CASHED-UP Aussie tradies have never had as much choice as they do now when choosing an expensive and blingy, yet also practical and useful pick-up for the worksite.
With the likes of Mercedes-Benz and its eye-wateringly expensive V6-powered X-Class, the off-road-ready Ford Ranger Raptor or the dependable Toyota HiLux Rugged X, it seems like all bases are covered.
But those wanting something a bit different can now head into a Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) dealer to nab themselves a full-sized and right-hand-drive-converted Chevrolet Silverado to dwarf the competition.
With the right-hook conversion well and truly underway at HSV’s new factory in the Melbourne suburb of Clayton, two shifts are proceeding each day to roll out the Silverados across Australia and New Zealand.
Only six examples are produced each day, three per shift, with each Silverado taking 16 hours in the process of moving the steering wheel, and other components, from the left to the right side.
HSV is employing 70 people to get the job done, some of which are ex-Toyota production workers that were made redundant last year as the Japanese brand pulled out of Australian manufacturing.
The Chevrolet Silverado isn’t the only American-built vehicle HSV is converting from left-hook to right-hand drive (RHD) though, as conversion work of the full-sized Ram truck is happening the next line over.
Though the Ram will not be sold in HSV dealers, the work is being carried out for its independent importer Ateco Automotive, the third line at the facility converting the Chevrolet Camaro for Australian consumption will sell at select Holden outlets countrywide.
This conversion work is being done in addition to HSV’s SportsCat program that bulks up Holden’s Colorado ute, showing there is still life after the death of Australian mass-market vehicle production.
The work in adapting the Silverado for Australian use involves disconnecting all electric and plumbing before removing the crew-cab body from the rolling chassis.
Heading down two different production lines, the body is gutted of the interior including the dashboard, heating, venting and air-conditioning (HVAC), headliner, seats, pedals, and carpets.
Key components such as the dashboard and HVAC are converted, while a new wiring harness from an outside supplier and Australian Design Rule (ADR)-compliant tail-lights and seatbelts are added in the process before reassembly begins.
Over on the chassis line, workers remove the left-hand-drive (LHD) steering components and rejig some engine mechanicals to fit the RHD plumbing.
The chassis and body are then remarried before the now-RHD Silverado is topped up with coolant, diesel fuel, engine oil and all the other liquids, and a final check is conducted to weed out any squeaks and rattles.
And if you think the Silverados won’t be popular, well the entire 2018 stock allocation of over 700 units have already been swallowed by HSV’s 55-strong dealer network.
As we’ve previously written, the Chevrolet Silverado range will kick off at $114,990 for the 2500HD WT, moving up to $134,990 for the LTZ, and $139,990 for the LTZ Midnight Edition and LTZ Custom Sport Edition.
All versions are powered by a gargantuan General Motors’ 6.6-litre Duramax turbo-diesel V8 outputting 332kW of power and a mountain-moving 1234Nm of torque, hooked up to a six-speed Allison automatic transmission.
If the 2500HD isn’t enough for you though, a massive 3500HD LTZ will kick off production in August, complete with four rear wheels in a dual set-up left and right.
Topping the Silverado range with a $147,990 pricetag, the 3500HD shares most of its components with its 2500HD sibling including cabin and turbo-diesel V8 powertrain.
However, with a beefier rear suspension set-up, the flagship Silverado is expected to be able to handle a rear load of up to 975kg and sport a braked towing capacity of nearly six tonnes – pending ADR certification.
The future of Australian automotive engineering looks bright then, thanks to HSV’s burgeoning RHD-conversion scheme that will keep vehicle expertise Down Under – at least for a little while longer.
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