What did you do to your AT4 today?

Whaler27 · Jun 16, 2024

gemarsh said:
Yeah I'm not a fan of blacked out badges on a black or dark blue truck, so I'm not replacing them. I detest plastic chrome also, but what's a guy to do?

But on a white, gray or red truck, I'd be all over it. I think it looks awesome. And I'm a chrome guy.

Thanks! My brain makes connections I can’t always explain. I can appreciate real chrome on a 55 Chevy, or a Harley, for example. They wouldn’t look right without it, but somehow I see my pickup differently. Definitely not a rational thing.

Now I’m looking at the black version of the illuminated front emblem. I can’t believe it’s $425… Based on the pricing for other illuminated emblems on eBay, I suspect GM’s cost on that part is under $25. Then you get to pay shipping…

I feel a little like Homer Simpson… banging my head and then complaining that my head hurts. GM is a constant disappointment, and I complain a lot, and then I come back for more so I can start the cycle over again. Sheesh.

Viking Truck · Jun 16, 2024

Whaler27 said:
Got rid of the black “wrap” on the tailgate. Just looked strange to me — like painting one door flat black. I also started replacing the emblems. I know this won’t be an improvement in everybody’s eyes, but I don’t like “plastic chrome”, or any other chrome, so I’m removing it.

I would definitely like the all black on my red truck but I dont think I want to spend the money for the entire set. My two Jeeps are already bleeding me dry.

Whaler27 · Jun 16, 2024

Replaced the badging on the sides today. The only one left to do is the front, which will be the black illuminated emblem. That one should be here in a couple weeks.

I also installed the ditch light brackets. They were packaged missing almost all of the hardware, which is especially funny, since they included a parts checklist in the box, and every box is checked. Actually, the only parts in the box were the brackets, adapter brackets for a 1500, and the barrel-spacers, which were separately heat-sealed in their own little baggy. (I watched an installation video which started with the unboxing, so I saw what the hardware packsge is supposed to look like. There’s supposed to be a second bag with all the bolts, nuts and washers next to the bag with the barrel-spacers. That bag was missing.) Fortunately, we have a fantastic hardware store that’s less than forty minutes away, and they’re open Sundays. It cost me 2.5 hours and a little less than $30 bucks to get everything but the silicone pads. When I started the installation I discovered I didn’t need much of what I bought. Apparently, all the extra stuff is for the half-ton installations.

Whaler27 · Jun 16, 2024

Viking Truck said:
I would definitely like the all black on my red truck but I dont think I want to spend the money for the entire set. My two Jeeps are already bleeding me dry.

I hear ya. It’s stupid-expensive to do this stuff, and it will eventually bleed you dry. I’m nearing retirement, so I should be smarter with my money. And yet….

On the Jeep front, I sold my TJ to buy more parts for the JL, a decision I deeply regret, especially since I sold it right before the COVID craziness inflated all prices. At least there's nothing left on the must-have list for the JL. After five years and more money than I like to admit it’s finally done. Ish.

I told myself I wasn’t going to do much to the AT4, and that’s still the plan, but I sold my other truck a few days ago, so it’s a little harder to say no to a few personal tweaks.

Leo581 · Jun 17, 2024

Whaler27 said:
Replaced the badging on the sides today. The only one left to do is the front, which will be the black illuminated emblem. That one should be here in a couple weeks.

I also installed the ditch light brackets. They were packaged missing almost all of the hardware, which is especially funny, since they included a parts checklist in the box, and every box is checked. Actually, the only parts in the box were the brackets and the barrel-spacers, which were separately heat-sealed in their own little baggy. Fortunately, we have a fantastic hardware store that’s less than forty minutes away, and they’re open Sunday. It cost me 2.5 hours and a little less than $30 bucks to get everything but the silicone pads. When I started the installation I discovered I didn’t need much of what I bought. Apparently, all the extra stuff is for the half-ton installations.

Where did you get the rear GMC logo? I like it. It almost looks grey in the middle.

pinebaron · Jun 17, 2024

Dealer called; Glow plug controller Fuse Block (part arrived), please arrange to have it installed.

A few weeks ago I had a CEL which spawned Glow Plug related codes. Dealer identified issue as an intermittent Fuse Block.

I love quality of service from my local GMC dealer Northwest Chevrolet GMC Cadillac of Bellingham; can't say enough good things about them.

Whaler27 · Jun 17, 2024

Leo581 said:
Where did you get the rear GMC logo? I like it. It almost looks grey in the middle.

eBay. They are flat black in the middle, with glossy black around the edges, but the contrast makes the centers appear almost gray.

gashmil23 · Jun 18, 2024

i just installed my new ENRICH UP steering wheel tray that is a good addition indeed

Johnv76 · Jun 18, 2024

Removed the chrome Sierra badge on the tailgate, and hydro dipped the AT4x badge a bronze to try and match the bronze on the front grill and side emblems. What do you guys think? I tried to color match the AEV badge but it wouldn't work. Still trying to decide if i should also color match the chrome around the GMC badge.

Mt_Syclone · Jun 18, 2024

20AT421 said:
Finally got some wheels and tires. Went with RT Trails. Wanted something a little more aggressive then an AT but not full blown MT. We'll see how they do.
View attachment 8816

Still got some trimming to do this weekend.

Looks awesome. That's the perfect stance. Great looking rig!

pinebaron · Jun 18, 2024

Its funny when I see OEM badges being removed or hyper/hydro dipped etc. whilst I've added two OEM AEV badges to the truck, one on each front fender.
Everyone to their own I guess!

I'm happy to see red GMC logos on my black truck. Having said that, I had replaced side marker lights with smoked black, amber ones did not look right. Lots of other useful additions like front and rear fog lamps, a Comeup winch, etc. , perhaps the most useful of all is my Blackvue DR-970X 2-CH LTE Dashcam, a life saver and great 24/7 security add-on, besides serving as a hotspot with unlimited high speed data for GMC apps, wifi light switches, for passengers, etc. in USA and Canada (since we frequently travel across the border).

Johnv76 · Jun 18, 2024

pinebaron said:
Its funny when I see OEM badges being removed or hyper/hydro dipped etc. whilst I've added two OEM AEV badges to the truck, one on each front fender.
Everyone to their own I guess!

I'm happy to see red GMC logos on my black truck. Having said that, I had replaced side marker lights with smoked black, amber ones did not look right. Lots of other useful additions like front and rear fog lamps, a Comeup winch, etc. , perhaps the most useful of all is my Blackvue DR-970X 2-CH LTE Dashcam, a life saver and great 24/7 security add-on, besides serving as a hotspot with unlimited high speed data for GMC apps, wifi light switches, for passengers, etc. in USA and Canada (since we frequently travel across the border).
View attachment 8846 View attachment 8847 View attachment 8848

I love the AEV badges, just was trying to color match them as I'm not a big chrome guy. So was trying to color match the chrome to the bronze color on our front grill and side badges is all. Still trying to decide if I want to color match the chrome around the GMC badges. I need to look into your dash cam. Looks like a pretty cool setup.

20AT421 · Jun 18, 2024

Mt_Syclone said:
Looks awesome. That's the perfect stance. Great looking rig!

Thanks, I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. Was a little apprehensive since I hadn't seen those wheels or tires in person.

mrgoodwords · Jul 20, 2024

Whaler27 said:
Got rid of the black “wrap” on the tailgate. Just looked strange to me — like painting one door flat black. I also started replacing the emblems. I know this won’t be an improvement in everybody’s eyes, but I don’t like “plastic chrome”, or any other chrome, so I’m removing it.

What was your process for removing the tailgate wrap? I'd like to do the same

Whaler27 · Jul 20, 2024

mrgoodwords said:
What was your process for removing the tailgate wrap? I'd like to do the same

Gentle heat from a heat gun and then a little work with a plastic razor blade to get an edge started, then I just pulled it off. This time of year a couple hours in the sun and it should peel easily — no need for a hair dryer or heat gun.