1997 Chevrolet Silverado Specs
by Martin ColeUpdated August 14, 2023The 1997 Silverado K1500 was a pickup truck developed by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. This was the first truck in the Silverado series that is still in production as of 2011. The 1997 Silverado was released in two models. The base model used a rear-wheel drive transmission, while the extended cab model had a four-wheel drive transmission.
Dimensions
Excluding passengers and cargo, the base model Chevrolet 1997 Silverado weighed in at 4,544 pounds. The fuel tank held 34 gallons of gas. The vehicle also had a payload of 1,656 pounds. The wheelbase was 155.5 inches. The total body length was 236.6 inches. Tires measuring 8.1 inches wide with a sidewall height of 6.1 inches encased a 15-inch diameter wheel. The extended cab model of the Silverado was equipped with 16-inch diameter wheels; 9.6-inch wide tires with a 7.2-inch sidewall height fit these wheels. The wheelbase of the extended cab was 131 inches and it measured 213 inches long. With a payload of 1,634 pounds, the extended cab weighed 4,500 pounds without passengers or cargo on board. The extended cab Silverado had a 25-gallon fuel tank.
Power
A V-8 engine was at the heart of the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado in both models. There were 16 valves total. This engine had a displacement of 350 cubic inches. The engine generated a maximum 255 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 330 foot-pounds of torque at 2,800 rpm. The vehicle earned 13 mpg while driving in the city. On the highway this increased to 17 mpg. A four-speed automatic transmission transferred the engine’s muscle to the Silverado base model’s rear wheel drive and to the four-wheel drive of the extended cab version.
Other Features
Both Silverado models were equipped with power windows, power mirrors and power door locks. They also offered cruise control and air conditioning. An anti-lock braking system (ABS) was installed. For entertainment, there was a radio and a cassette player. Instruments included a digital clock, tachometer and speedometer.
Writer Bio
Based in the U.K., Martin Cole has been writing since 2009. His articles have been published in "The Evening Chronicle," "The Journal" and "The Sunday Sun." He holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Northumbria University.