Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD

[71blksuper4x4]

Here is a quick writeup on my Daily Driver. I chose the name “Daddy Blue” because my little boy calls it that. I am the second owner of this and really seemed to luck out winning it on a Purple Wave auction back in May. I had been searching out a clean Arrival Blue (03-04 only) Crew cab diesel. These first shots are from the auction and site unseen in person.

[71blksuper4x4]

Won the auction and my father and I road tripped out to Colorado to pick up the truck. I was glad to see that there was zero rust in the rockers nor the bed. Only modifications on the drivetrain appear to be a lift pump, which was great on the LB7. Injectors have been replaced twice in its life. Drove it back and it never missed a beat.
Got it home and started making it mine.
First, started with removing the wood in the bed and the toolbox. Followed by replacing the mirrors with some updated tow mirrors.

[71blksuper4x4]

Up next, a 2015 & up 2500hd rear step bumper

[71blksuper4x4]

Played with some new-to-me Mickey Thompson/Alcoa Challenger wheels and swapping the hood for the 2005 & up HD hood and grill. I prefer the 2001-2002 HD front clip and will eventually swap out for it.

[71blksuper4x4]

Removed the factory body trim from the doors.

[71blksuper4x4]

Next, I tracked down a lightly used Rancho 4” lift that I was able to keep cranked down to keep my cv angles straight. Also, added a 01 & up 3500 under tailgate light.

[71blksuper4x4]

Ordered 295/75/16 Cooper AT3 XLT’s. Just a little larger then the normal 285/75/16. I chose these because of their reviews in rain, snow, etc. plus towing. These tires are aggressive looking, but are quiet.

[71blksuper4x4]

Took some time and body-worked and color matched my 05-07 hood. Also, figured I’d show a picture of my future little helper.

[71blksuper4x4]

Added some Iboard running boards. Seem to be great quality and required no drilling. I also found a cheap steering wheel off Amazon. I dyed it Cocoa brown and plan on refinishing the Escalade interior parts to match.

[Low Elco]

Very nice, I just got a 2004 2500 LB7. Mine's 2wd, It's going down on 5-star 20's. Gonna be a boat tugger. Already have the grille to change mine to a 2006.

[lolife99]

Beautiful truck!
Love all the changes.
There’s no way I could switch that front end out for the 01-02 HD front clip.

[71blksuper4x4]

Thanks guys, still slowly collecting good parts for the 01-02 front swap. I just prefer that front end. I think the hood reminds me so much of the 69-72 hoods is why.

[Greg58]

Looks great!
I have found some winners on Purple Wave and Big Iron.

Greg

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

Thanks guys, still slowly collecting good parts for the 01-02 front swap. I just prefer that front end. I think the hood reminds me so much of the 69-72 hoods is why.

Looks good.

Can I have the '05-'07 Hood and grille?

(I'm halfway serious).

I'll need some front fenders, and pickup box pretty soon too if you happen to come across some nice (rust free) ones.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

Up next, a 2015 & up 2500hd rear step bumper

I don't mean to hijack - but - was the rear bumper you removed pretty decent?

K

[The Ohioian]

Cloth seats are nice. Hate the 04 grill. Like the 01 HD! Excellent.

[71blksuper4x4]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I don't mean to hijack - but - was the rear bumper you removed pretty decent?

K

Hey Keith, yes, it was relatively straight, and clean rust wise. I wound up giving it to one of my coworkers for his beater truck.
Trevor

[71blksuper4x4]

Originally Posted by The Ohioian

Cloth seats are nice. Hate the 04 grill. Like the 01 HD! Excellent.

Yep, not a fan of the 03-04 grill and hood. I stripped the flaking chrome off the 01-02 HD grill and color matched the center bar. Thinking about color matching the front 01-02 bumper Blue as well like the Denali/High Country.

[Low Elco]

Let me know if you wanna lose the hood, I go right by there in January headed for the Devlin show. Building up parts for the Spring Spray-In!

[71blksuper4x4]

Low Elco, will do. Need to get all my pieces rounded up and painted first.

[biketopia]

love it, I had an 03 that I owned for 10 years. Sold it last year as it was time for it's second set of injectors and I didn't need a diesel anymore. I did most of what you did, I did pop the tailgate emblems off and the 2500HD and just left the d-max badge, cleans it up and looks clean and subtle. Blacked out stock tails and cab roof lights were sweet to. My painter hit em with clear that he dropped a little bit of black in, still could see the light come through easily but looked more aggressive all black.

[LT7A]

That's a great looking truck.

[Redneck Rydes]

Great looking truck and your cute paint color matched helper,lol !!!

[71blksuper4x4]

New gauges, went with a Carbon Fiber Escalade style with red needles and white LED’s.

[71blksuper4x4]

New headlights, and added stainless window trim like the newer high end models.