Looking at a couple of upgrades that would make it more my truck and what I want.

Ceramic Coating - DONE 3/24/2020 by Ceramic Pro

• Clay bar service (strips all the impurities that were on your car previously)
• Buff wax
• blackout of exterior trim
• 5 Layers of Ceramic Pro 9H
• 1 Layer of Ceramic Pro Light Applied as a Top Coat
• 1 Layer of Ceramic Pro 9H on Rims and Plastic
• 1 Layer of Ceramic Pro Rain on Front Side Windows and Windshield
• Lifetime Warranty

AMP-75113-01A Power Steps - Installed by Al on 4/5/2020

Tow Mirrors

GM OEM Tow Mirrors (boring.. no front facing turn signal) and run about $400 each (GM Part# 15904035 right & 15904034 left). Word on the reviews is they still shake just like an after market mirror does so not sure its worth the high price tag for GM Camper Mirrors.

BOOST Auto - $550 - purchased on 2020-04-07 (not received yet)

(Thought is bring over mirrors and Pop & Lock tailgate to Al)

Cab Lights

Truck Bed Accesories

• RetraxONE Polycarbonate - Purchased (not received)
• Swing Gate Storage - Purchased (received - not installed)
• Bed Rug - Purchased (received - not installed)
• Pop & Lock power locking tailgate handle Item # PAL8110  (received - not installed)PL8110-chevy-silverado-gmc-sierra-classic.pdf

Dark Tinted Windows

Body Repair

• Right rear of bed is pushed in. Have Clarkston Auto Body see if they could fix it and put in rear window
• replace rear sliding window with GM OEM (use clarkston auto body), or instead GM OEM use CRL
• Get quote on fixing scratches, swirl marks
• Get quote on rust proofing before winter
• Remove chrome moldings from doors
• replace plastic bed side covers with line-x spray

Interior/Electrical (Radio Knobs Speaker and Things)

• replace radio (or figure out how to connect phone to an aux port)..  new radio means backup camera. -PRIORITY so I can get backup camera
• replace rearview with compass/temp.
• Upgrade gauges with LED lighting at Circuit Board Medics - avg $350

Misc

• Fix headlamp (passenger side has condensation)
• replace fog lights (worn out, dull, faded)

Saturday (2020.04.11) performed Trans Filter (internal and spin on external) replacement as well as 3 gallons of new fluid and the internal trans filter lock and a new deep sump pan. Miles: 104,000

Added EFI Live DSP5 and a TCM tune all from calibrated power (duramaxtune).  Now just trying to get the truck to find its groove.  It doesn't feel like it knows what to do. I have been keeping it in Position 1 which is the stock+ tune and I plan on keeping it here until it feels like its regained the normal shifting and driving and then I'll kick it to Position 4 which is the Eco mode to get those high miles per gallon (especially driving back and forth to Detroit for Kate's Chemo).  Then Position 2 and 3 are for towing which will also come in handy.  You can tow with Position 1 (stock+ tune) but position 2 and 3 just add some benefits you only really need when towing and its based on load. Position 2 is Heavy Load (over 8000 lbs of weight your towing) Position 3 is for Light Load (under 8000# towing).

Position 5 is for race tuning with stock equipment but could still mess up some crap so the suggestion is not not use it often if you can hold yourself back..  we know you won't be able to.

Now getting a Check Engine light when the glow plugs are trying to warm up the engine to start.  Checking for codes it shows ECM P0672 which is a bad glow plug in cylinder #2 which is about $20 for the glow plug and looks like its a do it yourself type of job.  Its like changing a skinny, tiny spark plug.

On 5/15/2020 at 12:56 PM, wildweaselmi said:

Now getting a Check Engine light when the glow plugs are trying to warm up the engine to start.  Checking for codes it shows ECM P0672 which is a bad glow plug in cylinder #2 which is about $20 for the glow plug and looks like its a do it yourself type of job.  Its like changing a skinny, tiny spark plug.

Changing the glow plugs fixed the check engine light.  one side of the truck they used seize and it was pretty easy to change, the other side they didn't use seize and had after market glow plugs and was a bitch to change.

Removed the fender flares (dirt/salt traps)

initial removal

after I hosed off the Dirt and did my first pass with the eraser wheel

it appears the stock fender flares rubbed right through the paint in spots.

I brought it to Clarkston Auto Body and they said they can repaint it for around $1200

Tire Size

whats on it now are 35x12.50 R18LT 10ply LOAD E range (mainly for the hauling)

Also I have Toyo R/T (which is Rugged Terrain which is a mix of the All Terrain tires and the Mud Tires but they are LOUD but not as loud as a mud tire but someone who drives highways alot, stay away from these unless you like to hear your tires always singing)

Noise Test with the 35 Toyo R/T tires

But I’ve been interested in some better mileage and the key is to go more narrow of a tire.  Possibly move to a 33 but trucks with a 6" lift and 33" tires looks awful in my opinion. So I wanted the Toyo Open Country ATiii tires but apparantly every store is out of them and back ordered until mid 2021 so I went with my #2 choice which I run on my 91 K5 and my wife's 4runner..  the BFGoodrich KO2's

Somehow I got rims as well.

Recording DB noise level driving 80mph with my new BF Goodrich KO2 35x12.50 Load E Range Tires fully inflated

Here are some helpful charts on explaining tire size

Some guidance based on the lift you may have for some of the GM trucks

injector issues..  seeing white smoke from exhaust.  Time to get prices on getting it done.

1. $4200 10 days (2yr warranty) factory bosch injectors - diesel pros and performance in swartz creek (Diagnose issue: $95/hr)

On 10/28/2020 at 11:53 AM, wildweaselmi said:

injector issues..  seeing white smoke from exhaust.  Time to get prices on getting it done.

1. $4200 10 days (2yr warranty) factory bosch injectors - diesel pros and performance in swartz creek (Diagnose issue: $95/hr)

I called Calibrated Power (duramaxtuner.com) found at: 455 Borden St, Woodstock, IL 60098

Talked to Chris which was a pleasure to talk to on the phone, not trying to sell me up on anything but trying to make sure I'm happy with the truck after they are done with it for what I use it for.

Just spit balling over the phone, Chris said an ideal setup for what I need (which is solid highway driveway back and forth to detroit and the occasional trips pulling the heavy RV trailer) the following would be on the table:

• Sportsman Exergy Injectors
• Fuel Pressure Relief Valve
• FASS 165 Lift Pump
• Sump and Return Lines
• This would also include tune and boost leak test

Total: $7000 estimated and roughly three business days (not working weekends).  Will get a more accurate quote sometime in the next few days.

Quote_QUO233_1607098357865.pdf

Scheduled for January 4th, 2021 (9am)

might also add the FASS DURAMAX FACTORY FUEL FILTER DELETE KIT Product Code: DFD-4000 ($78)

So Calibrated Power (aka Duramax Tuner) completed the work on Jan 7th, 2021 and I’ve fell back in love with my truck. Driving my truck now is how I expected it to perform originally.

Sales Order_SO1724_1610039898626.pdf

So what's next for my beauty...

Well I'm broke so just some minor updates like:

Side Window Tint (if the truck is a rockin....)

Window Visors (the slim kind..  I'm tired of getting rain and snow coming in my truck when I need to vent the air in the truck for some reason)

The amp override switch (79105-01A Override switch with STA Controller) to open the amp steps and leave them out so when I get a car wash the running boards get clean and so do the rockers.  In my opinion amp should just include this switch for all the money we spend.  

After using it the AMP Running Boards will return to Auto Operation in the next door cycle after 30 minutes.

AMPis-79106-01a.pdf

I don't like fender flares at all but GM trucks (GMT800) all have them and they collect salt and rust out everything behind the plastic.

So I took off my flares and then found my tires just cover my truck in mud, dirt, salt.   its just no good but trying to find some decent fender flares that just don't look stupid is tough.

Ordered some Bushwacker flares from Vehicle Accessories. Not sure I like them or not. I don’t have a lot of choices.

Yesterday I received my dash cluster back from Circuit Medics from changing the soldered on bulbs to LED bulbs and wow does it make a huge difference and they were fast.  When Fed-Ex dropped it off it was one business day for them to fix it and ship it out.  Very happy with my decision to send it.

Just dropped my truck off at Dirty Diesel Hooker to get new turbo installed, ball joints and the maxtow gauges.

Talked to Rich today around 2 and he said new turbo is in, they are working on the ball joints and getting the alignment done this afternoon.

Tomorrow (Thursday) all they have left is the gauges. 

Right now it feels pretty positive I’m getting my truck sometime tomorrow.

Its been a bit so let me give some updates since June 9th..  a lot has happened.

2021-05-25: Brought the truck to DHD (Dirty Hooker Diesel) and while there they did the following:

• Diagnosed why it was always spilling out black smoke: $125 (labor:125 parts:0)
• Replaced bad stock turbo with a Danville 63.5mm VGT-N, billet coolant block off-n, up-pipe gasket and blots-N, turbo oil feed banjo-N: $3463.92 (labor:1250 parts:2213.92)
• Replaced upper and lower balljoints on both sides with Kryptonite balljoints: $962.50 (labor:962.50)
• Performed a wheel alignment: $70 (labor:70)
• installed MaxTow Gauges: $375 (labor:375)
• Diagnosed Low Rail Pressure and replaced fuel test port cap w/NTP-N: $819.99 (labor:800 parts:19.99)

TOTAL: $6056.44

2021-06-29: Purchased the DSP5_LBZ tune with the EGR delete from MotorOps: $687.75

TOTAL: $687.75

Today (2021-07-12): picked up my truck from Hank Graff Service work done which included:

• Replacing Gear Shifter Lever since the Tow Haul button was stuck open (meaning it wasn't engaging tow haul): $232.10 (labor:153.77 parts:78.33)
• multi-point vehicle inspection (including video): $0.00 note: no issues found with anything on the truck
• Performed FULL drive line service which included front and rear differential and transfer case service with BG products: $285.85 (labor:100.80 parts:185.05)
• Replaced both Thermostats: $429.79 (labor: 301.61 parts: 128.18)
• Performed BG Cooling System Service which includes flush of complete cooling system, replace all coolant, inspect hoses and check for correct freeze protection: $149.17 (labor:100.55 parts:48.62)
• Performed Oil & Filter change using GM Delvac Oil and A/C Delco Oil Filter: $70.00 (labor:20.75 parts:49.25)

TOTAL: $1196.28

So yea I spent some money on my truck in the last couple of months.

Tomorrow (2021-07-20) getting my two front seats fixed so they have some padding.  I think a spring or something is poking the passenger in the ass and the drivers side feels as though a big man use to drive the truck and a big sag in the middle of the seat.  Anyhow, its not super comfy at the moment so if I could get both seats re-done, I'll be happy.