Jump to content

Brand New Gmc And New Member, What First?

FlyingRazorback

Recommended Posts

FlyingRazorback Enthusiast

FlyingRazorback

Posted
Posted

I'm a new member here and the proud owner of a new GMC Sierra I picked up a few weeks ago. This is the first place I came to read and to see all of you guys' trucks. My main use is hunting and the only off road driving I do is into the deer woods to do work or retrieve a shot animal.

 

I got the 2011 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 4x4 in the new Gray-Green Metallic. I showed up wanting to buy an "All Terrain" version in Storm Gray. However, the All Terrain was being driven by the dealer, had the factory side steps installed, and already had 1400 miles. The only thing I liked more about that version in the end was the color, all terrain 4 bar chrome grill, and the center console. I didn't want to spend the extra $3500 just for that and I was out of state where I bought it.

 

I'd like a little more clearance because I've come real close to the bottom already driving in and out of the woods. I was wondering about a 2" leveling kit versus a 3" lift. Which do you guys prefer and what's going to reduce my gas mileage and daily driving experience more? What else would you guys add to this truck?

 

So far I've just tinted the windows and had a Reflex liner sprayed in and went over the rails with that.

 

Can I get the "All Terrain" 4 bar chrome grill to add in myself? Here are pics:

 

IMG_0309.jpg

IMG_0301.jpg

snarkee Senior Enthusiast

snarkee

Posted
Posted

imo the all terrain grill is the best looking grill and you can buy one and install it yourself

if you do alot of off roading, then get some 285 65 18 tires and a 2 inch level kit....they are all pretty much the same....ive had luck with the skyjacker top of strut spacer but be prepared to lose some gas mileage (id rather suffer some mileage loss then constantly bottoming out while off road)

 

i wouldnt go more than 2 inches tho.....unless you want to change ball joints

 

here is one of my past trucks with 33's, 2 inches in front and 1 inch in back

 

med_gallery_13567_381_79862.jpg

MS3DALE Senior Enthusiast

MS3DALE

Posted
Posted

Welcome aboard!!

 

You most certainly can add the All-Terrain grille,a lot of guys have done so.

 

On the lift/leveling kit......you'll find the majority of us have added a leveling kit of some sort,I'm running a Rough Country 1.5" front leveling kit,along with 1" rear lift blocks and a'little bigger 275/65R18 tires in place of my stock 265/65R18's. I have no decrease in mileage or ride.

FlyingRazorback Enthusiast

FlyingRazorback

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Awesome! Thanks a lot guys. The leveling kit is where I was leaning the most. And I love the look of your trucks with it.

 

I've done a little searching on the internet but haven't found an All Terrain grill yet. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

RyanbabZ71 Senior Enthusiast

RyanbabZ71

Posted
Posted

Check the for sale section here. Trav 13 (member) had one some time ago. PM him he might be able to get one for you.

 

Also check craigslist

MS3DALE Senior Enthusiast

MS3DALE

Posted
Posted

Well for sure your dealer can get you one,But they are not cheap. You can try ebay also.

FlyingRazorback Enthusiast

FlyingRazorback

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Cool, I'll try that and keep looking around. I sat with the salesman pretty much all day deciding between the two trucks. I loved the storm gray but the longer I sat there the more I liked the gray-green metallic. When he wouldn't come down on the price anymore for the All Terrain I finally decided I didn't really need to pay an extra $3500 just for the fact that I liked the grill a lot more. I'm definitely happy with my choice. I don't know how it took me this long to get this truck now.

MS3DALE Senior Enthusiast

MS3DALE

Posted
Posted

I also recommend getting a Black Bear custom tune.....Trust me,It will be the best money you can spend,everyone here will a'test to that!! :cheers:

kdrchuck Enthusiast

kdrchuck

Posted
Posted
I'm a new member here and the proud owner of a new GMC Sierra I picked up a few weeks ago. This is the first place I came to read and to see all of you guys' trucks. My main use is hunting and the only off road driving I do is into the deer woods to do work or retrieve a shot animal.

 

I got the 2011 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 4x4 in the new Gray-Green Metallic. I showed up wanting to buy an "All Terrain" version in Storm Gray. However, the All Terrain was being driven by the dealer, had the factory side steps installed, and already had 1400 miles. The only thing I liked more about that version in the end was the color, all terrain 4 bar chrome grill, and the center console. I didn't want to spend the extra $3500 just for that and I was out of state where I bought it.

 

I'd like a little more clearance because I've come real close to the bottom already driving in and out of the woods. I was wondering about a 2" leveling kit versus a 3" lift. Which do you guys prefer and what's going to reduce my gas mileage and daily driving experience more? What else would you guys add to this truck?

 

So far I've just tinted the windows and had a Reflex liner sprayed in and went over the rails with that.

 

Can I get the "All Terrain" 4 bar chrome grill to add in myself? Here are pics:

 

IMG_0309.jpg

IMG_0301.jpg

 

That is a mighty fine beater truck for deer season.

 

Good looking Truck. I like the color.

 

The Rough Country Leveling kit is cheap, easy and looks good. Those Duelers are good AT tires. They do great on my wife's Jeep. If they had come on my truck I would not have changed. I went from the 265/70/17 GY ST to 285/70/17 Firestone Destination AT and lost 2 mpg daily driving.

 

It's too cold here to hunt out of a truck with tinted windows :cheers:

 

My new truck will go hunting too, but I would love to have my old Scottsdale back to beat around in the woods. Save the perfect shiny paint job.

Vortec-Z71 Enthusiast

Vortec-Z71

Posted
Posted
I also recommend getting a Black Bear custom tune.....Trust me,It will be the best money you can spend,everyone here will a'test to that!! :cheers:

 

 

I knew you were going to recommend that. I need to get one myself. I just sent BB an email concerning how I would go about organizing a tune in MA.

Stevens03 Senior Enthusiast

Stevens03

Posted
Posted

Awesome looking truck and Congrats. I couldn't find what I wanted, so I order it. The Gray-green metallic is a nice color too.

Black02Silverado Senior Enthusiast

Black02Silverado

Posted
Posted
I also recommend getting a Black Bear custom tune.....Trust me,It will be the best money you can spend,everyone here will a'test to that!! :cheers:

 

 

Welcome to GMT and I second the Black Bear Tune. Well worth it. :lol:

FlyingRazorback Enthusiast

FlyingRazorback

Posted
  • Author
Posted

 

Yeah I saw that, now that I know this option is out there I'll have to keep a keen eye out.

 

I definitely would have liked to have a beater truck to keep for the deer duties, but it's not easy for me to have multiple trucks because I move a lot with the Air Force and it's a pain to have more stuff than you need. I'll just have to be real careful on the paint.

 

I didn't have a long timeline or I would have probably looked to order a truck in the storm gray. However I love this new gray-green more and more every day. Since it was a new color I hadn't seen many and didn't know exactly what to expect out of it. But I tell you, it looks real smooth in the sun and in the shade.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.4k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,837
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    bellssn690
    Newest Member
    bellssn690
    Joined

  • Who's Online   1 Member, 0 Anonymous, 706 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • cautious optimist
      GM Hard Folding Tonneau by REV review

      By cautious optimist · Posted

      This is a really late reply but I just found this thread. They won't sell the hinges. I've gone 7 rounds with them. Their solution is to buy a new cover. I'm about to buy a new cover and it won't be a Bakflip. It also won't be from realtruck.com. 
    • Chuck FB
      2 speed transfer case optional now?

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      Yes, and also pulling heavy trailers or a large camper up steep grades as well as descending grades such as the more rustic off road camping locations and using engine braking with that low gearing as well as soft ground can just suck the power . I realize pickups these days tend to have an over all lower first gear ratio compared to automatic transmission pickups from years back so that has helped a lot in its ability in high range but there comes a point if in four wheel drive the torque runs out at the wheels, certainly with a gas engine. They don't put two speed transfer cases on pickups for a cool factor, they have a function if one needs that massive torque to the wheels that high range can't deliver. 
    • Grumpy Bear
      Grumpy Bears 2015 Silverado 2WD

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Notes 7/18/2026   3,400 miles on this batch of Mobil 1 Euro 5W40 since the GDI pump replacement. Alcohol runs very clean when ring seal is tight and the sump isn't getting hosed with fuel. Checked oil level at fill up today as is my practice and grabbed a white Kleenex to look at the color. What color?  I was going to change it but.....  
    • Another JR
      2 speed transfer case optional now?

      By Another JR · Posted

      4 low is really nice on steep boat ramps. 
    • Chuck FB
      Gas Prices

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      Interesting, I suspect I would have fueled up in Lee Vining as the day prior I would have filled up either in Laughlin or near there and maybe again before I entered Death Valley and once out the other side late that evening as I kept on driving into the night up near Lee Vining. Next morning I most likely fueled up in LV before heading over Tioga Pass into ( as I refer to it as "Yose .... Mite" 😁 ). And again that was 19 years ago but the price then must not have jumped out at me like the 5 bill a gallon theme of nutty cult hippy country Big Sir or head so far up their rear Aspen. I'd be curious to know where the highest prices are in the lower 48, I probably would not be far off to guess somewhere in Cali forn ie. Coldfoot and Prudhoe bay may have those prices beat but that is a whole other world up there and when prices are more normal elsewhere that is about what they can be up there I believe in no mans land. Anyway interesting that the 395 corridor is hosing people and the thing is, its tourist season and its not like there are a lot of competition options when driving up that highway from what I could see. Yup, big ole Boaterhomes and various other RV's ahead and behind me at the Yosemite entrance gate and they have to get their fuel somewhere.  

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...