2019 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
Given that Chevrolet is set to refresh the heavy-duty lineup in a year, the 2019 Silverado 3500 was left mostly untouched. A new Mosaic Black Metallic paint color was unveiled for 2019, as was a revised chrome front grille with black mesh inserts. The Build Out Edition, exclusive to the LTZ trim level, is a new option that outfits the truck with blacked out Bowtie badging, a Z71 door badge with decals, front and rear park assist and a spray-in bed liner. Finally, the single cab configuration is now only available with 3500 HD chassis models. Other than this, the same power train carries over, comprising of a 6.0L Vortec V8 rated at 365 horsepower and an available 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel, rated at 445 horsepower.
Reprogramming a V8
Both the 6.0L gas Vortec and 6.6L Duramax diesel engines make use of sophisticated computer systems to monitor and analyze sensor data in order to run the engine efficiently and smoothly. Hooking up a hand held engine tuner and reprogramming the factory parameters can unleash a slew of improvements.
- Increase horsepower and torque
- Revise shift points
- Disable Displacement on Demand (DoD)
- Speedometer calibration
- Tire size calibration
- Read and diagnose fault codes
Communicating with the factory power control module (PCM), an aftermarket handheld tuner can over write the existing parameters and algorithms with a custom set, revising how the engine and transmission operate. For example, using a Silverado tuner to upload a performance profile would switch engine timing, fuel and spark delivery to a more aggressive fashion. Other common profiles include an economy setting and a tow setting. In addition, these tuners can access many other factory parameters (like transmission shift points and firmness) allowing owners to really dial in how they want their 2019 Silverado 3500 pickup truck to behave. With so many computers integrated within a 2019 Silverado 3500, a tuning device is a great tool to have in order to analyze and communicate with them all, helping to produce a driving experience tailored to you.
Back Racks
All 2019 Silverado 3500 trucks that plan to use their bed for frequent hauling can benefit from the installation of a bed or back rack. The main purpose of these specialty racks is to add an additional point of protection over the back window, protecting the window from damage should any cargo suddenly shift forward (emergency braking, an accident, during loading & unloading etc). The most basic, or traditional, back rack (also often referred to as a headache rack) is trapezoidal in form and has a main frame that runs the perimeter of the rear window. In between the frame ends are additional vertical or horizontal support bars, or sometimes even a complete steel mesh webbing, placed directly in front of the window in order to safeguard it. That said, modern design has taken this traditional look and transformed it into something completely new. Modular headache racks, featuring bold and angular off-road looks, often provide external mounts in which to mount an LED spot light or cube light. In fact, some bed racks take this even further and incorporate a pair of LED spot lights right into the side pillars or top bar straight from the manufacturer. Since the majority of these racks are constructed from mild steel (which has good strength and is lower cost), you'll find that most are protected from moisture (and rusting) by using a black powder coat paint. Aluminum versions are available, but comparing cost to strength, steel bed racks are still the best value.
