GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado are two popular pickup trucks manufactured by General Motors. They have same models throughout the years since their introduction in 1999, built on the same platform.
Are Silverado and Sierra Parts Interchangeable? GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado have most parts identical throughout the model years and are interchangeable. Engine and transmission between Sierra and Silverado 1500 are similar for 1999-2006, 2007-2013, 2014-2018, and 2019-onwards models. 2019-onwards Silverado and Sierra also have camera trailering equipment interchangeable for light-duty 1500 and heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 versions. Truck beds are also compatible across 1999-2021 models with exact sizes and cab configurations.
GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado have the same platform from General Motors across all generations from 1999-present.
Sierra is a product lineup under the GMC brand, and Silverado is under the umbrella of the Chevrolet lineup of General Motors.
Both trucks have the exact specifications regarding the vehicle’s engine, transmission system, ECU, and backend.
The only difference is their styling, truck beds’ construction material, and front end, including grille, bumpers, and fenders.
Engine
From 1999-2021 Silverado and Sierra have the same engine lineup with matching power and torque specifications.
Therefore, you can interchange the same engine options between trucks in a specific generation and across generations.
Furthermore, each engine is also available in several versions with various features. However, mechanical parts are the same, and the difference is on the electronics side. You can cover that up by reprogramming the ECU.
Sierra and Silverado 1500 from 1999-2013 models have 4.3L Vortec 4300 V6, 4.8L 4800, and 5.3L 5300 V8 engines, and you can swap them in any model years mentioned above.
The 2007-2009 Sierra and Silverado also have 6.0L V8 engines and are compatible with interchange.
An upgraded 6.2L V8 engine is interchangeable in the 2009-2013 Silverado 1500 models. Heavy-duty versions of both trucks from the 2007-2014 model years have large displacement 6.6L Duramax V8 engine that you can swap between 2500/3500 Sierra/Silverado.
2014-2019 models have 4.3L V6, 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8 EcoTec3 engines and you can swap them in these vehicles.
2019-2021 models have a dynamic fuel management system with a 2.7L turbocharged I3, 3.0L Duramax I6, 5.3L, 6.2L EcoTec3 V8.
You can interchange them, but removing the dynamic fuel system and other electronic components requires modifications if the recipient truck does not have that system.
You will also need to change the wiring harness to a compatible one to prevent fault codes or the check engine light.
Transmission system
4L60E transmission is standard in 1999-2002 Sierra/Silverado models with 2WD/4WD options in all cab configurations.
You can interchange them in any model year with the same drivetrain. 2003-2013 Sierra/Silverado 1500 models are compatible with upgraded 4L65E 4-speed automatic transmission and 4L80E transmission in 2500/3500 heavy-duty trucks.
Other compatible options in first-generation trucks are 5-speed manual NV3500 and NV4500 transmission.
Even though the same transmission with several engines does not ensure its compatibility as GM modifies each design according to engine requirements.
You can interchange 6-speed automatic 6L80 transmission in 2007-2013 Sierra/Silverado with 5.3L Vortec V8 engines.
In addition, heavy-duty variants of the truck of 2nd generation with 6.6L Duramax diesel engines have 6-speed automatic Allison 1000 and 6L90 transmissions, and you can replace them with similar drive configuration models.
Their 2014-2018 variants have a 6.2LEcoTec3 engine with 8-speed automatic 8L90 transmission and a 6-speed automatic 6L80 and Allison 1000 transmission in 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty variants.
You can interchange them with the same engines without any modifications.
In the case of a different motor with the same bell housing, you can replace it, but it will not work longer due to a mismatch with other engine parameters.
2019-2021 trucks have 6-speed, 8-speed, and 10-speed Hydramatic 10L80 transmissions compatible with all engines in that generation.
You can interchange them in any of the two trucks, and it will work well as designed by the manufacturer.
Camera trailering
GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado have towing mirror technology to watch the trailer. Other features are jack-knife alert, trailer length indicator, trailer angle view, and cargo bed view.
Tow mirror is present in all of their models from 1999-2021. However, you can swap them between 1999-2002, 2003-2007, 2008- 2013, 2013-2018, and 2019-2021 models.
Interchanging between non-compatible models will result in modifications costing $1500-$2000.
GMC introduced a Jack-knife feature in the 2021 models that keep an eye on the trailer’s position to the truck.
In case of a risk of a potential collision, it generates an alert signal to warn the driver. You can interchange it with the 2021 model Sierra and Silverado.
Tailgate
Tailgate design depends on the type of truck bed and its styling. 1999-2006 variants have the same truck bed options and tailgate design.
Therefore, you can interchange between any of the 2 model years. Moreover, Sierra and Silverado 1500 from 2007 to 2013 have interchangeable tailgates with minor differences like lift-assist torsion bar and tail lights.
The same is true for 2500 and 3500 models for both vehicles. 2014-2018. However, both have different tail lights and you can not swap them.
GMC Sierra from 2019-2021 has a MultiPro tailgate that is also present in Chevy Silverado from 2021-onwards models.
You cannot swap the MultiPro gate between the 2019-2021 variants because of the different opening sizes and depth.
Truck beds
1999-2006 Sierra and Silverado have 3 different bed options of a short box having a length of 5.76-ft, a 6.5-ft standard bed, and an 8.1-ft long box.
The standard cab has all three beds options, while crew and extended cab have long and standard bed options.
You can interchange them between any two models having the same size and cab configuration. There is a difference in material between both trucks.
Sierra has a bed made of molded sheets of carbon fiber composite, while Silverado bed has high-strength steel as its construction material.
You can also interchange truck beds between Silverado/Sierra 1500 between model years from 2007-2013 and 2014-2018, having the exact dimensions and cab configuration.
It will not be possible for 2019-2021 models because of different tailgates and will require modification in wiring to work it properly.
Heavy-duty models of Sierra and Silverado 2500/3500 also have the exact bed dimensions in respective years, and you can interchange them.
Suspension System
Suspension systems for Sierra and Silverado 1500 are the same in a generation. However, they have upgraded versions in special editions and OFF-road packages.
Moreover, heavy-duty models 2500/3500 also have heavier suspension components and more payload and towing capacity.
1999-2006 model trucks have interchangeable torsion bar suspension components, including leafs, springs, shackles, and U-bolts.
2007-2013 models have lowered and coil-over shocks suspension systems for both front and rear ends, and you can swap between the two trucks.
2014-2018 1500 models have struts and coil-over spring front suspension that is the same for 2WD and 4WD models.
Therefore, you can interchange them without much modification. 2019-2021 models have upgraded independent suspension with stronger shocks and are compatible with their 1500 trucks.
Furthermore, there are aftermarket suspension systems, leveling, and lift kits available to improve the stock components on both vehicles.
Windows/Doors
It is not wise to swap the complete doors or windows between Sierra and Silverado 1500 models.
It can result in mismatched colors and the dysfunction of a few features due to wiring differences between the two pickups.
However, you can swap individual components like mirror caps, windows, door trims, door handles, and molding without modification.
Moreover, you can interchange only in the same trim levels between 1999-2002, 2003-2006, 2007-2013, 2014-2018, and 2019-2021 models due to advanced cameras in rearview mirrors and camera trailering technologies in the latest models.
Seats
Seats in these vehicles are slightly different due to differences in upholstery, but they are the same size, and you can swap them.
1999-2006 models have interchangeable seats, but wiring differs between 1999-2002 and 2003-2006 trucks require modification.
2007-2013 pickups have memory, heat/cool, and power-adjustable seats that are interchangeable with wiring modifications.
2014-2016 have seats with air conditioning, and 2017-2019 variants have ventilated seats. You can interchange between Silverado/Sierra 1500 having the same wiring options.
It is due to the change in wiring harness due to different choices regarding cooling or ventilated operation.
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