2005 Chevy Silverado K2500HD
Our Silverado in summer mode - Alcoa 'Classic' forged aluminum wheels with Firestone 'Destination M/T' tires
At Alexandra Falls in the Northwest Territories
Our Silverado in winter mode - OE wheels with Bridgestone Blizzak W965 studless winter tires
After owning our motor home for a couple years, we realized we preferred the set of compromises offered by a truck & trailer over those of a motor home & toad. Our first order of business was finding the right truck. We'd had a F350 SuperDuty with the 6.0 PowerStroke, so we were painfully aware of its problems. The Cummins 5.9L tempted us to get the Dodge Ram, but the rest of the truck just wasn't in the same league as the Cummins. So, we looked for a nice Chevy, but which year? We decided a 2004.5-2005 LLY would be our best compromise of power, fuel economy, issues, and of course price.
Sometimes, I think it would be nice if we could order a truck just exactly the way we'd like it to be right from the factory. But, then we'd miss out on all the fun we have doing those little things that make it perfect for us. Well, as perfect as we can. Being an engineer-type of the worst kind--a perfectionist--my list of little things got a little long & the bottom line a bit spooky.
The List
| Installed | Description | |
| 2/2008 | MultiVex mirrors. Variable radius rear view mirrors are great for no blind spot! | |
| 3/2008 | Headlight conversion kit. Operates both beams when on high beam. | |
| 4/2008 | TruControl Brake Controller. |
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| 4/2008 | Canopy, Leer 100R with opening wing windows & removable front window. | |
| 4/2008 | Bedslide | |
| 4/2008 | WeatherTech floor liners | |
| 5/2008 | CB Radio; Cobra 75WXST Weatherband CB Radio, Firestick antenna, spring mount | |
| 6/2008 | Hella #550 fog lights |
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| 6/2008 | Tailgate "Easy Lift" | |
| 9/2008 | Pioneer GPS, # AVIC-80DVD with 7" LCD Touch Screen #AVD-W6210 | |
| 10/2008 | PullRite 20K# hitch |
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| 11/2008 | Pioneer ND-BC2 backup camera (interfaces with Pioneer GPS display) | |
| 11/2008 | Bilstein shocks |  |
| 11/2008 | Hitch ball; 17,000# GVW | |
| 11/2008 | Custom 2.5" billet draw bar for PullRite hitch |
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| 12/2008 | Tires; Bridgestone BLIZZAK W965 LT 365/75R16 Load Range 'E' |
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| 11/2008 | SuperLift # 3838, 3" lift blocks for rear suspension | |
| 11/2008 | Firestone Ride-Rite Air Bag Kit with remote gauge/control in cab |
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| Pyrometer & Turbo Boost (Teltek digital) mounted in 3-gauge A-pillar with Aux Fuel Tank Gauge |
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| 11/2008 | Wheels; 4 Alcoa # 167041 "Classic" 16x7 forged & polished aluminum wheels |
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| 12/2008 | Pioneer GPS update DVD |
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| 1/2009 | Exhaust tip; Pilot stainless steel exhaust tip |
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| 1/2009 | Exhaust modification to fit PullRite hitch | |
| 2/2009 | Go Industries "Rancher" grill guard |
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| 2/2009 | Bug Deflector, Lund 'Interceptor' |  |
| 2/2009 | X-Pel Headlight Protection, 3M film |
| 3/2009 | Air Horn; Hadley 'Bully' air horn with compressor & tank |  |
| Fumoto Oil Drain Valve | ||
| CRE Splash Guards (mud flaps) 12" x 24" |
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| 4/2009 | TD-EOC (Turbo Diesel - Engine Oil cooler) for Duramax overheating (basic kit) |  |
| 4/2009 | TD-EOC options (AQP synthetic hoses, MOCAL oil thermostat, Air Dam Valance) |  |
| 4/2009 | Cold Air Intake System (air filter box, induction overhaul kit, modified turbo inlet mouth piece) | |
| 2009 | Auxiliary Fuel Tank; 50-gallon diamond plate tank with electric fuel transfer pump |
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| 3/2009 | Spare wheel (2nd spare); OEM Chevrolet forged aluminum wheel, 6.5x16 | |
| 3/2009 | Tires; Firestone "Destination M/T" 265/75R16 'E' |
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| 4/2009 | TPMS - Tire Pressure Monitoring System - Doran 360RV 8-wheel system |
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| 5/2009 | Roof rack on canopy for carrying spare tires |
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| 5/2009 | Banks SpeedBrake |  |
| 6/2009 | Headlight Covers - 1/4" thick Lexan covers |
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| 6/2009 | BD Diesel Allison Valve Body |
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| EFILive |
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The Chevy 2500HD & Arctic Fox 29V on the Del Cho Trail, Northwest Territories, Canada
The Details
The Bedslide was one of our first upgrades. This one is the IFW Bedslide. Previously, we had a Gorilla cargo tray in our F350. The Gorilla was much heavier and stronger, as the name implies. The advantages of the Bedslide is that it's lighter, removes easily and costs about half as much.
The images above are from the Go Industries site. Note the mesh radiator protection that's part of the 'Rancher' model grill guard. We didn't want this on all the time because it would restrict the air flow to the radiator. So we cut the welds and removed the mesh. We'll build a temporary attachment for those times when we think we might need it, like on the Dalton and Dempster Highways.
This image shows the welds partially ground away
The mesh radiator protection has been removed.
The grill guard after redoing the finish where I ground the welds
The truck is ready and the upper brackets are installed
The lower brackets have been installed,
Almost done. Notice the step for easy underhood access. I also applied strips of HD non-skid on the large loops under the headlamps.
The completed grill guard
A super-duty grill guard, yet discreet. Perfect!
Excuse the dirty truck, but when you live on a dirt & gravel road and frequently go off road, this is what she looks like on a daily basis.
New stainless steel tail pipe exits above PullRite circle
This view shows the tail pipe welded back on but a tighter bend to keep the pipe above the PullRite hitch.
A look at the clearance between the tail pipe and the fender & PullRite.
This photo shows the OEM exhaust hanger supporting the tail pipe on the PullRite circle support.
This page was last updated on 10/24/2010 23:54
since 8/1/2006