2024 2500 Mod Progress

[FountainJL]

I flew from Houston to Norfolk on 8-28 and drove my very first new vehicle 1,436 miles home from the dealer in North Carolina. I’m the proud new owner of a 2024 2500 AT4 gasser. (This wasn’t a compromise, I didn’t want a diesel, lol)
It has only been two weeks, but I’ve been busy spending money and making changes and thought I would catalog them here as I go. Hopefully you enjoy following along or find something you’re looking for. Maybe I end up costing you money on something you didn’t know you needed.

 

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[FountainJL]

The first project I tackled was the side marker lights. The ambers were fine, but stuck out like a sore thumb. I didn’t go with high dollar, animated lights, just Chinuh specials from eBay and they work great. Install is kind of a pain but not difficult. Pulling off the rear fender flares sounds awful and feels terrible.

 

[FountainJL]

Following that, I spent a ridiculous amount of money for black OEM emblems and fender badges. I would’ve gone eBay on these as well, but couldn’t find anyone selling similar fender vents/badges, the new bumper-side badges, or the front grille AT4. Original emblems were removed with soft pry tools, no heat, and the bulk of the adhesive with a 3M wheel. I follow that with WD-40 and a microfiber towel and then isopropyl alcohol before placing new emblems. I used the GM instructions I posted in my other thread, painters tape, and measuring calipers for locating the new emblems. The fender vent and bumper badges pop right off and snap back in place without adhesive. The AT4 on the front grille is an absolute bitch to get off. Remove the radiator cowl under the hood and violently yank your brand new grille towards yourself to disconnect the clips. It will still be bolted to the truck on each side behind the fenders. Use a towel or something to keep the grille pulled forward and use a long screwdriver to break the tabs off the back of the emblem. The new one snaps right back in.

My truck is filthy from the long drive home, so pardon my mess.

 

[FountainJL]

This next one may make your eye twitch.
I know the red tow hooks are symbolic for the AT4, but they’re just too bold for the look I’m after. I pulled them out and sprayed them in HyperDip Emerald Black. My first experience with Plasti Dip/HyperDip, and I see why people like it so much. It’s super easy to spray and get a good finish.

 

[FountainJL]

I couldn’t get this done fast enough…
TINT!!
I did ceramic all the way around.
Windshield- 70%
Fronts- 18% (meters about 13%)
Rears- 50% (meters about 10%)
The ceramic hype is real. In full, glaring Texas sun, you can not feel heat through the glass.

 

[FountainJL]

The chrome lug nuts on the beautiful black wheels had to go. I swapped them out for a set of black lug nuts from Gorilla, item number 76148BC.
The chrome trim on the center caps was also an eye sore for me, so they got HyperDipped too. I went back and forth on keeping the red, but this just looks cleaner.

 

[FountainJL]

This next project is the first I’m not sold on.
I wanted to remove the last bit of chrome on the truck, the front and rear GMC emblems. A post on this forum actually inspired me to do it this way. I loved the look on those trucks, not so much on mine. It’s “okay”.
I masked off everything, huge pain in the ass, HyperDipped the emblem, and peeled the centers to reveal the red. Even though this is supposed to be a glossy black, it’s not. I didn’t like the look of the whole emblem satin black and I’m not sure I like it with the red either. It’ll do for now.
The shop I had do my tint also does those awesome blackout packages for dealers that you often see on Escalades, Land Rovers, Mercedes, etc. They quoted me $4-500 to paint the grey part of my grille and whole emblem gloss black. I’m leaning that way heavily. I think I’ll compare a quote from them to paint my fender flares vs buying a new painted set as well.

 

[Pingbling23]

Looking great fountainjl!!!!

 

[112480]

Following that, I spent a ridiculous amount of money for black OEM emblems and fender badges. I would’ve gone eBay on these as well, but couldn’t find anyone selling similar fender vents/badges, the new bumper-side badges, or the front grille AT4. Original emblems were removed with soft pry tools, no heat, and the bulk of the adhesive with a 3M wheel. I follow that with WD-40 and a microfiber towel and then isopropyl alcohol before placing new emblems. I used the GM instructions I posted in my other thread, painters tape, and measuring calipers for locating the new emblems. The fender vent and bumper badges pop right off and snap back in place without adhesive. The AT4 on the front grille is an absolute bitch to get off. Remove the radiator cowl under the hood and violently yank your brand new grille towards yourself to disconnect the clips. It will still be bolted to the truck on each side behind the fenders. Use a towel or something to keep the grille pulled forward and use a long screwdriver to break the tabs off the back of the emblem. The new one snaps right back in.

My truck is filthy from the long drive home, so pardon my mess.

LOVE these badges!...Where #EXACTLY did you get them from???

 

[FountainJL]

LOVE these badges!...Where #EXACTLY did you get them from???

https://www.shopchevyparts.com/sierra-2500/emblems-c-1456_6829_6876_6882.html

 

[112480]

https://www.shopchevyparts.com/sierra-2500/emblems-c-1456_6829_6876_6882.html

Thank you!

 

[FountainJL]

This is one is kinda tough to make out between broad daylight and LED lights. I put in two of the Boost Auto lighting mods; about a 10 minute job. The auto fog light mod activates the fogs any time the parking/running lights are on-no need to reach down and tap that fog light button every time. The other is the all lights/6 high mod. This allows lows, highs, And fogs to be on when your highs are selected. It even works with IntelliBeam/auto high beams.

 

[nabatron]

Congrats on the new ride. Was planning on going the 1500 route but love the new looks of the 24’ 2500 HD. I’m doing lots of research on whether to go duramax or gasser. Why did you go gasser and not duramax?

 

[112480]

This next project is the first I’m not sold on.
I wanted to remove the last bit of chrome on the truck, the front and rear GMC emblems. A post on this forum actually inspired me to do it this way. I loved the look on those trucks, not so much on mine. It’s “okay”.
I masked off everything, huge pain in the ass, HyperDipped the emblem, and peeled the centers to reveal the red. Even though this is supposed to be a glossy black, it’s not. I didn’t like the look of the whole emblem satin black and I’m not sure I like it with the red either. It’ll do for now.
The shop I had do my tint also does those awesome blackout packages for dealers that you often see on Escalades, Land Rovers, Mercedes, etc. They quoted me $4-500 to paint the grey part of my grille and whole emblem gloss black. I’m leaning that way heavily. I think I’ll compare a quote from them to paint my fender flares vs buying a new painted set as well.

Man I know you said they look "ok" but I think they look GREAT!! And that's ACTUALLY what I want/AM going to do when I get my AT4HD!! LOVE the Black whether it's satin or polished around the Big RED emblem!!

 

[112480]

This is one is kinda tough to make out between broad daylight and LED lights. I put in two of the Boost Auto lighting mods; about a 10 minute job. The auto fog light mod activates the fogs any time the parking/running lights are on-no need to reach down and tap that fog light button every time. The other is the all lights/6 high mod. This allows lows, highs, And fogs to be on when your highs are selected. It even works with IntelliBeam/auto high beams.

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