2006 Silverado 1500 V-6

[msm20032003]

What does the 4.3 L V-6 Drive like in the Silverado 1500? I have not driven one but was looking into buying one. Is it somewhat smooth and quiet? Also, when are the 2007 models being released?

[kdm101]

Years back when I first bought my silverado, I had also test driven a Sierra with the 4.3. It wasn't bad. Reasonably quiet and could move the std cab short bed well enough. Most everything mechanically is the same between the two, so ride quality should be nearly identical (the v6 is lighter, so the front end will behave slightly different).

 

However, I'm glad I didn't go that route and went with the Silverado instead as I now do some occasional towing and I like having the ext cab. The V8s will give you so much more in towing and hauling capacity than the V6, and the 4.8/5.3 mileage is just barely worse (you might get 2mpg better on average with the V6). I know the power and economy of the v8s has improved over the years, but I do not know if the same is true on the v6s.

 

So, all in all, it will depend on what you plan to do with it. If you're looking for a daily driver that will be used like a car with only light loads (500lbs or so), the v6 should work fine. If you want something that can tow, haul a few CU yds of mulch every year, etc., then I think you'll want the v8.

[carneyman]

Years back when I first bought my silverado, I had also test driven a Sierra with the 4.3.  It wasn't bad.  Reasonably quiet and could move the std cab short bed well enough. Most everything mechanically is the same between the two, so ride quality should be nearly identical (the v6 is lighter, so the front end will behave slightly different).

 

However, I'm glad I didn't go that route and went with the Silverado instead as I now do some occasional towing and I like having the ext cab.  The V8s will give you so much more in towing and hauling capacity than the V6, and the 4.8/5.3 mileage is just barely worse (you might get 2mpg better on average with the V6).  I know the power and economy of the v8s has improved over the years, but I do not know if the same is true on the v6s.

 

So, all in all, it will depend on what you plan to do with it.  If you're looking for a daily driver that will be used like a car with only light loads (500lbs or so), the v6 should work fine.  If you want something that can tow, haul a few CU yds of mulch every year, etc., then I think you'll want the v8.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I agree. The V8 will be the better buy, just because of its versatillity. The extra power will also be greatly appreciated when your needing to pass a line of slow moving cars.

[gave20]

Our GSA truck, federal gov. fleet, at the USDA office is a reg. cab 4.3L with a 3.42 rear is a dog. Any hill causes it to downshift and it is always hunting. My 92 s-10 blazer was the same way, I personally think the 4.3L is a bad choice anywhere there are hills and would pick the 4.8L especially if you were only hauling heavy loads infrequently. The GMC website sates the 4.3L and the 4.8L get the same gas mileage in identical vehicles.

[pm26]

I would get the V6 only with the manual transmission. This combination would probably last a very long time as the truck components (brakes, differential, transmission,etc) would see less stress than with a V8 engine due to lower HP and torque.

[lowrider]

I would get the V6 only with the manual transmission.  This combination would probably last a very long time as the truck components (brakes, differential, transmission,etc) would see less stress than with a V8 engine due to lower HP and torque.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I have this combination on a Sierra Reg. Cab Long Bed. It's perfectly acceptable, and will cruise at 90MPH all day. BTW, my weekend car is a Modded Infiniti G35 6MT Coupe, so I do enjoy a powerful good handling automobiles. It I had it to do over again would I get the 4.8, maybe. Am I unhappy that I have the 4.3 - NO WAY

 

Lou

[2005 Z71]

What does the 4.3 L V-6 Drive like in the Silverado 1500? I have not driven one but was looking into buying one. Is it somewhat smooth and quiet? Also, when are the 2007 models being released?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Why a Silverado? Give us some more info to help you. What are you going to use your truck for? I will give you my opinion though... a full size truck with a V6 motor is fine.

 

However, like everyone will agree... it is based on your needs and intended use of the truck. Always remember this... once you own a truck... it is easy to swap with a buddy for a day. In other words - I would not lend my truck to a car driving buddy... but if I knew he already had a truck and experience driving it... I would not hesitate.

 

Also the body size is a consideration as well. For example, I had a V6 in my full size Ford F-150... However, it was a single cab truck with a short bed. The standard truck has grown bigger. Does Chevy still build a single cab version of the Silverado?

 

Also - if you do go with a V6 - get a nice 4x4 package. This will increase the utility of the truck and increase the resale value years down the road.

[Shoot2Thrill]

My 05 has the V6 with a manual transmission. I test drove a V6 automatic regular cab and thought it was a brick. I am not looking to race a truck, but I didn't like the response of the V6 with automatic. I test drove a V6 manual regular cab and was much more comfortable with the performance. I don't haul heavy loads, but need the larger bed space the Silverado has that my V6 S10 didn't. I routinely drive my truck 80MPH or higher on the highway every day without issues. I'd say if you are not going to be doing heavy loads and need a good dependable truck go with the V6/manual transmission combo. If you are going to be doing some heavy loads, you'd be much happier with the 4.8 V8 or better depending on your needs. -Shoot2Thrill

[SoCalChris]

I've got the 4.3 with a 5 speed manual on a regular cab long bed. It's got plenty of acceleration, and has no problems passing slower traffic. It handles almost all of the mountain driving I throw at it without much effort, with the exception of going over the Bozeman Pass. For about the last half mile before the summit, I have to downshift to 4th gear to maintain my speed (Usually about 85-90mph).

 

I was planning on buying my truck with the 4.8L engine, but one of the local dealers had a great deal on the truck with the 4.3L, so I got it instead. I can't say that I regret the decision in the least.

 

As far as driving, there isn't a lot of engine noise, but it is a truck, so it isn't a super quiet ride.

[I-H8-4Ds]

I had a 2003 2WD regular cab long bed, 4.3 liter automatic with 3.42 axle. I occasionally towed a 2200 lb load (ATVs) with it and it did well. The only time it struggled with this load was with extremely steep grades. I have heard it is one of GMs better engines and I believe it. I don't believe it has ever had the piston slap problem that the new generation V8s have had. If you look at it's HP and torque numbers, it's a lot like the mid '70s V8s.

 

I now have the same truck, a 2005 with a 4.8 V8 and 3.23 axle (the brakes are so much better). Both engines accelerate about the same off the line, but the 4.8 really takes off like crazy over 3,000 RPMs. That is the biggest difference- the V6 is a little slow on the high RPMs but has lots of low end torque. My gas mileage is about the same with the V6 and V8.

 

As far as I know, you cannot get a 4x4 with the V6; also, the 3.23 axle is what you get with 2WD, so if you tow much, that isn't exactly the best axle ratio for a V6, in my opinion.

[msm20032003]

Thanks for all the replies. I looked at some Silverados today. I want the silverado over the sierra because in the work truck models you cannot tell much of a difference between the work truck silverados and the nicer LS and LT models as far as the front end. On the Sierra there is a lot of gray trim that is not there on nicer models. I do not plan to tow anything at all with this truck. I only plan to haul small loads every now and then and drive it to work. I was actually looking more at midsize trucks but the dealer seems to have better deals on the full size than the midsize. I can get a Silverado manual with air conditioning for 11,500, but i do not really want a manual transmission. Acceleration is not all that important.....I am driving a 1999 Ford Ranger 3.0 V-6 right now which is pretty sluggish.

[pm26]

As far as I know, you cannot get a 4x4 with the V6; also, the 3.23 axle is what you get with 2WD, so if you tow much, that isn't exactly the best axle ratio for a V6, in my opinion.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

Yes you can, I just saw a new '06 regular cab 4X4 Silverado with a 4.3 V6 and 5 speed manual transmission. The axle ratio was 3.73:1.

[sjspor]

The six is fine with a 5 speed, but it sucks with automatic. It rattles, buzzes and the tranny shifts constantly, and the gas milage sucks. Too Bad they droped the 5 speed from the ext cab.

[msm20032003]

I do not want 4 wheel drive any way. I may step up to the 4.8 Liter. They do the same on fuel economy, its just I do not really want to spend that much more on it. I looked at used trucks but it seems they are the same price as the new ones after GM's "value pricing" and rebates. And Remember, I never plan to tow anything.....ever....

[OUMike]

I have a 4.3 with the auto, and I'm very happy with the performance. I do not tow, and my hauling is never anything more than a couple bags of fertilizer and a lawn mower. My truck also has 200k, so I can personally back the reliability and durability of the drivetrain. I've driven many RCSB 4.8s, and the power is definatly A LOT stronger, but I emagine a new 4.3 would really be plenty for me. My only real reason for wanting the 4.8, is cause frankly its more fun. However I do a lot of driving from my house to school (about 30 miles, from League City, TX to Univ. of Houston) and my old 4.3 does just fine, even with the automatic.

 

EDIT - I have 3.42 gears and 2WD. I get about 20 mpg on the highway, and about 16 around town. My truck is entirely stock except for the Magnaflow cat and muffler.