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OldBlue61's 2015 Silverado RADICAL Mild Build


OldBlue61

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Posted

Welcome to OldBlue61's RADICALLY mild build of his 2015 Silverado LT!!! Be prepared to be wowed! Be prepared to be amazed! Be prepared to .... well ... I hope this doesn't bore you too much. Don't expect to see wild lift kits, 36" wheels, or some crazy paint jobs. This is not that thread. This is not the thread you're looking for.

 

Any comments are NOT intended to offend those that like things different than me. Differences in choice, preferences, opinions, and taste are a good thing. You have yours and I have mine.

 

This is a pretty tame "build", if you can even call it that. This is simply where I will be tracking the mild mods to my DD.

 

My Silverado is a 2015 LT. 5.3l V8, 6 speed, 4x4, 3.42 gear, towing package, All-Star edition. Nicely equipped, but not crazy. I bought it used in May 2016 with 1634 miles on it, from the local Chevy dealer. I use it to drive about 100 miles a day back and forth to work, errands, grabbing wood from the local lumber yard for the next project, etc. All the normal, mundane stuff we all do. I occasionally tow my small utility trailer, my jet ski, or put our kayaks in the bed.

 

I was looking for a darker color, a double cab, a V8, and 4x4. I wanted a nicely equipped truck that didn't obliterate my budget, with low miles, so that kinda ruled out an LTZ for me. The local dealer had this one on it's lot, ordered by a GM employee, and traded in when he wanted a 2500. It had sat there for a couple of months, and because I knew that and had tracked it's time on the lot, I was able to negotiate a good price on it. Personally, I love the look of the chrome on the Ruby metallic paint, and the wheels were one of my 2 favorites, so I plan on keeping them. It had everything I wanted with the exception of heated seats, but I figured with remote start, it kinda negated the need for them. This first pic is after the test drive, still during negotiations.

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Posted
MOD 1


Ready for this?


WHEEL LOCKS! Yes, authentic GM (aka McGard) wheel locks!


Sorry, no wheel locks pics, but I think it's safe to assume that we all know what they look like!

Posted

MOD 2

 

Ooohh, I can feel the anticipation building! Better be sitting down! Ready?

 

A chief Wahoo sticker! Go Tribe!

 

(Yeah, I know the truck is dirty. Oh well. Dirt happens. It's getting a good bath today)

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Posted

MODS 3 and 4

 

Wow, this is exciting, isn't it! Man, I can't wait!

 

Well, here it is!

 

AVS Hood Protector! And WeatherTech No-Drill Mud Flaps!!

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Posted

Ok, now is when the mods really get crazy. Ready?

 

MOD 5

 

I wanted to level the truck, but I didn't want to put a lot of strain on the front end components, so I elected to go with a MotoFab 1.5" level. Front end went from 36.25" from the ground to the bottom of the fender opening to 37.75". Rear is at 39". Closer to level, but just a slight bit of rake. Just what I wanted. This will give me the option of going with a slighter bigger tire when it's time to put a new set of rubber on.

 

BONUS MOD!! (Aka MOD 6)

 

I also removed the front air dam, and I gotta admit, I think it looks a LOT better without it. Pics to follow are after the level kit and air dam removal.

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Posted

MOD 7

 

Wow. 7. 7 freaking mods. Unbelievable. Well, without further ado...

 

Ziebart Rust Proofing!

 

Sorry, no pics, unless you want to see a coated undercarriage and the Ziebart plugs in the body.

 

And MOD 8

 

Sylvania SilverStar Ultra headlight bulbs. Makes a big difference in the light output!

 

Again, no pics. But trust me, worth every penny!

  • 2 months later...
Posted

MOD 9

 

Ok, now on to the next mod - a tonneau cover. I bought one from Tonno Pro off of Amazon. Quick 5 minute install, and it fits pretty well. 10 year warranty on the whole thing, so we'll see how it holds up. Liking it so far!

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Posted

MOD 10

 

Yep, 10 mods. Wow. Any how, without further ado...

 

Philips 921 LED reverse lights. These things are BRIGHT! Makes it much easier to see when backing out of the driveway at night. Pictures does NOT do it justice so I won't post one - but believe me when I say that the LED is much brighter than the incandescent bulb. One thing to remember if you put these bulbs in your taillights - they may not work at first, as they have to go in a certain way. If you put them in and they don't work, reverse the bulb in the socket and try it again. BOTH of mine were in the wrong way and I had to change them both. Fortunately I did not put the taillights back on the truck until I tried them out first.

Posted

MOD 11

 

Front Edge Bed Protector

 

Ordered these from Quirk Parts (along with the 3M adhesive promoter from Amazon) for $20 after reading THIS thread. I figured that with as much salt as they use on the roads around here, anything that can help reduce the number of chips in the paint has got to help. And for the price...

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Posted

A couple more pics of the protectors.

 

I have to order some for my truck

  • 4 weeks later...
Posted

Do they extend inward much towards the center of the truck? It's a great theory, but, of it creates too much of a ledge for salt/dirt to collect, then I'm not sure I would go with them. But like I said, great theory so far!

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