2014 Silverado LTZ help needed......

stephendudra · December 29, 2015

Over Christmas break, I sold my 2007 Tahoe LTZ and bought a 2014 Silverado LTZ. So far I am loving it!!

There are a few things I would love to do to it and as always, I come to the forum to ask fellow owners what their opinions are!

1. I would love to level the truck out. However, unlike most of you, I would love to bring the rear down to match the front. Can someone point me in the right direction for this?

2. I love the projector lights on this truck, BUT! I do not like how "dingy' the light color is. Do I have to buy a who new kit to get the brighter white or can I buy just new bulbs to swap this out?

3. I love the power this truck has. Seems much more responsive than my Hoe was. However, I still would like to get a Tune without breaking the bank but one that will give me a little more gas mileage. I had a diablo on my Hoe and I owned an Avalanche once before and had a blackbear tune on it. Thoughts and suggestions?

4. Would adding a K&N Air filter be sufficient enough or would I need to replace the entire CAI?

I appreciate ANY and ALL Comments!!

Attached is my new child......

LongrangeLauber · December 29, 2015

CAI is a waste of money, go with a black bear tune. You can remove your rear block to level the truck out, you'll have to go to HID's or LED's which require a new bulb and ballast but offers better light output.

stephendudra · December 29, 2015

CAI is a waste of money, go with a black bear tune. You can remove your rear block to level the truck out, you'll have to go to HID's or LED's which require a new bulb and ballast but offers better light output.

I have read about using a lowering shackle to get the truck level. Easy enough and I have tools to make this happen.

Regarding the HID or LED, Any suggestions or links to point me to??

block8head · December 29, 2015

There are ton of threads in the Accessories & Modifications forum. you just need to read thru those sticky threads.

Welcome to the forum.

juttypaints · December 31, 2015

In response per numbers. 1) Buy a leveling kit and shorter blocks than what are included. Most good brands sell shorter blocks. 2) Buy a set of decent bulbs like Sylvania ZXEs or upgrade to HIDs using a retrofit kit. Projectors are just a lens, nothing to do with what kind of bulbs.

3) Two things that will easily help with MPG: better, less restrictive exhaust and a better air filter.

4) K&N will give you very small amounts of MPG gains, in the long run will pay for itself, but definitely don't do a CAI in a pickup unless you live in the driest weather ever.

Transmitted via inception of your mind...

SteveBBB · December 31, 2015

Welcome to the group Stephen, beautiful truck!! I removed the spacer block between the leaf springs and rear end housing, it lowered mine a little, around an inch, setting on a level area, it is just slightly higher in the rear. It is very easy to do. I reused the original u bolts and nuts, but I did an extra heavy washer.

Eddie 70 · December 31, 2015

Welcome to the group Stephen, beautiful truck!! I removed the spacer block between the leaf springs and rear end housing, it lowered mine a little around an inch, setting on a level area, it is just slightly higher in the rear. It is very easy to do. I reused the original u bolts and nuts, but I did an extra heavy washer.

Steve, do you have any more pics of your truck from the side? I have been thinking of dropping the rear of mine also to level the truck.

SteveBBB · December 31, 2015

This is the only one I have.

Eddie 70 · December 31, 2015

This is the only one I have.

Thanks for the pic Steve.That's much better and I like it. Mine is way up there and needs to come down.

akkrezz · January 8, 2016

2.) I have the projector lights also and put in the Opt7 LED bulbs. They are very bright and I love them. They are easy plug and play. The only tricky part is getting the dust covers back on over the lights but it is doable! Also, if you go with the Opt7 LED bulbs, use the polarity adapter. Everything I've read, everyone has had to use them for our truck. They come with the lights and i had to use them.

4.) I have the K&N CAI in my truck. I love it. Makes the truck sound great, I haven't really noticed any MPG gain though. Just sounds great and better throttle response. From what I have read though, our trucks already come with a factory CAI and all you really need to do is change out the intake tube. Most people have used Airraid.

stephendudra · January 8, 2016

2.) I have the projector lights also and put in the Opt7 LED bulbs. They are very bright and I love them. They are easy plug and play. The only tricky part is getting the dust covers back on over the lights but it is doable! Also, if you go with the Opt7 LED bulbs, use the polarity adapter. Everything I've read, everyone has had to use them for our truck. They come with the lights and i had to use them.

4.) I have the K&N CAI in my truck. I love it. Makes the truck sound great, I haven't really noticed any MPG gain though. Just sounds great and better throttle response. From what I have read though, our trucks already come with a factory CAI and all you really need to do is change out the intake tube. Most people have used Airraid.

Any pics of the Opt7 installed?? Never heard of these and would love to see. Wonder how long they will last...........

akkrezz · January 8, 2016

Any pics of the Opt7 installed?? Never heard of these and would love to see. Wonder how long they will last...........

I'll take some when i get my truck back later from the shop and post them for you. There's forums on the opt7 lights for our truck on here. Just search for them and you might see some pictures there. I know, like everything, people have had problems with them but I've had mine in for almost 3 months with no problems.

And about the "how long they will last question" LED lights last a very long time. I believe they last quite a bit longer then HID's which I've been told need to be replaced after 2-3 years.

stephendudra · January 8, 2016

I'll take some when i get my truck back later from the shop and post them for you. There's forums on the opt7 lights for our truck on here. Just search for them and you might see some pictures there. I know, like everything, people have had problems with them but I've had mine in for almost 3 months with no problems.

The issues is what bothers me. Unfortunately, we need headlights when it is dark. so if something breaks in 3 months, makes it hard to deal with.....

akkrezz · January 8, 2016

The issues is what bothers me. Unfortunately, we need headlights when it is dark. so if something breaks in 3 months, makes it hard to deal with.....

I get where you're coming from. I live in fairbanks, AK where in the dead of winter we may get 4-5 hours of daylight. Bad days its only a little over 3 i believe. But these lights are definitely an upgrade from stock, specially the highbeams. And like I said, I have had no problems with them at all and Ive had them for 3 months. And they are very easy to install. Also, if you have any problems with them, OPT7 has a 2 year warranty on them so you can easily return them.