$50 and under modifications

[Waymon]

 

Found some strip LED lights at my local dirt Cheap. Basically what you can get from auto zone. Paid $7 for the strip $3 for a pack of quick connectors. I even stepped it up and spent another $4 on some good wire. Lol

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tenscourts]

I plan to beef it up with some rubber on each side to support the phone from rocking but so far I've had very little movement. I Dremelled the right angle USB-C connector to give it some tilt towards the backrest. The sub under the console supports the connector.

 

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk. My build thread: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/192614-tenscourts-2016-ltzz71-ccsb-4wd-silverado/

I did update it with some foam support. No rocking issues at all. I also got another cable for some extra flexibility when I take the console trim off but I haven't swapped the cables yet.

 

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk. My build thread: http://www.gm-trucks...-4wd-silverado/

[Ravenkeeper]

 

For about $50 and/or less, I have completed or am going to K.O. in next few weeks.....

 

1) Removed my AM/FM antenna whip and will be installing "hidden antennas," when they come in. Cleaner look and I don't really listen to AM or FM, but will need them for my scanner.

2) Front Tow Hitch - found a hitch for $50 and will be installing it, hopefully, in the near future.

3) Mounted my CB antenna on the front right stake hole (about $40 invested in parts for my previous truck & $80 for the handheld router, that was not needed).

4) Tow hitch brake light - modified it to only light up when the brakes are applied. $20 for the light assy & couple of hours of research to cut the correct wire.

5) Bed lighting (#7) - Spent about $30 so far, including S/H, and looking to spend another $5 for j-box connector today/tomorrow. Should have all parts by next weekend.

6) Magnetic Phone holder (#5) - completed this one before Thanksgiving, $20.

 

Other mods for less than $50-ish that I'm looking at doing....

1) Window tint across top 4-5" of windshield, down even with the lane departure camera housing. Should cost less than $30.

2) #1 front/back

3) #3

4) #10&11

5) MAYBE #15

 

 

My updated list of mods:

 

1. Removed my AM/FM antenna whip

   1. Gives it a cleaner look and I don't really listen to AM or FM anyways.

   2. I will be installing a "hidden antenna," or two, within the next couple weeks, will need them for my scanner and if I decide to listen to FM next time I'm in a BIG city, like San Diego, again.

2. * Set my forward-facing white lights to all be on with my high beams. ($1.98 for two diodes, used on for this mod) On the '15 Silverado, the lows stay on with the high beams, and the diode was set to turn on my fogs.

3. * Set my rear-facing white lights to all be on with my reverse lights, with the other diode from the 2 pack mentioned above, cargo lights come on with my reverse lights.

2 & 3 both took 30-45 minutes of my time to accomplish (once I had the diodes), including operational checkouts, worth it.

4. Mounted my CB antenna on the front right stake hole (about $40 invested in parts for my previous truck & $80 for the handheld router, that was not needed).

5. Tow hitch brake light - modified it to only light up when the brakes are applied. $20 for the light assy ($17 on etrailer.com, Item #CR-007A) & couple of hours of research to cut the correct wire.

   1. Did this one today, need to make sure that you have the tail/brake light that has the little box on it to keep the blinkers from flashing the hitch light. Took me about 3 minutes to cut the brown wire (tail light) at both ends (at the plug and up by the bulb housing) completely remove it, and throw it away.

   2. Shortly after I bought my truck, I had to go buy a 4-wire extension, so I could plug it in, less than $10. (didn't need this on my last truck, connectors were right next to the receiver)

   3. *** Just went outside, with my son, and performed an operational check on it. Works great. *** Lock/Unlock visual indicators use all four corners, including brake lights (not the one on top of the cab. Turned on parking lights and head lights, hitch light did not light up. Pressed the brake, hitch light works. Used turn signals and hazards, hitch light did not work.

6. Magnetic Phone holder (#5) - completed this one before Thanksgiving, found a Steelie vent mount for about $20. Only downside to this one, and having vertical vents, is during every turn and curve, the weight of the phone swings the vent toward the outside of the turn. If I turn right, the phone swings left, and vise verse.

7. * Better phone holder – recently purchased a windshield phone holder, going to modify it to fit in the pocket left of the steering wheel and run power to it. Believe I saw this one within this thread. Thanks for all of the information and writeup, Waymon.

8. Frame plugs. I'm going to do this one after I get my truck washed and all of the residual dirt flushed out of the tubes. Went off-roading a few weeks back and the dirt still has not “blown out” from driving around.

9. * Cutting a 2”x12” to fit across the bed of my truck, for cargo management.

   1. Cut to 65” and trim as necessary.

   2. 45° two adjacent corners along one long side, so it sits down against the bed of the truck.

   3. PlastiDip it black when it is trimmed to fit.

10. Window tint across top 4-5" of windshield, down even with the lane departure camera housing. Should cost less than $30.

11. Black bow ties, front/back/steering wheel, and contemplating blacking out the middle of the “Z”s and the “71”s. Should be done in next week or two.

12. Philips LED reverse & cargo lights.

13. K&N Air & Cabin Filters.

14. Bed rail lighting - Spent about $35 for everything so far.

15. Front Tow Hitch - found a hitch for $50 and was hoping to install it over my Christmas break from work, 9 paid days off, but we ended up traveling and seeing family during that time. One of these weekends, I'll get around to this.

* - Low cost mod discovered/found after posting my plan list.

Edited April 9, 2017 by Ravenkeeper

[Waymon]

Painted my bow tie today. Turned out a lot better than I thought it would.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cost me $2. Local Dirt Cheap had dupli-color GM match. Got the closest I could find.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ravenkeeper]

My updated list of mods:

 

 

• Removed my AM/FM antenna whip

   

  • Gives it a cleaner look and I don't really listen to AM or FM anyways.

  • I will be installing a "hidden antenna," or two, within the next couple weeks, will need them for my scanner and if I decide to listen to FM next time I'm in a BIG city, like San Diego, again.

• * Set my forward-facing white lights to all be on with my high beams. ($1.98 for two diodes, used on for this mod) On the '15 Silverado, the lows stay on with the high beams, and the diode was set to turn on my fogs.

   

• * Set my rear-facing white lights to all be on with my reverse lights, with the other diode from the 2 pack mentioned above, cargo lights come on with my reverse lights.

2 & 3 both took 30-45 minutes of my time to accomplish (once I had the diodes), including operational checkouts, worth it.

 

• Mounted my CB antenna on the front right stake hole (about $40 invested in parts for my previous truck & $80 for the handheld router, that was not needed).

   

• Tow hitch brake light - modified it to only light up when the brakes are applied. $20 for the light assy ($17 on etrailer.com, Item #CR-007A) & couple of hours of research to cut the correct wire.

   

  • Did this one today, need to make sure that you have the tail/brake light that has the little box on it to keep the blinkers from flashing the hitch light. Took me about 3 minutes to cut the brown wire (tail light) at both ends (at the plug and up by the bulb housing) completely remove it, and throw it away.

  • Shortly after I bought my truck, I had to go buy a 4-wire extension, so I could plug it in, less than $10. (didn't need this on my last truck, connectors were right next to the receiver)

  • *** Just went outside, with my son, and performed an operational check on it. Works great. *** Lock/Unlock visual indicators use all four corners, including brake lights (not the one on top of the cab. Turned on parking lights and head lights, hitch light did not light up. Pressed the brake, hitch light works. Used turn signals and hazards, hitch light did not work.

• Magnetic Phone holder (#5) - completed this one before Thanksgiving, found a Steelie vent mount for about $20. Only downside to this one, and having vertical vents, is during every turn and curve, the weight of the phone swings the vent toward the outside of the turn. If I turn right, the phone swings left, and vise verse.

   

• * Better phone holder – recently purchased a windshield phone holder, going to modify it to fit in the pocket left of the steering wheel and run power to it. Believe I saw this one within this thread. Thanks for all of the information and writeup, Waymon.

   

• Frame plugs. I'm going to do this one after I get my truck washed and all of the residual dirt flushed out of the tubes. Went off-roading a few weeks back and the dirt still has not “blown out” from driving around.

   

• * Cutting a 2”x12” to fit across the bed of my truck, for cargo management.

   

  • Cut to 65” and trim as necessary.

  • 45° two adjacent corners along one long side, so it sits down against the bed of the truck.

  • PlastiDip it black when it is trimmed to fit.

• Window tint across top 4-5" of windshield, down even with the lane departure camera housing. Should cost less than $30.

   

• Black bow ties, front/back/steering wheel, and contemplating blacking out the middle of the “Z”s and the “71”s. Should be done in next week or two.

   

• Philips LED reverse & cargo lights.

   

• K&N Air & Cabin Filters.

   

• Bed rail lighting - Spent about $35 for everything so far.

   

• Front Tow Hitch - found a hitch for $50 and was hoping to install it over my Christmas break from work, 9 paid days off, but we ended up traveling and seeing family during that time. One of these weekends, I'll get around to this.

* - Low cost mod discovered/found after posting my plan list.

Started #9 this morning when I got home from work, actual cut length is 64.5", with 2.5" 45 angles. Got one side drying, while I had to go figure out what is up with my CR-V's TPMS.

[shoregmc55]

I added air dam marker lights under the bumper for under 50 bucks and I love it!

 

Sent from my E5506 using Tapatalk

What light bar did you use on the bumber? how did you mount it? harness?

[Grjfer]

Finally got the step bar lights added. $6.00 for lights and $3.00 for a package of T taps. Already had some extra wire on hand. The lights are sold as a pair so I only used one per side. Pretty impressive little lights.

 

[gary.smedley]

Finally got the step bar lights added. $6.00 for lights and $3.00 for a package of T taps. Already had some extra wire on hand. The lights are sold as a pair so I only used one per side. Pretty impressive little lights.

 

IMG_20170414_191053473_zpsynpgztq3.jpgIMG_20170414_195029460_zpsmpzg36fp.jpgIMG_20170414_195219271_zps2fbf9iep.jpgIMG_20170414_202030635_zpsbozyrg7r.jpg

Very cool. What did you tap into? Any chance you have links to the items you used?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Grjfer]

Very cool. What did you tap into? Any chance you have links to the items you used?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Lights were from ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/291161780706?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT, there are some cheaper, but this is a US seller. Tapped into the dome light wire under the dash using a T tap.

[AllTerrainX]

Just $55, I got and installed a driver side assist handle. Couldn't be happier ?

[SilveradoSaver]

Just $55, I got and installed a driver side assist handle. Couldn't be happier

 

 

$5 too expensive for this thread

 

Such a simple mod but I found it makes it much easier than grabbing the steering wheel!

[AllTerrainX]

 

 

$5 too expensive for this thread

 

Such a simple mod but I found it makes it much easier than grabbing the steering wheel!

Its the simple things in life lol

[Waterfowler41]

Its the simple things in life lol

You can be banished for disobeying forum rules... lol

 

That handle is saving the leather on my steering wheel

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited April 17, 2017 by Waterfowler41

[Ravenkeeper]

 

 

My updated list of mods:

 

1. Removed my AM/FM antenna whip

   1. Gives it a cleaner look and I don't really listen to AM or FM anyways.

   2. I will be installing a "hidden antenna," or two, within the next couple weeks, will need them for my scanner and if I decide to listen to FM next time I'm in a BIG city, like San Diego, again.

2. * Set my forward-facing white lights to all be on with my high beams. ($1.98 for two diodes, used on for this mod) On the '15 Silverado, the lows stay on with the high beams, and the diode was set to turn on my fogs.

3. * Set my rear-facing white lights to all be on with my reverse lights, with the other diode from the 2 pack mentioned above, cargo lights come on with my reverse lights.

2 & 3 both took 30-45 minutes of my time to accomplish (once I had the diodes), including operational checkouts, worth it.

4. Mounted my CB antenna on the front right stake hole (about $40 invested in parts for my previous truck & $80 for the handheld router, that was not needed).

5. Tow hitch brake light - modified it to only light up when the brakes are applied. $20 for the light assy ($17 on etrailer.com, Item #CR-007A) & couple of hours of research to cut the correct wire.

   1. Did this one today, need to make sure that you have the tail/brake light that has the little box on it to keep the blinkers from flashing the hitch light. Took me about 3 minutes to cut the brown wire (tail light) at both ends (at the plug and up by the bulb housing) completely remove it, and throw it away.

   2. Shortly after I bought my truck, I had to go buy a 4-wire extension, so I could plug it in, less than $10. (didn't need this on my last truck, connectors were right next to the receiver)

   3. *** Just went outside, with my son, and performed an operational check on it. Works great. *** Lock/Unlock visual indicators use all four corners, including brake lights (not the one on top of the cab. Turned on parking lights and head lights, hitch light did not light up. Pressed the brake, hitch light works. Used turn signals and hazards, hitch light did not work.

6. Magnetic Phone holder (#5) - completed this one before Thanksgiving, found a Steelie vent mount for about $20. Only downside to this one, and having vertical vents, is during every turn and curve, the weight of the phone swings the vent toward the outside of the turn. If I turn right, the phone swings left, and vise verse.

7. * Better phone holder – recently purchased a windshield phone holder, going to modify it to fit in the pocket left of the steering wheel and run power to it. Believe I saw this one within this thread. Thanks for all of the information and writeup, Waymon.

8. Frame plugs. I'm going to do this one after I get my truck washed and all of the residual dirt flushed out of the tubes. Went off-roading a few weeks back and the dirt still has not “blown out” from driving around.

9. * Cutting a 2”x12” to fit across the bed of my truck, for cargo management.

   1. Cut to 65” and trim as necessary.

   2. 45° two adjacent corners along one long side, so it sits down against the bed of the truck.

   3. PlastiDip it black when it is trimmed to fit.

10. Window tint across top 4-5" of windshield, down even with the lane departure camera housing. Should cost less than $30.

11. Black bow ties, front/back/steering wheel, and contemplating blacking out the middle of the “Z”s and the “71”s. Should be done in next week or two.

12. Philips LED reverse & cargo lights.

13. K&N Air & Cabin Filters.

14. Bed rail lighting - Spent about $35 for everything so far.

15. Front Tow Hitch - found a hitch for $50 and was hoping to install it over my Christmas break from work, 9 paid days off, but we ended up traveling and seeing family during that time. One of these weekends, I'll get around to this.

* - Low cost mod discovered/found after posting my plan list.

 

Mod #3 - So, this morning, I noticed that when I put my truck into reverse, the indicator on my cargo light switch lights up.

 

Mod #5 - I'm looking into buying a new tow hitch light and redoing this mod. Going to splice both wires together, and cut the brown wire just above the splice and at the 4-pin plug. Will cause both halves of the light bulb to light up when the brake is applied.

[Goinovr]

Finally got the step bar lights added. $6.00 for lights and $3.00 for a package of T taps. Already had some extra wire on hand. The lights are sold as a pair so I only used one per side. Pretty impressive little lights.

 

IMG_20170414_191053473_zpsynpgztq3.jpgIMG_20170414_195029460_zpsmpzg36fp.jpgIMG_20170414_195219271_zps2fbf9iep.jpgIMG_20170414_202030635_zpsbozyrg7r.jpg

 

Those look super bright. I need a order a pair to put under my bed rails for that extra bit of bed light.