2018 Silverado Crew Cab Z71

[LEEVON]

This is really not an exciting thread but I like to see other's new truck upgrades so why not post. I'm getting old I guess. I got tired of having five vehicles and none I could haul the whole family with or trade with my wife while hers is in for service. So I bought this 2018 Silverado Crew Cab Z71 from Jim Trenary Chevrolet in Union, MO. It's not a fully-loaded LTZ but it has everything I wanted and the price with incentives was good. Here's my upgrade list:

• Mud guard delete
• Window tint
• Bedrug
• Bed cover
• GM sub/amp kit
• Level kit
• Bilstein shocks
• BFG K02 tires
• Leather seat kit
• GM under bed lighting kit

[LEEVON]

First things first, got the bedrug and bed cover installed. Purchased them both from Autoanything.com with a 20% discount and free shipping promo they were running...paid $327 for the bedrug and $229 for the American Tonneau soft roll-up cover. This is my second of the same tonneau and it's perfect for my needs, nice quality as well.

[LEEVON]

Got the mud guards deleted, and sent them to a new home with another forum member. This mod was not painless, because there are small factory plastic trim pieces on all four corners that are removed and thrown away at the dealership. I had to re-purchase those pieces, plus the original factory fasteners from the dealership to the tune of about $140. But it looks much better for my taste.

[LEEVON]

Here she is sitting with the family daily drivers.

[LEEVON]

Tackled the audio upgrade. This is a factory integrated kit made by Kicker, also sold as a GM part. It includes wiring, sub, and digital signal processor all plug-and-play. The sub enclosure is under the passenger rear seat. The reviews in a long thread on www.gm-trucks.com were overall positive. I like retaining the factory components. The install was kind of a pain. Basically, you route power wiring from the battery, through the firewall. And wiring from the factory radio module to the kick panel area. And wiring from the sub up to the kick panel area. All of the connectors are provided. The painful part was accessing the firewall grommet which is behind the fuse panel. I had a helper who worked on that while I installed the rest. He ended up removing the fuse panel to get a clear shot through the grommet and make connections.

The verdict? Much better than factory, or factory Bose. It hits pretty hard for a single 10" and the range is increased throughout the factory speakers. It has little to no distortion. I'm not really an audiophile but IMO this thing really jams now. Just exactly what I was hoping for. These are stock photos from Kicker.

[LEEVON]

Now it looks like the factory Z71 offroad truck I think they should build. BFG 275/70/18, Bilstein 5100's front and rear w/ .5" strut spacer on top, 1" over rear blocks, 1.75" hub adapter/spacers. Ride is very nice! I'm almost "done" with the list I have. Still need leather seats, bed lighting kit and centennial bowties.

[Dad's72]

Looks good. I have a 2015 LTZ 2WD and am planning on doing the leveling kit to bring up the front and go with 285's, hopefully. Thanks for the info on the sub, this is also something I want to do next. I took off my mud flaps as well. When I do my leveling kit and tires I will probably get rid of the front air dam. I like the way it looks and gives it a higher "lifted" look. I like my factory chrome rims but I am also really considering going with 18" rims so I can get some more meat and have a more comfortable ride.

[LEEVON]

Needed storage in the bed, this Swing Case by Undercover is handy and very well engineered. I recommend it for anyone looking for a solution besides a big box.

[mikebte]

That is a good looking truck

[LEEVON]

Thank you, it has really grown on me and I'm in love with the color. I think I'll have her a long time.

[DeadheadNM]

Truck looks great. Thanks for posting. Can you detail the components of the leveling lift? I’m to take delivery of a 2019 z71 Suburban in the next few days and am interested in at least leveling the front rake.

[LEEVON]

I'd say if you're just looking to level the front, the Bilstein shocks would be the ticket if you don't have electronic struts on the Suburban. Congrats by the way, need to see pics! I added the top spacers and rear blocks to my truck, planning to replace the stamped upper control arms for ball joint angle.

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

I'd say if you're just looking to level the front, the Bilstein shocks would be the ticket if you don't have electronic struts on the Suburban. Congrats by the way, need to see pics! I added the top spacers and rear blocks to my truck, planning to replace the stamped upper control arms for ball joint angle.

Thanks a ton! I've been waiting to take delivery since it was assembled in Arlington at the end of November and it still hasn't arrived! Serious shortage of rail freight cars apparently. I'll post a thread when it arrives. It's a Z71 so I'm guessing it won't have electronic struts - I'll make sure to confirm.

[LEEVON]

I told my wife like two days ago that because I really love this truck and want to have it a long time, somebody will probably crash it...so then of course it happened. I was rear-ended last night, stopped at a red light, by an S-10 travelling 45mph. Frame is bent, bed contacted the cab, my seatbelt pre-tensioner deployed. I'm not sure it will total, but if not...I don't want it back. Sad day for me and my favorite truck ever. I am very happy with how the truck protected us. The pre-tensioner is an airbag like device in the seatbelt latch that deploys electronically and retracts the belt to keep you firm in the seat...it did exactly that, nearly had to cut it off and we walked away. If we were in one of my old trucks, or my Challenger we'd be in the hospital or dead.

[DeadheadNM]

Bummer!! Glad you are ok.

[72Cheyenne454]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Thank god you and your family are all okay. Definitely proof that these new vehicles do save lives.

Hopefully, they'll total the truck and you'll get to start over on another new one. I would feel the same way... even if it was repairable, I wouldn't want it back afterwards.

Good luck

[PGG]

What a bummer deal that truck was ready to make you happy for a long time. Sucks to get hit like that best that your ok and not limping around though. PG

[LEEVON]

Well, thanks ya'll. It's been kind of tricky weighing my options for resolution. The body shop is down the street, we do a lot of business with them and they're advocating for me so I'm comfortable there. On the one hand I LOVE this truck and I trust the body shop, so keeping it isn't the end of the world. The current insurance estimate includes some frame time, a bedside, the cab work, seat belts etc. but I don't think we'll be able to stretch it to a new bed. On the other hand I'm afraid there will always be that nagging feeling that it's a wrecked truck. At this point, pending a second round of estimating from the insurance company and a fair offer as-is from a third party I'm probably just going to sell and move on, even if I have to take a loss because I don't want to live with that nagging feeling. I drove a '19 the other day, it was nice but maybe I'll just get a twin to this one. IDK, will keep ya'll posted!

[DeadheadNM]

Good luck. My 2019 Z71 arrived today and I’m pleased with the ride. Let us know what shakes out.

[LEEVON]

Love it. Enjoy!

[LEEVON]

Truck is sold, bought a '19. What a giant pain in the rear. Lost money, mods, plenty of time and had to deal with the insurance company's stellar attitude. It could have been fixed, but I'd never be happy so I wanted to get it over quickly as possible and move-on. I sold the truck as-is to somebody who knows what they're doing. I'll be back with a new thread!

[Palf70Step]

Be looking forward to seeing the new ride

[DeadheadNM]

Congrats!

[LEEVON]

Well, it's not a great pic but here's the new horse, a 2019 Silverado LT Trail Boss. I really miss the '18 though.

[Palf70Step]

Good start. I agree with you that I thought the 18s looked better.