Chances are if you see one of these trucks it’s used commercially, or it has been up fitted with a utility box apparatus. This is one serious work truck for you or your business and I give it a high-5.

The following review is on my 2004 Chevy 2500HD work truck purchased new in August 2004. When became time to update a few my work trucks this purchase was just the beginning of what I considered to be one of the most logical decisions I’ve made for my company. Having owned almost every year of truck that GM built since the late 70’s, I’ve noticed the steady improvement in both quality and dependability along with additions in creature comforts that you simply cannot live without. Each generation keeps getting better and I’ll have to say the most notable is “dependability”! Of all the gadgets, auto parts, batteries, or whatever you can think of that get labeled or branded HD (heavy duty) this 2004 Chevy 2500HD really means it.

One of the first things I noticed when I got into the truck and shut the door was how solid it felt, and there’s nothing like the “new smell” of a vehicle, I believe they even put this aroma in a can and sell it at auto parts stores. The salesman was pointing out the improvements over the last trucks I purchased from him in 99 and 2000. Starting up and turning on the A/C we were on our way. So much power from the 6.0L and braking was effortless compared to my older trucks, the rear wheel disk brakes explains the difference. Within 5 minutes the cab had cooled down sufficiently enough to put it on a low to medium setting, it was about 95 out as I recalled so the A/C was excellent.

Getting on the freeway and cruising at 70 mph was quieter than the F-250 I test drove. I felt the 2 trucks were in fact very close in comfort, handling, braking as well as fuel economy. The 2 main reasons I went with the Chevy was the price $1,000 less (factory rebates and dealer incentives), plus I simply liked the way the Chevy felt overall. Under the hood is where I don’t want to spend a lot of time, but if and when I do, say after the warranty period I also feel I know my way around Chevys and what I’m doing mechanical wise versus wrenching on a Ford. I’ve spent time working on both Ford and Chevy, and from personal experience plus being very mechanically inclined I simply prefer working on Chevys.

As of today 1-26-2008, my 2500HD has just over 80,000 miles on the odometer. It’s been to the dealer only 2 times. Just before the 36,000 mile warranty was going to run out we noticed the driver’s seat had started to collapse. Apparently some of the springs underneath that support your bum broke. I can only think this could have been from someone putting all their body weight with their knee? No problem, they ordered the parts and had them in the next day and a couple hours later we were back in business. Just recently, around mid December I get a notice from GM that effected owners of 2004-2005 GM Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, ect., that may experience a malfunctioning speedometer or gauges. Yes, my speedo and oil pressure gauge were acting up. Problem was they were only going to take care of this for up to 7 years or 70,000 miles, this means I’m not covered. Short story: They fixed it free of charge!

I simply called the toll free number, explained I was having problems, gave me an “event number”, he says take it to your nearest dealer and give them the event number and call us with their findings. I get a call back and I’m told GM’s covering it. Ironically my father in law’s 2005 Tahoe same scenario and it was taken care of by GM.

All other maintenance has been performed on this truck has been simple oil and filter changes, lubrication, some fluids, 1 air filter, 2 halogen headlight bulbs. It doesn’t use oil between changes which I do about every 5,000 miles. Greasing the zerk fittings I’m noticing no loss of grease. The front brake pads were replaced at around 50,000 miles, rotors were 98%. Back brake pads replaced @ 60,000 miles. Battery failed last year, I opted out of the Delco dealer replacement because of the limited warranty cost, it was cheaper for me to get a new battery at Costco. Nothing else has been done on this truck, even the windshield wiper blades are original and working like new, (I must add) very quiet when in operation. There’s nothing leaking, making weird noises, falling apart, other than what I’ve mentioned. I’ve checked on some of my older maintenance logs and found that not one truck had this few of problems. This is by far the least expensive truck I’ve ever operated!

Being used commercially will take its toll on any vehicle, but surprisingly pushing this 2500HD to its limits has performed very well compared to any other truck I’ve had and without a doubt take me beyond what I would normally get service wise out of any previously owned truck. A few things I want to point out that I really like on this truck is the “auto” feature setting for the headlights. The lights will turn themselves on and off automatically. All you have to do is put the key in the ignition, fasten your seatbelt and you’re off. Even when the truck gets fully loaded with 2,000 of supplies and equipment the suspension holds the weight perfectly. The 6.0L engine is more than enough power for me and when you’re getting on the freeway this engine screams. I haven’t towed any trailers and don’t plan to but I have little doubt you’ll have any issues.

Handling: {9/10} Cornering, going over bumps, U-turns, are smooth and there’s no swaying with its fairly ridged suspension. Wet weather is not a big worry, I was just in a heavy downpour a few weeks ago, windshield wipers on the highest setting, I could barely see the road, braking was not affected. Being in the Sacramento California valley this truck will most likely never see a snowflake or have tire chains put on. I’ve never been off road with it so I can’t comment in this area.

Braking: {9/10} Almost too good. With more weight in the bed it seems to brake evenly, but with 4 wheel (abs) disk brakes with an empty truck you'll want to have a good grip on the wheel, it will stop on a dime!

Mileage: {8/10} It varies so much with us depending on what the task or job we’re doing. As bad as 10, or as good as 14 mpg. I might have gained 1-2 mpg with a 5.3L.

Build Quality: {10/10} Hands down the best I’ve seen from any truck we’ve put 80,000 miles on. Is there any vehicle you’ve owned that hasn’t gone to the dealer in 80,000 miles? Mine was sent in for a seat cushion spring and a gauge cluster, not bad.

Reliability: {10/10} Never left me or my workers stranded, everything you would want or expect to last has for this 2500HD. Every part or component has lasted at or above expectations.

Steering: {10/10} As far as a 133 inch wheel based truck goes, you’ll get decent performance with this Chevy 2500HD. I have no problems with the power steering under any circumstances. Just the other day I added a small amount (4-6 ounces) to the reservoir, nothing leaking anywhere but I simply wanted to bring it up to the full mark, and having 80,000 miles without adding fluid is exceptionally good.

Exterior: {10/10} I have the Summit White paint and after 3.5 years it’s showing little signs of fade and still polishes up nicely. All the body trim, chrome and plastic is also fairing well. Where there’s a small nick or scratch in the paint, there’s no rust what so ever. My one and only complaint would be whatever they coat the frame with has got to be the nastiest crud imaginable, I can only compare it to coal tar or candle wax. You get this stuff on your clothes and it’s nearly impossible to get off. On the positive side I seriously doubt this frame will show any signs of rust for at least 30 years or more.

Roominess: {10/10} This is a full size truck, plenty of leg room, head room. The front seat is a (true) 3-passenger 40/20/40 split-bench. The 8’ long bed holds just about whatever you want or can fit in it. I’ve easily had a ton (2,000-lbs) in the back and it can take more. This is a very comfortable cab for average height and weight folks, if your 5’ 7” or less you’re OK but will notice the hood interferes with your line of sight for objects directly in front of you. Plenty of headroom for persons 6’ 4” or a little more. There really isn’t much room left in the cab if there’s 3 persons. I’d plan on buying one of those aluminum diamond plate tool boxes to store and lock up extra gear. The glove box is just that, big enough to hold 2-3 pair of gloves and your vehicle registration card.

Maintenance: {10/10} A couple very important things is how long components are lasting, how much or how little it’s cost me to maintain it, or how often it needs attention. Excluding fuel it’s so far about ˝ of any other truck I’ve had within the 80,000 miles. We went through the stock Bridgestone LT245-75-16 E’s, after only 25,000 miles. I’m running only the best now, MICHELIN XPS LT-215-85-16 E’s.

Automatic transmission: {10/10} Shifting is very smooth, you can’t really feel it going through 6 speeds. There’s a trailering mode switch on the end of the gear shift knob that essentially will take the transmission out of overdrive causing the engine RPM’s to increase and thus increase engine and transmission cooling ability. I’ve accidently engaged this (tow/haul mode) feature, never knew it was there, I was going down the freeway and grabbed it and it somehow engaged, I heard the RPM’s increase and this little light symbol of a truck trailer combo, it startled me at first but figured it out a few seconds later.

Engine: {10/10} Wow! Plenty of power with this 6.0L Vortec, about 325 hp and 360-370 ft•lb of torque, more than enough trailer-towing, hill climbing, load hauling power. Stomping on the gas pedal to pass is an adrenalin rush, you have be careful not to overdo it, you’ll see what I mean when the transmission downshifts and the RPM’s jump to 5,000! The exhaust is very quiet, but when you open the throttle you will hear this beast breath through its pipes. It’s got dual 3” aluminized stainless-steel tubing to the muffler and dual 3” V’d to a single 3.50” tailpipe.

Gauges: {9/10} Easy to see, very well lit and plenty of them including “transmission temperature”. Right now they look good as new because they are. The fuel level gauge has been improved as this is the first GM truck that actually starts going down after a gallon or 2 from a full tank, unlike my older GM trucks that read full after 8 or 9 gallons from a top off. When you get to empty it will cause a reserve warning light to come on as well as sound a chime through the stereo speakers.

AM/FM stereo: {6/10} Just your basic but not bad sounding. It has a built in clock and a seek-and scan-feature. It picks up stations from many miles away, there’s almost a station on every digit. If there was one thing to upgrade it would be a CD player. One of my drivers has his MP3 and an FM transmitter, the ideal setup. The door chime is channeled through the door speakers and is adjustable via pushing buttons on the stereo. One day I got into the truck and it somehow was on an ear piercing high setting, this must of been done as a practical joke.

Accessories: I’m not going to rate a cigarette lighter, which has one along with two 12 volt accessory plugs, one on each side. Another handy item I use on occasion is the hour meter. Its purpose is mainly to schedule maintenance on certain items regardless of how many miles. It’s easy to use and is viewed by pressing the trip meter knob on the instrument cluster. Instead of miles or trip miles it can display total hours. It can also monitor vehicle activity by hours instead of miles. Every feature on this truck works as it should, even the 2 cup holders in the middle of the passenger seat on the floor board, utilizing an optimal center of gravity and rarely ever spilling a drop.

SAFETY: Last but not least, frontal, driver and right-front passenger "air bags". You have the option of turning on or off the passenger side air bag via key switch. The drivers air bag is located in the steering wheel.

Finally: This would be considered a perfect addition to your fleet or if you’re starting out a new business and need a reliable cost efficient truck, I give it my highest recommendation, not to my competition though!

Amount Paid (US$): 19475
Condition: New
Model Year: 2004
Model and Options: 6.0L, A/T, A/C regular cab work truck