Peak GM truck, it was all downhill from here. A friend bought a 99 Silverado brand new. In 2022 it has 450,000 miles and a ton of rust but it's still going.
Good friend of mine was working for Tyson and was given a 1999 Short bed, regular cab 4x4 wit a 4.8 liter as a work truck. I asked him what his favorite work truck of all time was recently, and it was that truck. He was blown away at how good it drove, the work it could do and the economy it got. He was surprised that a first year model truck held up so well, and his only complaint was the lack of a limited slip rear differential.
It's was the last for dodge and ford back then to. My 99 ford went over 300k original everything. My buddy had a 99 Chevy with the 5.3 that ran forever. Not anymore.
This is my favorite pickup truck ever. I love the 1999-2002 models of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierras. Everytime I see one on the road I have to get a good look at it. Some of them are in great condition and other ones by now look pretty roughed up.
I have one still today in 2024. It's a 2000 Silverado 1500 4x4 Z71 LT Ext. Cab. Has 216k on it. Just did a rebuild on a burned out 2-3 band on my tranny but that was kind of my fault, but kind of common at that high of mileage on the 4L60E transmissions... but the engine runs like a top. I beefed up the transmission with a better off road designed tranny for lower gearing, better gear shell and an upgraded corvette servo. Still doing burnouts and I chirp tires in 2nd gear. Fantastic truck!
5 months ago I bought a 2002 Sierra. SLT with 55000 miles on it, garage kept one owner. Pristine condition. 2 tone paint black and Gray. It's one beautiful truck had to pay top dollar for it but was definitely worth it. We'll keep this truck forever. Love it.
Like the commercials used to say, This is The Truck by Chevrolet. Love the GMT800 design. I remember my uncle got one brand new in 2000. I still enjoy working on it with him. Almost everything is so accessible. So much so I got me an ‘03 Silverado Cat eye updated version.
My family had a 03 yukon slt with the 5.3l 4l60e combo. Drove 274,000 before the original transmission went bad. Only ever needed 1 starter, 1 alternator, 1 powersteering pump, wheel bearing, and other small maintenance items.
Just bought a mint 01 Sierra z71 with the 5.3 that’s bone stock and I’m in love with it. I’m a young guy and the truck is as old as I am but I plan on keeping it for the rest of my life. Seeing the praise this generation of truck gets makes me even more proud of it
The sensor for auto lights went bad in mine now the headlights are always on when the truck is on. You can turn auto lights/drl off in the first gen silverado by pushing the dome override button 5 times.
Crazy how good these trucks are. They were the most reliable pickup ups out of all brands in those times. I bet you see 3 -5 of these on the road for every ford or dodge truck.
@@MidnightPolaris800tow/haul mode is there for a reason but people never used it and wonder why the transmissions failed. Tow/haul mode and keeping it in 3rd gear when driving under 55mph will make the transmissions last longer
I believe they were in the old body style type trucks such as the 3500's. They kept the old C/K's up to, I believe 2000? Had one in the shop awhile back and it had an 8.1L in it I think. T'was a weird time. Ya gotta remember the LB7 Duramax wasn't available until the 2001 model year.
@@rapidrabbit898 Take a look at time stamp 3:21 and 3:46 and specifically look at the wiper cowls, the location of the brake booster, fuse block and battery. They are identical and would make them both the new 1999 GMT-800 trucks. The GMT-400 6.5, the brake booster had the old square flat top lid and the fuse box was smaller and directly next to, not in front of the booster. It sure as hell looks like GM stuffed a 6.5 diesel into a GMT-800 to me. Now yes, GM did make some 1999 classic 1500s and then continued the 2500/3500 into 2000 and were then replaced by the HD series trucks for 2001, so 1999 and 2000 there was still the possibility of a 6.5 diesel GMT-400.
I love my '99 1500, had it for 6 years now, and I'm about to break 281k miles on it, bought it at 255k. Just recently it took me to and from Arizona, a total of about 1600 miles round trip with no problems.
Damn you must have a short commute lol, I've put 20,000 miles on my cummins since June. I also work out of the truck and travel most of the east coast for different jobs.
I generally prefer the 88-98 GM trucks for their simplicity and durability but these are a close 2nd for me. I have my dad's old 2000 Sierra 2wd 5.3 SLT extended cab with 240k miles and it runs and drives like brand new...could use a paint job though, it's already on its 2nd paint job done about 6 years ago and the clear is gone
My 99 was a pos. Had to replace 4.8 at 190k, (blown head gasket)put a 5.3 in it like my 03 Tahoe had which was a great vehicle. Shift solenoid around 150k, steering box 120k or so. Bought that sucker new, still have it (400k on it) so can’t complain I guess. My son drives it now after totaling his F150 instead of paying these insane prices. I went with a new 2017 2500 Duramax as my replacement lol
This truck is easily a living legend and due to the LS-based engines these all came with, their reliability is unmatched by even Toyota At this time. It will go down as the best domestic pickup ever made.
@MidnightPolaris800 I'm in Southern Ontario Canada we use a ton of salt in the winter and all these trucks rot out around the wheel wells within a few years, I see tons of them with different color boxes and fenders, also rockers and cab corners, never seen to much frame rust but that might have to do with all the under coating the dealers cover them in.
Kind of sad how these are overlooked. I personally love the "bubble eye" style, and think they're much more modest and more relaxed looking than some of the later ones. I'd take one of these any day over those hideous 2019+ Chevy trucks. My grandpa's personal plow truck is a 01 2500 with the 6.0 Vortec, pretty beat but still runs and drives
These trucks are very good but if you are looking for a used one check for the 2 frame crossmembers over the gas tank they rust out from being so tight into the tank and also the np246 transfer case on 4wd models is very good but the pump will loosen inside the casing and will poke needle size holes in it letting the oil out very slowly and ruin the internals. I got a 99 chevy z71
I currently drive a 99 rcsb 2wd with a 4.8. Chevrolet trucks were junk before 99 and went back to being junk after 2007, but they definitely got the first few years of this iteration just right
Wish GM would've made a Pontiac version of the GMT800 that has the same head lights as the Sirrea but with Pontiac style Split grill design just to have you're own Pontiac truck.
I think every brand should have had there own trucks in the GM line-up between late 80’s and early 2000’s. For example, when Chevy had the APV Dustbuster van release in the early 90’s, they had the Pontiac Transport for the sporty van, Oldsmobile Silhouette for luxury, and Chevy Lumina APV for base. If they had the Silverado from that time, Took Pontiac motor division and Oldsmobile corp, stirred them together by some budgeting miracle (since they wasted all there money on the Chevy 454 and GMC typhoon to compete with dodges Dakota sport trucks).. it woulda worked out. Similar to the fords division huge flop of the early 2000’s with the Rebadged Lincoln F-150. Think it was called the Blackwood if I recall
Wow, only 25 years ago the top of the line truck was less than 35k out the door, now it's not an irregular thing to see someone asking for the same price for a10 year old truck with less than 35k miles 😅
I’ve had a few of these and I just keep going back to them, time after time. You can’t kill them. These were peak GM truck, in every way. The new ones are abysmal
I'm overall a Ford guy by far, but this is maybe the best single generation of truck ever made out of any manufacturer. Unfortunately Gm ruined the bulletproof LS with cylinder deactivation
I currently own a 99 Tahoe with the ol school 5.7 with 250 k , a 00 5.3 suburban with 260 k, a 01 Tahoe with a lq4 6.0 with 250k on the body and the crown jewel being my 02 Yukon 5.3 with 305k
@@byronhamilton6061 the vortex's we're so much better than tbi motors power wise. I had a 95 Tahoe that had 400 k and ran great even with 5 lb oil pressure at idle hot
I laughed when Davis quoted Chevrolet "the 1999 Silverado is going to TRY to dethrone the F150 as the best selling pickup". Not only will the F150 remain the BEST selling pickup FOREVER, now Chevrolet has to worry about RAM moving into #2 position!
I have a 2001 single cab stepside z71 5.3 LS package, it’s so weird it has power everything seats as well but no fog or DRLs? I’m so confused on the options of these trucks for this year, it’s push button 4x4 as well.
These trucks have to be one of the worst rust buckets, the prior generation GM trucks did not have nearly as much of a rust issue as these did. Lots of them riding around with hardly no body left.
Never was a fan of the 5.3L in these. The Mexican version with the L31 350, especially the RCSB 400SS or the Sonora (Tahoe) models were far better running trucks. This truck is weak compared to the same year OBS Denali and Escalade that Motortrend also tested.
Fast forward 25 years and now even the Ram is outselling the GM trucks. Wake up GM… pretty sad that you are #3 now!! Oh yeah I forgot…Fiat will finance anyone. Take a look at the auctions. A bunch of trashed Challenger and Chargers parked next to trashed Ram pickups. 😆😂🤣
Tried and failed. Decent design, although the cateye was the worst designed modern Chevy truck I've ever seen. Just God awful ugly stick. And yeah, they can still be found...with plenty of rust still crawling around like the roaches they are. LOL, typical GM.
Peak GM truck, it was all downhill from here. A friend bought a 99 Silverado brand new. In 2022 it has 450,000 miles and a ton of rust but it's still going.
Good friend of mine was working for Tyson and was given a 1999 Short bed, regular cab 4x4 wit a 4.8 liter as a work truck. I asked him what his favorite work truck of all time was recently, and it was that truck. He was blown away at how good it drove, the work it could do and the economy it got. He was surprised that a first year model truck held up so well, and his only complaint was the lack of a limited slip rear differential.
It's was the last for dodge and ford back then to. My 99 ford went over 300k original everything. My buddy had a 99 Chevy with the 5.3 that ran forever. Not anymore.
Right on brother
Yessir many a story like that on the old chevys
they were great up until 2007 when they implemented active fuel management, then it was all downhill after that
This is my favorite pickup truck ever. I love the 1999-2002 models of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierras. Everytime I see one on the road I have to get a good look at it. Some of them are in great condition and other ones by now look pretty roughed up.
2002 had the best looking grill of the old body silverados
I couldn't agree more.
I love GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado, my favorites and bests trucks. Like a rock, force, durabiliy and resistence
This was the peak
I have one still today in 2024. It's a 2000 Silverado 1500 4x4 Z71 LT Ext. Cab. Has 216k on it. Just did a rebuild on a burned out 2-3 band on my tranny but that was kind of my fault, but kind of common at that high of mileage on the 4L60E transmissions... but the engine runs like a top. I beefed up the transmission with a better off road designed tranny for lower gearing, better gear shell and an upgraded corvette servo. Still doing burnouts and I chirp tires in 2nd gear. Fantastic truck!
5 months ago I bought a 2002 Sierra. SLT with 55000 miles on it, garage kept one owner.
Pristine condition. 2 tone paint black and Gray. It's one beautiful truck had to pay top dollar for it but was definitely worth it. We'll keep this truck forever. Love it.
Like the commercials used to say, This is The Truck by Chevrolet. Love the GMT800 design. I remember my uncle got one brand new in 2000. I still enjoy working on it with him. Almost everything is so accessible. So much so I got me an ‘03 Silverado Cat eye updated version.
Very nice this commercials of Chevy Silverado
I own a 2003 Yukon with 149k and the 5.3 it’s so amazingly reliable. I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of it
My family had a 03 yukon slt with the 5.3l 4l60e combo. Drove 274,000 before the original transmission went bad. Only ever needed 1 starter, 1 alternator, 1 powersteering pump, wheel bearing, and other small maintenance items.
Had to do a double take at your pfp, lol.
@@yipperskipper holy shit dude WHAT are the ODDS 😂☠️
so many of these still on the road.
Just bought a mint 01 Sierra z71 with the 5.3 that’s bone stock and I’m in love with it. I’m a young guy and the truck is as old as I am but I plan on keeping it for the rest of my life. Seeing the praise this generation of truck gets makes me even more proud of it
They are great trucks. Solid and reliable. Can easily go to 300k with proper maintenance and if you don't beat the crap out of them.
Wow! It's pretty rare to see a Silverado of this era with both headlights working. I thought they came from the factory with one blown out lol.
They did. Typical GM.
The sensor for auto lights went bad in mine now the headlights are always on when the truck is on. You can turn auto lights/drl off in the first gen silverado by pushing the dome override button 5 times.
Chevtolet........"Heartache of America"....
@Anthrax552 that feature was only available in late 2000 trucks and 2001-2002 trucks. 99 and early 00 trucks didn't come with that feature
Crazy how good these trucks are. They were the most reliable pickup ups out of all brands in those times. I bet you see 3 -5 of these on the road for every ford or dodge truck.
Lol whatever. Their transmissions were complete garbage
@@MidnightPolaris800tow/haul mode is there for a reason but people never used it and wonder why the transmissions failed. Tow/haul mode and keeping it in 3rd gear when driving under 55mph will make the transmissions last longer
Wait, you’re telling me that the 6.5 made it into the 1st Gen Silverados? Must be extremely rare.
That’s what I’m saying I’ve never seen one or heard of one until this video
I believe they were in the old body style type trucks such as the 3500's. They kept the old C/K's up to, I believe 2000? Had one in the shop awhile back and it had an 8.1L in it I think. T'was a weird time. Ya gotta remember the LB7 Duramax wasn't available until the 2001 model year.
@@rapidrabbit898 my dad has a k2500 single cab 4x4 2000 454 vortec they didn't have 8.1 yet. Atleast not offered in regular trucks
@@chrisstaples703 the c3500hd gmt400 got the 8.1 in the last few years of production. Its a proven fact.
@@rapidrabbit898 Take a look at time stamp 3:21 and 3:46 and specifically look at the wiper cowls, the location of the brake booster, fuse block and battery. They are identical and would make them both the new 1999 GMT-800 trucks. The GMT-400 6.5, the brake booster had the old square flat top lid and the fuse box was smaller and directly next to, not in front of the booster. It sure as hell looks like GM stuffed a 6.5 diesel into a GMT-800 to me. Now yes, GM did make some 1999 classic 1500s and then continued the 2500/3500 into 2000 and were then replaced by the HD series trucks for 2001, so 1999 and 2000 there was still the possibility of a 6.5 diesel GMT-400.
I’ve always wanted one, so I recently bought one-a 2000 4.8L with less than 130k miles. They’re just good trucks.
I love my '99 1500, had it for 6 years now, and I'm about to break 281k miles on it, bought it at 255k. Just recently it took me to and from Arizona, a total of about 1600 miles round trip with no problems.
Damn you must have a short commute lol, I've put 20,000 miles on my cummins since June. I also work out of the truck and travel most of the east coast for different jobs.
I love Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, best trucks, force, resistence and durables
I find it crazy that this is by far the best truck GM made and there is only 4 comments on this video!
Tell me about it all those garbage V8 with AFM and DFM, they are making now.
@@EzMDr It can easily be disabled with a tuner but yeah you are kinda right
I generally prefer the 88-98 GM trucks for their simplicity and durability but these are a close 2nd for me. I have my dad's old 2000 Sierra 2wd 5.3 SLT extended cab with 240k miles and it runs and drives like brand new...could use a paint job though, it's already on its 2nd paint job done about 6 years ago and the clear is gone
I’m a Ford guy and will gladly admit the GMT800 is the best platform ever made. 20+ years later and they are still working daily. Incredible machines.
TONS of these all around here in Texas !!! i have a LOADED 01 Suburban with 200K miles only paid $2300
I'm in Texas and yes they are every where. You can get them used at a good price and they are solid and reliable.
One of the best trucks ever made and the best truck gm has ever made.
I bought a 01 silverado 8 years ago, I'm fighting rust but that's it, powers through canadian cold winter happy as can be to this day.
if you fixing it up and get that rust under control powder coat the under carriage or some rust olieum
The best truck gm ever made
Can confirm. I have a 1999 GMC Sierra 5.3L 309,000 miles original engine. I love my truck dude
@@99gmcsierralm74 I had a 2000. I sold it to a friend of mine and it’s got over 300k on it and it’s still going strong
I've owned 5 of these GMT800 trucks. My current one is a 2005 LT extended cab with an L33 and 256000 miles
Imo this is the best looking Silverado ever!
My 99 was a pos. Had to replace 4.8 at 190k, (blown head gasket)put a 5.3 in it like my 03 Tahoe had which was a great vehicle. Shift solenoid around 150k, steering box 120k or so. Bought that sucker new, still have it (400k on it) so can’t complain I guess. My son drives it now after totaling his F150 instead of paying these insane prices. I went with a new 2017 2500 Duramax as my replacement lol
First truck was a 1999 Silverado and I loved it. Red white stripes do it was hard to miss
These were/are far better trucks than anything GM has put out in the last 10+ years.
This truck is easily a living legend and due to the LS-based engines these all came with, their reliability is unmatched by even Toyota At this time. It will go down as the best domestic pickup ever made.
Second best. Best trucks ever made was the 03 to 05 ram 1500 with the hemi
These were great running trucks especially the 5.3 and 6.0 it's to bad the bodies rot off far before the engine gives up.
You mean the frames. They rust and break in half all the time
@MidnightPolaris800 I'm in Southern Ontario Canada we use a ton of salt in the winter and all these trucks rot out around the wheel wells within a few years, I see tons of them with different color boxes and fenders, also rockers and cab corners, never seen to much frame rust but that might have to do with all the under coating the dealers cover them in.
Kind of sad how these are overlooked. I personally love the "bubble eye" style, and think they're much more modest and more relaxed looking than some of the later ones. I'd take one of these any day over those hideous 2019+ Chevy trucks.
My grandpa's personal plow truck is a 01 2500 with the 6.0 Vortec, pretty beat but still runs and drives
My dad’s lifelong friend had an ‘01 Silverado. I always liked the European style taillights on these GM trucks.
Love my 04 sierra. Rides like a cloud and is oddly quiet for an 04 truck.
These trucks are very good but if you are looking for a used one check for the 2 frame crossmembers over the gas tank they rust out from being so tight into the tank and also the np246 transfer case on 4wd models is very good but the pump will loosen inside the casing and will poke needle size holes in it letting the oil out very slowly and ruin the internals. I got a 99 chevy z71
Frames rust out and transmissions are garbage. They look good and have a good engine
@@MidnightPolaris800 with a transgo shift kit and corvette servo the 4l60e is decent for stock power
Best truck you can buy not that new junk
I used to own a '02 Silverado Z71 Extended cab 4x4; loved that truck
Nobody knew it at the time but this turned out the be the greatest truck ever made
2nd best
GMT800s with threatening auras
I currently drive a 99 rcsb 2wd with a 4.8. Chevrolet trucks were junk before 99 and went back to being junk after 2007, but they definitely got the first few years of this iteration just right
Still daily driving my 2000 Sierra with the 5.3L. It's basically a cream puff though with only 180k miles on the odometer and single family owner.
Wish GM would've made a Pontiac version of the GMT800 that has the same head lights as the Sirrea but with Pontiac style Split grill design just to have you're own Pontiac truck.
yes
Pontiac Aztec 😆 looks like a cat eye suv
@@boratwilson9916 You mean the Pontiac truck?
I think every brand should have had there own trucks in the GM line-up between late 80’s and early 2000’s. For example, when Chevy had the APV Dustbuster van release in the early 90’s, they had the Pontiac Transport for the sporty van, Oldsmobile Silhouette for luxury, and Chevy Lumina APV for base. If they had the Silverado from that time, Took Pontiac motor division and Oldsmobile corp, stirred them together by some budgeting miracle (since they wasted all there money on the Chevy 454 and GMC typhoon to compete with dodges Dakota sport trucks).. it woulda worked out. Similar to the fords division huge flop of the early 2000’s with the Rebadged Lincoln F-150. Think it was called the Blackwood if I recall
Got me a 2000 sierra. Best truck I've ever owned
I seriously want to know where that 6.5 powered truck ended up, clearly it never actually made production.
Wow, only 25 years ago the top of the line truck was less than 35k out the door, now it's not an irregular thing to see someone asking for the same price for a10 year old truck with less than 35k miles 😅
Gmt800 for life!
On my 3rd 99-02. Can’t stop
I still see these Evveeerrrywhere on the road today in mint condition. The Saudi people really loved this era's suburbans and pickups
4:33 that's the exact same spec truck as mine! Same color too! Except mine is a 2000 model.
I’ve had a few of these and I just keep going back to them, time after time. You can’t kill them. These were peak GM truck, in every way. The new ones are abysmal
Best vehicle I ever owned. I should’ve kept it. Better than my other new trucks since!
Had one from 99 to 05 not to bad.. had the 4.8.. drove it 5 days a week from tracy to Livermore
This is when GM used to make really great trucks.
these trucks are the best thing gms ever done
The evolutionary design was very well done. Trucks looked great before they went and fuglified them with the cat eye look.
I'm overall a Ford guy by far, but this is maybe the best single generation of truck ever made out of any manufacturer. Unfortunately Gm ruined the bulletproof LS with cylinder deactivation
I currently own a 99 Tahoe with the ol school 5.7 with 250 k , a 00 5.3 suburban with 260 k, a 01 Tahoe with a lq4 6.0 with 250k on the body and the crown jewel being my 02 Yukon 5.3 with 305k
I love my 99 with the 350, had it since highschool running up on 20 years. Lol that's crazy
@@byronhamilton6061 the vortex's we're so much better than tbi motors power wise. I had a 95 Tahoe that had 400 k and ran great even with 5 lb oil pressure at idle hot
Those were great trucks
I laughed when Davis quoted Chevrolet "the 1999 Silverado is going to TRY to dethrone the F150 as the best selling pickup". Not only will the F150 remain the BEST selling pickup FOREVER, now Chevrolet has to worry about RAM moving into #2 position!
you still see these on the road all the time as well.
These were GM'S best looking pickups, unfortunately they rusted out very fast.
My favorite model 2nd the 2024 model
Still daily drive my 2000 Silverado 2500 6.0 280k miles of nothing but hauling around construction equipment runs as strong as it did new
"This show is brought you by Michelin"
[Shows Silverado with Goodyear tires, then with Firestone tires]
no afm or dod great trucks
man thar is ruining good trucks lol. it's luck of the draw. I'm going to get mine pro tuned at a shop before I hit 150k and try to save mine
I have a 2001 single cab stepside z71 5.3 LS package, it’s so weird it has power everything seats as well but no fog or DRLs? I’m so confused on the options of these trucks for this year, it’s push button 4x4 as well.
The LT was top of the line in these trucks. They had fog lights and DRL and heated seats. Although I’m pretty sure the LS had DRL as well.
i still have my 2002
I’ve never seen this body style with a 6.5 turbo diesel
Only thing wrong with the 1500 is the 4L60E. Otherwise,the best truck ever made. Period.
32k for a top of the line truck man i was born way too late
Top line was 30k. 😲
Am I the only one that thinks it's a bit shifty having a shut-off valve for the passenger airbag? Thats some Death proof shit right there !
Back when GM made OK stuff...
*tailgate handle joke here*
Best trucks ever built !!! This is when a truck was a work vehicle not a mall crawler
4.8 most reliable and lasts longer
These trucks have to be one of the worst rust buckets, the prior generation GM trucks did not have nearly as much of a rust issue as these did. Lots of them riding around with hardly no body left.
Never was a fan of the 5.3L in these. The Mexican version with the L31 350, especially the RCSB 400SS or the Sonora (Tahoe) models were far better running trucks. This truck is weak compared to the same year OBS Denali and Escalade that Motortrend also tested.
Tough, masculine means...... 12 MPG
Annnndd a snowflake has entered the chat🤣
ok go drive your $100k F150 Lightning and go run out of charge somewhere
23 years later and these trucks are still equipped with the all new 5.3 liter V8. 😂
Hey GM. It’s called innovation. Give it a try.
Fast forward 25 years and now even the Ram is outselling the GM trucks. Wake up GM… pretty sad that you are #3 now!! Oh yeah I forgot…Fiat will finance anyone. Take a look at the auctions. A bunch of trashed Challenger and Chargers parked next to trashed Ram pickups. 😆😂🤣
Pos rust box
Tried and failed. Decent design, although the cateye was the worst designed modern Chevy truck I've ever seen. Just God awful ugly stick.
And yeah, they can still be found...with plenty of rust still crawling around like the roaches they are. LOL, typical GM.
GM Garbage .......Ford and Toyota build the best trucks
🤓
Nice troll
Yep.
😆 🤣 😂
Ford?...change out ya bong water Chief
Wow! It's pretty rare to see a Silverado of this era with both headlights working. I thought they came from the factory with one blown out lol.