Which Silverado Options Would You Recommend?

[JBent9610]

I'm thinking about buying a new Silverado, but I'm not sure of which options to get. I know I want a 4x4, ecsb, 5.3L, w/ electric windows, keyless entry, etc., but I'm not sure about the some of the others that are available. For example, engine block heater, transmission oil cooler, etc..

So my question is, what options do you have that you are glad you got and would recommend to anyone and which options do you think are probably not worth getting?

[rustcal]

if you live in the far north you may want the heater, if you live in the south you won't ever use the heater. the tranny oil cooler is great if you ever plan to pull anything. just opt for the tow package, i believe it has the oil cooler included. i'm not sure of all the options or I would give more of my dumb ass ideas. lol.

[silverado122775]

It really just depends on what you are going to use the truck for...
What options are you referring to? in cab, drive train, etc..
I would get the 4:10 gears. I would not recommend leather seats (does not belong in a truck) LT comes standard with leather.. I think you would be safe with in LS with some LT addtiona options.. will save you about $2-4K

[jethro_3]

I recommend the power folding mirrors. Great for drive thru's, garages and idiots in parking lots.......

[74 laguna]

It really just depends on what you are going to use the truck for...
What options are you referring to? in cab, drive train, etc..
I would get the 4:10 gears. I would not recommend leather seats (does not belong in a truck) LT comes standard with leather.. I think you would be safe with in LS with some LT addtiona options.. will save you about $2-4K

Maybe it's just me but I disagree on the leather. We have only had one truck and one car that did not have leather seats. I would think that leather is easier to care for. We never have, but for those who eat or drink in their trucks, I would think that if you spill something it would clean up much easier.

Even if you keep the windows closed you still get dust in the truck. With our leather we just take a leather wipe and wipe the seats off when we clean the truck every week. I do not know if you can get seat heaters with cloth seats but the heat is nice in colder climates.

I do not know about anyone else but we we did have the cloth seats in '96 we had a static charge just about every time we got out of the truck.

That's just my opinion. I know our next truck will have leather.

[taxman82]

Just picked mine up in January. Get the towing package, the tranny cooler does come with it. I would also recommend the power drivers seat (can be added to the LT1 package) and the rearview mirror with the temperature. Finally make sure you are getting the 5.3. Current fuel economy on mine is 15.5 in the city and 19.75 highway.

Taxman

[silverado122775]

Originally Posted by taxman82

Just picked mine up in January. Get the towing package, the tranny cooler does come with it. I would also recommend the power drivers seat (can be added to the LT1 package) and the rearview mirror with the temperature. Finally make sure you are getting the 5.3. Current fuel economy on mine is 15.5 in the city and 19.75 highway.

Taxman

that is about what my 2000 gets too. good to see it has not changed much.

[carelessthunder]

i have an 06 LT1 with the z85, towing pkg., 5.3 in it. Don't let them try to talk you into the small V8. i think its like $1,000 diff or close to it. But its also the diff. between 10 hp and 30 tq. So I would go 5.3 I get good gas milage. 17 at the lowest in town and 20 at the lowest highway but never over 21. somethin. my last trip I pulled a 14 ft fiberglass boat on the whole tank of gas 3/4 highway rest city and i got 17 mpg.

[JBent9610]

Thanks for all of the suggestion so far.

It will mostly be used for normal driving/hauling, no pulling except for maybe the occasional small trailer, but nothing like a boat or fifth wheel.

I definitely want the power seats, but with cloth (never really liked leather). I never thought about the power folding mirrors, but it would help with parking in the garage. Probably will go for the engine heater since it gets pretty cold here (NE Ohio).

Thanks again and any other thoughts/ideas are more than welcome, I appreciate it!

[White Lightening]

Greetings JBent9610,

You are in NE Ohio - and I'm in Western WI - so our weather conditions may be similar (you're a bit warmer than us). I opted for a 2wd instead of 4wd - because it gave me the ability to get a VHO. Traction has been good - and handling even better - just a thought

But lets go with the 4x4 you mentioned. Under those conditions I'd definitely get the COMBO folding mirrors option that has the tilt mirror option when in reverse (its excellent). I'd also definitely get the towing option whether you tow or not - because it gives you the extra oil and tranny coolers as well as better radiator option. I'd get the 3.73 axle ratio - better mileage - good towing. Power driver seat. I chose the automatic heater/ac choice - its wonderful for seperate controls for myself and passenger (and it is completely automatic) - it really works very well.

I have custom cloth - more forgiving if you have a screwdriver in your back pocket etc.. I've had leather often in other vehicles - but VERY glad I got custom cloth for the truck. The engine block heater is $35 as an option - its a steal - you can't even buy the item for that much less install it in the future. I've got the split bench seat - I considered the buckets and console - glad I didn't get that - much more flexible this way. I like satellite radio - but thats personal preference. And the Southwest package was inexpensive and gives you better window tints and radio.

I couldn't get a sunroof - if I could have - I would have. They have them now - but not in 2004.

[JBent9610]

Originally Posted by White Lightening

Greetings JBent9610,

I've got the split bench seat - I considered the buckets and console - glad I didn't get that - much more flexible this way.

And the Southwest package was inexpensive and gives you better window tints and radio.

I couldn't get a sunroof - if I could have - I would have. They have them now - but not in 2004.

I like pretty much all of your suggestions, but I was thinking about the bucket seats. What do you mean about the split bench being more flexible?

Also, what is the Southwest package? All of the places I looked at have LS and LT designations.

One more question and I feel kind of stupid for asking this, but can you order a 2006 Silverado with just the options you want or do you have to take what's on the lot and/or only packages and not individual option selections?

There's a dealer near me with the Greystone color I like, but it doesn't have all the options I want and it has some I don't want. I've never ordered a vehicle before, so I'm not sure if what all I want is possible or will I just have to get lucky to find a lot that has a truck with everything?

[JBent9610]

I was sent this email from a local dealership and wanted to get the forum's opinion on if this is a good deal or not.

"You requested a Price Quote on a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended
Cab 4WD LT. I have provided our Price Quote on a Silverado in stock. It is
graystone with a dark charcoal cloth interior.

The MSRP for this vehicle is $31,140.00, VIN #1GCEK19B96Z261528. Ewing
Chevrolet is pleased to offer you, a GM Internet customer, our Price
Quote of $28,915.10 on this vehicle. Less the current manufacturer rebate of
$2,000.00, your Net Purchase Price is $26,915.10 plus tax, title, & license fees."

According to Edmonds, there is also a $1,500 down payment assistance and a $750 bonus cash for 1999 or newer trade in.

So, if I got the final price down to $24,665, is that a good price for this vehicle?

Is it possible to find out online what options are on it based on the VIN number, or do I need to go there?

[White Lightening]

Originally Posted by JBent9610

I like pretty much all of your suggestions, but I was thinking about the bucket seats. What do you mean about the split bench being more flexible? Also, what is the Southwest package? All of the places I looked at have LS and LT designations. One more question and I feel kind of stupid for asking this, but can you order a 2006 Silverado with just the options you want or do you have to take what's on the lot and/or only packages and not individual option selections?

The Bucket seats are nice - but limit you to a 5 passenger setup. With the split bench and fold down armrest - you can do 5 people or 6 people - or girlfriend/wife right next to you (not with the buckets). The split bench with arm rest in the custom cloth is very comfortable especially with power seat on driver's side option.

SouthWest package is the heavier window tints on all windows (good for Wiscosnin as well as other states. It also includes radio with cassette and CD instead of just CD. Option cost was a couple hundred dollars.

I have an "LS" by logo decal on my truck - however mine is a V.H.O. 2 w.d.. There is no such thing as a 4 w.d. VHO - so you don't get that choice - its either SS with AWD or VHO with 2WD. The VHO with 2wd works very well for me in Wisconsin winters and Midwest summers

Yes - you can order a truck with EXACTLY what you want. Chevy wants to sell every truck it can. But going to different dealers will give you a wide selection of various option packages and colors and may give you a cheaper price too. I looked in a 150 mile radius of my home (looked by internet first - then went to several places).

[who fan]

I have the 2001 Z71 SL package 5.3L

Extended cab, The Auto Trac transfer case is the cats` a$$

[silverado122775]

Originally Posted by who fan

I have the 2001 Z71 SL package 5.3L

Extended cab, The Auto Trac transfer case is the cats` a$$

What the heck does that mean? you like it or not?