Iceman's 2015 project Blackbird

Iceman22 · September 20, 2017

Hey guys,

After lurking for a few months and only posting occasionally, I guess it's time to formally introduce myself and start a build thread. I'm currently in my late 20's and live in Upstate, NY. I'm in law enforcement and have always had a passion for sports cars and road courses. Was lucky enough to own a late model BMW m3 for my first car but eventually realized it wasn't ideal for year-round driving. So, I moved onto a Audi S4 for the AWD but hated almost everything about and ended up getting rid of it to try out a Subaru WRX. Over the course of the next 7 years I would go on to own 5 other Subaru's; all being STi's. I found myself modifying the one I owned until I was content; only to sell it and start over with a new one. Absolutely loved the platform and the ability to make it my own but finally had to admit it wasn't ideal for extended track use.

Therefore, in a knee jerk reaction I sold my last STi and started looking for a c6 z06. I quickly found a 2011 z06 with z07 performance package along with a beater $800 '98 Impreza for inclement weather. Loved the Z but hated driving around in a 20yr old beater with no creature comforts including no AC, power windows or power locks, so I decided to part ways with both. My thought was to pick up a nice daily driver sedan and start replenishing the war chest to eventually peruse another track toy. After discussing it with the Mrs, she suggested I look for a crew cab truck that could serve as a DD and eventually a toy hauler which brought me here! I've always loved the 2014+ body style of the Silverado/Sierra and this forum was a wealth of information in my search for the perfect truck.

So back in November of 2016 I set out to find a slightly used 2014+, crew cab, standard bed, 6.2L, SLT/LTZ trim, painted bumpers and 4WD. About 6 months later and a lot of frustrating stories I won't bore you with, I finally found the perfect example at Bob Fisher Chevy just outside of Reading, PA. The salesman I was paired with, Bob Krause, ended up being awesome and ultimately made my experience the best I've ever had with purchasing a vehicle.

Here's an obligatory pic of it the day I took delivery:

2015 Silverado Midnight Edition

Crew Cab

Standard Bed

6.2L

LTZ

Z71

***I'll spend the next couple of days posting more as I've done a decent amount of little things here and there since May.

chrispassas21 · September 20, 2017

Niceeee!! I love the midnight editions!! [emoji7]

2015 1500 LT Silverado Midnight Edition

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

slj2008 · September 20, 2017

welcome to the midnight group .

Iceman22 · September 20, 2017

Niceeee!! I love the midnight editions!! [emoji7]

2015 1500 LT Silverado Midnight Edition

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

welcome to the midnight group .

Thanks guys! Black was actually the only color I refused to consider when I set out to find a truck. I had owned Black vehicles in the past and said I'd never do it again. Desperately wanted White or Graphite Grey but just couldn't find any that checked all my must-have boxes . Even if I was willing to travel upwards of 500miles :/

The Mrs wanted Black from day one and finally convinced me to pull the trigger on this one. It's stunning when it's clean but it doesn't last very long. I don't think I'd buy Black again but I can't complain about the amount of compliments the Midnight edition gets when I'm out and about

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

chrispassas21 · September 21, 2017

Thanks guys! Black was actually the only color I refused to consider when I set out to find a truck. I had owned Black vehicles in the past and said I'd never do it again. Desperately wanted White or Graphite Grey but just couldn't find any that checked all my must-have boxes . Even if I was willing to travel upwards of 500miles :/

The Mrs wanted Black from day one and finally convinced me to pull the trigger on this one. It's stunning when it's clean but it doesn't last very long. I don't think I'd buy Black again but I can't complain about the amount of compliments the Midnight edition gets when I'm out and about

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

definetly need to get them windows tinted!!! That was my first mod!

2015 1500 LT Silverado Midnight Edition

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

chrispassas21 · September 21, 2017

welcome to the midnight group .

always see you posting on different threads. Don't think I've ever seen a pic of your truck. I'm dieing to see what it looks like!!

2015 1500 LT Silverado Midnight Edition

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Iceman22 · September 21, 2017

definetly need to get them windows tinted!!! That was my first mod!

2015 1500 LT Silverado Midnight Edition

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Shhhhhh! Stop foreshadowing lol ;)

Here she is on the way home from the dealer. Stopped at Primanti Brothers on the way home for a celebratory lunch and couldn't help but turn around and snap a picture.

Apparently I had a huge smile on my face. It prompted the Mrs to look at me and say "I'm so glad for you to be done with modifying cars and stressing over things for hours at a time in the garage."

I looked back and told her: "Yea! Once I put the level on I'll be done with modding it"

Ughhhhhh, whoops! As you'll see in the coming days I didn't exactly keep my word :x

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Iceman22 · September 22, 2017

Here she is leveled and just barely fitting in the garage. I must admit I never thought to measure the garage depth when I first decided I wanted a crew cab standard bed.

Bought the truck and dropped it off at my local truck performance shop on the way home to have it leveled with a 2" BDS kit. A day later I brought it home for the first time and had an "oh sh*t" moment as I began to back it in. It didn't initially fit! Thankfully I could relocate the roller tool box and peg board to a different wall. With the back wall completely naked the truck fits by about 6 inches

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

slj2008 · September 22, 2017

Here she is leveled and just barely fitting in the garage. I must admit I never thought to measure the garage depth when I first decided I wanted a crew cab standard bed.

Bought the truck and dropped it off at my local truck performance shop on the way home to have it leveled with a 2" BDS kit. A day later I brought it home for the first time and had an "oh sh*t" moment as I began to back it in. It didn't initially fit! Thankfully I could relocate the roller tool box and peg board to a different wall. With the back wall completely naked the truck fits by about 6 inches

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BIGGER GARAGE - need room to work on truck / add on's ???? tint those windows . Looks good

Iceman22 · September 22, 2017

BIGGER GARAGE - need room to work on truck / add on's ???? tint those windows . Looks good

You and I have the same thought! I'd love a bigger garage but currently battling my city building code department. In my city the amount of square footage your garage is allowed to be is directly related to your lot size and I come up just short to be able to bump up to the next increment :/

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Iceman22 · September 23, 2017

Next up was the antenna delete. Followed the "under $50 mod" thread and picked up the plug at Lowes. Was worried it would fly out since there really isn't a lip for the plug to catch on but it's in there pretty solid was just friction and it hasn't popped out in 1,000 miles of spirited driving.

The look is just night and day with the antenna not being there. And I love that I don't see it moving out of the corner of my eye when driving now too!

Zip-tied the antenna horizontally in my passenger fender. Can't comment on the reception quality though as I exclusively use XM or Pandora

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

slj2008 · September 24, 2017

Next up was the antenna delete. Followed the "under $50 mod" thread and picked up the plug at Lowes. Was worried it would fly out since there really isn't a lip for the plug to catch on but it's in there pretty solid was just friction and it hasn't popped out in 1,000 miles of spirited driving.

The look is just night and day with the antenna not being there. And I love that I don't see it moving out of the corner of my eye when driving now too!

Zip-tied the antenna horizontally in my passenger fender. Can't comment on the reception quality though as I exclusively use XM or Pandora

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

looks good. tint those windows ???

Iceman22 · September 25, 2017

looks good. tint those windows ???

Coming soon!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Iceman22 · September 25, 2017

Next up was husky floor liners and GM under-seat storage.

Had been a weathertech guy for years but the last set I bought for my subaru had the bacon ripple to the edge that wrapped up the side of the floor pan which really pissed me off for the amount of money so you spend on WT's so I decided to trying something new.

Compared Husky, Max-Liners and Rough Country's and ultimately decided to go with Husky's . Couldn't be happier with the WeatherBeaters. I went back and forth multiple times before deciding on the partial coverage rear. I was worried the full coverage would effect the fit of under-seat storage.

In hindsight I think it would have been fine but you live and learn. Plus the partial coverage ends right where the under-seat storage begins so there isn't much carpet exposed.

Also heavily debated the under-seat storage but as luck would have I have 3 co-workers that all have a different one. I was able to compare the GM, the Husky and the Du-Ha all in person before having to order one. Here's my $.02 :

If my primary objective was concealing long guns then the Du-Ha is hard to compete with. But it really wasn't and I really didn't like how plasticity it looked or the weird molded part you see that secures the divider when you open the rear door.

The finish of the Husky hands down looked the most factory/"meant to be there" but it stopped slightly short of the bottom of the rear seat and just had too much ability to wiggle around for my liking.

The GM happened to be the perfect middle ground for me. Smooth on the side unlike the Du-Ha and is bolted in place at each end unlike the Husky. Plus there is ample room for a snow brush, tow strap, hitch, battery impact gun, small floor jack and and more if needed.

And here's the part of the carpet I wish was covered...Although with the seat down it would be really awkward to step where the carpet is so hopefully it'll be a moot point

slj2008 · September 25, 2017

Next up was husky floor liners and GM under-seat storage.

Had been a weathertech guy for years but the last set I bought for my subaru had the bacon ripple to the edge that wrapped up the side of the floor pan which really pissed me off for the amount of money so you spend on WT's so I decided to trying something new.

Compared Husky, Max-Liners and Rough Country's and ultimately decided to go with Husky's . Couldn't be happier with the WeatherBeaters. I went back and forth multiple times before deciding on the partial coverage rear. I was worried the full coverage would effect the fit of under-seat storage.

In hindsight I think it would have been fine but you live and learn. Plus the partial coverage ends right where the under-seat storage begins so there isn't much carpet exposed.

Also heavily debated the under-seat storage but as luck would have I have 3 co-workers that all have a different one. I was able to compare the GM, the Husky and the Du-Ha all in person before having to order one. Here's my $.02 :

If my primary objective was concealing long guns then the Du-Ha is hard to compete with. But it really wasn't and I really didn't like how plasticity it looked or the weird molded part you see that secures the divider when you open the rear door.

The finish of the Husky hands down looked the most factory/"meant to be there" but it stopped slightly short of the bottom of the rear seat and just had too much ability to wiggle around for my liking.

The GM happened to be the perfect middle ground for me. Smooth on the side unlike the Du-Ha and is bolted in place at each end unlike the Husky. Plus there is ample room for a snow brush, tow strap, hitch, battery impact gun, small floor jack and and more if needed.

And here's the part of the carpet I wish was covered...Although with the seat down it would be really awkward to step where the carpet is so hopefully it'll be a moot point