New Truck

[k5hart]

I guess I'll be moving over to this forum now. Just picked up my truck today. 2006 silverado 1500 crew cab, LT3, towing package, 5.3 leather. 90,000 miles. One owner before the lot I got it from. In great shape. Interior nearly perfect. Outside has some wounds but hopefully I can work them out. I have big plans for it if I can afford to fix it up. Oh, and get rid of my OBS extended cab.

[lolife99]

Nice.
I have the same truck in white.

[k5hart]

Thanks. Can't wait to start making it mine. First thing is to loose the tool box!

[lolife99]

Any suspension lowering in it's future?

[k5hart]

Yes. I would like to drop but I'm not sure how much yet. I've been doing some research on whats available and looking at pics of other trucks. It's my daily driver and I plan on towing with it sometimes so I don't want to lose those abilities.

Right now my plan is lower it, pick up some wheels, paint match the front lower dam, side trim, and mirrors, put in some denali outside handles, some kind of grill insert, and paint or remove the bed trim. I would like to make it kind of luxury custom (leave some chrome, no big body mods) if that makes sense since I think it would fit the color and options of the truck better.

Any mods on yours lolife?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by k5hart

Any mods on yours lolife?

Just color matched escalade handles.
I have a 3/5 McGaughy's lowering kit for it.
I'd like to find a set of oem 20" wheels.

[k5hart]

I was thinking oem 20s as well. One thing I've been unclear on is when a c-notch is needed. I'm guessing anything past 2" or so but I've read some say 4" is doable? Any ideas on this? Do you know if these truck are pretty easy to drop with kits?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by k5hart

I was thinking oem 20s as well. One thing I've been unclear on is when a c-notch is needed. I'm guessing anything past 2" or so but I've read some say 4" is doable? Any ideas on this? Do you know if these truck are pretty easy to drop with kits?

I bought a c-notch for mine.
I'd say anything over a 3" rear drop.
I think McGaughy's has the best stuff to drop these 99-06 trucks.

I did a 4/6 on a '99 years ago with DJM control arms.
Spindles and springs are the best option up front.
My rear kit has a flip kit and a different rear shackle hanger bracket.

I think you can do a 4/6 on these crew cabs,... but it will require a 2-piece driveshaft from an ext.-cab truck.
(fabbing a carrier bearing crossmember will also be required from what I have read.)

These trucks also have the "chevy lean" up front.
Belltech makes a 1" spacer for the low side.
Kinda defeats the purpose.
I think I will just trim the taller spring a little.

I got my McGaughy's parts from Grunions.
They have it at 33% off all the time.
http://grunionfabrication.com/silver...3_266_269.html

[k5hart]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I bought a c-notch for mine.
I'd say anything over a 3" rear drop.
I think McGaughy's has the best stuff to drop these 99-06 trucks.

I did a 4/6 on a '99 years ago with DJM control arms.
Spindles and springs are the best option up front.
My rear kit has a flip kit and a different rear shackle hanger bracket.

I think you can do a 4/6 on these crew cabs,... but it will require a 2-piece driveshaft from an ext.-cab truck.
(fabbing a carrier bearing crossmember will also be required from what I have read.)

These trucks also have the "chevy lean" up front.
Belltech makes a 1" spacer for the low side.
Kinda defeats the purpose.
I think I will just trim the taller spring a little.

I got my McGaughy's parts from Grunions.
They have it at 33% off all the time.
http://grunionfabrication.com/silver...3_266_269.html

Great info! Thanks for that. I don't see a 3/5 kit on that site. Am I missing it or did they discontinue it? I'm thinking this would be my max drop. The car guy side of me wants to slam it but the family side is saying no.

[n2billet]

I have a 2/4 on my 05 CC without a c-notch and it's fine until I pull my trailer with a car/truck on it. Then it only hits the frame on bad dips but if I find the sweet spot on the trailer then it's smooth sailing.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by k5hart

I don't see a 3/5 kit on that site. Am I missing it or did they discontinue it?

I pieced my kit together using part numbers from McGaughy's website.
http://www.mcgaughys.com/truck_new.html

Look at the bottom of this chart for '04-'06 crew cab with "welded hanger".
I have the 2" spindle (for 17" wheels or bigger), 1" drop spring, c-notch, (#WH4REAR 93047) 4" or 5" rear flip kit, (2 sets of holes in the hanger).

Whenever I can free up some garage space,... I will get mine installed.
I bought my parts because they were on sale.

[lolife99]

I think these trucks are 4/6 dropped.
White truck has 22" Raceline wheels (or bigger),... and the grey truck has oem 20" wheels with 275/45-20's.

[k5hart]

Originally Posted by n2billet

I have a 2/4 on my 05 CC without a c-notch and it's fine until I pull my trailer with a car/truck on it. Then it only hits the frame on bad dips but if I find the sweet spot on the trailer then it's smooth sailing.

Any pics of it?

I think these trucks are 4/6 dropped.
White truck has 22" Raceline wheels (or bigger),... and the grey truck has oem 20" wheels with 275/45-20's.

I love that white truck! It's for sale and I almost thought it was a good idea to fly to Tenn. and pick it up.

[n2billet]

The only picture I have of it without a trailer hooked to it was this one during our "big" snow!

[k5hart]

n2billet - I really like the look of your truck. Kind of what I want to go for. Did the door handles and mirrors come on it or was that an addition? I like the painted/chrome look.

Thanks for all the pics and info everyone. I'm really itching to get mine fixed up!

[n2billet]

Originally Posted by k5hart

n2billet - I really like the look of your truck. Kind of what I want to go for. Did the door handles and mirrors come on it or was that an addition? I like the painted/chrome look.

Thanks for all the pics and info everyone. I'm really itching to get mine fixed up!

I smoothed and painted the handles, mirrors, rear bumper, tailgate handle and added the billet grille, the rest is all stock.

[jb1016]

K5, we'll miss you on the 88-98 side. Congrats on the new truck, though. OEM 20s are the way to go IMHO. I love the old tahoe/burb LTZ five-spokes as well as the new LTZ wheels.

[k5hart]

I'll still be around. And the OBS isn't gone yet! I wish it would fill my family needs. I really liked the old truck and still love that body style. Maybe I'll get another one some day. I've already started looking for some factory 20's. Hoping some show up local for sale.

[k5hart]

Took a new pic of the truck and thought I'd throw it up. No tool box now and a BakFlip cover. I have denali handles, a new front valance, smooth bed rail caps, and a SS tailgate cap for it. Need to get all the painting done to install them. Will be removing the side trim and badges also.