2002 GMC Sierra 3500 Review
2002 GMC Sierra 3500 Review
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Used Sierra 3500 for sale
Appraise This CarGMC Sierra 3500 model years
GMC Sierra 3500 types
- Regular Cab
- Crew Cab
- Extended Cab
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Most powerful engines you can buy, class-leading towing and payload.
Cons
- Spotty build quality, cheap interior materials.
What’s new
After undergoing a full redesign last year, the Sierra 3500 gets only minor changes for 2002. Air conditioning is now standard on all trim levels, and a Cold Weather package is now available that includes heated exterior mirrors and a rear window defogger.
Edmunds says
The biggest, most powerful pickup you can drive without going to trucking school.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB DRW (6.0L 8cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Iowa.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Iowa
Not EPA tested for Sierra 3500 Base
Sierra 3500 Base
vs
$238/mo
Avg. Large Truck
Vehicle overview
The 3500 Series Sierra represents the pinnacle of GM's heavy-duty truck lineup. With the biggest engines, highest tow rating and standard dual real wheels out back, there's no mistaking this truck for anything but a heavy-duty worksite machine. Styling is similar to light-duty Sierras, with a bulging hood, redesigned grille and standard wheel flares as the most noticeable distinguishing characteristics.
Just adding a taller cab and big dually wheels in back hardly qualifies a truck as heavy-duty. In this hard-fought segment, you need plenty of brute force from under the hood and transmissions and suspensions to back it all up -- the Sierra 3500 has all of the above.
Starting in the engine department, the Sierra features not only the most powerful gasoline engine available anywhere, but the baddest diesel engine ever to hit the streets, as well. Developed jointly with Isuzu, the 6.6-liter turbocharged Duramax V8 cranks out 300 horsepower and a whopping 520 pound-feet of torque. (That's 65 horses and 20 lb-ft more than Ford's PowerStroke, and 55/15 over the Dodge Cummins diesel.) When it comes to gasoline power, GM leads the pack there, too. The Vortec 8100 V8 puts out 340 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque - both numbers eclipsing those of the V10s being offered by competitors. Even the base Vortec 6000 V8 is rated at a healthy 300 horses.
With engines like that twisting the crankshaft, you better have strong transmissions handling the shifts, and the Sierra answers with a range of four heavy-duty units. Standard on 6.0-liter-powered 3500s is a New Venture five-speed manual with a fifth-gear overdrive. Those who prefer to leave the shifting to the transmission can order the 4L80-E overdrive automatic that features a tow/haul mode to reduce busy shifts while towing. Sierras equipped with either the Vortec 8100 or Duramax diesel get their choice of a ZF six-speed manual with a deep 5.79 first gear and a gas-sipping overdrive sixth, or an electronically controlled Allison five-speed automatic that boasts a patented "grade-braking" feature that automatically selects the optimum gear for downhill engine braking. It also touts "shift stabilization" to prevent ill-timed upshifts and downshifts and even has "Power Take Off" capability that allows owners to run PTO-driven equipment on-site, delivering 250 lb-ft of continuous torque.
Supporting all this heavy-duty hardware is a standard independent torsion bar front/solid axle three-stage multi-leaf spring rear suspension system. High-capacity four-wheel disc brakes feature ABS and a Hydro-Boost brake proportioning system for maximum stopping power under heavy loads; a comforting thought considering the 3500's Herculean tow rating. When properly equipped, one-ton Sierras can pull up to 12,000 pounds. Needless to say, the Sierra 3500 is one serious work truck.
The heavy-duty Sierra's interior is much like those you'll find in GM's light-duty pickups and SUVs. Large and comfortable seats, plenty of easily accessible storage space and a straightforward interior design make the Sierra feel right at home the instant you climb inside. Three trim levels (SL, SLE, SLT) allow you to add as much or as little luxury as you want. Base SLs come with standard air conditioning, a stereo and a 40/20/40 split bench seat. Top-of-the-line SLT models add such luxuries as power adjustable leather seats, an enhanced six-speaker audio system with a CD player and the OnStar communications system.
Regardless of what options you choose, you'll feel comfortable knowing that you're driving one of the toughest, most capable trucks on the road. With the knockout punch of the two most powerful engines on the market combined with a choice of heavy-duty transmissions and classic good looks, it's hard to beat the Sierra 3500 for the ultimate in a workhorse pickup.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 GMC Sierra 3500.
5 star(75%)
4 star(0%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(25%)
8 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
A Real Truck
TOW MAN, 06/06/2002
2002 GMC Sierra 3500 4dr Crew Cab SLE 2WD LB DRW (6.0L 8cyl 4A)
This vehicle has surpassed all our
expectations (except for the dealer who
is mediocre). The cabin noise level is
lower than most of the cars that I have
owned in the last 15 years. Build
quality is improved over the 95 GMC
that I owned. I tow 10 to 13K pound
loads on a daily basis. Hauling horses
I routinely discuss trucks with other
guys at horse events. I find … that I
can out haul them, get slightly better
gas mileage and the TRUCK IS IN THE
SHOP less than my Ford F350 friends
(one of whom has sold his to buy a
Chevy 3500). If you are looking for a
real work rig, this is it.
5 out of 5 stars
gmc crew cab
marmcn, 10/09/2003
2002 GMC Sierra 3500 4dr Crew Cab SLE 4WD LB DRW (6.0L 8cyl 4A)
awesome power with the turbodiesel and
the cummins transmission. can pull the
anchor(boat) with the camper up cascade
passes and still pass empty powerstrokes
5 out of 5 stars
Great Truck
Big Rick, 10/14/2003
2002 GMC Sierra 3500 4dr Crew Cab SLE 2WD LB DRW (6.0L 8cyl 4A)
This is my 2nd GM diesel truck and it
has operated flawlessly since delivery.
The power and accelleration for a big
truck makes it fun to drive. I tow a
14000 lb 5th wheel and can pass with
ease going over the mountains. The
mileage is about 10mpg with the trailer
and running 65, without it runs about
18-19 mpg on the highway.
4.5 out of 5 stars
The Haul Myster
Walking horse, 04/12/2002
2002 GMC Sierra 3500 4dr Crew Cab SL 2WD LB DRW (6.0L 8cyl 4A)
We upgraded to a heaveier tow vechile.
We have a horse ranch and haul 12,000
to 15,000# trailers. If you want a
SERIOUS tow vehicle, this is it.
Neither Ford nor Dodge can touch it.
It is also eztremely quite, but due to
the towing capacity a little hard
riding. Build quality is great,
especially considering this is a TRUCK
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sierra 3500 since its last redesign.
2002 Sierra 3500 Highlights
Regular Cab
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $27,164 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Seating | 3 seats |
Drivetrain | four wheel drive |
Max Towing Capacity | 12,000 lbs. |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Sierra 3500 include:
- Alarm
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