PROJECT LOOKS. MUSCLE. LONGEVITY

PART 11: DRESSING IT UP

Almost a full year of ownership of this higher mileage 2012 Silverado 2500HD and we’ve put it through quite the transformation. The whole idea behind this project was to show what kind of issues to prepare for, how to improve the truck’s utility according to your needs, and what kind of aftermarket support is available for 2011-2014 LML Duramax trucks. In recent months we bolted on some major horsepower upgrades with the addition of Profab Performance exhaust manifolds and up-pipes, a 10mm stroker CP4 from Exergy Performance, and a Promax 64 turbo upgrade from High Tech Turbo. With some custom programming from GDP Tuning, this truck laid down almost 600 hp at the tires and still tows our 29-foot fifth-wheel trailer incredibly well. Early this spring we replaced the running gear with some more aggressive Mickey Thompson ATZ tires and matte-black 20x9 SD-5 wheels, and we were again impressed by how far the right wheel and tire combination can go toward improving a truck’s looks.

Since the new tires had a much more aggressive tread and were now sticking out slightly past the factory fenders, some Rugged Flares from EGR USA seemed like an easy improvement. The wider flare is an easy clip-on install and will help keep mud and debris off the sides of the truck. While the flares can be run in the bare matte black, we opted to paint-match ours using a complete spray can kit from Automotivetouchup. We informed them of our exterior paint code and the items we planned on painting, and they put

 After a big round of performance upgrades like a higher flowing VGT turbo, a stroker CP4 injection pump, and some new exhaust manifolds, it was time to focus on cosmetic upgrades for Project LML. The black SD-5 Mickey Thompson wheels were added a few months back, but the new Rough Country Bull Bar, grille insert, and blacked-out LED lighting package really adds to the truck’s overall look.