camper mirrors slide in or out to accommodate trailer towing
* Increased cargo volume for both long-and short-box models
* Bussed electrical centres increase electrical system reliability while making problems easier to diagnose, and reduce wiring, connections and splices (reduced 96% from previous model)
* Standard engine hour usage meter to help fleet operators keep track of usage
* Exclusive transmission temperature gauge alerts driver if automatic transmission fluid temperature exceeds normal operating range
* Larger windshield and windows for increased visibility, including increased upward viewing angle through the windshield for reading signs and seeing overhead traffic lights
* Available “selectable ride” technology provides firm ride when towing or soft ride for normal driving
MODELS: Silverado Reg. Cab, Sportside, Short-Box
Silverado Reg. Cab, Fleetside, Short-Box
Silverado Reg. Cab, Fleetside, Long-Box
Silverado Ext. Cab, Sportside, Short-Box
Silverado Ext. Cab, Fleetside, Short-Box
Silverado Ext. Cab, Fleetside, Long-Box
MODEL DESIGNATIONS:
“1500” – 1/2-ton;
“2500” – 3/4-ton
VEHICLE CLASS: Fullsize Pickup
ASSEMBLY LOCATIONS:
Oshawa, Ontario; Fort Wayne, Indiana;
Pontiac, Michigan
CUSTOMER PROFILE: The Chevrolet Silverado fullsize pickup
is targeted toward buyers in the 40s,
most of whom are married. Occupations
are predominately in the blue-collar
sector, with an increasing number of
white-collar workers buying pickups. Key
buying points are quality, reliability,
durability and overall vehicle value.
Since fullsize pickup buyers are brand
loyal, previous experience with the
manufacturer and model are also
important. Chevy truck buyers need a
truck they can depend on day-in and day-
out for both commercial and personal-use
applications.
PRODUCT MILESTONES:
1936 – Chevrolet fullsize pickup
introduced
1937 – Exterior redesign
1948 – Exterior redesign
1955 – Exterior redesign
1958 – 4-wheel drive debuts on 1/2-, 3/4-
and 1-ton pickups
1973 – All-new trucks introduced; Crew-
Cab and “Big Dooley” debut
1974 – Full-time 4-wheel drive with V8
engine is released
1977 – K30 1-ton introduced
1982 – 6.2L diesel engine released
1987 – TBI fuel injection installed on
V6 and V8 gasoline engines
1988 – All-new interior and exterior
design introduced; Extended Cab
model debuts
1990 – 454SS sport-performance truck and
work truck introduced
1991 – Heavy-duty electronic Hydra-Matic
4L80-E automatic transmission
introduced; Gen V 7.4L V8
replaces Mark IV engine
1992 – Suburban, Blazer and Crew Cab
join C/K platform; 6.5L Turbo-
Diesel V8 introduced
1993 – 4L60-E electronic 4-speed
automatic transmission introduced
1994 – Two new 6.5L diesel engines
introduced
1995 – Redesigned instrument panel;
standard driver-side air bag
introduced on models under 8500
GVWR; standard 4-wheel anti-lock
brakes (ABS) added; engine and
transmission enhancements
1996 – New series of gasoline engines
include the Vortec 4300, 5000,
5700 and 7400 SFI V8s; rear seat
“Easy Access” system on Extended
Cab models (mid-year
introduction); electric shift
transfer case available
1997 – Speed-sensitive steering added;
passenger-side air bag standard
on 1/2- and 3/4-ton models below
8600 GVWR lb.; enhancements to
automatic transmissions
1998 – PASSLock(tm) anti-theft system added
as standard equipment; four-wheel
-drive front axle actuator
(engages/disengages front axle
electronically)
1999 – All-new 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton
trucks introduced; three all-new
series of Vortec V8 engines
(4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L); standard 4-
wheel disc brakes; re-named from
C/K to Silverado; standard third
door (with wider opening) on all
extended cab models; standard 16″
tires and wheels on all models;
increased cab interior
dimensions; wider track for
enhanced stability; stronger
frame utilizing modular three-
section strategy; new AutoTrac(tm)
system for immediate traction;
standard engine hour usage meter
for fleet operators; and lower
step-in height
/LS
EXTERIOR FEATURES Silverado/LT
Air Dam Gray (only with 7200 GVWR and S S
under)
Bumpers Front, chrome with spectra gray S S
cover
Rear step painted argent (base S S
Silverado); chrome with step
pad(LS/LT)
Bumper, chrome, rear step O S
Door Sill Plates Dark gray (base Silverado); colour- S S
keyed (LS/LT)
Easy Access System Third door (Extended Cab models S S
only)
Fog Lamp Fog lights (standard on LT) – O
Glass Solar-Ray tinted; all windows S S
Deep-tinted glass on quarter and O O
rear window; light-tinted glass on
all other windows
Grille Moulded plastic; integral S –
Chevrolet emblem at centre of
grille
Moulded plastic; integral – S
Chevrolet emblem at centre of
grille; chrome trim
Headlamps Automatic dual composite – halogen S S
Lights Backup lamps, combination S S
parking/direction/hazard,
combination
tail/stop/direction/hazard,
headlamps, license plate lamp,
side marker lamps with reflectors,
cargo lamp, underhood lamp
Mirrors Black, below eye-line type, fold- S S
away
Electric remote control with – S
chrome accents
Left- and right-hand; camper type; O O
stainless steel mirror head
Left- and right-hand, remote – O
control, electric, heated
(requires rear window defogger) –
standard on LT
Mouldings Black hidden roof drip mouldings S S
Colour body-side mouldings O S
Bright wheel opening mouldings S S
(2WD models only)
Painted wheel opening flare S S
mouldings (4×4 models only)
Nameplates “Silverado” on B pillar; series S –
designation nameplate on doors
“LS” / “LT” nameplate on B pillar; – S
series designation nameplate on
doors
“4 x 4” decals at rear of pickup S S
box side panels (4×4 models)
“Chevrolet” decal on tailgate S –
“Chevrolet” “Silverado” on lower – S
tailgate
Paint Conventional two-tone – O
Pickup Box All steel double sidewall and S S
tailgate construction, painted
body colour
Spare Tire Carrier Lockable winch-type mounted under S S
the frame in the rear
Tow Hooks Two, front mounted at the front of S S
each frame side member
Wheels Chrome styled 16″ x 6.5″ with O S
chrome centre caps
Aluminum 16″ x 6.5″ O O
Chrome 16″ x 6.5″ (includes chrome O –
caps; included on LS/LT)
Window Swing-out rear quarter vent S S
(Extended Cab models only)
Sliding rear (not available with O O
rear window defogger)
Wiper System Intermittent wiper system, demand- S S
type washer system
Wiring Harness, 6-lead S S
Trailer
S – Standard Equipment. O – Optional Equipment.
/LS
INTERIOR FEATURES Silverado/LT
Air Conditioning All weather; standard on LS/LT O S
(includes increased-capacity
cooling)
Convenience Groups Power door locks, speed control, O S
power windows with express-down
feature on driver’s side (included
with LS/LT)
Power door locks (includes lockout O S
protection)
Cruise control (included with O S
LS/LT)
Driver and front passenger 6-way O O
power seat adjuster (included with
leather trim; requires LS/LT)
Defogger Windshield and side window S S
defoggers
Rear window defogger (requires air O O
conditioning on base Silverado;
not available with rear sliding
window; included as standard on
LT)
Door Trim Panels Colour-keyed grained moulded S S
plastic (base Silverado); soft
vinyl with carpet covered map
pocket and cloth insert (LS/LT)
Floor Coverings Colour-keyed vinyl floor covering S –
Colour-keyed carpeting with O S
Scotchgard Fabric Protector and
removable front vinyl mats
Rear mats (Extended Cab models O S
only)
Vinyl, colour-keyed (replaces – O
carpet and deletes floor mats)
Gauges Speedometer, odometer, fuel level, S S
voltmeter, temperature, oil
pressure, tachometer, trip
odometer, hour meter
Headliner Full-length colour-keyed cloth S S
with matching retainer mouldings
Key Single, two-sided key to operate S S
ignition and doors
Lights Dome lamps, incorporating a 20- S S
second delay-off feature; map
reading lights, underdash
courtesy, ashtray and glove box;
left- and right-hand door jamb
switches
Mirror, Rearview Prismatic with soft vinyl rim S S
Electrochromic, includes a mirror – O
that automatically adjusts to
reduce night time glare and a
continually recalibrating 8-point
compass system (standard on LT)
Power Points Dual covered in addition to S S
cigarette lighter receptacle in
instrument panel
Radios AM-FM stereo with digital clock; S –
includes speakers in front doors
(Regular Cab models)
AM-FM stereo with seek/scan and S –
digital clock; includes fixed mast
antenna and four speakers (2 –
front doors; 2 – rear pillar) –
Extended Cab models
AM-FM stereo with cassette player, – O
seek/scan, automatic tone control,
clock, TheftLock and speed-
compensated control; includes 6
speakers (two high sensitivity
speakers in front doors, two
tweeters in front door armrests
and two speakers in rear pillar in
Regular Cab or two speakers in
quarter trim panel and rear side
door in Extended Cab)
AM-FM stereo with seek/scan, O –
cassette player and digital clock;
includes four speakers (two in
front doors, two in rear pillar)
AM-FM stereo with CD player, – S
seek/scan, automatic tone control,
clock, TheftLock and speed
control; includes 6 speakers (two
high sensitivity speakers in front
doors, two tweeters in front door
armrests and two speakers in rear
pillar in Regular Cab or two
speakers in quarter trim panel and
rear side door in Extended Cab);
available only on LT
AM-FM stereo with cassette player – O
and CD player, seek/scan,
automatic tone control, clock,
TheftLock and speed control;
includes 6 speakers (two high
sensitivity speakers in front
doors, two tweeters in front door
armrests, and two speakers in rear
pillar)
Seats Front vinyl 40/20/40 split bench S –
seat
Front custom cloth reclining O S
40/20/40 split bench seat with
manual lumbar and centre armrest
storage (base Silverado includes
driver manual seat back recliner,
fixed centre bench without
armrest; LS/LT includes driver and
front passenger manual seat back
recliner, manual driver and front
passenger lumbar, folding centre
bench that will function as
armrest with stowage provisions
and mini roof console)
Extended Cab models only 40/20/40 O S
split front bench (base Silverado
includes driver manual seat back
recliner, fixed centre bench
without armrest; LS/LT includes
driver and front passenger manual
seat back recliner, manual driver
and front passenger lumbar, seat
back stowage pockets, folding
centre bench that will function as
armrest with stowage provisions
and full length roof console, and
easy entry on driver’s side with
uplevel cloth trim) leather trim
includes driver and front
passenger power 6-way seat
adjuster
High-back bucket seat with manual – O
recliners and adjustable head
restraint; inboard arm rest on
driver and front passenger; manual
lumbar on driver and front
passenger; (includes mini overhead
console and floor console)
Full feature high-back bucket seat – O
with driver and front passenger
power 6-way seat adjuster; inboard
arm rest on driver and front
passenger; power lumbar, seat back
bolster, seat back recliners, and
seat back stowage pockets; two-
position memory controls; heated
seat for driver and front
passenger, (includes full-length
overhead console and floor console
available only on LT)
Rear folding seat (Extended Cab S S
models only)
Head restraints, adjustable on all S S
outboard seats
Seat Belts Seat mounted belts on front S S
outboard seat
Steering Wheel Energy-absorbing, adjustable tilt S S
steering wheel with anti-theft
locking feature
Simulated leather sport wheel with S –
four spokes
Leather-wrapped sport wheel with – S
four spokes
Sunshades Left- and right-hand padded; S –
colour-keyed cloth; left hand with
storage strap; right hand with
visor mirror
Tools Mechanical jack and wheel wrench S S
located in a storage compartment
behind the seat
S – Standard Equipment. O – Optional Equipment.
/LS
MECHANICAL Silverado/LT
Air Cleaner High-capacity (included with O O
Vortec 6000 V8)
Block Heater Engine block heater S S
Cooling Systems Extra-capacity, engine oil cooling O O
available with Vortec 6000 V8
(includes an external engine oil
cooler)
Transmission oil cooler provides O O
an external air-to-oil cooling
system; requires 4-speed automatic
transmission (included with 4L80-E
heavy-duty 4-speed automatic
transmission)
Differential Locking differential O O
Engines Vortec 4300 Sequential Fuel O O
Injection (SFI) V6
Vortec 4800 Sequential Fuel O O
Injection (SFI) V8
Vortec 5300 Sequential Fuel O O
Injection (SFI) V8
Vortec 6000 Sequential Fuel O O
Injection (SFI) V8 – only
available on 3/4-ton (2500 Series)
models
Skid Plates Off-Road; includes shields for O O
engine, transmission, front
differential and transfer case
(4×4 models only)
Snow Plow Prep Includes roof-mounted lamp O O
Provisions provisions, 130-amp generator, and
heavy-duty front springs
Suspensions Standard suspension includes S S
twintube 32-mm shocks
Firm ride suspension includes O O
monotube 36-mm shocks for
increased damping to improve
handling or trailering (requires
7200 GVWR or 8600 GVWR and LT
tires)
Telephone Includes wiring for remote control O O
Provisions and cellular phone
Tires LT225/75R-16D – All-Season O O
(requires 7200 GVWR and standard
suspension)
LT245/75R-16E – On/Off Road O O
(requires 7200 GVWR and firm
suspension on 2WD models, and 8600
GVWR on Long-Box 2WD models)
LT245/75R-16E – All-Season (7200 O O
GVWR on 2WD models, and 8600 GVWR
on Long-Box 2WD models)
LT245/75R-16E – On/Off Road (4×4 O O
models only)
LT245/75R-16E – All-Season (4×4 O O
models only)
Towing Device Two front tow hooks (included on O O
4×4 models)
Trailering Package Heavy duty; includes weight O O
distributing platform trailer
hitch (includes heavy-duty 8-lead
wiring harness with 7-way sealed
connector and extra-capacity
transmission cooling)
Transfer Case Manual two-speed (4×4 models only) S S
AutoTrac:automatic 4-wheel-drive – O
function in addition to
traditional 2H/4H/4L shift
selections
Transmissions Getrag 5-speed manual with S S
overdrive
4-speed automatic with overdrive O O
(4L60-E); includes tow/haul mode
4-speed automatic with overdrive O O
(4L80-E)
Wiring Provisions Camper and 5th-wheel trailer O O
(includes 8-wire independently
fused wiring harness routed to the
front of the pickup box, and an
additional 7-way sealed
connector); requires trailering
package and Vortec 5300 V8 or
Vortec 6000 V8
S – Standard Equipment. O – Optional Equipment.
/LS
SAFETY AND SECURITY Silverado/LT
Air Bags Next generation driver and front S S
passenger side air bags; passenger
side air bag suppression switch
located on instrument panel
beneath cargo lamp switch
Anti-Lock Brakes ABS, 4-wheel disc S S
Lighting Automatic headlamp control S S
Remote Keyless Three-button key fob remote – O
Entry transmitter; illuminated entry,
panic alarm and vehicle content
theft alarm (two key fobs are
provided)
Roadside Service 24-hour Roadside Assistance S S
Security System PASSLock security system S S
Side Guard Door Side door impact beams S S
Beams
S – Standard Equipment. O – Optional Equipment.
TECHNICAL PRODUCT INFORMATION
FRAME All-welded ladder-type with channel
design and boxed front section
BODY MATERIAL Two-sided galvanized steel all body
panels (except roof)
SUSPENSION front Independent (coil springs – 2WD)
(torsion bars – 4×4)
rear Semi-elliptic; two-stage multi-leaf
springs
BRAKES Power-assisted, front and rear disc; 4-
wheel ABS
STEERING
Type Power, integral – All 4×4, 1/2-ton and
all 3/4-ton models
Power, rack-and-pinion – All 2WD, 1/2-
ton models
Turns N/A
Turning Diameters 12.2 m (40.1 ft.) – 2WD, regular cab,
short box
12.3 m (43.6 ft.) – 2WD, regular cab,
long box
12.4 m (40.7 ft.) – 4×4, regular cab,
short box
13.6 m (44.5 ft.) – 4×4, regular cab,
long box
14.2 m (46.5 ft.) – 2WD, extended cab,
short box
15.4 m (50.4 ft.) – 2WD, extended cab,
long box
14.4 m (47.3 ft.) – 4×4, extended cab,
short box
15.6 m (51.1 ft.) – 4×4, extended cab,
long box
WHEELS 1500 (1/2-ton) 2500 (3/4-ton)
16 x 6.5″ steel 16 x 6.5″ steel
16 x 7″ 16 x 7″
aluminum/chrome aluminum/chrome
(optional) (optional)
TIRES P235/75R16 P245/75R16
all-season all-season
(1/2-ton models) (1/2-ton models)
LT225/75R16D LT245/75R16E
all-season all-season
(3/4-ton models) (3/4-ton models)
NOTE: Tires and wheels vary according to vehicle package
and specifications
ENGINES Vortec 4300 SFI V6 Vortec 4800 SFI V8
Type OHV, 4.3L V6 OHV, 4.8L V8
Block Cast Iron Cast Iron
Cylinder Head Cast Iron Cast Aluminum
Bore x Stroke 101.60 x 88.39 mm 96.0 x 83.0 mm
(4.00 x 3.48″) (3.78 x 3.39″)
Displacement 4300 cc 4807 cc
(262 cu.in.) (294 cu.in.)
Compression Ratio 9.2:1 9.5:1
Fuel Regular Unleaded Regular Unleaded
Fuel Induction Sequential-Port Sequential-Port
F.I. F.I.
Horsepower 200 hp @ 4400 rpm 255 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque 255 lb.-ft. 285 lb.-ft.
@ 2800 rpm @ 4000 rpm
ENGINES Vortec 5300 SFI V8 Vortec 6000 SFI V8
Type OHV, 5.3L V8 OHV, 6.0L V8
Block Cast Iron Cast Iron
Cylinder Head Cast Aluminum Cast Iron
Bore x Stroke 96.0 x 92.0 mm 101.6 x 92.0 mm
(3.78 x 3.22″) (4.00 x 3.62″)
Displacement 5328 cc 5967 cc
(327 cu.in.) (364 cu.in.)
Compression Ratio 9.5:1 9.5:1
Fuel Regular Unleaded Regular Unleaded
Fuel Induction Sequential-Port Sequential-Port
F.I. F.I.
Horsepower 270 hp @ 5000 rpm 300 hp @ 4800 rpm
Torque 315 lb.-ft. 355 lb.-ft.
@ 4000 rpm @ 4000 rpm
LAYOUT Front engine / 2WD (rear drive) and 4×4
TRANSMISSIONS 4-Speed Electronic 4-Speed Heavy-Duty
Automatic Electronic
w/Overdrive Automatic
(under 8600 GVWR) w/Overdrive
(over 8600 GVWR)
Gear Ratios 1st 3.06 2.48
2nd 1.63 1.48
3rd 1.00 1.00
4th 0.70 0.75
5th —– —–
Reverse 2.29 2.08
Final Drive Ratios 3.42 3.73
TRANSMISSIONS 5-Speed Manual 5-Speed Manual
w/Overdrive w/Overdrive
(under 8600 GVWR) (over 8600 GVWR)
Gear Ratios 1st 4.02 5.61
2nd 2.32 3.04
3rd 1.40 1.67
4th 1.00 1.00
5th 0.73 0.75
Reverse 3.55 5.04
Final Drive Ratios 3.42 3.73
EXTERIOR Regular Cab Regular Cab
DIMENSIONS Short-Box Long-Box
Wheelbase 3023 mm (119.0″) 3378 mm (133.0″)
Length (2WD) 5158 mm (203.1″) 5639 mm (222.0″)
Length (4×4) 5163 mm (203.3″) 5644 mm (222.2″)
Width 1994 mm ( 78.5″) 1994 mm ( 78.5″)
Height
(1/2-ton, 2WD) 1808 mm ( 71.2″) 1803 mm ( 71.0″)
Height
(1/2-ton, 4×4) 1875 mm ( 73.8″) 1872 mm ( 73.7″)
Height
(3/4-ton, 2WD) Not Applicable 1872 mm ( 73.7″)
Height
(3/4-ton, 4×4) Not Applicable 1885 mm ( 74.2″)
EXTERIOR Extended Cab Extended Cab
DIMENSIONS Short-Box Long Box
Wheelbase 3645 mm (143.5″) 4001 mm (157.5″)
Length (2WD) 5781 mm (227.6″) 6261 mm (246.5″)
Length (4×4) 5781 mm (227.6″) 6266 mm (246.7″)
Width 1994 mm ( 78.5″) 1994 mm ( 78.5″)
Height
(1/2-ton, 2WD) 1808 mm ( 71.2″) 1798 mm ( 70.8″)
Height
(1/2-ton, 4×4) 1877 mm ( 73.9″) 1872 mm ( 73.7″)
Height
(3/4-ton, 2WD) 1880 mm ( 74.0″) 1882 mm ( 74.1″)
Height
(3/4-ton, 4×4) 1890 mm ( 74.4″) 1892 mm ( 74.5″)
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Regular Cab Extended Cab
Head Room 1041/975 mm
front/rear 1041 mm (41.0″) (41.0/38.4″)
Leg Room 1049/856 mm
front/rear 1049 mm (41.3″) (41.3/33.7″)
Shoulder Room 1656/1684 mm
front/rear 1656 mm (65.2″) (65.2/66.3″)
Hip Room 1559/1562 mm
front/rear 1559 mm (61.4″) (61.4/61.5″)
Rear Seatback Not Applicable 18 degrees
Angle
CAPACITIES
Passenger Seating 3/2 – Regular Cab
6/5/3 – Extended Cab
Fuel Capacity 95 L (20.8 gal.) – Short-box models
129 L (28.3 gal.) – Long-box models
Cargo Volumes 1611 L (56.9 cu.ft.) – Short-box
2002 L (70.7 cu.ft.) – Long-box
1232 L (43.5 cu.ft.) – Short-box
(Sportside)
Silverado 1500 Silverado 2500
(1/2-ton) (3/4-ton)
GVWR (min/max) 2540 / 2903 kg. 3266 / 3901 kg.
(6100 / 6400 lb.) (7200 / 8600 lb.)
Payload (min/max) 767 / 1007 kg. 1133 / 1822 kg.
(1692 / 2220 lb.) (2498 / 4018 lb.)