[Rambodog]

I really should have done this a long time ago. The fact that I had a crappy camera is probably the biggest reason. I have a new phone with a great camera. I have slim pickings for pics from several mods, but will get into detail for each mod never the less. I will post all the pics I can along the way. Here are some early pics. In these pics dating back to fall 2014, I have added a 2.5 RC level with 2" rear block. Step bars, window tint matched the front glass with a windshield brow added, sound proofing and under coating all from Ziebart and lastly Vent visors. The tonneau cover came new with the truck. I got them to add it to sweeten the deal a bit more. I also got them to scotch guard the interior for free.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C0 ... UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JQ ... UTF8&psc=1
http://www.ziebart.com/
More to come...

 

[Rambodog]

Here are a few shots to help compare a stock height K2XX to a 2.5 RC K2XX. Also a comparo of the stock fog to Diode Dynamics 6000k LED. In LED 6000k looks like 5500k or 5000k which starts to get into the yellow spectrum, but is quite white. I don't have any install pics, but at this time I also added LTZ Projector replica headlights and put HID's in them. Here are some various related pics. Oh I forgot to mention the mud flaps. They are Weather Tech and fit perfect and have the same texture as the rock guards.

Diode Dynamics
Subtotal $270.00
Shipping & Handling $5.00
Discount (Point Redemption, CYBERMONDAY) -$54.00
Gift Certificates: $0.00
Grand Total $221.00
Low Beam HID Conversion Kit for 2007-2016 Chevrolet Silverado
Wiring Harness
Heavy-Duty Waterproof Relay
Bulb Size
H11
Color/Temperature
6000K
hidkitH11_6k
$180.00

Ordered: 1
Shipped: 1
$180.00

Fog Light LEDs for 2007-2016 Chevrolet Silverado (pair)
Color
Cool White (6000K)
Bulb Model
XP80 (510 lumens)
2xH16_XP80W
$90.00

Ordered: 1
Shipped: 1
$90.00

XL Diode Dynamics T-Shirt
Free Gift
DDtshirt-XL
$0.00

 

[Rambodog]

I drove the truck in this state for a bit and wanted wheels and tires so the hunt was on. I found a place called Absolute Audio in Auburn, NY that matched any online price you can find and beat it. I settled on an 18" +18 Moto Metal MO970 black with milled edge set wrapped in Toyo Open Country ATII XT 285/65/18.

 

[ferraiolo1]

Finally!

 

[JohnCyr]

Nice truck!

 

[Rambodog]

Nice truck!

Thanks!

 

[Rambodog]

Finally!

Thanks for the nudge Mike!

 

[Rambodog]

I was never impressed with the stereo that came with the truck. I had always had aftermarket audio in everything I have ever owned. Some full systems and some partial. The first to go was the HU. I wanted to build something from a few items I had and to buy as little as possible and keep a low budget. It's not so much the bells and whistles for me as it is simply very good sound from a very good source like my FiiO's X5 and decent quality from BT streamed music from any number of sites.
https://www.amazon.com/Generation-Resol ... iio%27s+x3
I found a Pioneer unit that fit the bill by it's capabilities on paper.
https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DEH-80PR ... =deh-80prs
Unfortunately I fought with signal noise from day one. I thought it was a ground loop issue or HID ballast noise and chased it for a while. I finally found a bad PICO fuse on the HU circuit board. I never hot swapped and did a clean install. Power down frame under truck to point of use thru floor and signal down the other side of truck by way of door sills and edge trim. The conventional way. I grounded amps to chassis. I also ran a new wire to chassis for HU harness to avoid a loop. I got fed up and took it out and looked for something quick to replace it till I figure out what to do. Homework on a product can take a while ya know. I currently am running a Kenwood with decent sound surprisingly for it's price. It plays clean and no noise issues so it's what I am gonna use till I feel different about it. Honestly it sounds really good for an entry level unit or just a basic needs unit.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A3 ... UTF8&psc=1
I went with Infinity for the speakers except the dash. I kept those factory and ran them off the HU with HU power for front fill. I amped the rest.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007S ... UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0080 ... UTF8&psc=1
I push the front components with this.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BF ... UTF8&psc=1
The rears I use a KAC-624. Old amp, but works well. Nice rear fill amp for an extended truck. Driver is in line of site of right rear speaker so a lot of power is not desired. Just enough to get the speakers to perform.
I run a Sundown sub.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EV ... UTF8&psc=1
I push the sub with this.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004T ... UTF8&psc=1
I use this box.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_777BB1220V ... unker.html
This box fits the small jumper seat on passenger side perfectly. The slant of box makes the face of box sit level when mated with slant of seat bottom. Sub fires to ceiling. Its loud and obnoxious, but clear as a bell. I actually run things dummed down to levels I use daily and it creates lots of head room and it just sounds fantastic even with the cheaper HU it is awesome. I use a Bass Knob so I can adjust bass levels on the fly. Set it and forget it won't do for that. I installed it in the ashtray. Oh as for the speaker wire and RCA's I use Mediabridge products. Nice quality for the prices on Amazon.
https://www.mediabridgeproducts.com/pro ... cessories/
I used this for main power cable. It is super flexible with little memory unless you kink it good.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016H ... UTF8&psc=1
A few more shots at this stage in progression.

 

[silverado9306]

Good looking truck! It's truly amazing what a set of wheels can do for a truck.

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[Rambodog]

Good looking truck! It's truly amazing what a set of wheels can do for a truck.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

Thanks! I remember putting my level on and going to get wheels and tires put on. Night and day it was.

 

[silverado9306]

I'm trying to hold out for wheels till spring and I haven't made up my mind on what look to go with.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[Rambodog]

So much to choose from. I have been happy with mine.

 

[Rambodog]

In today's episode we will talk about tuning, exhaust and intake.
I noticed early on that IMO the tranny shifted to 2nd too soon causing a lurch from 1st to second. This also worked the other way. In a parking lot for instance or stopping at a light the kick down from 2nd to 1st was delayed to the point it caused a lurch then too. Not too hot when your pulling into a parking spot and the truck lurches forward like someone tapped the gas on you. I also noticed how it hunted for the correct gear too much around the 35 to 45 mph area in traffic where coasting and tipping into gas to maintain speed is needed. Most of my driving is in this speed range. Over all the ride was anything but smooth and the dealer was no help. This led me to have to do something myself, which in turn led me to the world of tuning. I quickly found Lew a member on this site if your not familiar. He does custom tunes for our trucks using Diablo tuning products. I purchased a Diablo Intune i2 and a custom Diablew tune.
http://www.diablewtune.com/
I emphasized on the issues described above and once that was taken care of, we can look at adding power with some added mods. Lew worked with me back and forth till it was like I liked. The tranny shifts are placed more logically and the gears hold longer and took the numb feel out of the gas pedal. This made a world of difference. I did the 91 tune and he customized it. It made my truck a different truck. It woke up and driving was a treat now. I ran this way for about 5 or 6 months. I then added an Airaid Jr. intake with dry hi flo filter and a 3" SS exhaust with a thru style muffler.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O6 ... UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I9 ... UTF8&psc=1
I then had Lew adjust the tune for the added mods to be taken advantage of. The truck runs awesome and has plenty of power.

I have run this way since except the one time I played with the E85 tune with a tankful of E85. instant 25 hp boost the manual says and I believe it cause I noticed a difference. Crappy mileage though. Also a recent trip I went to the 87 canned tune for an out of state trip to gain some mileage back temporarily. One mod I forgot to mention was a catch can I added. I used an Elite Engineering brand can.
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/
It catches more than I expected and glad I did it early on. I did it around 5k miles on the odometer.
There are a few logical locations to install it. I chose to put it on the brake reservoir bolt to keep it from freezing in the winter as it keeps close to the engine. Here are a few pics at this stage.

 

[Gozzie]

Good looking install and your motor thanks you.

 

[Rambodog]

Good looking install and your motor thanks you.

Thanks!

 

[Rambodog]

Okay so I wanna bring things up to speed and catch things up to the present. In the past few months I have obtained a Bedrug with tailgate section from Craigslist for $100.
https://www.amazon.com/Bedrug-BRC07SBK- ... rds=bedrug
I also have added a topper and LED lights inside on a relay harness and switch. The topper came with a light, but it only works if the cargo light switch in cab is on and it shines in the wrong direction.
http://www.leer.com/100XR
I went to the Factory Outlet to buy it.
http://leerfactoryoutlet.com/
Didn't have to, but it was a good excuse for a road trip. Including gas and food, I still saved $ over buying local. I use the bed of truck for camping with the wife while ATVing or if we venture too far from home so I needed control of lights in the rear and don't want them blinding me from above either. I tied into the 12v constant on 7 way circuit by pulling tail light and running through there to bed. I sealed the connection with liquid electric tape. In two different colors. I use black and white. It takes a few coats to create a good insulation barrier over soldered connections. I stagger the color to better see coverage of each coat, starting and ending in black. It dries quite fast. Re coat in minutes if it's dry and warm or 20 min. if it's wet outside. If you want strong and water tight, try it out on your connections.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F ... UTF8&psc=1
I also installed a hood protector recently.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CE ... UTF8&psc=1
It serves it's purpose and looks good doing it.
Presently I am waiting on good weather to switch out my headlights. I have some moisture issues in one of the current ones. After finding clogs in the air vents of housings one by spider and other by defect, I still found it has a bad seal anyway and keeps fogging. 1aauto is warrantying them under lifetime warranty. Only problem is they no longer make the ones I have so they gave me the comparable option available. The new lights and a Diff drop kit I ordered showed up in the mail today. I may have to go to my buddy's shop to work on the truck because it's not getting any better weather wise with all the rain and cold on it's way. My 1.5 car garage is more of an extended living room with A/C, wood burning stove, fridge and cable TV along with tools. Might have to steal a bay on a Sunday when he is closed. He lives right around the corner from the shop and is there all the time. A few more recent pics and a peak at the new headlight.

 

[Jasen]

Theres a critter in yer truck!!!!

I like the new headlights

 

[Rambodog]

Theres a critter in yer truck!!!!

I like the new headlights

Now that I have a topper, it is hard to get her out sometimes.

 

[Rambodog]

I installed a Diff Drop kit on Tuesday. Not really noticing any difference but am sure my CV joints would say otherwise. Not that they were all that bad but sure it helps. I also got the headlights done. Still have to upgrade the HID bulbs since the new ones take an H7 and I had H 11's. Ordered a set of Morimoto XB 5500k from TRS today. I will post some pics once HID's are installed. They are rather crappy with halogen. About as good as stock reflectors. Looks funny to me to have a yellow projector with white del led strips. Ocd thing.

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[Rambodog]

DRL *

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