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LRod's 2019 Silverado LD 4x4 build!

20K views 346 replies 20 participants last post by  LRod 
#1 ·
As per members suggestions I'm starting this build thread for my truck. I don't think it will be quite as interesting as others because whatever I do to the truck is being done by a shop. So I bought the truck brand new at the beginning of October 2019. The truck is an LD 4x4, LT, 5.3, All star edition in the graphite metallic color. First thing I did the week I bought it was install a Range AFM disabler, Steelcraft nerf bars, Rugged liner bed liner and a Bully bar step for the towing receiver. My current plan is to install the CST 4.5 lift, BF Goodrich KO2 305/65/18 on the stock 18" wheels, Bilstein 5100's all around, MBRP XP single catback exhaust and a JLT catch can. I've got all the stuff waiting in my garage and my install date is set for December 2nd. I'll be posting pictures and writing as I go along. I'd like to thank everyone that's given me advice. I've learned a ton from you all since I got on the forums. Please feel free to post!
LRod


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#2 ·
So the Duratrac's were picked up today by FedEx and the same guy delivered the cat back exhaust + I had to drive today as well to a Discount tire location in Daytona Beach in order to pick up the KO2's. Daytona is over an hour away but the trip was worth it. They were the only ones in the state that had them in stock in the 305/65/18. The sales guy said it's not a common size that people buy. Their pretty big! I had them line one up next to a Cooper 275/70/18 for comparison purposes and the 275's looked like a stock tire next to these. I think they should fill in nicely. The KO2 in this size is a beast of a tire and ridiculously expensive compared to other sizes but I think it's the perfect size for the look I want. I verified that the tire 0had a recent build date. They were made 8 months ago so that's OK, better than 3 year old "new" Duratrac's. And of course, they are Made in the USA!
I've got an appointment tomorrow morning at a local exhaust shop to install the MBRP cat back. I'll post pics and audio then.

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#7 ·
MBRP exhaust has been installed this morning! It sounds fantastic! It's exactly what I was expecting. MBRP model #S5080409, single side catback in T409 stainless and 304 stainless tip. Exhaust is 3" & the tip is 4". Exhaust price was $495 through Americantrucks.com & the cost to install was $94. I'll be posting some audio when I can and will give more details later about the exhaust. Here are some initial pictures:


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#8 ·
My initial assessment of the MBRP exhaust: I took the truck out for a drive and did some city & highway driving. On startup it sounds great, acceleration sounds loud up until you get to cruising speed. I drove it at 70 and you can just slightly hear the exhaust at that point. I wanted something louder but not to loud and this exhaust does just that. To compare I heard the Carven and it had to much like a high pitch sports car sound. I liked the Borla also but the Atak was too loud and the S-type didn't sound much louder than the touring. The MBRP XP seemed like the perfect compromise. It's loud enough only when you need it and it's has a nice deep sound which properly matches the truck. It sounds to me a lot like something between a Flowmaster & Magnaflow. When I drive it now feels like the engine has been liberated. You can feel that it's less restricted! I took my wife with me and she was happy with the results as well. She was concerned for when we take road trips. As for quality, it seems very well made and came in a box where everything was packaged tight and intact. All in all I'm very happy with it and feel that it was money well spent.
Here's a short vid of the startup with some slight revving:

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http:https://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/5dd9907579030/VID_20191123_141842.mp4
 
#9 ·
Here we go, got something good going on here.. Sounds good!

What is the wife concerned about? if its drone theres a fix for that. Don't know a lot about the brand you got and if it drones but if so look up adding a j-pipe to it. Theres a writeup somewhere on here about it and a couple of people have done it with good results.
 
#10 ·
Bradley21sanders said:
Here we go, got something good going on here.. Sounds good!

What is the wife concerned about? if its drone theres a fix for that. Don't know a lot about the brand you got and if it drones but if so look up adding a j-pipe to it. Theres a writeup somewhere on here about it and a couple of people have done it with good results.
She wasn't concerned about drone, she was concerned about the sound level in the cab if we go on a long trip. I can tolerate noise more than her! But it was fine, she was happy! No J-pipe needed! And I didn't hear any droning. I run V8 mode all the time.

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#11 ·
Wives will always find something to complain about. Doesn't matter what it is. Its in their DNA. Tell her to put her ear buds in and listen to music or a podcast.
Wait until after the lift when she tells you the running boards don't go low enough and you have to buy AMP Power Steps. (That are even available with extensions now to go lower!)
 
#12 ·
roorancher said:
Wives will always find something to complain about. Doesn't matter what it is. Its in their DNA. Tell her to put her ear buds in and listen to music or a podcast.
Wait until after the lift when she tells you the running boards don't go low enough and you have to buy AMP Power Steps. (That are even available with extensions now to go lower!)
Lol!! My wife is actually very accepting about most of the things I do and buy. So thank God for that.

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#13 · (Edited by Moderator)
So don't call me crazy for this but I made a change. I decided to return the 305/65 KO2's! I took them back to Discount tire today. After doing some more looking & research, I decided that for my daily driving a 275/70/18 would be better and will look fine. I think for mileage & wear, it will be better in the long run. I opted for the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT. For anyone that hasn't seen them, they came out 4 months ago and they are a hybrid between an AT and MT but they have a tread pattern that seems like a 50/50 between road and offroad but still looks very aggresive. Each side has a different sidewall pattern, one is more agressive than the other so you can choose the look that you want. They carry a 45K mile treadwear warranty. I've read about some people not getting a lot of miles on Yokohama's but this isn't the AT GO15. I also read about some people getting a lot of miles out of them so I don't go by that. I read the same thing on all the brands. I'll take the chance and see how it goes. Yokohama claims a long life for these. We'll see! They look wicked! At least in my opinion, they are one of the best looking all terrain tires I've seen. They look plenty agressive. I don't see many people using them yet so I guess I'll be the guinea pig here. In the 275/70/18 they are the tallest from researching all the brands in this size. Yokohama states they are 33.4x11 and they got those test results on an 8" wide wheel. Here are some online pictures of the tire (Sorry, all I found on some good closeups were of that R@M). It's a new tire so their aren't many pictures and no good ones on a Silverado or Sierra) Mine arrive tomorrow so I will post some pictures of them tomorrow:
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Screenshot 2019-11-25 at 3.02.06 PM.png

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#15 ·
ferraiolo1 said:
Looks like an expensive falken at3w.
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Expensive? Their only $15 more per tire than the Falken. And I think they look better than the Falken IMHO! The Falken looks more street and is a straight up A/T. The Yokohama looks more aggressive and is in between an A/T & M/T. I think it looks pretty awesome! Like I said, something new so I'll give it a chance. So far all the initial reviews I've read and seen on Youtube indicate that people really love them.
 
#17 ·
Sorry to say but I think you made a mistake lol.

A 275/70r18 is just too narrow. Especially on stock wheels.

They look good from the side but the from the front and back they look really narrow and in turn makes the truck look narrow. If they were on a more negative offset wheel maybe they would look better.

Of course that's just my opinion. I favor the wider look. For sure. I think if I had to run stock wheels I would definitely have gone with a wider tire than I have now.
 
#18 ·
19trax95 said:
Sorry to say but I think you made a mistake lol.

A 275/70r18 is just too narrow. Especially on stock wheels.

They look good from the side but the from the front and back they look really narrow and in turn makes the truck look narrow. If they were on a more negative offset wheel maybe they would look better.

Of course that's just my opinion. I favor the wider look. For sure. I think if I had to run stock wheels I would definitely have gone with a wider tire than I have now.
Remember I've said from the beginning that I like the narrow look so for me it's fine. You like wide, I don't! I've seen pics on 0 & 18 offset and it looks ok for me. And from I recall, you had previously said that you didn't believe that going wider on a stock wheel would make much of a difference in terms of looks. So I think it will be fine. I like tall & narrow so I believe this size/tire will be just fine. And in the end it's all good because like you also said, we get bored. So in a year, if I get bored, I'll go with some other wheel & tire combo.

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#19 ·
Hmm... it's your truck so please do what pleases you! However, my only concern would be trading in a tire that has been proven all over the world 10 times over for a tire released 4 months ago.

The saying "tried and true" comes to mind here. Appearance wise, they look very sharp. Are there enough real world reviews and test to make an informed decision though?

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#20 ·
Yeah as long as your pleased with the look that's all that counts.

Everyone has a different taste in what they like and dont like.

On the plus side, going with the narrow tires and stock wheels will definitely help keep your truck much cleaner Haha. Especially if you have mud flaps.

That's the definite down side to a wider stance is the mess it makes just driving through a puddle. Slings stuff all over the place.
 
#21 ·
mjrchabot said:
Hmm... it's your truck so please do what pleases you! However, my only concern would be trading in a tire that has been proven all over the world 10 times over for a tire released 4 months ago.

The saying "tried and true" comes to mind here. Appearance wise, they look very sharp. Are there enough real world reviews and test to make an informed decision though?

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I read quite a few so I would say yes. I know you love KO2's, I get it! But I had other concerns so the particular brand/model was not an issue for me. And like any product, someone has to be the first to use it in order for people to find out about it and for reviews to start pouring in. (Plenty of people buying 2019 & 2020 Silverados & Sierra's on its first year of production and that's not a $975 purchase!) I'm ok being one of those people for a set of tires! And Yokohama's been around long enough so I'll take their reputation as the basis for the performance and durability that this particular tire might have. Hey like I said, I'm the guinea pig here. It can go great to the point that people here will start buying them or it can go south and soon enough I'll be possibly buying KO2's. It's ok! Not the first time I've tried something new.

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#25 ·
Kleiss1 said:
How much per tire? I'm getting my 285/70-17" KO2's tomorrow. May take a look.
My 60000 Yokohama's only made it 38000 before they were down to 3/32.
In your size 285/70/17 at Discount tire they are $252 per tire. About the wear issue, I've read that on the old GO15's. Supposedly as per Yokohama, these new X-AT's are supposed to have longer tread life.

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#26 ·
LRod said:
ferraiolo1 said:
You're going to wish you went bigger.. lol View attachment 1

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Ok! What am I looking for in those pictures that will make me wish that I went bigger?

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Tons of clearance. They skinny tire does look funny. You could have gone with a 11.5 and it would have looked better on a stock width wheel.

They were a cheap size and skinny tires work better in deep snow is the Only reason I have the skinny ones on this truck

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