GMC Sierra 3500 Review

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  • 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4dr Crew Cab SLT 4WD SB View photos
    2006 GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $15,725 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 4dr Extended Cab SLT 4WD LB View photos
    2006 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $14,605 Find Used Inventory
  • 2006 GMC Sierra 3500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $12,973 Find Used Inventory
  • 2004 GMC Sierra 3500 4dr Crew Cab Rwd LB DRW View photos
    2005 GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $14,502 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 4dr Extended Cab SLT 4WD LB DRW Shown View photos
    2005 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $13,304 Find Used Inventory
  • 2005 GMC Sierra 3500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $13,030 Find Used Inventory
  • 2004 GMC Sierra 3500 4dr Crew Cab Rwd LB DRW View photos
    2004 GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $12,815 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 4dr Extended Cab SLT 4WD LB DRW Shown View photos
    2004 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $11,925 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD Front Grile and Badging View photos
    2004 GMC Sierra 3500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $11,404 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD Front Grile and Badging View photos
    2003 GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $11,043 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD Front Grile and Badging View photos
    2003 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $10,511 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD Front Grile and Badging View photos
    2003 GMC Sierra 3500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $9,942 Find Used Inventory
  • 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB DRW View photos
    2002 GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $9,304 Find Used Inventory
  • 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab SLT 4WD DRW View photos
    2002 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $8,824 Find Used Inventory
  • 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $8,305 Find Used Inventory
  • 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 4dr Crew Cab SLT 4WD LB DRW View photos
    2001 GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $7,567 Find Used Inventory
  • 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab SLT 4WD DRW View photos
    2001 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $7,112 Find Used Inventory
  • 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $6,535 Find Used Inventory
  • 1998 GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $4,491 Find Used Inventory
  • 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr K1500 SLT 4WD Extended Cab SB View photos
    1998 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $4,531 Find Used Inventory
  • 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr K1500 SL 4WD Standard Cab LB View photos
    1998 GMC Sierra 3500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $3,938 Find Used Inventory
  • 1997 GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $4,159 Find Used Inventory
  • 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr K1500 SLT 4WD Extended Cab LB View photos
    1997 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $4,181 Find Used Inventory
  • 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLE Standard Cab LB View photos
    1997 GMC Sierra 3500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $3,543 Find Used Inventory
  • 1996 GMC SLE 1500 Extended Cab Shown View photos
    1996 GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $3,785 Find Used Inventory
  • 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr K1500 SLT 4WD Extended Cab SB View photos
    1996 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $3,839 Find Used Inventory
  • 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLT Standard Cab SB View photos
    1996 GMC Sierra 3500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $3,300 Find Used Inventory
  • 1995 GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $3,273 Find Used Inventory
  • 1995 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLT Extended Cab SB View photos
    1995 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $3,374 Find Used Inventory
  • 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLT Standard Cab SB View photos
    1995 GMC Sierra 3500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $2,819 Find Used Inventory
  • 1994 GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $2,965 Find Used Inventory
  • 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr K1500 SLE Extended Cab LB Shown View photos
    1994 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $2,983 Find Used Inventory
  • 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLT Standard Cab SB View photos
    1994 GMC Sierra 3500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $2,587 Find Used Inventory
  • 1993 GMC Sierra 3500 4 Dr K3500 SLE 4WD Crew Cab LB View photos
    1993 GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $2,428 Find Used Inventory
  • 1993 GMC Sierra 3500 Diesel Used TMV from $3,714 Find Used Inventory
  • 1993 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $2,359 Find Used Inventory
  • 1993 GMC Sierra 3500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $2,195 Find Used Inventory
  • 1993 GMC Sierra 3500 4 Dr K3500 SLE 4WD Crew Cab LB View photos
    1992 GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $1,737 Find Used Inventory
  • 1992 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $1,617 Find Used Inventory
  • 1990 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLE Standard Cab LB View photos
    1992 GMC Sierra 3500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $1,567 Find Used Inventory
  • 1991 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $1,578 Find Used Inventory
  • 1990 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLE Standard Cab LB View photos
    1991 GMC Sierra 3500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $1,441 Find Used Inventory
  • 1990 GMC Sierra 3500 2 Dr K3500 SLE 4WD Extended Cab LB View photos
    1990 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $1,406 Find Used Inventory
  • 1990 GMC Sierra 3500 2 Dr K3500 SLE 4WD Extended Cab LB View photos
    1990 GMC Sierra 3500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $1,379 Find Used Inventory

Next time you hear someone refer to the "Sierra Nevada Mountains," please direct them to your state's Department of Redundancy Department. The folks at DORD will immediately inform them that Sierra is, in fact, Spanish for mountains -- it's no different from saying Rio Grande River, ATM Machine or Los Angeles Angels.

Thankfully, the GMC Sierra 3500 makes plenty of sense as a heavy-duty pickup. As a near-identical twin to the Chevy Silverado, the 1-ton Sierra is a sturdy workhorse thanks to upgrades over the regular 1500 model such as a stiffened suspension, a more rugged frame, more powerful engine choices and the availability of dual rear wheels.

The GMC Sierra 3500 has been on sale since the late 1980s. Although it could have benefited from better interior materials, the truck's durability and tremendous hauling and towing capabilities have made it a long-running favorite. (GMC recently changed this truck's name to "3500HD" for the 2007 redesign, and information about that current generation truck can be found here.)

Most Recent GMC Sierra 3500

The previous-generation Sierra 3500 was sold from 2001-'06. GMC further extended the model's life by one year by calling it the 3500 Classic for 2007. Changes to this truck were minimal during its production run. Updates were made to exterior styling and the interior for 2003, with further exterior tweaks for 2005. These trucks initially came in SL, SLE and SLT trim levels, with the Work Truck added for 2004. That latter year also saw a regular rear axle become available to supplement the dual rear-wheel setup.

The standard engine was a 6.0-liter V8 that made 300 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque. There were two optional engines: an 8.1-liter gasoline V8 producing 340 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque and a 6.6-liter turbodiesel producing 300 hp and 520 lb-ft of torque. This diesel was upgraded for 2006 with more power and refinement and fewer emissions -- it made 360 hp and a whopping 650 lb-ft of torque. These engines carried over for the 2007 Classic. A five-speed manual transmission was standard with the 6.0-liter V8, with a four-speed automatic optional. The 8.1-liter V8 and turbodiesel engines came with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic. (It became a six-speed for 2006.)

In reviews of the GMC Sierra 3500, we were always impressed by the truck's powerful engine lineup and substantial towing and hauling abilities. It was a reasonably comfortable truck for everyday use, but don't expect the plush ride of its light-duty siblings. Any of the three available engines will provide swift acceleration (for a full-size 1-ton truck, that is) and ample towing power, but the diesel V8 is probably the best choice for those who tow heavy loads -- especially the more powerful 2006 Duramax. Our principal beef with the Sierra 3500 concerned the shoddy interior design, materials and build quality. GMC improved it gradually during its lifespan, but it was never quite up to snuff.

Past GMC Sierra 3500 models

The previous-generation GMC Sierra 3500 heavy-duty pickup ran from 1988-'98 with a significant refresh for 1995. It was known as the Sierra 3500 Classic for 1999 and 2000. This 1-ton Sierra was powered by a series of V8 engines (including a diesel option), with enhancements made in 1994. New gasoline "Vortec" engines debuted for 1996, including a 7.4-liter V8 capable of 410 lb-ft of torque. The 6.5-liter turbodiesel was upgraded for 1998. Strengths of these trucks include strong, durable powertrains, while weaknesses center on sketchy build quality and materials within the cabin.

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