New Guy who needs some help!

MarcQ21 · May 29, 2012

Hey Everyone!

I have a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 WT and I am looking to put some accessories into it to make it have a better appearance. I am thinking about tinting the back window and putting a back rack on it.

Aside from that I am thinking about a leveling kit. My friend at school put one on his Toyota Tundra and it looks pretty sweet, but the only thing I know is that they raise the front of the truck. If you guys could introduce me into a good and not too to expensive kit that would be awesome.

I also want to think about an exhaust system but also do not know any good brands.

Thanks for all of the help, and please remember I don't want to pay a fortune for these. Thanks Again!

MarcQ21

SILVERADOSC540 · May 29, 2012

Welcome MarcQ21. Check the chassis suspension forum on leveling kits, it sounds like the rough country is a good kit for your money and I think there is a video in there somewhere. Exhaust could be a whole kit, a cat back kit or even just a good muffler. On my last truck I left the stock exhaust and just swapped out the muffler for a flowmaster 40. It was cheap and sounded great.

You will get a ton of help and advice here, I'm new as well and have been impressed with the knowledge and helpfulness of the other members.

Welcome again. Any pics?

MarcQ21 · May 29, 2012

Thanks for your response! I have seen the rough country video on here and it does look really nice. And i don't think I want to be redoing the whole exhaust. So will the muffler tip make the truck sound better? Thanks for the help and all of the questions. And ya i am going to wash my truck and put some pics up soon!

SILVERADOSC540 · May 29, 2012

Yes, the muffler will make the truck sound great. I had an '07 6.0 liter that I put a flowmaster super 40 on and it sounded awesome. Just enough rumble to let people know I was there, but not enough to be annoying while driving. I also left the resonator on, which could be removed for a little better flow and a little more sound.

jdubub · May 29, 2012

Welcome aboard! If I were you I would go with an RC Leveling Kit and just swap your muffler. I have tried a few mufflers over the years and if I were you I would go get a magnaflow muffler.

SILVERADOSC540 · May 29, 2012

Yo, found this in the marketplace section. Brand new Magnaflow in the box $85.00 Look under the for sale - wanted section of marketplace, a post under 2007-2011 Silverado stuff by pctchevy11

MarcQ21 · May 29, 2012

Wow thanks guys. Is it difficult to put a muffler on or would it be easier to have a body shop put it on? I have never really done anything to my truck.

00Silverado4x4 · May 29, 2012

Wow thanks guys. Is it difficult to put a muffler on or would it be easier to have a body shop put it on? I have never really done anything to my truck.

I personally would leave it to a muffler/exhaust shop to do it. When my factory exhaust finally takes a dump I'm going to leave it to the pros to work on. I couldn't weld to save my life and perfer to have pipes welded vs clamped.

MarcQ21 · May 29, 2012

Ya i didn't know if it was just popping some bolts off and replacing the new one or not. Better to have a pro do it then losing an $80 muffler

hodges25 · May 30, 2012

I second the Rough Country kit and the 14" Magnaflow, very happy with both. Had them both since fall of '10 with no problems

Chris · May 30, 2012

As far as exhaust, id say go woth magnaflow. ive ridden in hodges25 truck and it sounds nice. I have the Flowmaster Original 40 and at about 70 mph or 1900 rpm it drones in the cab. After 3 years im tired of it and I'm about to switch to the Magnaflow or the Corsa dB. I cant help you with with leveling kits. I have mine leveled but i have a previous generation and 2wd. Also have a tune done. Get the AutoCal from Black Bear Performance.

MarcQ21 · May 31, 2012

Ya i think i'm going to look into the magnaflow. Watched a couple of vids of a 14" magnaflow and it is not overpowering at all. Could anyone give me an average cost with shop labor of getting it done? Don't want to overpay with my budget.

SILVERADOSC540 · May 31, 2012

Probably about $200.00, at least here in the midwest. Just call a muffler shop, they'll give you an estimate.

MarcQ21 · July 2, 2012

Hey I have 2 more questions for you guys if you don't mind.

Will a lift/leveling kit ruin the suspension of the truck? I was talking to a lady whose husband owns a tire/suspension shop and she said that they put a kit on and the truck was ruined. I am kind of hesitating on getting one now because my truck is brand new and i want it to last a good 5+ years.

My second question is how will a new exhaust sound on a v6? My engine is a v6 and i don't want to put money into a new muffler/exhaust and see nearly no results. Will this still make the truck sound deeper?

Thanks for all your help with my questions!

00Silverado4x4 · July 2, 2012

My second question is how will a new exhaust sound on a v6? My engine is a v6 and i don't want to put money into a new muffler/exhaust and see nearly no results. Will this still make the truck sound deeper?

Thanks for all your help with my questions!

I answered your first question on another thread. As to your second question, in the past I had a V6 truck that I put a new muffler on and it still didn't sound like a V8 but did give a more aggressive sound at the tailpipe. I think it was a Magnaflow but it's been over 10 years so I could be wrong. Personally, like I did, go to a good muffler shop and they should be able to give some solid, economical suggestions for running a new muffler and/or system for your truck that will leave you smiling.