First Truck Mod Recommendations

Westen · March 15, 2019

56 minutes ago, JimCost2014 said:

Welcome to the site. Great looking truck, but I am pretty biased with the 100's!!!

Absolutely love the centennial edition package! & I love meeting others with the same truck!

SS502 · March 15, 2019

25 minutes ago, Westen said:

Ive got the 5.3L V8 with the active fuel management. I love the V4 thing for the gas mileage, however ive heard some bad things about it & it is the reason i havent looked into exhausts yet, not ready to bypass the V4 mode

Smart on waiting...with any aftermarket (or muffler delete) you will most assuredly hear the V4 drone. You will read a bunch of Pros and Cons about almost everything you plan on doing LOL. AFM disable, catch cans, cat-backs, all of it. Lots of good points of view and some people actually present their opinions in a nice way. With that said...the cargo light mod that @4weight mentioned is cheap, easy and very useful!!!

dieselfan1 · March 15, 2019

1 hour ago, Jacoby said:

You know, that was gonna be my suggestion to but I didn't want a PM from you about how I was being a dickhead so I suggested mods that will actually benefit him more for less money spent

I have no idea why you care what people spend on their trucks. Pretty sad if you ask me. Maybe he cares more about how his truck looks than how fast it is maybe he don't.

Jacoby · March 15, 2019

1 hour ago, Westen said:

Any suggestions for intakes? i looked at a couple. Mainly trying to find one that can pass CA Smog standards

I have an S&B intake and love it. Not sure if its CARB approved though, you'll just have to search. Lots of good ones out there like K&N, Airaid, Volant, S&B etc.

12 minutes ago, dieselfan1 said:

I have no idea why you care what people spend on their trucks. Pretty sad if you ask me. Maybe he cares more about how his truck looks than how fast it is maybe he don't.

The same could be said about you pushing a $1600 wax job. I could give two shits what anybody spends on their truck. You're obsessing about it not me. My suggestions aren't meant to make his truck faster but in turn drive better help with mpg's and make driving it a much more enjoyable experience. Haven't met a person yet that said an intake, exhaust and tune were bad mods. Well except for you maybe. An intake, exhaust and custom tune can all be had for $1000 or less and make the truck oh so much more enjoyable. That's just good financial sense. You're suggesting something that cost almost double that and it just means he wont have to wash it that often. I guess me and you just think a little different that's all

JimCost2014 · March 15, 2019

23 minutes ago, Westen said:

Absolutely love the centennial edition package! & I love meeting others with the same truck!

Yes sir! Think they were the best looking package the Chevy line offered in the 14-18 run. I started the Centennial club, only 3 members so far. Some of the things I have done to mine are a red (just one) tow hook, chrome center latch handle on the center console. chrome tail gate (just the handle, not the body) handle, chrome exhaust tip. Still thinking about the leather shift handle, and maybe the seat switches from the Denali's.

Westen · March 15, 2019

12 minutes ago, JimCost2014 said:

Yes sir! Think they were the best looking package the Chevy line offered in the 14-18 run. I started the Centennial club, only 3 members so far. Some of the things I have done to mine are a red (just one) tow hook, chrome center latch handle on the center console. chrome tail gate (just the handle, not the body) handle, chrome exhaust tip. Still thinking about the leather shift handle, and maybe the seat switches from the Denali's.

Heck ya man! The biggest mods I have planned for mine will be a 9" lift on 37" tires. As for wheels I've been looking at going with 22x14s for some sweet stance. However, that'll be expensive so I want to start off with some must have mods for now.

1SLOW1500 · March 15, 2019

There is only one right answer to this question. And appearance mods dont count.

You.musy have a catch can big the better. So on a stock intake not power adder still get the clean side separator.

Trust me and save this post at 5x,xxx miles you will understand.

Then comes supporting mods.

Like intake exhaust then tune

In lifted maybe gear or converter.

I would also look at the bang for the buck mods like diodes for light control.

Floor mats.

Also free mods like emblem remove.

And in California. Tint. And lights.

SirenRed16 · March 15, 2019

I'd say you're on the right path with the Xpel ppf. I would also look into Suntek, saw a video on YouTube where the guy said that Suntek had a clearer finish to it over Xpel.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Ozer · March 15, 2019

Being that its new, get a decent catch can on it. You'd be amazed at what it collects. After that just drive it, you will figure out what you will want/need. Dont throw money at it right away.

Ceramic coating or even a clear bra for the front is a good idea to keep it looking new.

truckguy82 · March 15, 2019

Bilsteins, headlights, tune, bed cover, and pop n lock.

Makes it the perfect truck because it fixes all the downsides.

Anything else after that is up to you.

dieselfan1 · March 15, 2019

2 hours ago, Jacoby said:

I have an S&B intake and love it. Not sure if its CARB approved though, you'll just have to search. Lots of good ones out there like K&N, Airaid, Volant, S&B etc.

The same could be said about you pushing a $1600 wax job. I could give two shits what anybody spends on their truck. You're obsessing about it not me. My suggestions aren't meant to make his truck faster but in turn drive better help with mpg's and make driving it a much more enjoyable experience. Haven't met a person yet that said an intake, exhaust and tune were bad mods. Well except for you maybe. An intake, exhaust and custom tune can all be had for $1000 or less and make the truck oh so much more enjoyable. That's just good financial sense. You're suggesting something that cost almost double that and it just means he wont have to wash it that often. I guess me and you just think a little different that's all

We agree to disagree then . I never said those mods were bad.

I am considering a Borla or Corsa exhaust myself.

Let's move on and let it be water under the bridge.

Sorry I called you a dickhead.

Next thing I do to either one of my trucks you guys will just have guess what I payed for it because I'm not going to say. That being said I'm getting my other 2018 Silverado that is Silver ceramic coated by the same guy next month for way less than $1600. I've sent 3 trucks his way now and he is going to give me deal . He won't have nearly the time in the paint correction since it's silver.

To the O.P.

You never mentioned your budget

That would help with the suggestions.

TRKLGND · March 15, 2019

4 hours ago, Mike GMC said:

Get the clear bra before the front end looks like it was hit with buckshot.

Too late for me. Bought mine with 13k miles on it. Had a few small chips. This winter has been brutal. Looks like crap. I always wished I had a body color front end instead of chrome. Now I wish I had the chrome back!

TRKLGND · March 15, 2019

2 hours ago, Jacoby said:

I have an S&B intake and love it. Not sure if its CARB approved though, you'll just have to search. Lots of good ones out there like K&N, Airaid, Volant, S&B etc.

The same could be said about you pushing a $1600 wax job. I could give two shits what anybody spends on their truck. You're obsessing about it not me. My suggestions aren't meant to make his truck faster but in turn drive better help with mpg's and make driving it a much more enjoyable experience. Haven't met a person yet that said an intake, exhaust and tune were bad mods. Well except for you maybe. An intake, exhaust and custom tune can all be had for $1000 or less and make the truck oh so much more enjoyable. That's just good financial sense. You're suggesting something that cost almost double that and it just means he wont have to wash it that often. I guess me and you just think a little different that's all

If you can afford to not have a power train warranty or if you enjoy fighting with the dealer and GM for coverage then the intake and tune make perfect sense.

Grumpy Bear · March 15, 2019

I keep stuff 12 to 20 years or more. What decides how long is how log can I keep it mechanically sound. What that means is all the modifications and do-dads in the world cannot be done to a truck whose body and frame have melted away. As much bad press as some mechanical features get, drivelines can be sorted no matter what a hunk of junk they start as.

That said my first modifications are always COSMETIC PROTECTIVE. Everybody has their favorites but clear bra's or even entire body bras if you have the cash are my first. Ceramic solar window tint second. UVA/UVB protection. Undercoating/rustproofing and chip guards. Spray box and rear wheel well liners and bumpers; box corners, mud flaps.. Keep up on it.

Nothing will make you loose interest quicker than a truck full of buckshot and blisters. 10 years from now many cosmetic parts will no longer be available. Trim pieces. Take off boxes dry up. What is left over triples in price and off the wrecking yard it goes with your $30K in fancy modifications to the driveline and a powertrain half spent.

Mabey more than two cents worth but there ya have it.

Jacoby · March 15, 2019

18 minutes ago, paracutin said:

If you can afford to not have a power train warranty or if you enjoy fighting with the dealer and GM for coverage then the intake and tune make perfect sense.

That's the biggest bunch of crap Ive read on here today

With that said, OP lots of good first mod suggestions on here from performance to protection. Good luck with whatever you choose. You got a great looking truck