Cliffs: I need a new front bumper and want to upgrade to a 2500HD with fog light holes. My truck is wired for fog lights. Help me put together a list of parts to do so.
1. HD bumper kit - chrome "upper" section (could be reused), fog light lower section, 2" filler panel between chrome and headlights/grille, brackets
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200847158192?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT
2. HD specific cab mounts (6), radiator mounts (2)
3. fog lights and brackets
http://www.ebay.com/itm/03-06-GMC-Sierr ... 5x&vxp=mtr
4. fog light switch for cabin
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-GENUI ... Jn&vxp=mtr
5. I'm sure there are some nuts/bolts for the fog lights I am missing, but can't find an exploded parts diagram for - possible BCM reflash to get fogs to work
For those with an attention span:
While installing the 4F/1.5R lift/level and 33x12.5 tires onto my 2003 2500 Base, I made a few observations:
1. I need side steps for my wife, and the body mounts appear shot (considering all 4 shocks did not re-expand when compressed, not surprised)
2. the front lower bumper (plastic) is torn/broken off the chrome upper at the corners (when I went to trim it found that)
3. the chrome upper is completely shot, the truck appears to have factory fog light harnesses behind the front bumper
I would like to "upgrade" to a 2500HD bumper after doing a lot of reading. Apparently, it uses the same chrome piece, but I can get a fog light hole lower. I do not care if it's painted or not, I plan to Herculiner it to match other pieces on the truck I did like that. According to my reading, a 2500HD is 2" higher in the front thanks to larger cab mounts to accommodate the bigger drivetrains (effectively, a factory 2" body lift). This 2" is made up for by a filler piece above the chrome upper bumper but below the factory grille/headlights. I actually like this piece versus doing a body lift and just mounting the factory bumper higher, I would also Herculiner it. Since my factory chrome is trash, I am going to Herculiner it to see, but I think the Herculiner filler/chrome upper/Herculiner lower would look good.
In order to accommodate that setup, I would need to lift the cabin by 2". I have seen Energy Suspension and Prothane kits installed here and other forums, and I do not like the comments about increasing road noise/NVH/ride stiffness (the wife is already annoyed enough at the noise from the meaty 33's but appreciates their superior snow capability and the increased stiffness of cranked aftermarket keys and Bilstein 5100s versus the stock completely blown shocks and probably worn out torsion bars). I am thinking I could accomplish a happy medium by ordering the 6 cabin rubbers, 2 radiator pucks, and the longer HD hardware (I am expecting mine to be a total loss due to rust even if long enough).
Am I correct so far in this line of thinking as far as part fitment/placement? I cannot find an exploded parts diagram for the front bumper, but that appears to be all the brackets to hold on the HD bumper are included in that kit except for #3, which I believe my stock truck has. I am sure all the bolts will just transfer over.
I realize this picture links to 2007 Sierra 1500 but on my phone I found a 2003 Sierra 2500HD and it's the same exact picture.
This will leave me with a bed requiring a 2" raise to match, but that sounds like a relatively easy and cheap project to tackle after the fact.
1. HD bumper kit - chrome "upper" section (could be reused), fog light lower section, 2" filler panel between chrome and headlights/grille, brackets
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200847158192?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT
2. HD specific cab mounts (6), radiator mounts (2)
3. fog lights and brackets
http://www.ebay.com/itm/03-06-GMC-Sierr ... 5x&vxp=mtr
4. fog light switch for cabin
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-GENUI ... Jn&vxp=mtr
5. I'm sure there are some nuts/bolts for the fog lights I am missing, but can't find an exploded parts diagram for - possible BCM reflash to get fogs to work
For those with an attention span:
While installing the 4F/1.5R lift/level and 33x12.5 tires onto my 2003 2500 Base, I made a few observations:
1. I need side steps for my wife, and the body mounts appear shot (considering all 4 shocks did not re-expand when compressed, not surprised)
2. the front lower bumper (plastic) is torn/broken off the chrome upper at the corners (when I went to trim it found that)
3. the chrome upper is completely shot, the truck appears to have factory fog light harnesses behind the front bumper
I would like to "upgrade" to a 2500HD bumper after doing a lot of reading. Apparently, it uses the same chrome piece, but I can get a fog light hole lower. I do not care if it's painted or not, I plan to Herculiner it to match other pieces on the truck I did like that. According to my reading, a 2500HD is 2" higher in the front thanks to larger cab mounts to accommodate the bigger drivetrains (effectively, a factory 2" body lift). This 2" is made up for by a filler piece above the chrome upper bumper but below the factory grille/headlights. I actually like this piece versus doing a body lift and just mounting the factory bumper higher, I would also Herculiner it. Since my factory chrome is trash, I am going to Herculiner it to see, but I think the Herculiner filler/chrome upper/Herculiner lower would look good.
In order to accommodate that setup, I would need to lift the cabin by 2". I have seen Energy Suspension and Prothane kits installed here and other forums, and I do not like the comments about increasing road noise/NVH/ride stiffness (the wife is already annoyed enough at the noise from the meaty 33's but appreciates their superior snow capability and the increased stiffness of cranked aftermarket keys and Bilstein 5100s versus the stock completely blown shocks and probably worn out torsion bars). I am thinking I could accomplish a happy medium by ordering the 6 cabin rubbers, 2 radiator pucks, and the longer HD hardware (I am expecting mine to be a total loss due to rust even if long enough).
Am I correct so far in this line of thinking as far as part fitment/placement? I cannot find an exploded parts diagram for the front bumper, but that appears to be all the brackets to hold on the HD bumper are included in that kit except for #3, which I believe my stock truck has. I am sure all the bolts will just transfer over.
I realize this picture links to 2007 Sierra 1500 but on my phone I found a 2003 Sierra 2500HD and it's the same exact picture.
This will leave me with a bed requiring a 2" raise to match, but that sounds like a relatively easy and cheap project to tackle after the fact.