What are the differences between 1998 and 1999 classic?

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Macs Garage

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I have a 1999 k2500 classic 5.7 vortec. Almost every time I go to buy parts the dimpled face kid behind the counter gives me parts for the 99 new body style. I always say 99 classic, but he is to busy to listen because he wants to get back to TikTok. I have started to say I have a 1998 just to get the right parts. One day I will get burned and get something that 98 has and the 99 classic is different. What are the differences between the 98 and 99 classic? Is the ecu the same?
 

454cid

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I almost always look up my parts online ahead of time. The few times I do not, I don't have a problem, but that could be becasue I have a 1-ton and there was no GMT-800 3500's yet.... that didn't happen until 2001. Is your truck actually badged as a "classic"? Mine is an "LS" since the Silverado trim level name became the model name, of the new truck.

Usually I see the new trucks listed as Silverado 1500/2500/3500, not as C or K 1500/2500/3500.

You might be giving too much information, too fast, so the kid wings it. Forget the "classic", and just tell them you have a 99 K2500, then the engine when they ask. If asked if you have a 5.3/6.0/8.1 then tell the kid, you don't have a Silverado, but a K-25-hundred, and let hiim work through his confusion.

I don't think there is any differance between a 98 and 99 that's going to matter much.
 

HotWheelsBurban

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I have a 1999 k2500 classic 5.7 vortec. Almost every time I go to buy parts the dimpled face kid behind the counter gives me parts for the 99 new body style. I always say 99 classic, but he is to busy to listen because he wants to get back to TikTok. I have started to say I have a 1998 just to get the right parts. One day I will get burned and get something that 98 has and the 99 classic is different. What are the differences between the 98 and 99 classic? Is the ecu the same?
I've been down this road with both '99 Burbs and my '90 Burb (Suburbans carried the previous body style over in square body era too).
What worked a lot was to bring the VIN number in when buying parts.
Do you have another parts store to go to, or maybe just a different counter person at that one? I was fortunate at my local O'Reilly's (well local when I still lived in Stafford, but I still do a lot of my repairs there) that I got a very qualified person from the commercial account counter. They grew up in a third generation family run auto shop, and that kind of knowledge isn't found at the retail store level like it used to be. Back in the 70s when I started in the store my Dad worked in, and then we bought it in 1978, everyone who worked there, worked on their cars or trucks. Of course vehicles were much simpler then....
There was a young guy at my store who had grown up around GMT 400s and had one that he dailied, and worked on. I haven't seen his truck or him the last few times I've been at the store, so he may have transferred to another location. So there are youngsters out there who know what they're doing, ya just gotta find them!
Another thing; the way Rock Auto online catalog lookup is, where you have to plug in year, make, model and engine, may not be how all parts store computer catalogs are formatted. If it was, then the 5.7/7.4 vs. 4.8/5.3/6.0 should make a difference (since that's a good distinction between 400/800 trucks). Good luck with future purchases, hope this helps!
 

HotWheelsBurban

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I almost always look up my parts online ahead of time. The few times I do not, I don't have a problem, but that could be becasue I have a 1-ton and there was no GMT-800 3500's yet.... that didn't happen until 2001. Is your truck actually badged as a "classic"? Mine is an "LS" since the Silverado trim level name became the model name, of the new truck.

Usually I see the new trucks listed as Silverado 1500/2500/3500, not as C or K 1500/2500/3500.

You might be giving too much information, too fast, so the kid wings it. Forget the "classic", and just tell them you have a 99 K2500, then the engine when they ask. If asked if you have a 5.3/6.0/8.1 then tell the kid, you don't have a Silverado, but a K-25-hundred, and let hiim work through his confusion.

I don't think there is any differance between a 98 and 99 that's going to matter much.
Shouldn't be, main difference between 2500/3500 is the rear axle being semi or full floating...and a little bit of GVWR. I think, anyway, I'm sure I'll get corrected if I'm wrong.....
Another thing: we tend to know our trucks and their particulars way better than the parts people... unless they have/had one.
 

Moofus02

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I run into this all the time with my 99 burb and 00 tahoe. Give year make model and engine and need front caliper and the system gives options for 4 wheel disc and just front disc its always a pain. Allways have to explain old body style and it never hurts to have old part in hand to make sure you're getting right part
 

Macs Garage

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I was being a little tongue in cheek. Even when I say K2500 too many times they don't hear that an assume Silverado and I have to correct them and they have start over again looking it up. O'Reilly's is only if I need parts nights and weekends when they don't have the best and brightest working. I try to go to Auto Value, but the old guys are retiring along with my discount. The new guys come and go so fast. I was there today and the guy who helped me seamed to know his stuff though. I would really like to know if there is any differences in 98 and 99.
 

Dariusz Salomon

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Just say 98-Idk about 2500, but only Rockauto lists my Tahoe as 99-everywhere else I look for 98. Those are "leftovers"- tho Z71 and Limited was only introduced for 99 and 2000. Yours run till 2001 if I remember correctly.
 
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