desert

If you've ever had a 'built for use in Canada' truck, you may be more accepting of the DRL configuration on these trucks. In the mandatory DRL Canada truck, the only way to turn off the DRL is to push your parking brake down one click. This turns your dashboard brake warning light on and you have to wonder if your parking brake is dragging a little. When the DRL first came out in Chevrolet US trucks, you could pull the DRL fuse. With the Canada trucks it takes some moderately serious wiring mods to disable the DRL. My point is that I don't like to be told what to do any more than the next guy but, in this case, there is a relatively convenient out. Just turn the DRL off with the spring loaded headlight switch. If you end up driving around some of the time with the DRL on, what's the harm ? It is conceivable that in some cases it could be safer to drive with the DRL on. I would definitely be annoyed if you couldn't turn them off. Additionally, older Chevy trucks required a mod to keep the low beam on with the high beam. Now all you need to do is the fogs on with high beam mod (and maybe LED fog lights) It's all good.

Tire size ?

285's (I guess they're actually called TOYO A/T Open Country Extreme)

20" Method 'Fat Fives' w/TOYO Wild Country tires

Yea, it's a super soft suction cup with a flip lever to lock it in place. Works good, the instructions recommend sticking it to the windshield to avoid marring the dashboard, but I'm not seeing a problem with where I have it. Good quality for under $20.

10 - 18 mod with LED fogs.

Dee Zee NXt

If you were to move the bar 1/2" toward the tire it would touch the corner of the tire. It sounds like you're considering bending a swaybar to accommodate your exhaust. Maybe something along the lines of bending it slightly down and toward the spare tire. I would guess that you would then have to adjust the strut out (lengthen) to reach the end of the swaybar in it's new position. I doubt altering the overall geometry of the swaybar would hurt, but you might run yourself short of threads adjusting that strut out. You could check with Hellwig, but by the end of the day it sounds to me like you are risking taking on a more difficult job than moving the exhaust.

My exhaust is a 4" Magnaflow 15318 - there is about 5" between my spare and the exhaust - the swaybar is 1/2" from the spare and 1" from the exhaust. Granted its snug but the swaybar doesn't move much. Since the swaybar is made for this particular truck, I think it fits well.

1) "I don't like the shudder effect I get when hitting manhole covers and potholes" 2) "The truck gets tossed up hard over dips and my butt leaves the seat as I get launched into the air" You have named two scenarios when your shocks are asked to perform. Good quality shocks will solve both of those problems. "highway and normal around town I have no complaints" As long as they aren't worn out, cheap shocks are fine on the highway and around town. If you loan your truck to your grandma she'll be fine with the Rancho's or whatever they gave you. A guy that SC's his 2014 truck up over 600 hp is going to appreciate the difference. Your guy on the phone sounds confused for some reason. I recommend you talk to a different guy. Give him the part # FTS800321 for the rear shocks and the part # FTS21134 for the front. I copied these part #'s off my receipt. My truck is a factory ride height, 4x4. (if you scroll up this page you can see my left front half-shaft in my picture) You could try forwarding the picture to your guy. (and, no, my shocks never bottom out, and I have never hit the bump stops)

OK, you are mentioning an upper control arm. The picture that shows the part # FTS800321 is the rear shock. I also replaced my front shocks with a kit (# FTS21134) that included the shock and spring (coil-over) and the new upper control arm that has a heavier duty ball joint. My truck is a factory ride height, 4x4. The front ride height is now adjustable. The shop that installed it, didn't have the 'Dirt-Logic' adjusting wrench, so they left the adjustment on the new front shocks alone. My truck's front end now sits about one inch lower than the back. (slight rake) All this stuff with the anti sway-bar, installed, cost around $3600 + tax....the difference is astounding.

No, not lifted. http://www.fabtechmotorsports.com/GMC-CHEVY-4WD/K1500-2014-c1415/

The coil-overs up front are adjustable. The rears don't appear to be. I am guessing that the little silver plug on the bottom of the reservoir is for assembly, if it was for adjustment it would probably have arrows with + & - . I can't see the top part of the shock, but I felt around up there and couldn't feel anything that felt like an adjuster. Years ago it was popular to say that the factory shocks you got on new cars cost them about two dollars. I've always thought that the factory shocks were cheapos (besides for Raptor shocks) and I have always noticed a big improvement with the handling when replacing them. I put these on about a week before I put the swaybar on and noticed a big improvement. You're asking for an 'exact' difference between the cheapos and a quality unit. It sounds like you may be concerned there is a downside to upgrading your shocks. Everything about it is much better. I does not ride rough if that's what you might have been thinking. With the addition of the swaybar I noticed the biggest improvement. I was kind of wondering what it was like to add the swaybar with the factory shocks, but that really doesn't matter to me. Doing both is what's best by far IMO. And for the other guy with the 'what you pay' grammar correction....no worries. Quick Overview (no mention of adjustability) Dirt Logic Shocks with Reservoir by Fabtech are designed for the ultimate in performance, custom fit and the best quality ride available. They are built in-house by Fabtech at their Chino, CA (not China) facility using CNC capabilities, quality control and off-road design experience. Another outstanding feature of the Dirt Logic shocks is the use of electroless nickel plating for the shock body. Electroless nickel will not deteriorate over time by turning milky and blotchy. Because of this, no clear coat is required. Nickel is the best plating possible for a take-apart shock. This standard is superior to other shock that apply a clear coat over zinc that eventually wears or chips off exposing the shock to rust. Dirt Logic shocks are constructed using seamless steel tubing, billet aluminum top cap and rod end with urethane or spherical bearing mountings. Stem applications use a chromoly stem instead of the industry standard clevis adapter kit. A dividing piston is used to separate the oil from the high pressure nitrogen gas to eliminate fading and retain a consistent ride. This is superior to emulsion shocks that lose performance quickly. The aluminum parts of the Dirt Logic are polished before the black anodized finish is applied. This results in a smooth surface for the anodizing to coat leaving a deep black luster. External reservoirs are used to accommodate additional oil and nitrogen volume. The additional oil volume helps keep the shock cooler. The additional gas volume helps to keep more consistent control forces over a variety of temperatures. For complete compatibility, Fabtech is the only manufacturer that builds both the suspension and Dirt Logic shocks in house. This guarantees complete compatibility. Covered by the Fabtech Limited Lifetime Warranty.

What you pay ? ----------------------------------- Retail Price: $366.95 Your Price: $282.29 + 15% OFF SALE Sale Price: $239.95 Free Shipping www.sdtrucksprings.com Probably closer to $500 if you have a reputable shop order it in and install it for you.

Those are U-bolts to the axle and frame. No drilling or welding required. The Hellwig anti-swaybar is purchased separately. 7735 Hellwig Big Wig Rear Sway Bar 2014-2014 Chevy-GMC 1500 2WD-4WD-1 1/8 Inch Diameter The Hellwig Heavy Duty Sway Bar provides added sway control when hauling heavy loads or towing. Greatly improves cornering traction for safer driving and better handling. The GMC 1500 Rear Sway Bar from Hellwig Products features a 1 1/8" heat treated 4140 solid chromoly steel bar for maximum sway control. The adjustable rear sway bar and mounting brackets are powder coated for durability and good looks. Includes all necessary hardware and does not require drilling to install. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Fitment 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Fitment 2014 FEATURES •1 1/8 Inch Heat treated 4140 chromoly solid steel bar •Polyurethane bushings •Adjustable for desired amount of sway control and handling •Easy installation with no drilling required •Made in the USA •Lifetime guarantee

Fabtech Dirt Logic

Far more solid and stable feeling at all speeds, cornering, side winds, washboards, whatever.

With a shock upgrade it makes a huge difference.

You might consider getting some decent shocks and a rear anti-sway bar, makes a huge difference.