1998 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 Extended Cab 4x4 Short Bed Pickup 

It's obvious that GM built 1/2 ton pickups like this 1998 GMC Sierra with utility and practicality in mind, but they certainly didn't forget about style.  Sure, it's still a rugged truck, but on the outside it's one of the best-looking trucks ever built.   

For consignment, a jolly green giant in the form of a nicely preserved two owner truck with some miles, but clean, attractive, and practical.  Garage kept for at least the last 20 years, it has been well cared for during its life and it looks like it.  You don't have to live in the Sierra Mountains to own one, and if you get any snow, mud, or rain at all, this comfortable 4x4 might just be a great way to go.  Let's delve in, shall we? 

Exterior
Emerald Green Metallic paint adorns this high ride, and the color matched headlight surround and flush headlights make for a very attractive face. This is consignor stated all original paint.  The black grille has a chrome surround and the enormous tow hooks below the chrome bumper say this truck means business.  Outside of some hard water stains, the paint is good for its age and the body is straight.  We note some rust down by the rocker panel but at this stage, a patch would probably kill the cancer and nip it in the bud.  The matching Leer cap is a great addition and adds some nice coverage for cargo.  The extended cab denotation means there's no doors for the second row and the overall profile of the truck, with cab and cap, is somewhat unique.  16-inch wheels have a chrome trim rings and support LT245/75/16 all terrain tires with a late 2021 date code.  In the back, you'll find a clean tailgate and trailer hitch, along with a third brake light on top of the cap.  4X4 in the familiar GM font is broadcast on the sides of the bed.  The bed itself has gotten some use as there are scratches in the bed.  A rubber bed mat is present. 

Interior
A swing of either door greets you with requisite plastic molded door cards, cloth inserts, and plastic buttons and door actuator.  The bottom bin is coated with carpet with a cut out for a speaker.  The 70/30 split bench seats are cloth and don't look anything close to what you'd expect in a truck with over 121k miles.  A large, fold down armrest with a storage bin can be put up to seat a third person if they don't mind straddling the center console.  Meanwhile, the back bench seat looks like it's never been used.  Impressive!  The clean 4 spoke steering wheel is leather wrapped in charcoal and houses an airbag.  A simple gauge cluster sits ahead with the most basic of gauges with orange needles.  To the right is an aftermarket AM/FM/CD radio above the simple climate control panel.  The rest of the tan dash is occupied by sculpted vents, the glove box, and an airbag panel in front of the passenger.  The floor mounted manual shifter is stretching high to the driver while a transfer case range selector is lower and to the left.  The low pile tan carpet is in nice shape as is the headliner.  Is that 21k or 121k?  It's hard to tell! 

Drivetrain
The original 5.0 liter V8 occupies the engine bay and has electronic fuel injection.  The engines were rated at 230 horsepower and this one is tied to a Getrag 5-speed manual transmission with 3.73 gears in the front and rear axles.   Power brakes were standard and include disc up front, drum out back.  The consignor states a new A/C compressor has been added as well as new brake lines.  

Undercarriage
There is some rust under here and while most of it is surface rust or advanced surface rust with pitting.  There are some areas of flaking and the beginning of invasiveness, particularly on the axle U-bolts and rear axle itself.  The spare tire's wheel is heavily rusted and might need replacement.  Independent torsion bar suspension is noted up front and leaf springs in back.  

Drive-Ability
Nothing like a half ton truck with a stick shift!  And with an interior this clean, it's a pleasant place to sit.  The 5.0 liter lit up on the first turn of the key and around the loop we went.  Decent power and a smooth ride on those 75-series tires and you feel invincible!  One can't help but imagine being a game warden, park ranger, or off road recovery unit is this towering 1500.  All controls work as they should, and the brakes did just fine.    

This is one of those trucks that pass cars on the side of the road during a snowstorm.  Comfortable, roomy, and capable, this and the next few years of the Silverado and Sierras are considered some of the best of the modern era.  The design was beautiful, and the mechanics were pretty sound.  Now all we need is someone to invent a permanent rust preventer!  Elon, are you listening?

1GTEK19M1WE513807

1-USA
G-General Motors
T-GMC Truck
E-6001 Thru 7000 GVWR
K-Conventional Cab 4x4
1-1/2 Ton
9-2 Door Extended Cab
M-305ci V8 255hp
1-Check Digit
W-1998
E-Pontiac, MI Assy Plant
513807-Sequential Unit Number

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