Upgrades Are Fun

therapy · September 16, 2007

Just got finished with the new wheel/tire combo. Got them from Big O tires in Fremont, $999 for the package, installed and balanced, save for another $40 I spent on new sensors for the TPMS. I guess the old ones are difficult to remove without damaging the tire or something, maybe I got ripped off. We'll see. I'm hoping to sell the 17s that I took off for $400-500 for the wheels and tires. Up on craigslist now, we'll see. I'd have to have to ship them.

Here are some pics:

The day I got it (that's a 2007 Tahoe LTZ in the background that my mom drives)

What she looks like now...

In these pics you can still see the rear wheel gap that I'm not too fond of. I've thought about dropping the rear a couple inches by buying one of those kits on eBay and knocking out the blocks, but I have no experience doing this and I don't know if I want to spend any more money to pay a guy...still makes me nervous.

And here's a shot of the Line-X over-the-rail spray. They did a perfect job and followed the contours of the bed perfectly. It's already saved the bed from a few scratches when I reach in from the sides and something falls.

I traded in a 2006 Crew Cab 4x4 Silverado LS for this, and got almost exactly what I paid for it last year, due to GMS pricing and rebates that were around last July. I realized I never used the 4x4 (California) and spent most of my time commuting and hauling computer crap around in the bed, so I went with a 2wd and the SLE2 package so I could get bucket seats and the center console.

Here's a list of the upgrades I've done so far and the prices:

Magnaflow dual side-exit exhaust: $220 (local muffler guy)

Line-X bedliner, over the rails: $450

Westin chrome step bars: $300 (free installed by Line-X guy)

Wheels/Tires: $1000

Sound System

-MB Quart Q-series components in doors (from old truck)

-Image Dynamics 10" subs in rear (from old truck)

-Box for subs (custom built by Ryan at Z-Auto Sound in Sunnyvale. $150 and half a case of Rum)

-JL Audio 300/4 amp for fronts & rears (from old truck)

-Directed 600d amp for subs (from old truck)

-Installation of all this s**t: $200 (could have done it myself, but didn't have the time)

I want to keep the stock head unit for a bit because I like the look and usability, the sound isn't too bad when everything is properly wired and the speakers up front sound great with the subs, I usually just fade to the front, those rear speakers are still the paper-cone stockers.

Future upgrades:

-Billet grille of some type, still haven't decided.

-XM-to-Sirius unit (using Sportster 4 right now, too many cables in the front)

-iPod head unit integration somehow (again, too many cables in the front)

-Volant or GMPP Cold Air Intake (heard it doesn't make much difference, but hey, I've gotta spend $300 somewhere)

once the warranty expires, I'm thinking Supercharger and ECU flash. Let's light those tires up!

Feel free to post some of your upgrades here, I love seeing all your trucks, especially some of you guys that spent like twice what I did (and my truck wasn't cheap!).

Oh, the red Z71 in the background of one shot is my brother's (well, my dad pays for it but my brother drives it) 2005 Silverado 4x4 Z71 LS, torsion lift, 32" BFGs, line-x bedliner, windows tinted, full custom sound, billet grille & bowtie, flowmaster exhaust. His flowmasters are so loud and obnoxious it's awesome. But I'm 10 years older than he is and have a corporate job, so an obnoxious truck wouldn't be to my best interests.

gputman · September 16, 2007

One gorgeous ride therapy!

s-ten · September 16, 2007

Very nice truck.

svensk · September 16, 2007

What are you talking about when you say "wheel gaps"? That's how your truck was designed to be if you drop the rear-end it will sag when you put anything in the bed.

therapy · September 16, 2007

What are you talking about when you say "wheel gaps"? That's how your truck was designed to be if you drop the rear-end it will sag when you put anything in the bed.

It looks better with the new wheels, but my complaint is that the rear wheel gap between the top of the wheel and the bottom of the wheel arch is much larger than the one in front. The stuff I put in the bed is usually just cumbersome but not particularly heavy. Lots of computer parts and office furniture mostly.

That being said, I'm still torn about it. Part of me doesn't think it's necessary.

topdj · September 16, 2007

I know all to well about dumping a lot of cash into extras

new GMC 20"s chrome with an extra set of tmps locks and lugs 1800

hard fold bed cover 695

6 inch running boards 300

bedrug 325

Denali grill 110

GM bug guard 110

GM rail caps 95

GM tailgate lock assembly 45

if only my wife finds out what I blew LOL

Oh on the level of the truck you could lower the back or raise the front a few inches

I put 2 bags with 100lbs of sand in looks better and it rides better

AthensGaZO6 · September 16, 2007

I know all to well about dumping a lot of cash into extras
new GMC 20"s chrome with an extra set of tmps locks and lugs 1800

hard fold bed cover 695

6 inch running boards 300

bedrug 325

Denali grill 110

GM bug guard 110

GM rail caps 95

GM tailgate lock assembly 45

if only my wife finds out what I blew LOL

Oh on the level of the truck you could lower the back or raise the front a few inches

I put 2 bags with 100lbs of sand in looks better and it rides better

Therapy-----where did you mount your amps? I have extended cab and have no where to mount 2 amps. Subs will be under seats. Wont fit behind rear seat.

therapy · September 16, 2007

Therapy-----where did you mount your amps? I have extended cab and have no where to mount 2 amps. Subs will be under seats. Wont fit behind rear seat.

I mounted them on the wall behind the rear seat. I had to cut a small section of the padding out, but they are mounted to the rear wall of the cab. Well, the 4-channel is. The sub amp is mounted in the inlet designed into the sub box.