I purchase my 2020 GMC 2500HD AT4 4x4 back in September of 2019. This is my first GMC and my first diesel but not my first truck. Actually ever Vehicle I’ve owned has been a truck. I’m very happy with my GMC truck and I love the performance of my L5P and Allison 10 speed transmission!
So Initially I just did a level kit, amp steps and Toyo A/T 275/65 R20 tires. Then I started to get the thoughts of doing a bigger build. I’ve had several lifted trucks over the years including my last truck with a 8” lift and a Magnuson Super Charger on it. So I started to do my research on what kind of a build I wanted to do. I initially planned on doing the McGaughys suspension but they couldn’t give me any eta for their release date. So I decided to got with the Bullet Proof 12” lift.
I typically select all my parts for my build before I do anything. Then I can start planning what works and what doesn’t. This truck I had a Rendering done By Keg Media to see how my powder coating colors would look before doing anything. Since I had to have all my parts powder coated and painted before the build process started.
I ordered my rims with raw milled edges, my suspension, bumpers and my grille all in raw form since I planned to have everything powder coated or painted. My bumpers were sent to get media blasted first then, had a base layer powder coat applied that is very close to my Dark Sky Metallic paint. Then I had my painter spray and clear the bumpers to match my trucks paint.
Getting all the powder coating done on the suspension took some planning to get it all done. Especially the rear axle. I sent my truck to the shop with all the suspension parts in final powder coat so they could start installing all my suspension on the front. They took my rear axle off in the first day so it could go to media blast & powder coat and be back at the shop in 4 days to be reinstalled on my truck. Getting the seals and other OEM parts from GMC for my rear axle was a challenge because they didn’t have the parts available right away. I did get it all sorted out and kept the build process moving forward without any delays though.
I had my truck at the shop for a total of 3 weeks. I had all my parts painted, powder coated and on hand before anything started.
My truck currently has the Banks Derringer tuner and pedal monster on it. I did try to get a full exhaust system for my truck but I couldn’t find anything I wanted just yet. I elected to go with a vented turn out extension and a 5-6” black rolled angle exhaust tip. I have 24”x14” forged wheels & 40/15.5/24 Toyo Open Country MT tires. I did look into the cantilevered rear end by Bullet Proof but I didn’t want to loose my towing capacity. I did go with a total of 22x rigid white rock lights to light up my suspension at night. I had a bedslide 2000HD installed in the bed.
The truck does ride very well but it’s definitely a big and wide truck. I plan on doing my gears when they become available.