08 Sierra Vs Silverado, Plus Work

4692S · March 25, 2008

OK, I'm new here, but I wish I would've found this great group before my Fr Dr Wheel Bearing failed... Anyway, right now I drive an 06 Silverado 1500, LT1, which is nice, but 47,000 miles tells me it's time to upgrade. I'm looking at either an 08 Silverado or Sierra, probably LT2 or SLE2, ext cab, 5.3, Z71. Any suggestions? My ultimate intentions are to put either a leveling kit in, or drop kit 2/4, with 20s and 265/70s. Unfortunately I can't find a local shop that specializes in this (but everyone will do a 6" or better lift...odd), and the one tire shop wants $800+ for a leveling kit installed. Is this a fair quote? Not sure if I can get the dealer to install it at purchase since they outshop all suspension/alignment work anyway.

The exhaust IS going to be changed, for sure, but I MAY have emissions tests to worry about (depending if I move). Any suggestions on manufacturers so I don't have to worry about this? There are no annual tests where I live now, so the muffler shop doesn't have a clue on this.

To the bigger question...is it worth the extra coin for a Sierra? The front end on the Jimmy looks better IMO, and is it just me, or do the raised body lines over the wheel wells look less "pronounced" than the Silverado? For what it's worth, it's mostly a highway driver. I'm going to miss the 06 (looks FAR better), but that's change I guess.

If only they would give me the option of a std cab, 6.0L, manual trans, with LT2/SLE2 package! Please GM, bring back the Silverado SS!

Thanks-

JAKD-UP · March 25, 2008

First off that is an outrageous price to install a leveling kit. You should have kicked them in the balls when they told you that. It cost me 120$ to have mine installed (install+alignment). You can do it yourself if you have the right tools and from what I have read it's not hard. If you get a Z71 you don't want to drop it. It's a 4x4...it makes sense for it to be lifted since it's an "off road" package. If you want to drop a truck get a two wheel drive. some people might disagree though.

As far as your exhaust goes...where I live I'm tested for emissions. I haven't done my exhaust yet on my truck but almost every vehicle I have owned has had after market exhaust and has passed just fine. Just don't try to get rid of your cat and replace it with a straight pipe...that's a big no no with them. You should be totally fine.

As far as a Silverado vs Sierra...that's a personal preference. They are the same truck with small differences here and there.No offense to anyone on here but I think the Sierra's look blah....hence the reason why I picked my truck. But other people like the Sierra's better. It's all in what ya like.

alaska511 · March 25, 2008

First off that is an outrageous price to install a leveling kit. You should have kicked them in the balls when they told you that. It cost me 120$ to have mine installed (install+alignment). You can do it yourself if you have the right tools and from what I have read it's not hard. If you get a Z71 you don't want to drop it. It's a 4x4...it makes sense for it to be lifted since it's an "off road" package. If you want to drop a truck get a two wheel drive. some people might disagree though.

As far as your exhaust goes...where I live I'm tested for emissions. I haven't done my exhaust yet on my truck but almost every vehicle I have owned has had after market exhaust and has passed just fine. Just don't try to get rid of your cat and replace it with a straight pipe...that's a big no no with them. You should be totally fine.

As far as a Silverado vs Sierra...that's a personal preference. They are the same truck with small differences here and there.No offense to anyone on here but I think the Sierra's look blah....hence the reason why I picked my truck. But other people like the Sierra's better. It's all in what ya like.

Well said.

I have the same CCM kit, I did mine myself, but I agree you can have it done as inexpensively as you stated.

I live in a city where emissions are tested, just buy a 50 state legal cat-back and you are good to go. I went with the GMPP Touring, but there are many out there to choose from, and you can search the light duty board for many answers.

Yes, choose your favorite look, that is what matters!

Rocco715 · March 25, 2008

$800.00 for a leveling kit install is an enormous rip-off. Go and look at a few manufacturers web sites that make the leveling kits and look at the install directions to judge if you can do it yourself or not. If you want to drop thats not too hard either but you will need a variety of tools, I have a z71 4x4 and I dropped it 2" in the rear along with installing a rear sway bar and will be putting 24's on it as soon as the salt and snow clears, Theres nothing wrong with dropping a 4x4, some people like the low look but need the 4x4 in the winters. As far as exhausts, practically all manufactured systems are 50 state legal even when doing a muffler swap your usually safe. As long as you have cats you'll be fine. And for the Silverado vs. Sierra I like them both alot but I picked the Sierra becuase I liked the front end alot more and a few other body features and GMC has a reputation of being built slightly better than Chevy either way they are both extremely well built trucks. Also if your going to miss your 06 why not keep it for a little while longer? 47,000 means it's just broken in and has another 200K to go.

4692S · March 25, 2008

I have thought about keeping the 06, but it just depends on where I move to. Everyone where I live keeps Skyjacker in business so I want to do something different. In all honesty, I've *needed* the 4WD maybe three times since I bought the truck new. I learned to drive on a 91 S10, 2.5L, 2WD, 5sp - if you can drive that through a cold, snowy winter, you can drive anything. THAT is what they should be using for driver's ed classes! Seriously, it should be a requirement to know how to drive a manual trans. Anyway, Chevy truck owner since. I'll post pics of my 06 soon, and sorry to change the topic here, but I've always wondered... (side note, friend has an 05 identical to mine, but only 20K miles and needs accessories)

The 06 is stock everything, onyx black. It has a chrome grille guard, chrome steps and chrome bed rails. Thinking of losing all except the bed rails (since I don't want to deal with filling holes from bolts) IF I keep it, the rear needs to be lowered and I'm thinking 20s or 22s + exhaust. Now that there are no warranty concerns, it can be chipped too. Not sure if I want to put $3K+ in it or not. It has the horrid trim at the belt line on the cab (but nothing on either front or rear fenders). Can this trim come off without paint damage? Trying to get the clean SS look here. Funny enough, but what got me started on looking for new is the fact that it needs new tires soon, and I want to do it right - new wheels, lower susp, good rubber. Doubtful I'd ever recover that cost on a 2 1/2 year-old truck. I'm cursed with selling vehicles within months of putting new tires on...