All-New 2019 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 Ready to Work

For 2019, the Silverado 1500 (Fig. 1) and Sierra 1500 (Fig. 2) are all-new pickups with new powertrains, mixed material construction, and a wealth of enhanced safety and convenience features.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

The 2019 Silverado 1500 is available in eight trim levels while the 2019 Sierra 1500 is available in six trim levels.

 

Silverado
Trim Level	Engine (RPO)	Transmission (RPO)
Work Truck (WT) Custom Custom Trail Boss	4.3L V6 (LV3)	6L80 6-speed automatic (MYC)
	5.3L V8 (L82)
LT RST LT Trail Boss	5.3 L V8 (L84)	8L90 8-speed automatic (MQE)
LTZ High Country	5.3L V8 (L84)	8L90 8-speed automatic (MQE)
	6.2L V8 (L87)	10L80 10-speed automatic (MQB)
Sierra
Trim Level	Engine (RPO)	Transmission (RPO)
Sierra	4.3L V6 (LV3) 5.3L V8 (L82)	6L80 6-speed automatic (MYC)
SLE Elevation	5.3 L V8 (L84)	8L90 8-speed automatic (MQE)
SLT AT4	5.3L V8 (L84)	8L90 8-speed automatic (MQE)
	6.2L V8 (L87)	10L80 10-speed automatic (MQB)
Denali	5.3L V8 (L84)	8L90 8-speed automatic (MQE)
	6.2L V8 (L87)	10L80 10-speed automatic (MQB)

 

Four Engine Choices

The 4.3L V6 (RPO LV3) and 5.3L V8 (RPO L82) are carryover engines from the 2018 model year. The 4.3L V6 produces 285 horsepower and 305 lb.-ft. of torque. The 5.3L V8 generates 355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines feature direct injection, variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management, which turns off four cylinders, depending on operating conditions.

New engines for 2019 are the 5.3L V8 (RPO L84) (Fig. 3) and the 6.2L V8 (RPO L87). (Fig. 4) The 5.3L V8 has a power output of 355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. The 6.2L V8 develops 420 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque.

Fig. 3

TIP: When using GDS2, be sure the vehicle is built correctly. To check that the vehicle is configured for the new 2019 Silverado 1500 or Sierra 1500, check the engine RPO codes and the infotainment RPO codes. The only infotainment RPO codes available on the new trucks are RPO IOT, IOS and IOR.

The new powerful, yet efficient, V8 engines are equipped with direct injection, variable valve timing, and automatic stop/start technology that turns off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop to help improve fuel economy in city driving. Plus, the engines feature the new Dynamic Fuel Management system, which actively turns off any number of cylinders in a variety of combinations, running on one to eight cylinders.

Fig. 4

The automatic engine Stop/Start feature can be turned on/off using the Stop/Start disable switch on the center of the instrument panel. The system is enabled each time the vehicle is started.

TIP: The fuel pump will prime for approximately two seconds when any door is opened or the passive entry lock/unlock button is pressed on the outside door handle. The fuel pump will not prime every time a door is opened. It takes approximately 10 minutes between prime cycles.

 

Engine Oil

Use dexos1® – GEN 2 full synthetic SAE 5W-30 engine oil in the 4.3L V6 engine. For the 5.3L and 6.2L V8 engines, use dexos1® – GEN 2 full synthetic SAE 0W-20 engine oil.

 

Transmissions

The 4.3L V6 (RPO LV3) and 5.3L V8 (RPO L82) engines are paired with the 6L80 6-speed automatic transmission (RPO MYC). This transmission uses DEXRON-VI automatic transmission fluid.

The 5.3L V8 (RPO L84) engine is mated to the 8L90 8-speed automatic transmission, which used DEXRON-HP automatic transmission fluid.

The 6.2L engine (RPO L87) is equipped with the 10L80 10-speed automatic transmission. (Fig. 5) This transmission uses DEXRON ULV automatic transmission fluid.

Fig. 5

Both 8L90 8-speed transmission and 10L80 10-speed transmission use a centrifugal pendulum absorber (CPA) to help counteract torsional vibration that occurs when the engine cylinders are deactivated, providing for smooth and quiet drivetrain operation.

 

Frame

The frame of the new trucks is fully boxed, with 80 percent made from high strength steel that varies from two to five millimeters in thickness for optimized performance while minimizing weight. The result is that the frame on the new trucks is 88 pounds (40 kg) lighter than its predecessor, but delivers 10 percent greater torsional rigidity.

 

Body Structure

The body structure uses a mixed materials strategy. All moving metal — hood, doors, and tailgate — is aluminum. (Fig. 6, D)

All cab fixed metal is steel (Fig. 6, C), high strength steel (Fig. 6, B) or advanced high strength steel (Fig. 6, A). The pickup bed may be either steel or, available on Sierra models with the Carbon Pro Box (RPO E3Z), a hybrid of carbon fiber and steel.

Fig. 6

 

Axles

There are two different axle suppliers — American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) and General Motors Components Holding (GMCH) — for the 2019 Silverado and Sierra. Depending on equipment, some trucks may have different front and rear axles. The AAM axles are RPO SU4 (front) and SU7 (rear). The GMCH axles are RPO SU5 (front) and SU8 (rear).

The axle source RPO must be referenced for all parts, including axle lubricant, to ensure the correct parts are used. When ordering parts, be sure to search by VIN.

Both GMCH axles have a GM Mark of Excellence emblem on the housing. (Fig. 7)

Fig. 7

 

Brakes

The vehicles are equipped with a ZF TRW Integrated Brake Control (IBC). The IBC is a 1-piece module that eliminates the master cylinder, vacuum pump, and associated hoses while incorporating electronic stability control, traction control, and an electric motor to push hydraulic fluid to brakes at all four corners. The brake system uses DOT 4 Hydraulic Brake Fluid.

The parking brake function is integrated into the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM), which is commanded using the Electric Parking Brake switch on the left side of the instrument panel. When applied, the parking brake makes a whirring noise and is more noticeable when the ignition is off. The parking brake automatically releases any time the vehicle is in any gear and the accelerator is depressed. If there is insufficient electrical power, the electric parking brake cannot be applied or released.

 

Driver Assistance Systems

Depending on equipment, the new Silverado and Sierra (Fig. 8) feature a number of active safety and driver awareness systems that provide a safer driving environment. Available systems include:

• Safety Alert Seat
• Rear Camera Mirror
• Surround Vision 360-degree camera with Hitch Guidance and Hitch View
• Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
• Front and Rear Park Assist
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Front Pedestrian Braking
• Forward Collision Alert
• Forward Automatic Braking

Fig. 8

 

Power Tailgate

The new trucks feature several different tailgates that offer a range of functionality. All tailgates are aluminum, which makes them light and easy to operate. A 120 volt/400 watt inverter with a box-mounted outlet also is available at the rear of the cargo box.

Some Silverado models offer a full power tailgate with an electric motor and gear reduction in the bottom of the tailgate. It also has a pair of power-assist closure latches that pull the tailgate closed.

The power open feature can be operated using the key fob, the touchpad on the tailgate, or a switch on the center of the instrument panel. (Fig. 9) To power close the tailgate using the key fob or instrument panel switch, press and hold the button until the tailgate closes. There are force switches that reverse the motor if any resistance is felt, and it won’t close if something is resting on it.

Fig. 9

To remove the power tailgate, unplug the power and camera connection near the middle of the base of the tailgate and then remove the retaining bolt at the right-side pivot (the motor reacts against this solid mount when raising and lowering the gate). The left side is a free rotating pivot.

 

MultiPro Tailgate

The available MultiPro tailgate (Fig. 10) on the Sierra offers flexibility for owners with six positions that provide enhanced loading and unloading capabilities and easy access to the cargo box. There are two touchpad buttons on the tailgate. The bottom button releases the full tailgate while the top button releases only the upper portion, or inner gate, of the tailgate. The inner gate can be used as a workbench or provide more space for longer cargo with the tailgate closed.

TIP: Do not lower the inner gate with the tailgate open if a hitch ball or trailer is attached.

Fig. 10

 

Trailering System

The available Sierra Pro Grade Trailering System and Chevrolet Advanced Trailering System (RPO ZL6) includes an all-new trailering app on the infotainment system (Fig. 11) featuring a pre-departure checklist, maintenance reminders, trailer light test, trailer electrical diagnostics and available trailer tire pressure and temperature monitoring (RPO PTT). In addition, the available side view cameras and a trailer-mounted HD camera also provide additional assistance when driving down the road or in Reverse. (Fig. 12)

Fig. 11

 

Fig. 12

As part of the trailer tire pressure monitor system (RPO PTT), four additional tire pressure monitor sensors are included in the Loose Ship Components package for installation on up to four trailer tires.

 

Lift Points

TIP: Prior to servicing the vehicle using a lift hoist, the vehicle power assist steps must be disabled to prevent accidental activation. Use lift pads/spacers to provide proper clearance between the lift hoist arms and the vehicle’s fixed or power assist steps. After servicing the vehicle, be sure to enable the power assist steps.

For lifting the vehicle, various lift points are recommended. (Fig. 13) The lift points are:

1. Circular jack pad
2. Widest point of the frame rail; requires adapter that is wider than the frame rail when using a hoist. Contact your hoist manufacturer for the appropriate adapter.
3. Rear frame contact points
4. Rear axle contact points
5. Differential contact points

Fig. 13

For the front locations, the two approved lifting points are the circular jack pad (Fig. 14) and the widest point of the frame rail, which requires an adapter from the hoist manufacturer. (Fig. 15)

Fig. 14

Fig. 15

The hoist pads must not contact the rocker panels, the floor pan or, at the front pad location, the front fenders.

Lift pad adapters for Challenger and Rotary lifts are available through GM Dealer Equipment.

When lifting at the differential (#5) with a floor jack, avoid point loading the center section of the axle, which is aluminum on most rear axles. Use a floor jack with a rubber pad or wood block to prevent damage.

 

Special Tools

The following new tools were released for the 2019 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500:

Special Tools
Tool Number	Description
EN-52511	FA-AFM OCV Remover
DT-52529	Gauge Plate, Pinion Shim (front axle)
DT-52555	Installer, Side Bearing (front axle)
DT-52556	Installer, Outer Pinion Bearing Cup (front axle)
DT-52506	Pinion Flange Holder and Remover
DT-52297	Axle Service Fixture
DT-52494	Pinion Bearing Cup Installer
DT-52574	Installer, Bushing
J-45858-4B	Remover, Inner Pinion Bearing Cup
J-45858-2C	Installer, Inner Pinion Bearing Cup
EN-51007-10	Engine Support Fixture Adapter Feet
J-39648	LH Output Shaft Bearing and Seal Installer

 

For more information on the new 2019 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500, refer to Bulletin #18-NA-227.

 

– Thanks to Dave MacGillis and Sherman Dixon