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Back in 2003, Chevy decided to give the Silverado a makeover with an aggressive exterior appearance. The result was a truck known these days as the Cateye Duramax or Cateye Silverado. Why is this truck so popular? Why is it called the Cateye? ProSource Diesel takes a look at these questions and more.
When you see people talking about the Cateye Silverado or the Cateye generation, they’re talking about the 2003 to 2006 Silverado and the 2007 Classic. The Cateye Silverado was significant because it was Chevy’s first real attempt at making an eye-catching truck with an aggressive look.
Image courtesy of and copyright of Bring a Trailer
At the time, it also stood out because its rivals were still sporting rounded edges and more neutral designs. The Cateye Silverado came with both a gas V8 engine and the LBZ Duramax as choices. For 2007, Chevy redesigned the Silverado again and all the Cateye features were gone, except for on the 2007 Classic Edition.
The Cateye Silverado or Cateye Duramax is called that due to its aggressive front fascia that features slanted front headlights like a cat’s eyes. It also has a raised hood and oddly-shaped bumper that contributes to the aggressive, almost angry-looking front end.
Back in 2003, this was a stunning departure from the Silverado models that came before it. Add in the reliable Duramax LBZ engine plus new features, and the new generation of Silverado quickly became highly sought after.
This truck is incredibly popular with modders, so you won’t have any problem finding aftermarket diesel parts, Duramax parts, or parts for the gas engine models. One reason it’s so popular is its appearance. If you see one parked next to a brand new Silverado, you probably wouldn’t immediately see the Cateye as an outdated early 2000s model.
Image courtesy of and copyright of Bring a Trailer
The design of the Cateye was so striking and timeless that it continues to impress today. The other reason it’s popular is due to the legendary Duramax engine. The LBZ is one of the top engines for diesel enthusiasts and there are plenty of Duramax performance parts available for it.
Finally, this generation of Silverado had a lot of new features that appealed to drivers. It offered Lazy-Boy chairs in the front as well as plenty of headroom.
The extended cab’s rear seat was 38.4 inches, making it one of the larger rear seats available for trucks at the time. The Cateye Silverado also included an upgraded electrical system, airbags, new wheels, and a premium sound system.
Image courtesy of and copyright of Bring a Trailer
The LBZ Duramax version of the Cateye is by far the most sought-after when it comes to this generation. These engines were known for reliability and fewer problems due to being pre-emissions diesel engines.
Duramax diesel parts for this generation are also easy to find. The Silverado was unique from its GMC Sierra stablemate due to its Cateye design for this generation. However, the Chevy Trailblazer SUV also featured a Cateye design, but it’s not nearly as popular as the Silverado and didn’t come with a Duramax diesel.
2006 Chevy Trailblazer SS – Image courtesy of and copyright of Bring a Trailer
One thing about considering the Cateye Silverado is that it tends to hold its value pretty firmly on the used market. At the low end of the market, the Cateye is likely to cost at least $10,000. Going for later model years or higher trims will get you closer to $15,000.
If you opt for the Duramax version, plus a later model year and a higher trim, you could easily be paying at least $25,000.
Aftermarket support for a particular vehicle tends to depend on how popular it is with enthusiasts. You definitely won’t have any problem finding tons of aftermarket parts and mods for the Cateye Silverado.
It’s incredibly popular with enthusiasts, whether you’re looking for off-road mods or performance street mods. If you plan to do your own mods, it’s a good idea to look for a clean, nearly-stock model so you don’t inherit someone else’s problems.
Image courtesy of and copyright of Bring a Trailer
If you’re looking at the Cateye, you might come across the OBS designation. This stands for Old Body Style or Original Body Style. It refers to the models of Chevy trucks that were made between 1988 and 1998 before the Silverado.
The Silverado came out directly after the OBS trucks in 1999, but the Cateye redesign didn’t come until a few years after in 2003.
2002 Chevy Silverado (not a Cateye) – Image courtesy of and copyright of Bring a Trailer
In conclusion, the Cateye Silverado has a well-deserved reputation as being the most sought-after Silverado model on the used market. Not only does its appearance stand out from the crowd, but you can also get the legendary and reliable LBZ Duramax to keep your rig running for a long time. If you can find a clean, low-mileage model, be prepared to pay a high price, but it will be worth it in the long run.
Rely on ProSource Diesel for all your diesel truck parts needs, including aftermarket LLY Duramax parts, LB7 Duramax parts, and LBZ Duramax parts. We sell a wide range of OEM and aftermarket parts for Powerstroke and Cummins engines as well.
