[BigBlue2014]

So today is the day I added another truck to the fleet. Welcome the *New to me* 2014 GMC Sierra 2500HD Crew Cab Long Bed with a 6.0 Gas engine and 73XXX miles. This truck is going to be primarily for work and projects so we decided to just get the work truck trim, but just like all of us, we can't leave anything alone and we have to put our touch on things.

I don't have a bunch of extreme plans for the truck, but I am thinking of a few things right off the bat:
-Side steps
-Boost Auto Parts Tow mirrors
-Backup Camera
-Add lock to tailgate handle
-Tint rear windows
-Change wheels
-Change Center Jump seat to one with a console
-Winter tires (with stock wheels)
-Remote start
-Upgraded lighting
-Fog lights
-More More More

First are just a bunch of pictures from the dealer and just getting it home. Nothing special at this point, but we need to start somewhere.

 

[BigBlue2014]

So the 1st project to accomplish as soon as I got the truck home was to install some steps. I mentioned that I wanted to put some on there when at the dealership and the manager took notice of that. Hoping he would say that he will toss on a set to help the sale, unfortunately, he did not. He came back and quoted me $700 installed for my choice of black or chrome. I told him that I will pass (knowing that I can do it myself for a heck of a lot cheaper on my own).

So Surfing FB Marketplace I found a set of oem steps off of a 2016 Crew Cab for $40 - just because it has a tiny dent on one of the steps. I included the pics from the FB ad, and looking at the pictures they are worse than in they are in person. Also figured for a work truck, that dent wont bother me one bit. I did some research and found that they should bolt right up from the newer body style to the older, and even if they didn't, then it was only a $40 gamble.

So I crawled under the truck to line everything up, and the bolt holes lined right up to the brackets.... WIN! Unfortunately I ran into one small speed bump. The threads in the holes were all gummed up from some surface rust, so I had to use my Tap and Die kit and clean them out with a thread tapper. I couldn't use the original handle from the kit, and I couldn't attach it to my drill either, so I had to improvise and use Pliers and Vise Grips to get a good grip to turn the tap, but slow and steady wins the race. Cleaned up the (4) front mounting holes and added the speed nuts to the rest of the tabs and spots.

Just finished up after sundown with the very late start that I had and the interruptions but the steps are on, and they look pretty decent... (coming from a person who is not a fan visible steps). Daytime pictures to come.

 

[roorancher]

Congrats Matt!
2014 or 2013???

 

[BigBlue2014]

Congrats Matt!
2014 or 2013???

Thanks Jeff. It's a 2014. The body style changed for the 1500 series trucks (like my blue one) and the this is the last year of that body style (2500/3500 series)

 

[BigBlue2014]

So it's finally daylight and I took a couple quick pics of the installed steps. As you can see the dent is on the passenger side and it's minimal at most. Doesn't bother me at all.

 

[roorancher]

Congrats Matt!
2014 or 2013???

Thanks Jeff. It's a 2014. The body style changed for the 1500 series trucks (like my blue one) and the this is the last year of that body style (2500/3500 series)

Oops!
Forgot about the "body style carryover" on 2500/3500 Models.
Truck sure is long! LOL!!!

 

[BigBlue2014]

Congrats Matt!
2014 or 2013???

Thanks Jeff. It's a 2014. The body style changed for the 1500 series trucks (like my blue one) and the this is the last year of that body style (2500/3500 series)

Oops!
Forgot about the "body style carryover" on 2500/3500 Models.
Truck sure is long! LOL!!!

Ha ha... that's what she said.. but yes, it's very long.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BigBlueLB756]

Tell her, "Just use what you need and leave the rest for others".

Nother nice truck. BigWhiteBoy2014.

 

[BigBlue2014]

Just placed the order with Amsoil for the fluids necessary to change the Front/Rear differentials and Transfer case fluid on the GMC. Since I had some left overs from the when I did the same job on the other truck, it helped with the cost of everything, but still a pretty penny. But if you want the best, you have to pay for it. Can't wait to get everything in the mail so I can tackle it!

 

[19trax95]

Are you part of the preferred customer program?

If not, it's worth the small cost to sign up. You'll save more money on one order than it costs for the year.

 

[BigBlue2014]

Are you part of the preferred customer program?

If not, it's worth the small cost to sign up. You'll save more money on one order than it costs for the year.

Eric, yes I am. I signed up when I did a bunch of stuff on my blue truck, and it's paid for itself a few times already.

 

[19trax95]

Yeah its definitely a good thing to have. I like the convenience factor the most. Order it and it's usually they the next day, or always within 2 days. I usually stock up to hit that free shipping mark haha.

Oh and the juice pouch gear lube bags are the best thing since sliced bread.

 

[BigBlue2014]

Yeah its definitely a good thing to have. I like the convenience factor the most. Order it and it's usually they the next day, or always within 2 days. I usually stock up to hit that free shipping mark haha.

Oh and the juice pouch gear lube bags are the best thing since sliced bread.

I was going to go with the "juice pouches" but since I still have some plastic jugs left from the last overhaul I did, I just got more with the pumps. I'll recycle everything when I am done, and I shouldn't have anything left over at this point so I can go pouches in the future.

 

[BigBlue2014]

Just a random picture of both trucks parked next to each other after a quick wash. The GMC definitely needs tint and upgraded mirrors. Can't wait for them to come in....

 

[BigBlue2014]

So yesterday I decided to take a look and see if the truck has a cabin air filter since I have read conflicting information from all sources about whether it does or does not. So from the looks of the heater box it does not have a filter (being that it is completely sealed). Given that, I would like to add a filter if possible since I have a long gravel driveway that is very dusty in the summer.

With more research It appears that GM used two different style of boxes under the dash, one that is more common that allows to have the retrofit kit installed and a cabin filter installed easily, and the other one (like I have). Now I need to see what others did with the one that I have. I can definitely fabricate a mounting tab for the cover to bolt to if necessary, but the whole width of the opening (10.5" vs the 9.5") is the biggest hurdle right now...

 

[nealinator]

Looks like a fairly clean rig Matt. Great find. You were looking for a truck for your dad I thought a while back. Is that what this is? How does the interior look? The engine bay looks pristine! The belt looks off colored in the picture...could just be dirty.

 

[BigBlue2014]

Looks like a fairly clean rig Matt. Great find. You were looking for a truck for your dad I thought a while back. Is that what this is? How does the interior look? The engine bay looks pristine! The belt looks off colored in the picture...could just be dirty.

Thanks Neal, this is the truck that I was looking for him. I am going to be doing the work and upgrades to the truck and he will be doing to fun stuff like driving it. The interior looks great, I would rate it around 9.5/10. There are some small marks here and there but there is no wear on the seats at all. The engine bay is also really nice and it looks like it was pretty well taken care of. I need to wipe the engine bay down (get the detailer gunk off of it) since its going to attract more dirt than its worth. But it only has 73XXX miles on it, so it has a long life ahead of it with us.

 

[BigBlue2014]

So I've been working a bunch of long hours so I havent had any time to work on the truck, but I have been ordering some parts here and there. Here are some that came in today that I'm planning on installing tonight.

I noticed that the truck only has a 7 way connector trailer connector and I really don't want to have to deal with a 7 way -> 4 way adapter when I need to pull a standard trailer for a few reasons. 2 of the biggest ones are that they wear out, and get lost easily. (Went through a bunch of them with the last vehicle). So I found this Hopkins 40974 Plug adapter which will add the 4 Way flat plug just like my Blue 1500 has.

The second thing I plan on tackling today is changing the overhead "console" with one that has the factory home link. This will clean up the cab of the truck a little and modernize the work truck. Plus I can get the openers out of the truck. One thing I noticed that is whoever took the lens cover off, did not the best job and goobered it up, so I will have to re-use the one that's in the truck currently since its perfect.

 

[BigBlue2014]

So after work I decided to tackle the trailer plug on the work truck. Boy was I in for a task ahead of me.

What the plug looked like when I started:

After popping out the plug (according to the manufacturers website its supposed to be a direct replacement) I realized that it was far from a direct replacement.

As you can see, the plug portion is the same, but the housing is completely different.

So I busted out the dremmel and started to trim out what I had to, so I could get things to fit.

Quick test fit:

Sprayed a few coats of paint on the bumper portion and installed the plug. Now it fits and looks like OEM. Much better

 

[BigBlue2014]

All I'm going to say