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New Truck Guy With A Few Questions

Newt182

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Newt182 Enthusiast

Newt182

Posted
Posted

After many great years and 234k miles on my '01 Blazer I finally made the move from SUV to Full-size Truck. I just bought a brand spankin used 2006 Silverado Extended cab 5.3 Z71 4X4. The truck seems to have been well taken care of and already has a few mods like a K&N air filter, Flowmaster exhaust, and a spray in bed liner.

 

Being new to the truck scene I have few questions...

 

 

  • How can I tell if this truck already has a tuned PCM?
  • As I mentioned the truck has Flowmaster exhaust system on it. How can I tell which Flowmaster system this is?
  • Is it possible to add the OEM fog lights under the bumper? Is the wiring already there? Can I add the factory switch?

I also plan on doing a few mods to the truck myself, I'm not much for all the chrome and flashy things, I’m more partial to the plain Jane look but I want it to look good. Here are a few things I want to do to the truck. If anyone has suggestions on brands or specific models please let me know, I’m open to any and all suggestions at this point.

 

 

  • Console Swap - The console and the fog lights are the only two features this truck doesn’t have that I really want. By the way I will have a Charcoal cloth jump seat available once I do this. I'm keeping an eye on eBay for a nice Charcoal console.
  • Fog Lights - As mentioned above
  • Stereo - I have a nice system that was in my blazer, Alpine head unit with infinity speakers, and a JL audio 10" sub. Working on installing this into the truck now.
  • Tonnaeu Cover - Thinking about something like the tri-fold ones. I want something that has a nice flat look to it, but easy to take off when I need to use the bed for hauling a quad.
  • Nerf/Step Bars - Although I said I don’t like all the chrome stuff I'm thinking maybe some chrome bars with the black rubber steps. I just haven't seen a lot of the all black bars.
  • Wheels/Tires/Lift - Not too sure what if anything I want to do in this area. I'd like to lift it just a bit, but the problem is I will be using this truck to travel quite often and I’m sure lifting the truck won’t help with the gas mileage. I would eventually like a nice set of wheels, perhaps something with black centers to match the truck.
  • Any other suggestions? Seems like every day I think of something else I want to do to the truck.

Thanks everyone, glad I found this forum, it seems to full of useful information.

sab316 Enthusiast

sab316

Posted
Posted

Try looking at some Go Rhino dominator steps... That's what I'm looking at, not real flashy but look good. Also for a lift you could look at like a like 1.5" body lift... Not much but looks good. Nice truck by the way!! That's still one of my favorite body styles!

Stevens03 Senior Enthusiast

Stevens03

Posted
Posted

Congrats on the new truck.

 

* How can I tell if this truck already has a tuned PCM?

 

I don't think you can tell for sure unless you either took it to the dealership or had it checked with one of your favorite tuners

 

* As I mentioned the truck has Flowmaster exhaust system on it. How can I tell which Flowmaster system this is?

 

I had the 30-series that came with the american thunder system and replaced it with the 40-series. The two looked identical, so I don't know how you could tell which you have.

 

* Is it possible to add the OEM fog lights under the bumper? Is the wiring already there? Can I add the factory switch?

 

Yes, the wires are there, just need to find an oem kit maybe off ebay. After that some people have needed GM to program the BCM for them to work.

cerbomark Senior Enthusiast

cerbomark

Posted
Posted

take it to a shop that sells and installs Flowmaster and maybe they ll be nice enough to take a look and tell you what you ve got.

 

If your truck goes faster than the 95MPH(or whatever the top speed is set at in that year) it s been tuned. Everyone removes the limiter.

 

Nice looking truck and you are wise to realize you use it everyday to travel when considering Mods.

grayghost7 Enthusiast

grayghost7

Posted
Posted

First off welcome to the site....good info and a bunch of great folks here!

 

On the exhaust issue....if you can't really hear the exhaust note at idle when you are in the driver's seat with the windows up it's probably a 50 or 60 series Flowmaster. I have a 50 series dual in dual out that is very quiet until the loud pedal is mashed harder...then you can hear the note. I am pretty sold on these sound wise. Not loud, but definitely not stock sounding.

 

If you can hear the exhaust note all the time, they are probably 40 series.

amtz.zero Enthusiast

amtz.zero

Posted
Posted
First off welcome to the site....good info and a bunch of great folks here!

 

On the exhaust issue....if you can't really hear the exhaust note at idle when you are in the driver's seat with the windows up it's probably a 50 or 60 series Flowmaster. I have a 50 series dual in dual out that is very quiet until the loud pedal is mashed harder...then you can hear the note. I am pretty sold on these sound wise. Not loud, but definitely not stock sounding.

 

If you can hear the exhaust note all the time, they are probably 40 series.

 

As somebody else said, I don't think you'll be able to tell what kind of Flowmaster you have just by looking at it. But, if you can hear it most of the time when you're in the cab, it's probably a Super 40 or something.

Newt182 Enthusiast

Newt182

Posted
  • Author
Posted
First off welcome to the site....good info and a bunch of great folks here!

 

On the exhaust issue....if you can't really hear the exhaust note at idle when you are in the driver's seat with the windows up it's probably a 50 or 60 series Flowmaster. I have a 50 series dual in dual out that is very quiet until the loud pedal is mashed harder...then you can hear the note. I am pretty sold on these sound wise. Not loud, but definitely not stock sounding.

 

If you can hear the exhaust note all the time, they are probably 40 series.

 

I can hear it at idle withthe windows up. I guess knowing which series it is really isnt a big deal, i just i know I like the sound. Not sure if my neighbors feel the same way though.

 

If your truck goes faster than the 95MPH(or whatever the top speed is set at in that year) it s been tuned. Everyone removes the limiter.

 

I guess that's one way to find out, I can't wait tot tell my wife I have a "legitimate" reason to go 100mph. I'm sure the cop that pulls me over will not agree on how legitimate my reason is. :thumbs:

 

Thanks everyone, I have searched the forums for some other questions i've had and found some great answers, but it's not always about just finding an answer, it's also about starting conversation since it seems everyone here enjoys talking about thier GM Truck.

csheatz Senior Enthusiast

csheatz

Posted
Posted

Nice truck welcome to the club, or group, or site, or whatever we are.

 

You have a lot of questions there! use the search, then when you get more into detailed information it will be easier for everyone to help you out. For some of the parts you listed, ebay will be your good friend, also gmpartsdirect.com. A lot of us bought SS step bars through ebay with good reviews thus far. and the fog lights and stuff might be able to come from ebay, but also the gmparts site. a lot of guys here have added fog lights, its the trend, and probably coming my way!

jblakeney Senior Enthusiast

jblakeney

Posted
Posted
After many great years and 234k miles on my '01 Blazer I finally made the move from SUV to Full-size Truck. I just bought a brand spankin used 2006 Silverado Extended cab 5.3 Z71 4X4. The truck seems to have been well taken care of and already has a few mods like a K&N air filter, Flowmaster exhaust, and a spray in bed liner.

 

Being new to the truck scene I have few questions...

 

 

  • How can I tell if this truck already has a tuned PCM?

     

  • As I mentioned the truck has Flowmaster exhaust system on it. How can I tell which Flowmaster system this is?

     

  • Is it possible to add the OEM fog lights under the bumper? Is the wiring already there? Can I add the factory switch?

     

I also plan on doing a few mods to the truck myself, I'm not much for all the chrome and flashy things, I'm more partial to the plain Jane look but I want it to look good. Here are a few things I want to do to the truck. If anyone has suggestions on brands or specific models please let me know, I'm open to any and all suggestions at this point.

 

 

  • Console Swap - The console and the fog lights are the only two features this truck doesn't have that I really want. By the way I will have a Charcoal cloth jump seat available once I do this. I'm keeping an eye on eBay for a nice Charcoal console.

     

  • Fog Lights - As mentioned above

     

  • Stereo - I have a nice system that was in my blazer, Alpine head unit with infinity speakers, and a JL audio 10" sub. Working on installing this into the truck now.

     

  • Tonnaeu Cover - Thinking about something like the tri-fold ones. I want something that has a nice flat look to it, but easy to take off when I need to use the bed for hauling a quad.

     

  • Nerf/Step Bars - Although I said I don't like all the chrome stuff I'm thinking maybe some chrome bars with the black rubber steps. I just haven't seen a lot of the all black bars.

     

  • Wheels/Tires/Lift - Not too sure what if anything I want to do in this area. I'd like to lift it just a bit, but the problem is I will be using this truck to travel quite often and I'm sure lifting the truck won't help with the gas mileage. I would eventually like a nice set of wheels, perhaps something with black centers to match the truck.

     

  • Any other suggestions? Seems like every day I think of something else I want to do to the truck.

     

Thanks everyone, glad I found this forum, it seems to full of useful information.

 

Nice truck,

 

Yeah 100mph..... What is it 20 over they can haul u in....... I laugh.... When I got my truck tuned I had the limiter left in. My truck does 98mph and then 92mph.... bounces back and forth. Regardless of hazards.

 

I had a 95 cougar with a 4.6L SOHC that'd tap the 120mph pretty quick and low in the revs (red line was like 6k)...... I always wondered exactly how fast 4k was in that car 2.8k was roughly 120mph (it did not have a speed limiter)..... Dunnno, I had it their several times. Man that car was QUICK and just about every time you left from a stop sign or light it was going to bark the tires even if you just let off the brakes.

 

Jbo

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