Trza

Honestly, the stock Elevation 20 inch black wheels are really nice. Originally, I was going to just get 1.5 inch wheel spacers and run an all terrain tire with the stock wheels. However, I do a lot of driving with both kids in hockey and the winters are pretty harsh here. So for piece of mind I opted to get the new wheels to avoid spacers. Right now I'm running with Duratracs. Had them on my last 3 trucks and they are hard to beat in the snow...i was hoping to get something less aggressive looking this time around but I couldn't pass up on the sale that they were on.

Stock tire size at 275/60/20. I wanted to keep the tires light to maintain the smooth ride and didn't need the extra load rating. I'm leveled on a Readylift 2 inch bottom strut spacer. I had 305/55/20's on my 15 Sierra All Terrain. Loved the look of that size!

Got the rims a week ago and had intentions to run the stock tires for a bit. Couldn't handle the stock tires and pulled the trigger today on some Duratracs. Stock size at 275/60/20. Crazy...but they rub a little bit on passenger side full lock in reverse. Rims are Fuel Rebel 20x9 +1 offset.

So, I just watched this install video and looking at whats included with the kit...any reason why I can't scrounge up a few pieces from inside my garage and make this myself? Its basically 2 quick splice connectors and 1 wire to connect the wires off the 2 identified pins? Anything I'm missing here?

Are you leveled? Lifted? I've got a 2 inch level. Let me know how the truck rides with the Nitto's in that size. I am contemplating sizing up, but don't want to lose the comfortable ride.

Here you go. I would do the +1, there wouldn't be much of a difference from stock with the +20. There's a ton of room from the tire to the upper control arm. I could have easily went with the 20x10...but the offsets are a bit much in that width.

Just got the shoes put on. 20x9 +1 offset. Wanted to stay conservative this time around. Had 10 wides with a -24 on 35's on my last truck and it was getting a bit annoying. Currently running the stock tires to get a bit of use out of them. I'll get some new rubber in the fall before the winter.

You would be surprised at Plastidip. I dipped my All Terrain badges as well as my GMC badges on my 15 Sierra and it lasted the whole 3 years I owned it without ever fading. I live in Canada where there is extreme cold and heat so that says something about its durability. As for painting the GMC badges in Satin Steel, I would try to find vinyl wrap that matches the color and just wrap the emblems. Its really easy to do with just a heat gun or blow dryer.

That was the first thing I did to my Elevation when I brought her home. Used a heat gun, then fishing line, then 3M adhesive remover. The rear 4x4 badges had a little outline, so I just clay bared it off. Took all the Elevation badges off, the 4x4 badges, the Sierra badge...and of course the dealer sticker and license plate frame!

Just got the 2 inch Readylift level installed. Very happy with it. Didn't notice much change in the ride quality, which was something that I was worried about. I want to keep the truck as stock as possible. Looking to add 1.5 inch wheel spacers and maybe change out the tires. Trying to stay away from a heavy 10 ply tire. I've ran Duratracs mostly, and had them in a 35" on my previous Ram. Any recommendations on a 285/60/20?

Haha, thanks. It took awhile for the new generation to grow on me too! I'm just glad to be back in a GMC!

Just picked her up last night! Added the Katzkin leather from the dealership. Spent the night debadging and its currently in the shop for a 2 inch level.

Hey Taz, I tried searching for the pictures you were talking about and couldn't seem to find them. How much did you have to trim and exactly what did you trim? Are you on stock AT4 wheels and tires? I was looking to do a reverse level and drop the rear 1.5 inches using a shackle drop to level out the Elevation, run the 1.5 inch wheel spacers on the stock wheels until I decided If I want a lift/bigger wheels. But if you had to trim to avoid the rubbing, and you are in an AT4 which stock is higher than an Elevation, I might have to look at a front level instead to clear the wheel spacers? Any thoughts?

They used a Lamin X film and I don't think that they have tint percentages. They basically have a light smoke, like I have, or a dark tint. The lighting on these trucks are bad enough so I went with the smoke lol!

Thanks for all the compliments fellas! ^All the info is in my signature. I'm on a Fabtech 4 inch lift with 20x9 Black Rhino rims with a +12 offset. Tires are 305/55/20 Duratracs. The vinyl was super easy...its like putting on a sticker. Cut out enough so that the heat gun is able to wrap around the chrome trim, use a credit card to squeeze out all the bubbles, then just trim as close as you can to the edges. I used my finger nails and tucked the vinyl behind the chrome inserts. The headlights are a tinted film that is applied just like a 3M clear bra. I've seen head light cut outs for sale online for about $40 American...I got a local shop to do my lights for $84 Canadian all in, so I didn't see the need to do it myself. I googled it online and it looks quite easy. Basically, wet both sides of the film, squeegee it flat so that there are no bubbles. Let it cure a bit then trim. However, I got a great deal on the install from a local shop so I let the professionals do it this time around!

Got a bit of sun yesterday so I vinyl wrapped my chrome All Terrain grill accents in glossy black and Plasti dipped the All Terrain door emblems. A couple of days before that I got a local shop to smoke the headlights.

It was warm enough yesterday so I vinyl wrapped my chrome grill accents and Plasti dipped my door emblems. I got a shop to smoke the headlights as well. I'll probably add some aftermarket LED tails with the black housing to finish it off sometime in the spring and am pretty much done with blacking it out.

^Can't wait to see that setup!

I just installed the Dynomax VT exhaust and I have to say that I am very happy with it. It's actually louder than what I was expecting since most of the feedback I've read on this forum has said that this system is too quiet. I did the install myself and it was extremely easy. To get the stock system off, I just jacked up the passenger rear, dropped the spare tire and wiggled it out. The hardest part was getting the exhaust off the hangers. I just WD40'd it and it definitely made it easier to wiggle loose. Install wise, this system comes in pieces with clamps to hold everything tight. As for the sound / drone /V4 mode, you can't even tell that anything has changed. It has a really nice deep tone when you hit the throttle and quiets right down when cruising. Keep in mind that I also have the Airaid intake tube which I'm sure helped with the overall tone. This exhaust was exactly what I was looking for. It's louder than stock, but not overly loud and sounds normal in V4. I'm actually shocked at how cheap this system is and was impressed with the fit and finish. Another positive is the throttle response! I had terrible lag when starting out from a red light...almost felt like the truck would lose power and kick back in. Now, it has a linear power delivery and can definitely notice an improvement in power and response. This is probably the biggest surprise since nobody has really mentioned if from previous reviews.

I've got the exact same tires in that size on my truck. I usually have the PSI around 35-40 and anything more than that makes the ride super harsh in my opinion. Around town I like them at 35 and when I take a long road trip I'll pump them up to 40.

Just installed color matched door handles last night. Also new are the Rigid SAE/DOT fog lights. Not sure if I want to black out the chrome window trim and the grille?

I'd put money on the Flapper Valve as well. I took my truck in over the winter complaining of the noise. The shop foreman at the time went on a ride along and couldn't figure it out and told me to book an appointment so that they can do a thorough assessment. I waited till after winter, in which during this time, I scoured the forums and came across this Flapper Valve issue. As well, the chirp in that time got worse and would actually chirp every time I stepped on the throttle...it was quite embarrassing. I recently just took it in for an oil change and told them that I'm positive that my flapper valve is the reason for the noise. Later that day, they call me to tell me that it wasn't the flapper valve and that it was my rear leaf springs that needed to be lubed up as per some bulletin...I took their word for it, drove it home...fast forward a couple days and the chirping was back! I made another appointment, took the (new) shop foreman for a spin and he agreed that it was in fact the flapper valve. They replaced my exhaust with part # 23219691, which is the exhaust, resonator and tail pipe ( work order: 4051980 exhaust muffler with resonator, exhaust and tail pipe replacement)...he even warned me that it might come back as he's had similar experiences with other owners. ***Sigh*** Prior to installation, I tried making a deal with him to carry over the cost of the new exhaust and put it towards the GM Borla one. He said he couldn't do it...now that this new exhaust that they put on is starting to chirp, I'm definitely going to strong arm them into something. Coles Notes: It's your Flapper Valve.

Crazy hey!? My house faces south and our community is one of the highest points in the city so our front yard is always the first to melt. I'm not getting too excited though, there's always one last snow storm that's out there waiting.

Today was warm out so I finally found time to Plastidip my emblems. The red was bothering me so much!

Plastidipped the emblems today!