Potts's Brownstone Silverado 1500 LTZ Build

Potts · September 25, 2015

Ended up hooking up the cargo lights to the reverse lights. Now when I unlock the truck with the fob the cargo lights come on - nice added security when waking up to it in a dark parking lot, and super convenient for checking my load. An added bonus is it seems to add some light to the back up camera for better visibility. Pack of 3amp diodes on Amazon cost me $5.

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Potts · September 29, 2015

Some better photos of my rig I took on Friday after her first wax job.

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David Contrino · September 30, 2015

Nice truck Potts. You and I have the same taste. I ordered my 15 brownstone Silverado Z71 LTZ CC Coco Dune interior on my birthday July 6. It came in on my daughters birthday August 24. I love this truck. The mods I've done so far are 1) Line X liner. 2) Retrax Pro matte black cover. 3) Front window tint matching rear ones. 4) Driver's side assist handle. Next is a RC 2" lift, Husky front X-act conture black mats, WeatherTeck rear black full cover mat, Husky rear under seat storage and something to be determined with the bow ties. In the spring the exhaust gets done. Probably Borla but not 100% sure yet. I like the 20" factory chromed aluminum wheels so I won't be changing those. I also don't have a problem with the stock SR-A's and they will stay on. Light mods will also be happening at some point. I'm waiting to see the OEM retractable steps coming out on the 16 CC's and if I like them I'll get those, if not then the Amp Research power step. I do not like fixed assist steps.

I don't get to drive my new truck much because I use my 03 Z71 EC as my daily driver.

Looking forward to your build and I'll probably start one myself. BTW do you know about the "Brownstone metallic paint fan tred"?

TTYL Dave F-5

Potts · September 30, 2015

Hey Dave - that sounds like a great plan you have there. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what you do to your truck. There are a number of things on your list I'd like to do as well. I am in awe of this truck. It's my first pickup and I don't know what took me so long to get a truck. If this one treats me well I could see myself keeping her a lonnnnng time. I just can't imagine what else I would want or need.

I wanted to get the Z71 package but no one had an LTZ with Z71 in brownstone anywhere near here; it worked out though...I got a crappy deal on my trade because it had an accident on the car fax. Rough lesson learned there. I will avoid reporting anything to my insurance at all costs in the future. Some bimbo rear-ended me going between 5-10 mph while I was sitting at a stop light. There was literally zero damage to my jeep, but I had my two month old daughter with me and I wanted to make sure I was protected in case something had happened to her - she was fine thankfully. Talking about breaking in a new dad - she's my first and I ever felt so sick in all my life in the short moment where I had to run around to the other side to check on her (she was rear facing). The worst part is I specifically bought a jeep knowing how well they retain their value because I was planning on trading in to get a truck down the road. That little fender bender ended up costing me about $3,000 in lost resale value. I tried five different dealers, all said the same thing. Anyway, I digress...

Good luck with your truck. Such an awesome color! And the cocoa dune leather interior is simply perfect. I like it better than the high country darker leather.

What is the brownstone metallic paint fan tred???? Do tell!

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David Contrino · October 1, 2015

Hi Potts, thank God your daughter was ok. Everything else in life is replaceable. I have 4 daughters myself and been married to the same woman for 37 years. We have 5 grandsons and 2 granddaughters. Family is the most important thing in my life. The brownstone metallic fans tred is on this GM- trucks site under the 14 15 and 16 truck section.

Potts · October 3, 2015

Thanks, f-five. I appreciate that. Sounds like you have a really nice family! That's great.

I'll look for the fans thread, thanks, I hadn't seen that.

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Potts · October 4, 2015

I just ordered a Tonnopro Lo-Roll and the BedRug to hook up the back of my truck. Should hopefully get delivered by next weekend.

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David Contrino · October 4, 2015

Hi Potts, post pictures of your bed rug and cover whenever there on. We've had heavy rain here in Maryland non stop from Wednesday to Saturday and I checked my bed yesterday and it was dry as a bone. I'm loving the Retrax Pro cover.

David Contrino · October 4, 2015

BTW did you find the "Brownstone paint fans tred"?

Potts · October 13, 2015

I got my bedrug installed as well as a tonneau. I went with the Tonnopro Lo Roll and I'm pretty happy. I can't complain much for the price. There are somethings I Love about it and there are some things that leave a little to be desired. Overall it looks really nice. I wanted full access to my bed on demand without having to remove anything. Looking at most trifolds you lose about 1/3 of your bed space unless you take the cover off (yes I know the bakflip flips all the way open, but it's also over double the cost, still reports that it leaks, and then when hauling something big long distances I'd have no visibility out of my rear window).! The lo roll was $278 with Amazon prime.

The bedrug is the same one the dealer installs if you order it. Once I read about all the features of the bedrugs and realized how functional they are it was a no brainer. Best investment for my truck yet. After I installed it I sat in the back and drank some beers, listening to some tunes - it's so comfortable. It seems like it will protect the bed very well, as well as whatever I am hauling. I didn't want a drop in because I think they look ugly, everything slides around, you don't have a flat surface in the bed, and worst off all they slide around scraping the paint to bare metal and then let water get underneath them potentially rusting out your bed without your knowledge. I didn't want a spray in because they are permanent (scraping off the paint of my brand new truck bed didn't sound appealing to me), they look dingy after a couple years, and they provide no dent protection.

I went with a bedrug because they are not permanent (adheres with heavy duty 3M Velcro tape, very well I might add), the padded bottom and sides provide good protection against dents, stuff won't slide around, the finer things I load won't get scratched up, you get a perfectly flat bed surface, you can still haul dirt and whatever else and just hose it out, they won't get moldy, you can literally pour bleach on them and it won't harm or discolor it, and I can literally now sleep in the back of my truck. It's also like a giant play pen for my daughter - she absolutely loves it. You can see I am crazy about this thing. It is so nice having a nice padded surface in there. I didn't think a bedrug would work for me and had ruled them out - I am getting into hunting and want to be able to toss a deer back there. Once I read about how durable they are as well as functional plus all the added benefits I knew I was making an excellent decision. Best of all, it was the cheapest option. I got mine off of amazon for $312 shipped!!! Installed it myself in about three hours, but I am a perfectionist and really took my time. I think it came out looking great and love that I don't see a lot of them around.

Check out some photos of both installed. Let me know if you have any questions about either and what you guys think.