• Chevy trucks have existed since before 1920.Chevrolet image by Daniel Toliver from Fotolia.com
  
  Chevrolet introduced its first truck in 1919 and continued its truck history in 2002 with the Silverado lineup, according to MSN Autos. The 2002 Silverado is similar to the first version introduced in 1999 as the replacement for the C/K model, although the 2002 version came with an upgraded emission control system and additional options. The truck was available in a wide range of trim packages, with an original retail price ranging between $18,108 and $33,308.
  
  

Engine

• The 2002 Silverado had one of three engines: a 4.3-liter V6, a 5.3-liter V8 or a 6.0-liter V8, according to MSN Autos. The V6 produced 200 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. The 4.8-liter V8 produced 270 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 285 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm, while the 5.3-liter V8 produced 285 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 325 pound-feet of torque at 4,000. The truck had an EPA estimated fuel economy of between 14 and 16 miles per gallon in the city and between 17 to 21 mpg on the highway, depending on the version.
  
  

Performance

• The 2002 Chevy Silverado was equipped with either a rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive powertrain. The truck came with either a five-speed manual overdrive transmission or a four-speed automatic overdrive transmission, though the manual wasn't available in all trim versions. The truck had a maximum towing capacity of between 8,000 pounds and 10,300 pounds and a maximum payload of between 1,342 pounds and 3,157 pounds, according to MSN Autos.
  
  

Size

• The Silverado is 237.2 inches long, 79.7 inches wide and 76.2 inches high and had a wheelbase of 153 inches, according to Edmunds. The truck also had a 5,461-pound curb weight, an 8,600-pound gross weight and a ground clearance of 7.4 inches. It had room for up to six people, depending on the trim version.
  
  

Safety

• The 2002 Chevrolet Silverado came with driver-side and passenger-side airbags as well as an anti-lock braking system as standard equipment on all versions, according to MSN Autos. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety gave the Silverado its highest rating of "Good" for head and neck, chest and leg protection, a "Poor" for structural and restraint measures, and an overall rating of "Marginal," its second lowest out of four possible rating categories.