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How the Silverado’s Exterior Features Have Changed: 1999-2019

How the Silverado’s Exterior Features Have Changed: 1999-2019

Twenty years is a very long time. It’s a milestone for anything. Twenty years of life, 20 years of love, and 20 years of business are all things to celebrate. Twenty years of doing something right is beyond all of that. The Chevrolet Silverado is in its 20th year of production with the 2019 model year. This year also happens to mark the newest generation of Silverados to hit the pavement, and with that in mind we’ll be talking about the exterior designs of the Silverados that have roamed the earth.

Shop Silverado Exterior Parts

No matter which generation Silverado you own, there is a slew of aftermarket exterior parts you can use to make your truck unique. Go with the more common mods listed here, or run against the grain with your own tastes.

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Silverado Body Styles

The Silverado is a truck that has changed very little over the years. This is because Chevy designers knew what they were doing when they designed these trucks. They’re simple, straightforward platforms that stayed true to the traditional design of pickup trucks. Still, there are some key differences to pay attention to throughout the years.

First Generation Silverado: 1999-2006

The first generation of Silverado did not veer very far at all from the design of the final generation of C/K series trucks. These were fairly squared-off trucks with a basic design that called out its purpose right up front. The only part of the truck to feature any sort of flare were the step side models. These were trucks and GM wasted nobody’s time with flash or flare to get that across.

This is up until the year 2003. In 2003 the Silverado received a bit of a facelift. These trucks were set forth with a rounder yet more aggressive style. The headlights were angled, flares were added to the wheel wells, and the front of the truck was made much bulkier.

Second Generation Silverado: 2007-2013

The second generation of Silverado changed very little from the design of the second take on the first generation. These trucks used a similar bulked-up shape but toned the aggressive appearance down a bit. These trucks took modern design and paired it with the straight forward nature of the truck.

Third Generation Silverado: 2014-2018

With the third generation of Silverados, we see the designers once again pay homage to the square body platform. These trucks were the result of designers blending the sophisticated appearance of the second generation Silverados and the personality of the mid-1980s C1500. 

Fourth Generation: 2019-current

For the fourth generation of Silverados, the truck finally takes on the styling of modern trucks. Still a pretty square design on the nose of the vehicle though, the rest of the truck is much bulkier and aggressive in design than any model of the Silverado ever seen before.

Special Silverado Sub-Models

The physical appearance of the Silverado wasn’t something that changed much from model to model. However, notable sub-models such as the SS and Z71 were trucks featuring some suspension characteristics that did have an impact on appearance. 

SS: The SS Silverado is a street-truck take on the GM pickup. These trucks featured a lowered ride height paired with 20-inch rims to give a performance look to the vehicle. 

Z71: The Z71 is a Silverado truck equipped with off-road capable tires and suspension. This design gave the truck a look that it was destined to have with a level stance and aggressive tires.

Silverado Common Exterior Mods

At the end of the day, a Silverado will get some mods to the exterior. These accessories aren’t installed due to the design lacking in some way. Instead, modifications are made to enhance the truck’s abilities while simultaneously making the driver’s life easier. 

Bumpers/Bull Bars: Aftermarket bumpers and bull bars are often added to the exterior of a Silverado. These units are installed to either help the truck handle low blows to the front end or are used to help the truck climb over them.

Tonneau Covers: A tonneau cover has a very important function. To keep the cargo in the bed safe from the elements and potential thieves. They can be hard to spot as they sit flush with the bed, so they are a modification based more on function than form. 

Wheels: Wheels have a major effect on performance and appearance. The right wheels can totally transform the way a truck appears. The width and diameter of the wheel will also have a massive impact on how the vehicle handles.

Running Boards: Stepping into a Silverado can be a challenge, especially if it’s lifted. Running boards are steps that run the length of the truck cab to offer a stepping platform for both front and rear riding passengers. 

Leveling Kits: From the factory, Silverados have a rake. This is because the weight of the engine is forcing the suspension to sag. Leveling kits are used to correct this sag. This will give the truck a much better stance while allowing owners to fit larger tires underneath their truck with ease.

Fitment includes: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 205, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, LS, LT, WT, SS, Hybrid, Z71, LTZ, XFE, Custom, HighCountry, RST, TrailBoss