Introducing Project Trail Beast - A 2019 Chevy Silverado LTZ

[Zane]

Zane & Josh Merva

The Merva Brothers - Co/Founders, GM-Trucks.com

 

GM-Trucks.com is always trying to stay on the bleeding edge of General Motors vehicles and the aftermarket accessories that owners install on them. That’s why we occasionally purchase long term pickups to better understand the ownership experience of these extremely popular vehicles. Our last truck, a 2011 GMC Sierra All Terrain, continues to serve us well all these years later, but became outdated in 2014 when the K2 generation of trucks was produced. We never had a chance to purchase a 2014-2018 Silverado but had a half dozen close friends who let us work on theirs.  

 

 

So when GM announced that the 2019 model year Silverado and Sierra would be brand spankin' new, we knew we had to have one. Thus, a year long effort was set into motion during the Winter of 2017-2018. Internally, GM-Trucks.com declared war on the 2019 Silverado. We could cover it, we would own it, we would be THE place for owners of the T1XX generation to call home. To do that, we had to have one ourselves. 

 

We saw the surprise unveiling, followed trim level news, ordering information, factory startup, placed an order the first day we could, then waited (not so) patiently for it to arrive. In September 2018 we took delivery of our new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ. Here it is a few seconds after the first time we saw it.

 

 

What’s the plan?
We’re going to make our new Silverado work for us and you. Over the next few years we plan on transforming our truck, installing loads of aftermarket parts, and reviewing everything in the process.

 

Our thought process behind this Project Truck is simple. We originally wanted to buy a Silverado Trail Boss but found that Chevy wouldn’t let us get it with the all new 6.2L V8. That engine and the brand new 10-speed transmission was reserved for those who purchased an LTZ or High Country. With the 6.2L being more important, we acquiesced and ordered a more expensive LTZ instead.  Thus, our mission to replicate the Trail Boss’s off-road stance and beefed up attitude but with a legendary 6.2L engine and a more luxurious take on things was born. We've decided to call it….

 

Project Trail Beast

 

More than just a name, Project Trail Beast is a set of core vehicle modification goals that we’d like to accomplish with our 2019 Silverado LTZ. The ultimate goal is to create the truck that Chevy should have made… a Trail Boss with a 6.2L engine.  Thankfully, we’re not bound by factory parts anymore, so we can go a little more hardcore than Chevy would have. 

 

 

Our goals include:

• Suspension Lift: We’ll take our Silverado and raise it a modest 2-4 inches. More aggressive tires are a requirement and aftermarket rims are being considered to complement the higher stance without sacrificing driveability. 
• Beefed Up Performance: 420-horsepower stock isn’t bad…. but isn’t nearly enough. We’ll explore adding a supercharger to our 6.2L and work with leading brands to install performance intake and exhaust systems. We’ll also check in on the custom tuning scene and how the 2019 models can be modified on the inside. 
• Updated Lighting: Even though most of our Silverado has high tech LED lighting, there are still some conventional bulbs. We’ll replacement all with the latest LED tech and add additional illumination around our truck. Expect us to talk about and review industry players such as Sylvania and Baja Lights soon. 
• Utility Accessories: We'll explore bed covers, floor mats, security products, custom keyed locks, ceramic coatings, and a wide range of other accessories that any truck owner may use or need on their vehicle. From Adams Polishes to Husky Liners, we’ll look at what works and what does not. 
• GM Official Accessories: GM is upping their game and offering lots of performance and visual accessories right from the dealership. We opened up a parts account and immediately started buying. How do these products perform? Are they worth the price? We'll let you know

 

 

Help Us Out! What Do You Want?
Do you want a particular product reviewed? Can't decide on a truck safe? Or confused about Ceramic Coatings? Let us know! We’ll do our best to review anything we can on Project Trail Beast. Do you work for a company who has a product you’d like us to look at? We can do that too. 

 

 

What’s next?

It's time to get installing. We have a fat pile of accessories we've already started to work on. Each product, each experience, we'll share with you. Stay tuned for more updates on Project Trail Beast. 

 

 

[Grumpy Bear]

How about keeping track of weights and measures as you go. As she sits, what does she weight? Mileage? When you change wheel and tire what is the weight difference per unit and what effect does it have on anything. Information objective would be nice. Cost of modification. THEN the subjective....

 

Ask yourself, "What are the most frequently asked questions about any modification?"  If I see another thread titled. "I added 37" and lost 10 mpg is that normal?" I'm going to explode. 

[Daly]

If they are lifting it to build a "Trail Beast" I doubt fuel economy is on the mind. 

[tyrich88]

If you're building a "Trail BEAST" add some mid travel suspension and then start the engine mods. 
That will give the needed lift to fit the bigger tires and the performance to go with it. 

 

Report on fuel economy, 0-60 times, 1/4 miles times, etc.
Might as well not leave any details out if you're going that hard at the build! 

 

Then make chevy build one so we can finally get a raptor competitor! 

[steve8]

It is strange they don't offer the 6.2/directly compete with the raptor.

 

[Big Whiskey]

Looking forward to the build! I'd like to see you cram some bigger tires on the stock wheels first (after the lift), and then swap the rims later for comparison on ride, handling, clearance, etc.

 

And for reviews of products, I've been wanting to learn more about secure truck bed storage, that also allows you to haul an ATV, such as these: https://diamondbackcovers.com/collections/atv-sxs-carriers

or these: https://decked.com/pages/truck

 

[Scooter Scott]

Can't wait to see this build come to life!

 

[Sierra Dan]

On ‎2‎/‎12‎/‎2019 at 1:39 PM, steve8 said:

It is strange they don't offer the 6.2/directly compete with the raptor.

 

TrailBoss and AT4 (even with the 6.2) are no match for a RAPTOR

The Factory GM suspension is no way up to par, no matter which engine was under the hood.

Yes, it would be great if GM produced a factory truck that could go head to head with a Raptor.

 

 

 

[Sierra Dan]

Will the Beast be ditching the factory Tenneco Ranchos for something better?

[BIGDOGx]

On 2/18/2019 at 4:13 PM, Sierra Dan said:

TrailBoss and AT4 (even with the 6.2) are no match for a RAPTOR

The Factory GM suspension is no way up to par, no matter which engine was under the hood.

Yes, it would be great if GM produced a factory truck that could go head to head with a Raptor.

 

 

 

They do in a much smaller and better off road package with the ZR2. I laugh at people who claim to wheel a modern day fullsize as to them i guess rolling over mud puddles is wheeling. These trucks especially the 19's which are bigger than the previous 18 cant fit anywhere on a trail, unless you have open deserts lol to anyone who think any full size including a 60+ grand raptor is capable in the woods. You would first need a bulldozer to clear a path to fit down for wheeling, at least REAL off roading that is. It's the reason why in a head to head the zr2 was better in just about every category vs. the fullsize raptor and dodge power wagon.

[tyrich88]

On 3/6/2019 at 11:32 AM, BIGDOGx said:

They do in a much smaller and better off road package with the ZR2. I laugh at people who claim to wheel a modern day fullsize as to them i guess rolling over mud puddles is wheeling. These trucks especially the 19's which are bigger than the previous 18 cant fit anywhere on a trail, unless you have open deserts lol to anyone who think any full size including a 60+ grand raptor is capable in the woods. You would first need a bulldozer to clear a path to fit down for wheeling, at least REAL off roading that is. It's the reason why in a head to head the zr2 was better in just about every category vs. the fullsize raptor and dodge power wagon.

To compete with the raptor, the ZR2 doesnt even come close. 
The ZR2 is a completely different style of offroading to the raptor.

For Chevy to legitimately compete with the Raptor they would need either a super charged 5.3 or a 6.2 with AT LEAST mid-travel suspension, 35s, bigger brakes and some cooling improvements. They have these engine mods already done in sports cars, just move it over to a truck platform and put some REAL suspension on it. 
It really wouldnt take much for Chevy to do that. Quite a few people on this forum have built trucks that could keep up on runs and such (suspension wise), but the engine improvements would be much needed to truly compete on paper and on the trail. Not everyone buys these pickups to take them on trail runs. So they need to cater to the masses the way the Raptor does. 

Edited April 15, 2019 by tyrich88

[bryangreene3]

official media? and real official comment! no actors! I promised this Truck is best american truck, without any Asian or Mexican design development or built parts, This is a nice truck all designed by American, built by American, Supporting GM is supporting USA. Great Again. Buy American like this. There is zero quality control issue on this American truck and the MPG on dashboard is very accurate REAL which you would not be curious to calculate yourself to verify. Buy Chevy and Support USA auto maker, let's make Detroit and USA Great Again.

[Paintor]

On 6/2/2019 at 5:08 AM, bryangreene3 said:

 I promised this Truck is best american truck, without any Asian or Mexican design development or built parts, This is a nice truck all designed by American, built by American, Supporting GM is supporting USA. Great Again. Buy American like this. 

With all the Federal Class Action lawsuits against GM going on, they all say GM is a FOREIGN CORPORATION.....

 

If untrue...GM woulda counter sued...but they didn’t.

 

About as American as a Japanese Zero fighter....

[Praedator]

On 6/4/2019 at 5:04 AM, Paintor said:

With all the Federal Class Action lawsuits against GM going on, they all say GM is a FOREIGN CORPORATION.....

 

If untrue...GM woulda counter sued...but they didn’t.

 

About as American as a Japanese Zero fighter....

My build sheet says "MSL"  for Assembled in Silao, Mexico Assembly plant!

[Tadpole911]

Any updates on Project Trail Beast?