Nice build. One that makes the average Joe think "theres something different and beefier but I cant put my fi ger on it."
My 2014 GMC Sierra Z71 SLE, over 160k on the odometer. Nowhere near as modded as yours. Took off that front bumper chin strap right away. Kept the side steps for the little lady. I used the Bilstein 5100's in the front just to level with 1.75 inches up, and had to have them professionally changed into the coils. Next time I'll get the 6000 series that's coil and shock. Did NOT put a block in back but wish I did. I have a Leer 180 topper shell that I added CapRack on top. It can look a little sagged when all my gear and sleeping platform is back there
Air conditioning condenser went out a year and a half ago. Pinhole at front drivers side. Swapped it out. You can tell the factory replacement by sight due to a silver pad in that location. This past summer the compressor went out. Being in New England I knew I wouldn't need AC for long so I toughed it out. I'll change it in spring if I keep the truck.
Came with aluminum rims and 265/65r18 Yokohama. Nice ride. Just swapped for my winter wheels and tires - studded Cooper Discoverer Mud and Snows on the basic 17 inch, 7 spoke wagon wheels.
Mine is an SLE that was thoughtfully optioned up to an SLT, minus the slider rear window. Got leather, heated seats, heavier tow package, remote start and lock.
This has been the nicest truck I've ever owned in almost every way.
These 2wd/AWD/4hi/4lo transaxle ARE weaker, but more versatile than the transaxle in, say, the GMT400 models. Those were more mechanical while these MP's are more clutch pack, but knock on wood I've driven Boston to Fla, PEI, Virginia, The Cape, Mt Washington,
Acadia, Badlands and all the way out to Big Sky and Yellowstone, through Wyoming and Colorado and back. With these, the fluid types and intervals matter far more than they did in the 1990's but the returns are worth it in my experience to date.
Again, nice build. As I read along I wanted to post suggestions but by the time I got to the end, you reached a lot of the same conclusions