[Da Phoenix]

Whus Happening SS!!

Had to say good to my 2011 Chevy 1500 Rig. Phoenix served me well for 6 years from the time I got him in 2016 til now. Unfortunately, his A/C started going out due to the Evap Core and to replace it, I would have had to replace the cracked dash as well due to the fact that the dash has to be removed to replace the Evap Core. I was driving around in the Texas Heat (we're in a 100 plus degree heatwave right now) for a couple of months. Drove 2 1/2 hours to the dealership to do the trade. Traded him in for a 2015 GMC 2500 Denali HD Gas One Owner Rig that came with a 6.5 inch (I think? BDS Suspension Lift Package and Dual Exhaust, and a lot more. Only 76,000 miles on it for $47,000 (not including my trade in). Not sure what muffler is on . Taking my time getting to know my rig and so far, I am enjoying being in HD territory! I have not done any mods yet but will do them slowly!

 

[silentbravo]

Well that's a massive upgrade, nice truck.

 

[RedSLEd]

Nice rig!

 

[Da Phoenix]

Thank Y'all very much! I've been waiting for the right rig to pop up for sale and this one came with some mods already😎

 

[Da Phoenix]

Did the underneath seat air vent mod today. I remember seeing a post a while back about the air vents under the seats blowing under the carpet and not getting any to the rear passengers. Got them off of Ebay from the guy that invented them. They extend far out without feet hitting them and work very well!!

 

[nealinator]

Wow James! Nice new rig!! Just curious, why the HD? Do you tow or load it down, or just wanted it?

Hope you got decent money for your trade. Seems like even though the prices on used car lots are up, they still want to low ball you on the trade in.

What is the "ORR" on the tailgate?

Unique exhaust tips with the dual on each side. Hard to tell in the picture, but are there notched cut outs on the bumper? Looks like for single tips.

Last one...cooled seats...I am jealous...haha. We need them here in TX!

 

[Da Phoenix]

Wow James! Nice new rig!! Just curious, why the HD? Do you tow or load it down, or just wanted it?

Hope you got decent money for your trade. Seems like even though the prices on used car lots are up, they still want to low ball you on the trade in.

What is the "ORR" on the tailgate?

Unique exhaust tips with the dual on each side. Hard to tell in the picture, but are there notched cut outs on the bumper? Looks like for single tips.

Last one...cooled seats...I am jealous...haha. We need them here in TX!

Hey Neal!

Needed the HD because I plan on getting a bumper pull RV (about 9000lbs empty) to travel in the near future. Our kids are grown and we're newly empty nesters. Also got some land in the country where I'll need to start using the truck as well. I'd rather have more truck than not enough.

I didn't get as much as I would have liked but it did work out in the end through some poetic justice. Essentially, it washed out! The advertised price of the vehicle $47,000 which was good and on par with all of the research I did for a top trim level HD with only 76,000 miles on it.

"ORR" is the dealership where I got it from. I've since removed the letters and the sticker in the rear window. Guess that was a way of branding their letters into the truck when it was on their lot.

No notches on the bumper for the exhaust. That's just some reflection. The exhaust, tires, lift system, gooseneck prep, and DVD headreasts were installed by the first owner (I'm the second owner). Not sure what brand exhaust it is as it has some surface rust on it. Been trying to find out but the dealership has had no luck reaching the first owner. It doesn't have any leaks, has that low growl, and doesn't drone.

Heated and cooled seats...yeah we definitely need them here in Texas.

Working on getting a Lew Tune next as I don't believe my rig was tuned for the mods!

 

[Da Phoenix]

So I was finally able to track down the installer of the lift kit for my new to be HD Rig and they confirmed it's a BDS 6.5 Inch Suspension Lift with BDS 5500 Shocks (the shocks are white with the BDS Logo on them). The first owner had it installed right after he purchased the truck new in 2015. It's holding up well and I will be taking it to a place like 4 Wheel Parts to have it checked out. They didn't have which kit series but I assume it's something like this:2015 Chevy/GMC 2500HD 6.5 inch Lift Kit by BDS Suspension

 

[Tatsngats]

A gas 2500 with lift and oversized tires. Your MPG’s must be in the single digits ;-)

 

[Da Phoenix]

A gas 2500 with lift and oversized tires. Your MPG’s must be in the single digits ;-)

Ha ha...pretty much at 10mpg right now combined. I haven't driven enough straight highway miles to calculate it yet. I will be getting some AT Tires hopefully next year and take the MT Tires off as they are very heavy. The Toyo's are 79lbs each, The KO2's are 66lbs each.

 

[Da Phoenix]

So today I went to a muffler shop to find out what muffler is on my new to me rig as I am the second owner. They determined it's a Flowmaster Super 40. No leaks. Exhaust is working fine...just has surface rust. The first owner had it put on in 2015 shortly after he got the truck (along with the BDS Lift Kit as well. Pic below and youtube link for start up video. I took it with my cellphone. Didn't know how to turn on the comments on the video as it's my first youtube video. I'll do a video of the sound on the inside of cab when I get a chance.

2015 GMC Sierra 2500HD 6.0 Startup

 

[Da Phoenix]

Got some Weathertech Floor Mats and Console Cover! The console cover (that's what I calling it) helps create a hidden storage area and raised area.

 

[Da Phoenix]

Tonneau Cover and Amp PowerSteps finally on deck! These are not the plug and play ones. The measurement pics are to show the distance between the inside of my rig to the step and then from the step to the ground. The first pics are the OEM Step and the second pics are the Amp Steps. My rig has a 6.5 inch lift. If my math is correct, the Amp Steps create an additional 4-5 inch drop from the standard OEM 8 inch to now about 13 inches from inside my rig to the step. From the step to the ground, it's now 20 inches instead of 24 inches. Amp Research told me the Powerstep is 13 inches from the point of install area to the step when extended so that seems to be correct. Not sure if anyone ever tried to do a before and after look and measurements but for those that are wondering, here you go! The measurement were not taken in my slanted driveway...I took them on a flat area.

In my opinion, I didn't need the Powerstep XL (which has an addiitonal 3 inch drop compared to the standard Powerstep. If I had a 7 inch or more lift, then the Powerstop XL would be needed. Again, just my opinion.

I'm able to step in and out with no problem and my vertically challenged wife (that's the deal...she knows it...lol) can now step in and out of my rig without feeling like she's doing pull ups. The lights on the steps really help at night! The last pic is my rig with the OEM Steps. Not having the OEM Steps gave my rig a nicer look. I had already arranged the pics and didn't feel like arranging them again...lol

Next on deck is hopefully the Lew Tune! After that, tires then regear!