The Benefits of Understanding your Silverado RPO Codes.

New learning - isn't it grand? Today - the complexity and the cost of new and used vehicles requires us all to learn more and understand more in order to get the most from our vehicles. 6 weeks ago - I didn't even know what an "RPO Code" was - yet I was using them often when I'd refer to my truck. My 6 liter engine isn't an LQ4 - its an LQ9 engine. Those are RPO codes that have meaning. Newer vehicles will have a label in their glove compartment that specifies all the RPO codes for your unique vehicle. Or your VIN number can refer to them at the dealership. My 2004 truck has 78 RPO codes listed on my label. An A31 tells you power windows - while an M32 tells you I have a heavy duty 4 speed auto transmission (either a 4l65 or a 4l80 - but not a 4l60).

And going to either of these links "decodes" most of the codes:
http://gm-trucks.com/RPO_index.shtml

http://gm-trucks.com/home/content/category/4/76/0/10/20/

Now my comments split into two different groups. One group knows how important those codes are - sorry for boring you - while the other group asks "who cares"?

For the second group - here is why you should care. You don't want to be helpless and hapless. Every time you need to look in a reference manual for a part - or want to get a custom tune - or want a friend to help you work on your ride - or plan to get service work done at the dealership - knowing the codes and your vehicle is invaluable. And you can learn them enough - not to be a gear head - but to not be helpless when someone asks you important questions or tells you wrong information. Recently my wife's car needed to have the transmission flushed at 30,000 miles. 3 dealerships gave me three different stories - and I was the only one to know there were 2 ATF filters on her car - not one. It shouldn't be that I'd know and they wouldn't - but thats exactly what happened.

With so many engines and options in today's vehicles - knowing exactly what you have - has become more important than ever. If you're not a gear head or a wrench twister - thats fine - most of us aren't. And we don't need to know everything to change our own oil etc.. - but we DO NEED to know something. There are too many people working in service stations, repair shops, and dealerships that "don't know" the correct information. We can't depend on the "luck of the draw". There are many fine mechanics and service personnel out there - having ownership knowledge can help them - and protect us from those who don't know and aren't in that skilled group I just mentioned.

And now for people smarter than me out there (that would be the majority). I could use a little help. I used the links listed above to help me decode many of my 78 codes. But 36 of the 78 I couldn't find. So now what? Where else do I go to find out what these are:

AL0, AM7, B32, B33, B4V, EVA, FF8, FF9, JJG, KUP, NT8, OSG, QR9, R4Y, R6I, R7E, R9U, SLM, UQ3, VR4, VXS, V73, XSS, X88, YD3, YD6, YE9, YSS, ZGC, 1SB, 1SZ, 50U, 6YT, 69D, 69I, 7YT

Go to the parts at the dealership with your vin and have them print the RPO description page. They can and will do it, some of them don't want to. Tell them the description page not just the RPO list. 2 pieces of paper and less than 2 minutes and you will have the VIN and RPO list.

What does RPO stand for? I understand it is codes pertaining to the Silverado, but what does each letter stand for?

Thanks

I think it is Regular Production Option.

//2000CAYukon

Okay, so knowing the RPO codes would be helpful particularly when you have to take your vehicle in for some type of mainenance to help ensure that the correct parts/procedures are done by the mechanic?

They definitely help you when getting parts. If you know that your Alt is 105 not the 145 or 130 you can get the right belt. Knowing your tranny will get the right amount of fluid to add when changing the fluid. Knowing the difference of heavy duty vs. the HD in options makes a difference on parts also. And so on....

Thanks

At the risk of sounding like a complete moron... (Everyone's got to start somewhere learning right?) Here's the next question...So, two different people could have say a 2000 Silverado truck and the RPO codes for the same part could be different? Why? Why wouldn't the mechanics at the garage know these already?

Thanks

At the risk of sounding like a complete moron... (Everyone's got to start somewhere learning right?) Here's the next question...So, two different people could have say a 2000 Silverado truck and the RPO codes for the same part could be different? Why? Why wouldn't the mechanics at the garage know these already?

Greetings Doublecurious,

I think you are just a bit off the mark. RPO codes reflect the specific items that make up your vehicle (car or truck - regarless of manufacturer - each one has their own series). If your Silverado 1500 2004 went in the shop and mine right behind it - some of our codes would be the same - and many would be different. Its iasn't about serial numbers - its about type of specific items. My 6 liter LQ9 engine is a vortec high output engine 345 hp. While a 6 ltr LQ4 engine is not high output - has a different hp rating and a different compression ratio and gas octane requirement. Our tranmissions would be different - our differentials would be different - even our suspensions would be different. All these differences are communicated to mechanics and owners via the RPO codes which are specifically defined.

Knowing some or all of this information is vital for explaining what concerns your given vehicle may have (that mine may or may not have).

Maybe one of you guys can help me out.HEre's the code i couldn't find for the 02 silverado on the rpo.

FE9
GU6
JC5
PDD
Q4B
SLM
V73
YD3
YD6
ZY2
Z83
1SB
1SZ
11L
4IU
6MT
7MT
921
922

JC5 - Brake Vac power, 4 wheel disc, 7,200 lb
Z83 - Chassis Package Solid Smooth Ride

Those are the only ones I could find. I also have a bunch of those that I do not know what they are.

I notice that some or the later models, like 2003 and 2004 has the some of the RPO codes I couldn't find.My truck was built in canada...Damn north american built.american made my ass :) oh well I still love my truck.

My truck was a final run '02, so it got some of the RPO codes from the '03; it happens. North American is still American

Maybe one of you guys can help me out.HEre's the code i couldn't find for the 02 silverado on the rpo.

FE9 Federal/NY/MA/ME/VT Emissions
GU6 Rear Axle 3.42 Ratio
JC5 4 Wheel Power Disc Brakes
PDD
Q4B 6,200 LB GVW Rating
SLM Stock Orders
V73
YD3
YD6
ZY2 This is a paint style option possibly split/two color? My ZY1 is solid paint

Z83
1SB
1SZ Preferred Equipement Savings
11L This is the paint color option. My 11U is Pewter

4IU
6MT Component FRT LH COMP. SEL SUSP This is the spring and shock rating

7MT Component FRT RH COMP. SEL SUSP This is the spring and shock rating

921
922


These are the codes from an '01 wordage exactly from the RPO Build Sheet. Hope it helps...

Thank you White Lightening for providing further explanation in *English*, and not calling me a moron. As I said, learning has got to start somewhere!!

Thank you White Lightening for providing further explanation in *English*, and not calling me a moron. As I said, learning has got to start somewhere!!

This forum has been a real learning experience for me since December of 04 too. I have never been a gearhead - but I've always been quite technical. Whats good and bad about new vehicles - my "timing light" is about 25 years outmoded - good for my 70s car and motorcyle but not so good for my current car and truck. :smile:

But my computer experience and attention to detail fit in nicely with some of the logic and needs of the modern vehicles. I love new learning - this forum provides it from many helpful and experienced Silverado and service oriented enthusiasts. If you follow along on this forum long - you'll really be surprised at the level of knowledge available from posters. Best auto type forum I've ever seen. Imagine - if instead of at 50 when I discovered it - if I had discovered it when I was 25 :smile: Better late than never.

White Lightening

If I had to stop learning just because I left school then shoot me. Life is full of unknowns and I will not quit learning..... :dunno:

White Lightening, quit bringing up that age issue. No one asked you to start aging the rest of us......We did that in a different thread.

Maybe one of you guys can help me out.HEre's the code i couldn't find for the 02 silverado on the rpo.

FE9
GU6
JC5
PDD
Q4B
SLM
V73
YD3
YD6
ZY2
Z83
1SB
1SZ
11L
4IU
6MT
7MT
921
922

Here are some more:

FE9 Can't find...code for suspension system
GU6 AXLE REAR, 3.42 RATIO
JC5 Can't find...code for brakes
PDD Can't find...code for your wheels
Q4B GVW RATING, 6200 LBS
SLM Can't find
V73 Can't find...probably code for tow hooks
YD3 CONVENIENCE PKG., DECOR LEVEL# ....unknown
YD6 Can't find.....still in the convenience pkg. area
ZY2 COLOR COMBINATION, TWO TONE
Z83 CHASSIS PKG., SOLID SMOOTH RIDE
1SB Can't find.....something in the paint, color, striping section
1SZ Can't find.....same area as above
11L Can't find.....interior trim section
41U PRIMARY COLOR, EXTERIOR, BLACK (91)
6MT Can't find
7MT Can't find
921 Can't find..possibly has to do with secondary color/accent stripe
922 Can't find...same area as above

My code book is a little aged and doesn't show alot of the newer codes, hope this helps.

-slacker