laketboy

Valvoline Advanced Synthetic SAE 0W-20 Full Synthetic at about 300 miles. Will likely go with Mobile 1 0W-20, but may consider 5W-30. We rarely wee temps below freezing. I'm in Texas and like many warm climate guys think the 0W-20 is mainly for fuel economy AND helps with cold weather starts. Used only Mobile 1 in the 02 Vette Z06 and 09 Harley SG. I'm also with the guys who prefer to change their own oil and stay away from dealerships. 1) At 5000k changes, I won't change more that about once a year. 2) I don't like my cars, motorcycles or boats in others hands if I can do it myself, even if "free", shit happens. 3) The time I save doing it myself vs round-trip drive to the dealership and the wait pays for the cost of oil and filter - my time is very expensive!

Agreed! Reminder these are on 20x9 with +18 offset. Continue to be impressed with how great these ride and how quiet they are.

Here you go. Sorry pics are a little dark. They hardly stick out and are almost flush. Maybe 1/2-3/4" max. I don't like the look with tires much outside the wheel wells until you go with 6"+ lift and and the 36-37" or larger tires, then some still get them out there and they don't look great IMO...

BTW, You're Tungsten Metallic looks even more BLACK than my 2016! Love this color!

Very nice!

Yes Big Red (BTW, have some great family in OK!), that is correct on wheel offset: MotoMetal 970 20x9 +18. All I can say is that this setup has absolutely NO rubbing after a little over 1000 miles. I know there is very marginal differences between diameter and width of 2 brands of the same tire size, but I can't imagine there would be significant difference between +15 and +18, that's 3mm or .12". I'm very impressed with the ride and look of the Nitto's. They have a lot of great reviews + a 65K mileage wear warranty. Not a single regret!

Will do!

Same here on the mpg hit after going to Nitto Grappler G2 305/55-20's 33.5x12" tires. Hope to get 1-2 mpg back after a DiabLew tune. No complaints here either. Love truck and look.

Nice looking truck. We purchased within a week of each other, although mine is the poorer cousin LS Double Cab. I had a 93 Silverado Ext Cab about the same color and loved it. About to go data logging in next few days and send files to Lew.

So, you've run the Bilstein 5100's on your truck? While anyone can spend time Googl'ing and find (like any other subject) that there are certainly differing views on the 5100 with respect to "better", "more firm", "harsh", etc. IMO, the ride quality is MUCH improved over the marshmallow stock suspension. Seems around Dallas, roads are always under construction and there is a lot of uneven bumpy terrain. Like many, I did not like the way the truck handled with the soft stock shocks. One of the first things I've always done on new vehicles (definitely trucks) is wheels and tires and new shocks on trucks. OEM shocks on most standard cars and trucks is one place manufacturers skimp. Larger wheels and tires magnify the OEM shock shortcomings. From what I've read (and I spent a lot of time reading both facts and opinions on leveling options and these shocks), most who install the 5100's like the more firm ride they provide as opposed to the mushy soft ride of the stock shocks. Facts also seem to agree (as you will concede) that they are much safer on front suspension components than other lift or leveling options. Lastly and subjectively, I agree that they are more FIRM (a very good thing IMO). As many others agree, the are NOT HARSH. It's humorous to me how much keyboard action has been spent over recent years on the Bilstein 5100. One thing that tickles me are all the xspurts debating whether the 5100 uses additional preload over OEM stock (which are also preloaded). Yes, they increase preload with perch settings over stock. Straight from Bilstein: "The lift on the 5100 Series leveling shocks is achieved by increasing the preload on the factory coil. By adding more preload, the shock is designed with more rebound damping as compared to the O.E. or standard aftermarket replacement shock.... with the perfect damping rates, optimizing your ride and handling characteristics." Again, have you run the 5100's? If not, is your truck leveled and if so, what option did you go with?

Bilstein 5100 at max height adjust will provide 1.85 (close 'nuf to 2") and give you much better ride that stock shocks. No premature front suspension wear like some say the level kits can cause. Little more expensive (I paid $200 for front pair on Amazon), but much better option iMO. Search forum for rave reviews here, there a topic all about the Bilstein 5100's.

Oh yes, and the inside the rail install on this style cover that doesn't prevent using the stake pockets. Downside: No real security if someone has a knife. Of course, IMO, like your home - if someone wants in, they are GOING to get into almost any cover with a crowbar...

After reading a lot of posts here and elsewhere and narrowing choices down to function and budget for my first bed cover (I've owned a truck for the last 35-40 years), I decided on the Access Vanish to start with, figuring if I didn't like it I could sell it easily on craigslist here in Dallas metroplex area. The Vanish seems to have very good reviews overall everywhere, suits my needs and I liked the very low profile and ease of roll up to be able to use entire bed without removal. Install was very easy except for the 4 front/middle clamps on each side (rear clamp was easier). They were a little finicky IMO to keep straight and aligned. Use of a spring clamp would have helped but I did without and finally got them on securely and rails aligned. The rest was cake. I'm really happy with the quality for price, fit and finish. I put a good coat of Protect-All, a great product I've used for years on vinyl motorcycle seats and other vinyl products. BTW, best price I found was eBay seller Thoroughbred Trucks. Great folks, fast shipping. MSRP is over $400, many internet sellers about $300. I paid $270 shipped.

Realized photo was same as avatar... Here's another

I spent several weeks on this forum deciding what wheel and tire combo for new 2016 5.3L LS and went with 20x9 MotoMetal 970's +18 offset with Nitto Grappler G2 305/55-20's (the lighter LT version) after installing Bilstein 5100's at highest (1.85") adjustment to level front as opposed to going with cheaper level kits that can potentially cause front end suspension premature wear. I've run over 1000 miles and tested full lock on both sides in both forward and reverse. I can positively tell you this configuration is unbeatable! No rub (I did tie back the inside of the rear wheel liners to get about 3/4" more space at closest point). Ride with 40lbs in tires is excellent. Tires are very quiet, no tire road noise in cab at any speed, very quiet with windows down as well.

Thanks StateNJ

Wow, what a big topic! So, my first post here after picking up a new 2016 Silverado 5.3L LS Double cab with the great 2016 year end 20% off MSRP deals. First attempt to post pics from Photobucket. No flamers! lol This forum has been invaluable! Thanks for all the input on mods to my new 2016 Silveradu LS Double Cab. Pretty much everythnig I've done, I got here! After 2-3 weeks of exhaustive research and borderline analysis paralysis on wheels, width, diameter and offset and tire brand and size, after several here had posted here that they had no problems with 305/55r20 and 2" level, I bit the bullet and went with the following setup: Bilstein 5100 adjustable set to max height (1.85" level), Moto Metal 970 20x9 (offset 18), Nitto Terra Grappler G2 305/55r20. Only place where tire came close to fender liner was the inside rear on both front tires. This area of wheel liner can be pulled back about 3/4"and clipped or tied back. I used to body clip/retainers to clip the carpet liner back to metal. No rub whatsoever, minimum 1" clearance. I performed the Bilstein 5100 install. Removing the factory shock/spring assembly was cake. After renting Autozone spring compressor, I decided not to take a chance on life and limb and went to local NTB a mile away and had them swap new shocks into spring assembly. The have a monster press built for the job and took about 2-3 minutes per assembly. Now, getting the new assembly back in the an added 1.85" of height into place was another story. In short, I recommend a friend and a six pack OR I was able to make it happen with a large crow bar to get more room from lower A-arm to get assembly in place. Trick was to put the outside (of the 3) top nut on and pull it almost tight to get assembly pulled up as far as possible, then use pry bar between bottom of shock and lower A-arm to get that 1/4-3/8 inch room required to get bottom of shock into place. Other trick is to put bottom shock mount into vise and turn to get stock angle on the mount so that the bottom mount lines up with mount angle on A-arm. Just put 40lbs in tires. Ride is great. Between improved sound deadening in these new gen trucks and the Nitto Grappler G2 tread pattern, there is virtually no road noise and the ride is fantastic with combo of Bilstein and the Grapplers. I have the Bilstein 5100 rear shocks to match, just waiting until a warmer day or spring. Did a few other things: Black billet front grill bow tie, removed billboard Chevy emblem on tailgate, may think about de-badging Silverado side emblems later, installed the 4" Dee Zee black oval nerf side steps. Husky Gearbox storage box under rear seat and Husky X-Act Contour front mats (factory rear for now). Color matched door guard molding from eBay (perfect match). Dee Zee bed mat, GM factory tailgate protector. Airaid Jr to let it breater. DiabloSport i2030 tuner to correct tire size and disable DoD/AFM. Trying to decide between muffler delete and replacing factory muffler with the Borla 40943 XR-1 SS 12" muffler. Both seem to sound great. Mines an LS and didn't come standard with Home Link garage door opener in roof panel, so I ordered and installed 4 parts guys here have provided on Youtube. Install was a breeze and opener sync'd with factory Chamberlain opener immediately. That will probably do it until I find something else you guys come up with that I can't live without. Oh yeah, after more exhaustive ;^) research on this and other forums on bed covers, I decided to try low end of the spectrum, and ordered the Access Vanish soft cover. Over $2K for an automated retracting bed cover???? Really??? Even the $800-1000 covers seem to have their flaws and detractors. Found a great deal on the Access Vanish on eBay from Thoroughbred Trucks for $270 shipped. I figure if I do;pt like after a few months, I can sell here in Dallas area on craigslist and try again. Seems to have generally good reviews, what I need (easy full bed access and prices is very little risk. BTW, just sold 2000 Silverado Extended Cab 5.3L LS that I owned for 16 years yesterday. Same truck (well, same level) 16 years earlier (5.3L with with 85 less HP). Best vehicle I ever owned! Decided to do it again! This 2016 has exceeded my expectations so far. I work from home and alternate between a car queen 2003 BMW 530i Sport with about 55k miles on it. I expect to put about 6K a year on this new beast. Need a carport! More $$$$ http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w516/laketboy/LakeTBoy%202016%20Silverado%20Double%20Cab%20Tungsten%20Met/IMG_5823_zpsvrww33rl.jpg http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w516/laketboy/LakeTBoy%202016%20Silverado%20Double%20Cab%20Tungsten%20Met/IMG_5821_zpsxnpsdjtm.jpg http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w516/laketboy/LakeTBoy%202016%20Silverado%20Double%20Cab%20Tungsten%20Met/IMG_5818_zpsfjblnof2.jpg http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w516/laketboy/LakeTBoy%202016%20Silverado%20Double%20Cab%20Tungsten%20Met/IMG_5648_zpsyxnr9o1v.jpg http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w516/laketboy/LakeTBoy%202016%20Silverado%20Double%20Cab%20Tungsten%20Met/IMG_5646_zpsxqmkxp8c.jpg http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w516/laketboy/LakeTBoy%202016%20Silverado%20Double%20Cab%20Tungsten%20Met/IMG_5644_zpseub4uip8.jpg http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w516/laketboy/LakeTBoy%202016%20Silverado%20Double%20Cab%20Tungsten%20Met/IMG_5643_zpslejbwx1o.jpg Fingers Crossed!