New Guy with a Few Questions

[jp54]

This past Friday I picked up a new 2018 Silverado 1500 5.3 6spd Z71 4x4 Crew Cab Short Bed on a good year end deal. I previously had a 2006 Toyota Tacoma for almost 10 years. I am familiar with aftermarket modifications, as I had moderately modified the Tacoma. However, these are totally different trucks and I am totally clueless after knowing the Tacoma inside and out. I've lurked pretty heavily on this site over the past few days since I got the truck and have a few questions/concerns.

 

The truck seems to do a hard shift between first and second gear; both upon acceleration from first to second and braking from second to first. Is this common or normal? Is it that the transmission needs a "learning" period to figure out my driving style? 

 

On a similar note, the ride is not as smooth as I expected from a new unmodified truck. It's not awful. But you can definitely feel minor potholes, imperfections, and repair strips in the road. I just got out of a very light Tacoma with a 3.5" lift on 295/75/16 10 ply load range E tires for reference. This doesn't feel a whole lot smoother of a ride. I know, I know, I know, "it's a truck, it's supposed to ride like that; if you wanted a plush ride you should have got a car," etc. I don't expect it to ride like a cloud but I just expected a little more. I have found that some are saying the Z71 Rancho shocks may be to blame.

 

This leads me into my next question. Like any other red blooded American man, I would not mind a leveling/mild lift kit for this truck. Really nothing more than something to make it not look like such a grocery getter. I don't plan on anything crazy, just to be able to fit a 33x11 or 11.5 on stock wheels. But obviously getting suspension geometry out of whack can give rise to issues later. I dealt with that on the Tacoma (driveline vibrations, replacing wheel bearings, ball joints, etc.) and really just want avoid that as much as possible. Keeping it stock would be the captain obvious answer. But there has to be a crossroads of keeping decent angles, not over stressing components, ride quality, and price. Is there an ideal height or middle of the road kit that avoids issues later on? I see these little spacer kits for pretty cheap (some top mount, some bottom mount, some a combination). Most people report no change in ride quality but I don't see how that can be. There has to be some reduction in travel or preload on the coils. Same thing with adjustable Bilstein shocks. I know a fancy Fox or King set of coilovers is ideal, but the most action this truck will get is a few hunting trails/logging roads. I can't see the justification of spending thousands for a pavement princess. Is there any kit that is affordable, rides ok, and won't come back to bite me later in replacing parts more expensive than the kit? (To fit a 33x11 on stock 18" wheels) 

 

The lower valence on the front bumper. That thing is ridiculous. I know...aerodynamics/fuel economy. But it's crazy, I have a v8 4x4 truck with like 6" of ground clearance. On other generations of this truck and the GMC models, you can remove the whole thing and it looks fine. But on this truck if you remove it the actual metal bumper has a cutout where the tow hooks are and just above the chrome piece is. If you remove the whole thing it just leaves a very unfinished looking hole there. I've seen the SDHQ skid plate which is a good option, I just didn't know if there are any other options out there. 

 

Last thing I promise. Seat covers. I have a 3yr old, 1yr old, and one on the way. I can also get in the truck pretty dirty myself. So this is a must. I have found the Coverking Neosupreme covers seem to be a decent middle of the road cover; decent fit, water repellent, UV resistant, and moderate price. Any feedback on those or suggestions of others? 

 

I know this is a heck of a lot of info but I thought I'd ask all at once rather than 10 different threads. If I've broken any forum etiquette, posted in the wrong place or whatever please let me know or move my thread. I'm excited about this new truck and ready to learn as much as I can about it. Also if there are any common issues, recalls, or anything else I need to be on the lookout for with this truck let me know. Thanks in advance for the help. 

[TXGREEK]

This past Friday I picked up a new 2018 Silverado 1500 5.3 6spd Z71 4x4 Crew Cab Short Bed on a good year end deal. I previously had a 2006 Toyota Tacoma for almost 10 years. I am familiar with aftermarket modifications, as I had moderately modified the Tacoma. However, these are totally different trucks and I am totally clueless after knowing the Tacoma inside and out. I've lurked pretty heavily on this site over the past few days since I got the truck and have a few questions/concerns.
 
The truck seems to do a hard shift between first and second gear; both upon acceleration from first to second and braking from second to first. Is this common or normal? Is it that the transmission needs a "learning" period to figure out my driving style? 
 
On a similar note, the ride is not as smooth as I expected from a new unmodified truck. It's not awful. But you can definitely feel minor potholes, imperfections, and repair strips in the road. I just got out of a very light Tacoma with a 3.5" lift on 295/75/16 10 ply load range E tires for reference. This doesn't feel a whole lot smoother of a ride. I know, I know, I know, "it's a truck, it's supposed to ride like that; if you wanted a plush ride you should have got a car," etc. I don't expect it to ride like a cloud but I just expected a little more. I have found that some are saying the Z71 Rancho shocks may be to blame.
 
This leads me into my next question. Like any other red blooded American man, I would not mind a leveling/mild lift kit for this truck. Really nothing more than something to make it not look like such a grocery getter. I don't plan on anything crazy, just to be able to fit a 33x11 or 11.5 on stock wheels. But obviously getting suspension geometry out of whack can give rise to issues later. I dealt with that on the Tacoma (driveline vibrations, replacing wheel bearings, ball joints, etc.) and really just want avoid that as much as possible. Keeping it stock would be the captain obvious answer. But there has to be a crossroads of keeping decent angles, not over stressing components, ride quality, and price. Is there an ideal height or middle of the road kit that avoids issues later on? I see these little spacer kits for pretty cheap (some top mount, some bottom mount, some a combination). Most people report no change in ride quality but I don't see how that can be. There has to be some reduction in travel or preload on the coils. Same thing with adjustable Bilstein shocks. I know a fancy Fox or King set of coilovers is ideal, but the most action this truck will get is a few hunting trails/logging roads. I can't see the justification of spending thousands for a pavement princess. Is there any kit that is affordable, rides ok, and won't come back to bite me later in replacing parts more expensive than the kit? (To fit a 33x11 on stock 18" wheels) 
 
The lower valence on the front bumper. That thing is ridiculous. I know...aerodynamics/fuel economy. But it's crazy, I have a v8 4x4 truck with like 6" of ground clearance. On other generations of this truck and the GMC models, you can remove the whole thing and it looks fine. But on this truck if you remove it the actual metal bumper has a cutout where the tow hooks are and just above the chrome piece is. If you remove the whole thing it just leaves a very unfinished looking hole there. I've seen the SDHQ skid plate which is a good option, I just didn't know if there are any other options out there. 
 
Last thing I promise. Seat covers. I have a 3yr old, 1yr old, and one on the way. I can also get in the truck pretty dirty myself. So this is a must. I have found the Coverking Neosupreme covers seem to be a decent middle of the road cover; decent fit, water repellent, UV resistant, and moderate price. Any feedback on those or suggestions of others? 
 
I know this is a heck of a lot of info but I thought I'd ask all at once rather than 10 different threads. If I've broken any forum etiquette, posted in the wrong place or whatever please let me know or move my thread. I'm excited about this new truck and ready to learn as much as I can about it. Also if there are any common issues, recalls, or anything else I need to be on the lookout for with this truck let me know. Thanks in advance for the help. 

Congratulations on your new purchase. First off, aside of it being a truck the Z71 does tend to ride a bit stiffer and not just from the cheap knockoff Rancho Shocks. If you want to level only then make sure to do Coil Overs which will not require spacers but replace your front struts and coils raising your front end 2” and then replacing the rear blocks with 2” blocks. It’s very tricky hit or miss. From 2015-2018 GM swapped UCA’s with stamped steel and now (my experience is with 20”) when you level and add 33” tires it rubs which requires new offset wheels or new UCA’s. With me. Doing spacers up front was a rough ride even after new 5100’s front and back and new offset wheels.

IMHO, highly recommend doing front coilovers for the best ride being leveled. Fox makes 2.0 coilovers not requiring new UCA’s in order to do leveling coilovers.

This was my 18 leveled but with spacers which then caused rubbing as soon as I did one size up then bought new wheels with +1 offset in order to run 33’s.


I’m now lifted and using coilovers. I will NEVER use anything other than coilovers on any of my trucks and SUV’s.

Good luck and happy new year.



Sent from above

[jp54]

8 minutes ago, TXGREEK said:

 

Congratulations on your new purchase. First off, aside of it being a truck the Z71 does tend to ride a bit stiffer and not just from the cheap knockoff Rancho Shocks. If you want to level only then make sure to do Coil Overs which will not require spacers but replace your front struts and coils raising your front end 2” and then replacing the rear blocks with 2” blocks. It’s very tricky hit or miss. From 2015-2018 GM swapped UCA’s with stamped steel and now (my experience is with 20”) when you level and add 33” tires it rubs which requires new offset wheels or new UCA’s. With me. Doing spacers up front was a rough ride even after new 5100’s front and back and new offset wheels.

IMHO, highly recommend doing front coilovers for the best ride being leveled. Fox makes 2.0 coilovers not requiring new UCA’s in order to do leveling coilovers.

This was my 18 leveled but with spacers which then caused rubbing as soon as I did one size up then bought new wheels with +1 offset in order to run 33’s.


I’m now lifted and using coilovers. I will NEVER use anything other than coilovers on any of my trucks and SUV’s.

Good luck and happy new year.



Sent from above

 

Thanks for the response. So if I'm understanding you correctly, you had a spacer lift, but later upgraded to a Fox coilover lift? Due to the ride quality and for better geometry on the control arms. 

[TXGREEK]

Thanks for the response. So if I'm understanding you correctly, you had a spacer lift, but later upgraded to a Fox coilover lift? Due to the ride quality and for better geometry on the control arms. 

I did the level, immediately noticed rougher ride with just stock tires. Added new 5100’s in hope to smoothen out the ride....nope then added one size larger then rubbed like crazy, bought new wheels with a +1 offset then the rubbing stopped but you felt every crack and crevice through the steering wheel. Started looking into coilovers to take the place of the spacers and during then I was introduced to CST Performance Suspension, jumped on the 4.5” lift which ride much better than level. Added the front CST 2.5 coilovers and rear piggy back resi shocks.

 

Here’s the truck now:

 

 

I originally didn’t want a full 6” plus lift cause I want to be able to use the garage and didn’t want to screw up and get a wide track width and wider turning radius like you get with every other lift. It fits perfectly and completely stock geometry and allows you to do 35’s on a 20” too, I’m running 34”. It’s the highest quality suspension lift company second to none and they make leveling coilovers too but will need new UCA’s.....you’ll want the lift. My wife loves driving it.

 

https://cstsuspension.com/

 

 

Sent from above

 

Forgot to mention, It’s the CST 4.5” lift.

[jp54]

7 hours ago, TXGREEK said:

I did the level, immediately noticed rougher ride with just stock tires. Added new 5100’s in hope to smoothen out the ride....nope then added one size larger then rubbed like crazy, bought new wheels with a +1 offset then the rubbing stopped but you felt every crack and crevice through the steering wheel. Started looking into coilovers to take the place of the spacers and during then I was introduced to CST Performance Suspension, jumped on the 4.5” lift which ride much better than level. Added the front CST 2.5 coilovers and rear piggy back resi shocks.

 

Here’s the truck now:

 

 

I originally didn’t want a full 6” plus lift cause I want to be able to use the garage and didn’t want to screw up and get a wide track width and wider turning radius like you get with every other lift. It fits perfectly and completely stock geometry and allows you to do 35’s on a 20” too, I’m running 34”. It’s the highest quality suspension lift company second to none and they make leveling coilovers too but will need new UCA’s.....you’ll want the lift. My wife loves driving it.

 

https://cstsuspension.com/

 

 

Sent from above

 

Forgot to mention, It’s the CST 4.5” lift.

Ok, got you now. I was actually looking at that kit earlier. So it rides great? I know it is sometimes hard to tell when you also add larger MT tires at the same time. But it doesn't beat you up too bad, no new vibrations, and good suspension geometry? 

[Donstar]

Welcome to this forum!  You have purchased a very nice truck.  I suggest that you enjoy your new truck "as is" for a few months and continue your research.  I discovered that the best way to optimize my ride was to buy better tires and leave the suspension stock.  The valence doesn't get in the way and after three years I've acquired one scuff mark.  These trucks are very popular and standing out from the others (in a good way)  is not easily achieved.  I still get compliments on my truck and I'm riding on stock suspension c/w 17" factory wheels!

[KNIGHT1]

Welcome jp54, 

 

I'm on the same boat as you. I recently purchased my first truck (2014 Z71 LTZ) for a good deal and have the same concerns. Although we have different transmissions, I feel the same hard shifts and after browsing the forums for hours, people say its normal. As for the ride quality, I've been thinking about going with 5100's or Fox 2.0's. There are a lot of mixed reviews on here so I'm still trying to research and determine what to go with.

Looking forward to seeing what other people say on here and hope you enjoy the new truck! 

[dmax_ty]

Congrats on the purchase. As mentioned above, don’t do the spacers to level the front end. If looking for a higher stance, search for a quality lift and go as low as you can to get the stance you want. Granted, a leveling kit would be cheaper, but the ride quality of GOOD lift kits can exceed the stock ride depending upon the setup. I am speaking from my experience with GM’s HD pickups. 2 two trucks I’ve had I put 4” lift kits on, one cognito and the other was a tuff country. Both had the torsion key bolt removed so they were essentially a glorified leveling kit, but the front end geometry was perfect, albeit a SLIGHT negative angle on the CV axles. Both trucks rode great. Others I’ve owned have been cranked slightly, but still in the “green” zone geometry wise. I know the HDs are totally different beasts and in a long winded post I am basically saying, get a lift. 

 

On on the seat covers, I really do like my cover king seat cover in the back of my 18.  Had cover king covers in my 04 too and were great as well. Fit well and looked awesome. 

[Nitrousbird]

Not getting your ride complaint.  I'm coming from an Escalade EXT and find the ride quality better in my Z71 and better than my previous Z71 Avalanche that I had before the Caddy.  

 

None of these transmission are super smooth.  My Escalade had the 6 speed in yours; my 8 speed is smoother than that for sure.  

 

As for seat covers - not a chance on my rides.  Limit food the children have and keep the truck clean.  I'd never buy a vehicle just to put some cheap covers on the seats.

[TXGREEK]

Ok, got you now. I was actually looking at that kit earlier. So it rides great? I know it is sometimes hard to tell when you also add larger MT tires at the same time. But it doesn't beat you up too bad, no new vibrations, and good suspension geometry? 

Ride quality is enormously better than leveled right on par with stock but with much more off-road ability. I hit a dip going 40mph that would’ve normally jarred my teeth and instead just glided over it. My tires are heavy, 295/60/20’s (34”) Nitto Ridge Grapplers. The service manager at my servicing dealership chose my lift for his own personal truck out of all the other lifts (BDS,ProComp, etc) which he has done to lifted trucks for sale and calls it awesome high quality.


Sent from above

[jp54]

4 hours ago, Donstar said:

Welcome to this forum!  You have purchased a very nice truck.  I suggest that you enjoy your new truck "as is" for a few months and continue your research.  I discovered that the best way to optimize my ride was to buy better tires and leave the suspension stock.  The valence doesn't get in the way and after three years I've acquired one scuff mark.  These trucks are very popular and standing out from the others (in a good way)  is not easily achieved.  I still get compliments on my truck and I'm riding on stock suspension c/w 17" factory wheels!

Absolutely. I definitely don't want to immediately jump into anything without good research and judgement. I do have a bonus and tax return coming up in the next few months. So I think that will give me time to make good decisions. I may be exaggerating on the valence. I'm just not used to having so little ground clearance. 

3 hours ago, KNIGHT1 said:

Welcome jp54, 

 

I'm on the same boat as you. I recently purchased my first truck (2014 Z71 LTZ) for a good deal and have the same concerns. Although we have different transmissions, I feel the same hard shifts and after browsing the forums for hours, people say its normal. As for the ride quality, I've been thinking about going with 5100's or Fox 2.0's. There are a lot of mixed reviews on here so I'm still trying to research and determine what to go with.

Looking forward to seeing what other people say on here and hope you enjoy the new truck! 

I am hoping the hard shifts is the transmission learning how I drive. I've seen that mentioned multiple times. I'm just a little leery of it after having to replace the transmission in a truck before. I think I've read enough to stay away from spacers and leveling kits. I don't want to prematurely wear any parts out with a cheap lift; been there and done that. So I think I'll skip spacers and leveling kits and go straight to a "real" lift. I just hate that there's not much between the cheap spacers and full on big drop bracket lifts. I didn't think it would be so much work to clear 33s on a full size. There are mild lift coilovers, but those present the same geometry problems at a much higher price than spacers. We'll figure something out I guess. 

3 hours ago, dmax_ty said:

Congrats on the purchase. As mentioned above, don’t do the spacers to level the front end. If looking for a higher stance, search for a quality lift and go as low as you can to get the stance you want. Granted, a leveling kit would be cheaper, but the ride quality of GOOD lift kits can exceed the stock ride depending upon the setup. I am speaking from my experience with GM’s HD pickups. 2 two trucks I’ve had I put 4” lift kits on, one cognito and the other was a tuff country. Both had the torsion key bolt removed so they were essentially a glorified leveling kit, but the front end geometry was perfect, albeit a SLIGHT negative angle on the CV axles. Both trucks rode great. Others I’ve owned have been cranked slightly, but still in the “green” zone geometry wise. I know the HDs are totally different beasts and in a long winded post I am basically saying, get a lift. 

 

On on the seat covers, I really do like my cover king seat cover in the back of my 18.  Had cover king covers in my 04 too and were great as well. Fit well and looked awesome. 

Thanks for your input. I've been there and done that with spacers. I have the rattled out fillings and worn out ball joints and wheel bearings to prove it. So I think I'll totally skip those and get into a "real" lift. The goal this time around is ride quality and good geometry. Cheap lifts, you'll pay the cost difference later in parts replacement. I guess I just hate that there is very little ground between types of lifts/ leveling kits. You're either in a couple hundred for a spacer lift or a few thousand for a drop bracket. There's not much middle ground. The drop bracket is obviously a better choice for the long run, I just didn't think it would be so much trouble and expense to clear 33s in a full size. Good to hear about the Coverking seat covers.

3 hours ago, Nitrousbird said:

Not getting your ride complaint.  I'm coming from an Escalade EXT and find the ride quality better in my Z71 and better than my previous Z71 Avalanche that I had before the Caddy.  

 

None of these transmission are super smooth.  My Escalade had the 6 speed in yours; my 8 speed is smoother than that for sure.  

 

As for seat covers - not a chance on my rides.  Limit food the children have and keep the truck clean.  I'd never buy a vehicle just to put some cheap covers on the seats.

Don't get me wrong. The ride is not bad or harsh. I just expected a little more coming from a very light truck with a heavy spring lift and way oversized tires. I thought a new one would ride significantly better. However it's not a ton more comfortable if a ride. Maybe the Toyota didn't ride as bad as I thought. It seems this is the norm for the transmission shifting. I'm new to it so my notice to detail is heightened and I may be over analyzing (same with ride quality). I've previously had to replace a transmission in a Ford so I'm a little paranoid maybe. With the seat covers it's an option that I feel will be beneficial to me. They are cloth, I do a lot of traveling, eating on the run, can get in dirty from my job, and 3 very small children; it's a no brainer for me. They're not fancy seats, so it's not like I'm covering something really nice. If they were leather I'd be less inclined. But the ones I mentioned are supposed to be custom cut for a very finished fit and look. 

2 hours ago, TXGREEK said:

 

Ride quality is enormously better than leveled right on par with stock but with much more off-road ability. I hit a dip going 40mph that would’ve normally jarred my teeth and instead just glided over it. My tires are heavy, 295/60/20’s (34”) Nitto Ridge Grapplers. The service manager at my servicing dealership chose my lift for his own personal truck out of all the other lifts (BDS,ProComp, etc) which he has done to lifted trucks for sale and calls it awesome high quality.


Sent from above

 

Awesome, good to hear. 

[Cupton]

15 hours ago, jp54 said:

The lower valence on the front bumper. That thing is ridiculous. I know...aerodynamics/fuel economy. But it's crazy, I have a v8 4x4 truck with like 6" of ground clearance. On other generations of this truck and the GMC models, you can remove the whole thing and it looks fine. But on this truck if you remove it the actual metal bumper has a cutout where the tow hooks are and just above the chrome piece is. If you remove the whole thing it just leaves a very unfinished looking hole there. I've seen the SDHQ skid plate which is a good option, I just didn't know if there are any other options out there.

Just to touch on this, there's a thread out there on completely removing or modifying the front air dam by trimming. Is this the piece you are referring to? I didnt want to remove mine so I went ahead and trimmed it. I love the way it came out! There's some info and pic's in the thread showing both options. If this helps you at all.

 

 

[jp54]

On 1/2/2019 at 2:46 PM, Cupton said:

Just to touch on this, there's a thread out there on completely removing or modifying the front air dam by trimming. Is this the piece you are referring to? I didnt want to remove mine so I went ahead and trimmed it. I love the way it came out! There's some info and pic's in the thread showing both options. If this helps you at all.

 

 

Yes, it looks much better on the GMCs. The center portion doesn't hang down as low as the chrome piece does on the chevy. 

 

@TXGREEK did your truck come with 3.42 gears and 6 speed? Wondering if you regeared with those 34s and/or did a tune to recalibrate for tire diameter, speedometer, mileage calculation, shift points, etc. Regearing seems to be a concern if going up to 33s and definitely 35s. I called my transmission/rear end guy about a price for regearing. He asked for what vehicle and said I hate to give you bad news but I've had 3 of those trucks in here (a 2015, 2016, and 2017) in the past month. All of them on stock suspension and tires at that. He said he's seeing failures of the torque converter, which he said acts like a clutch. I know very little about these things, but he talked for a solid 15 minutes on this subject. Got me a little more hesitant on doing anything to this truck if stock trucks' transmissions are going out. It also has me wondering about the hard shifts I'm already getting. A little research on here shows a lot of talk about these subjects: aftermarket tuners resolving these issues, dealer recalibration, dealer replacement of transmission components or the whole transmission, etc. So I'm obviously concerned with this only having the truck for a week. Are there any known tsb's, experiences, or suggestions that's you guys have for me to look into? It seems that in my limited understanding of what I've read and what my mechanic told me, that these transmissions are very smart. Maybe so smart that they get in their own way sometimes,  and that they may not be optimized from the factory. Any insight is appreciated

[TXGREEK]

Yes, it looks much better on the GMCs. The center portion doesn't hang down as low as the chrome piece does on the chevy. 
 
[mention=186622]TXGREEK[/mention] did your truck come with 3.42 gears and 6 speed? Wondering if you regeared with those 34s and/or did a tune to recalibrate for tire diameter, speedometer, mileage calculation, shift points, etc. Regearing seems to be a concern if going up to 33s and definitely 35s. I called my transmission/rear end guy about a price for regearing. He asked for what vehicle and said I hate to give you bad news but I've had 3 of those trucks in here (a 2015, 2016, and 2017) in the past month. All of them on stock suspension and tires at that. He said he's seeing failures of the torque converter, which he said acts like a clutch. I know very little about these things, but he talked for a solid 15 minutes on this subject. Got me a little more hesitant on doing anything to this truck if stock truck's transmissions are going out. It also has me wondering about the hard shifts I'm already getting. A little research on here shows a lot of talk about these subjects: aftermarket tuners resolving these issues, dealer recalibration, dealer replacement of transmission components or the whole transmission, etc. So I'm obviously concerned with this only having the truck for a week. Are there any known tsb's, experiences, or suggestions that's you guys have for me to look into? It seems that in my limited understanding of what I've read and what my mechanic told me, that these transitions are very smart. Maybe so smart that they get in their own way sometimes,  and that they may not be optimized from the factory. Any insight is appreciated



My truck has the 6.2, 8speed trans and a 323 rear end. It doesn’t need the tuning but I did it anyway since I needed to recal my tire size and raise the speedometer. I have noticed quicker throttle response but I do not rag on my truck, no racing especially since it’s a lifted 4x4.

Not telling you what to do but SuperChips can definitely help your issues with a basic tune. Setting it to sport mode will definitely help but requires you to use 91 octane. I can easily remove tune prior to servicing. If you’ve got the six speed transmission then it’ll definitely help you because the 8speed hasn’t been cracked into yet but the 6speed has and would be part of the sport tune.

If you are currently having issues with your truck then I’d have it serviced until resolved especially if you’re interested in tuning it. I hear the Torque Converter can be changed by dealership if all else fails. A tune will NOT fix any current warranty transmission PROBLEMS you’re having.

You can go to their website and put in your vehicle information. Read everything and you’ll be impressed. https://superchips.com/flashpaq/



Sent from above

[njk4o5]

the transmissions in these trucks are nothing short of garbage. The tuning, the torque converter its all crap. Dealer will tell you it is "learning" your driving style. goodluck haha I don't think you are going to like this truck after owning a Toyota.

 

You say it shifts crappy and rides crappy, did you test drive it before buying?

 

I did a 2" body lift, the norcal fender mod, and a ebay block front and rear to fit my 35x12.5" tires