Work truck - GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab
Farm truck, work truck, your truck. This sophisticated brawn from GMC is a vehicle on a mission -- the ultimate carriage of payload and passengers -- in almost any terrain. Designed to handle the most demanding jobs, the GMC Sierra Series 3500 is powered by two brawny gasoline V8 engines -- Vortec 6000 and Vortec 8100. A turbocharged, intercooled, direct-injection diesel V8 motor is available for the really nasty stuff. Developed in conjunction with Isuzu, the Duramax 6600 is a high tech wonder of strength and durability.
Commercial truck buyers also have a wide selection of gearboxes to transfer torque to the ground. A heavy-duty Hydra-Matic 4L80-E four-speed automatic is standard for the Vortec 6000 while a heavy-duty five speed manual gearbox is optional. For the Vortec 8100 or Duramax diesel engines, a high-capacity ZF S6-650 six-speed manual or Allison 1000 Series five-speed automatic transmission are available.
Manufactured at the automaker's Flint, Mich., assembly plant, the Sierra 3500 Crew Cab SRW (single rear wheel) pickup truck is offered in Work, Base, SLE and SLT trim levels and only available in four-wheel drive with the long cargo box configuration.
On the road, equipped with the optional Vortec 8100 engine and Allison five-speed automatic, the Sierra 3500 delivers a smooth, continuous band of useable power. Shifts are carlike and the powertrain is very willing, reacting immediately to slight changes in drive inputs.
The Sierra pickup starts with a modular, sectional frame with outstanding strength and precise dimensional control that provide the ideal platform for rugged daily use and a smooth ride.
The suspension hardware consists of a long and short arm independent front torsion bar suspension with semi-elliptic two-stage multi-leaf rear springs in the rear. The result is a smooth ride, impressive durability, good on-center feel and predictable stability whether the truck is loaded or unloaded.
Who says that a work truck has to be uncomfortable? While the passenger cabin of this Crew Cab is dressed in the more traditional garb -- vinyl seating with vinyl flooring, it is both very comfortable and extremely practical. Front seating is the 40/20/40 variety with two large cupholders built into the front of the middle 20 percent of the seat. The rear seating was a 60/40 split -- allowing for the separate flip/folding of part or all of the seat in order to maximize the ideal carriage of both passengers and sensitive cargo. Rear seat passengers also enjoy plenty of leg room and comfortable seating.
A well designed instrument panel greets the driver. Outward visibility is excellent, with a full complement of analog gauges -- speedometer, fuel, oil pressure, water and transmission oil temp. Cupholders galore throughout the cabin and retained accessory power make the Sierra 3500 Crew Cab a very hospitable place to work or relax.
Quick vehicle stats
Wheelbase: 167.0; overall length: 256.2; width: 79.7; height: 77.3 -- measurements in inches.
Engine: Vortec 6000 6.0L V8 (LQ4) -- 300 hp at 4,400 rpm; 360 lbs-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm; Vortec 8100 8.1L V8 (L18) -- 330 hp at 4,200 rpm; 450 lbs-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm; Duramax 6600 6.6L V8 (LLY) -- 310 hp at 3,000 rpm; 605 lbs-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm. Vortec engines use regular unleaded. Duramax requires diesel fuel.
Transmission: NVG3500 (MW3) five-speed manual, ZF S6-650 (ML6) six-speed manual, Hydra-Matic 4L80-E 4-speed automatic, Allison 1000 (M74) five-speed automatic.
Payload capacity: 5,155 lbs.
Towing capacity: 12,000 lbs.
Safety features
Dual front airbags, retained accessory power, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, daytime running lights, roof marker lights and conventional spare tire. 4WD adds heavy-duty limited slip rear axle. SLE adds alarm system, remote keyless entry, fog lights and deep tinted rear glass. SLT adds OnStar communications system, automatic power door locks and front tow hooks.
Warranty
Basic: 3-year/36,000 mile, bumper-to-bumper.
Corrosion: 6-year/100,000 mile.
Roadside assistance: 3-year/36,000 mile, 24-hour.
Pricing
The base Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2005 GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab SRW pickup starts from $34,140 for the Work Truck model upto $40,840 for the SLT. Destination charges add $850.
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