The Specifications & Weight for a 1988 Chevrolet Silverado
by Teri Olcott
In 1988, the Silverado was a trim level of the Chevy C/K Pickup. The C/K name was used by Chevrolet and GMC for their full-size pickup truck line from 1960 until 1999. The "C" denoted two-wheel drive and the "K" denoted four-wheel drive. The model size was also part of the name, with 1500 indicating half a ton, 2500 for three-quarters of a ton and 3500 for one ton. Of the three trim levels -- Cheyenne, Scottsdale and Silverado -- the Silverado was the top of the line.
Engines
The 1988 Chevy Silverado had four engine options: 210-horsepower (hp) 5-liter or 5.7-liter V-8, 230-hp 7.4-liter V-8 and 6.2-liter diesel V-8. Only the 2500 and 3500 models were equipped with the 7.4-liter V-8. A compact 160-hp 4.3-liter V-6 was intended for Chevy's smaller trucks, but found its way into a few 1500 models.
Transmissions
The C1500 came standard with a four-speed automatic overdrive transmission. Four-wheel-drive diesels came standard with a three-speed automatic overdrive transmission. Options for other models included three versions of a five-speed manual transmission.
Identification
The Silverado can be identified by its chrome grille, which does not appear on other trims. Chrome bumpers and chrome mirrors were also a Silverado option. The truck's interior was either brushed aluminum or wood grain. A head-liner, carpeting and an instrument panel with a full set of gauges were standard. Other options included a tilt steering wheel, power doors and windows, added sound insulation and cruise control.
Passenger Space
The 1988 Silverado could seat up to six people. Front passengers had 40 inches of headroom and nearly 42 inches of legroom. Rear passengers had 37.5 inches of headroom and just over 32 inches of legroom.
Design
The 1988 Silverado sat on a General Motors GT400 platform with a wheel base of 131 to 155 inches. The truck was designed as either the "fleetside," which had cargo box panels and a box covering the rear wheels, or the "stepside," which featured a narrow cargo box and fenders covering the rear wheels. Both versions were offered as a regular cab, extended cab or four-door crew cab. Vehicle dimensions ranged from 75.5 to 76 inches high, 212.9 to 236.9 inches long and 76.4 inches wide.
Fuel Economy
The Silverado had either a 25 or 35 gallon fuel tank. It had a 16 to 18 mpg rating in the city and a 20 to 25 mpg rating on the highway, for the V-6 and smaller V-8s. The larger V-8s averaged 8 to 17 mpg in the city and 12 to 22 mpg on the highway.
Weight
Depending on the engine, transmission and selected options, the 1988 Silverado had a curb weight of between 3,869 and 5,371 lbs.
References
Writer Bio
Residing in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania, Teri Olcott began her writing career in 1992 as a small-town newspaper reporter. In 1998, Olcott entered the technical writing field. Her articles have appeared in “Radiant Press” magazine and “Epoch” magazine. Olcott holds an Associate of Science in radiologic technology from SUNY Binghamton.
