The GMC Sierra was first launched in the year 1988. The vehicle falls under the category of full-sized pickup trucks.
It was produced by the Chevrolet group, which is a subsidiary of General Motors. This model is also called as the Silverado.
GMC Sierra 1500 - Chevrolet C/K
The pickup truck, known as the GMC Sierra from the General Motors and similar Chevrolet C/K model were released in the early months of 1988 and came in three different series models - the Sierra 1500, Sierra 3500 and Sierra 2500 models.
The base engine used in the Sierra was 4.3 liter V6 engine that produced 160 horse power and other optional engines were the 5.7 liter and 5.0 liter models. All the models came with the antilock rear brakes and were offered in either the 6-speed automatic transmission or the 5-gear manual transmission.
First generation Models
The pickup truck was modified year by year from 1990. The 1991 model was revised substantially with the 7.8 liter V8 engine along with an automatic transmission and provided with tachometer optionally, along with new gauge cluster and front buckets that were standard features. In 1992, it was equipped with flare fendered cargo box in all the extended cab models and GMC dropped the four speed manual gear boxes.
The pickup truck gained more electronic controls in the automatic transmission and also provided passenger seat recline facility, tilt/tainted window glasses and lot more. The 1994 Sierra came with more changes and was included door guard beams and center mounted stoplamp.
The V8 6.5 liter engine was introduced for the first time and provided as optional feature. This powerful V8 engine was capable of produceing 155 hp and with the turbo diesel engine could produce 180 hp. .
The 1995 Sierra came with the new interior and was offered in front-wheel drive, anti lock braking on all the models as standard feature. The dashboard in the car featured with the rotary climate controls and cup holders. Vortec engine models were introduced for the first time in 1996, delivering more power. It also offered two different bed levels like the SLT and SLE styles.
Second Generation Models
The Sierra was revised fully in 1998 and released for the model year 1999. It came with more features and used more sophisticated technologies for its design. Though the new model came in to existence, it also offered old model C/K trucks up to 2000.
Engines, Features,Brakes, and Steering
The available engines to the vehicle ranged from 4.8 liter to 6.0 liter models. The standard features included in the Sierra were -
• Four wheel disc brakes
• ABS,
• Adjustable ride controls and
• Automatic transmission with tow haul mode.
No more changes were made to the 2002 Sierra except the automatic transmission standard on all the models. The 2003 Sierra was offered with the new designs and included with the Quadrasteer 4-wheel steering option.
The new features in the vehicle include-
• DVD entertainment system and
• the XM Satellite radio.
Other unique features included in the vehicle are
• air intakes,
• monochromatic paint schemes and
• 20 inch alloy wheels.
The present Sierra models are designed with huge improvements in design and performance efficiencies.