The Golden Child
Trucks are an integral part of every man’s Life. Deciding what truck to purchase can be a dizzying decision, considering the vast multitude of choices. The best truck to grace the road is prophesied to be the first generation Silverado produced from 1999-07, and just as impeccable, is its twin–the GMC Sierra.
The first generation Silverado received a total revamp and transformed GM’s truck offerings. Consequently, the update was described with positive emotions. The styling was a much-needed facelift. The LS motor put into the gas trucks is one of the most sought after engines ever produced, due to its raw simplicity, reliability, and being inexpensive. The body and frames were above par for the time and are still solid designs. The legendary Duramax diesels were put into the Silverados for the first time in this generation. But, if you want the Duramax diesel, you should look for an LBZ, due to fixing all the issues of the previous LB7 and LLY diesels.
In 2003, the grille was updated to the exquisite looking cat-eye front end. This was a major upgrade, and after that, the truck remained mostly unchanged until the close of the generation. The interior also received minor updates throughout the model run. 
One consideration when purchasing a first gen is do you want a 1500, 2500, or 3500? The 1500 is the most economical and common, the 2500 is the second most common and significantly more expensive to buy and operate, but was offered with the Duramax. The 3500 is quite similar to the 2500 except being slightly beefier. If you don’t tow or really want a diesel, the 1500 is probably for you. However, if you often tow and are addicted to the sounds of turbo diesels, you should opt for the 2500 or 3500.
I currently have a 2002 GMC Sierra 2500hd with the 6.0, and I absolutely love it. Although, I often go down rabbit holes of what truck should I get next. I have considered the 1500s due to the cheaper purchase price, better mileage, and cheaper parts; however, I hope to just buy another 2500hd with lower miles and in better condition to keep for a long time. Mostlikely, I would go for a 6.0 gas due the simplicity, ease of repair, and cost effectiveness–even though the Duramaxes are way cooler. 
