1997 Chevy C/K 3500 Series Review
Price Estimate: $725 - $1,236

Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Classic styling
Cons
- Aging design, interior styling, poorly placed dashboard cupholders, uncomfortable seats, limited rear leg room
What’s new
On trucks under 8,600 pounds GVWR, the passenger airbag can be deactivated when a rear-facing child safety seat is installed. Low-speed steering effort is reduced this year, and a refined transmission fluid pump results in smoother shifts. An alternative fuel version of the Vortec 5700 is available, but only on a specific model. K1500s get a tighter turning radius, and three new colors debut. The third door option will be more widely available.
For sale near Ashburn, VA
1 listings
- 166,376 miles
- 1 accident, 7 owners, personal use only
- 5.7l 8cyl
- Romanelli and Son Auto Sales (760 mi away)
- Extended Cab
- 6000lb Towing Capaci...
Close
Located in Crystal River, FL
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: 1GCHC39J5VE112603
Stock: 112603
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Vehicle overview
General Motors' best-selling vehicles, as truck loyalists know full well, are the full-size pickups: half-, 3/4, and one-tonners with a reputation as reliable workhorses. Ford's similar-sized F-Series grabs the higher sales totals each year, but faithful Chevrolet buyers are seldom swayed. The pickup that feels right at home to a Chevy fan tends to send prickles up the spine of a Ford fan, and vice versa. Each is likely to declare the other's truck to be harder riding or anemic in acceleration, even if an impartial observer discerns little difference between the two.
This year's big news is the addition of a passenger airbag on all models under 8,600 lbs. GVWR. Those of you carting children in rear-facing safety seats need not worry how you'll load the kiddies into the 1997 C/K. A switch disables the passenger airbag when desirable. Also new this year is Electronic Variable Orifice steering, which reduces low-speed steering effort. Automatic transmissions receive refinements that result in smoother shifts and improved efficiency. The heavy-duty manual transmission offers better shift feel, reduced noise, and quicker response.
Three new paint colors are offered for 1997. The optional third door for extended cab models will be more widely available this year. K1500 models benefit from a tighter turning radius, which should improve off-road maneuvering. An alternative fuel version of the Vortec 5700 V-8 is newly available, but to get it consumers must order a C2500 Regular Cab Longbed equipped with 8,600 lb. GVWR, a 3.73 rear axle ratio, and an automatic transmission.
Four-wheel anti-lock braking is standard fare, and models under 8,600 lbs. GVWR have an airbag installed in the steering wheel hub. Correctly fitted, a C/K pickup can tow as much as 10,000 pounds. Long-life engine components extend service intervals up to 100,000 miles on some items. For luxury-oriented truckers, a C/K can be trimmed in leather when the top Silverado trim package is specified.
When selecting a full-size Chevy truck, you have to face the usual bewildering selection of models, which vary by wheelbase, cargo-bed size, cab design, and Sportside or Fleetside bed styling. Don't stop yet: you also have to choose from five engine sizes (including two diesels), and decide whether you want two- or four-wheel drive. Then, you still have the dizzying single-option list to ponder.
We get tired just thinking about all those possibilities, but they come with the territory when you're heading into big-pickup range. Truck customers don't want the same hauler that everybody else is buying--they want one tailored to their own specific needs. Chevrolet provides these customers with myriad possibilities to create that special, one-of-a-kind truck.
Chevrolet C/K 3500 Series Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
1993 K3500 Reg Cab LB 4X4
4.75 out of 5 starsErik, 06/30/2009
1993 Chevrolet C/K 3500 Series Cheyenne 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (5.7L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
Family owned since new. Very reliable and great to drive. Fuel mileage is not that great but considering it is 454 with 4.10 gears 14 mpg is not bad. Could get a 1 ton with better economy but this one is paid for and the average payment on a new one will buy a lot of gas even at $3/gal. Here in rural IA there are many Chev/GMCs of this vintage still working hard. I know it will always … start regardless of the temp. I plan to pass this one down to my son (it was my father's truck).
Whole lotta truck!
4.13 out of 5 starsMike Wise, 04/29/2004
1997 Chevrolet C/K 3500 Series Silverado 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.7L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
I have the 6.5 Turbo Diesel motor
which I absolutely love...when it
runs! I can't stand it when it
doesn't run or is having mechanical
problems, which seems to be most of
the time anymore. I've had
overheating problems when I'm towing
in the summer, fuel injection pump has
been replaced ($1500), also had to
replace lift pump, oil pressure switch
3 times, and pmd … module twice. But,
once you get her running right it's
hard to beat it's performance and mpg!
1993 1 ton dually
4.88 out of 5 starsJerrald Braiuca, 03/26/2006
1993 Chevrolet C/K 3500 Series Silverado 2dr Extended Cab LB (5.7L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
This is the first 1 ton dually I've owned and was surprised at how smooth it rides. I've been around Chevy trucks all my life and this is by far the best design both in convience and styling. Everyone warned me that I wouldn't like the 6.5 turbo but it has all the power and performance I'll ever need while still getting 16-17 mpg.
Like a rock
3.38 out of 5 starsbillybob big rigger, 10/01/2006
1997 Chevrolet C/K 3500 Series Silverado 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.7L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
I own a K3500 crew cab with a 454 big block. It has all the power I will ever need. It rides like a one ton, but if you want ride, buy a car. It will fit all your gear, and or family. It pulls like a mule. 4x4 is decent, but the auto hubs could have used a little better engineering. All in all, it is the best thing I have ever bought.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Chevrolet C/K 3500 Series, so we've included reviews for other years of the C/K 3500 Series since its last redesign.
1997 C/K 3500 Series Highlights
Regular Cab
Cheyenne
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
rear wheel drive | |
Max Towing Capacity | 7,000 lbs. |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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