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Graystone Metallic 06 Sierra SLT

34K views 145 replies 21 participants last post by  06GMC5.3L  
#1 ·
Well, I have been a member on here a while, but never got around to doing one of these, so here it goes. The truck is an 06 Sierra XCSB SLT with the L33 5.3. It had 84000 on it when I bought it in May 2011. Ended up paying $15000 for it with all new brakes, and tires. It now has 106000 and I haven't had any mechanical issues, just routine maintenance. This year I have changed almost all the front end parts to lifetime warranty including CVs, BJs, Pitman, Idler, and the drive side hub, as well as put 5100s on the four corners. I have also changed the front and rear diff fluid to Amsoil, and am switching motor oil to Amsoil on my next change.

When I bought it it already had the full RC leveling kit with an AAL so there was still a significant amount of rake. Shortly after buying it I put on some esky handles (which were a pain to get a hold of because they are discontinued), and color matched the mirror caps, front emblem, and tailgate bezel myself. I installed Bushwhacker rail caps, and a Lund Genesis Tri Fold tonneau cover which came with a free bug deflector which I put on as well.

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I ended up trading a member on here my 3" RC block for a factory 2" block which gave a much better stance. I also added a set of 1.5" spacers in front to even out the track. Installed DDM HIDs in lows and fogs, and HIRs in high beams with the 6 hi mod, and a 3 piece eBay billet grille set. Drove it around like this for a year.

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Last fall/winter I bought a set of NNBS Z71 18s from a member on here and later found a set of 33/12.5 Toyo MTs to replace the cheap ATs I had.

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This spring I picked up some eBay clear corners and finally got around to clearing my headlights. It's surprising what such a small change makes such a big difference in appearance. Along with this, I removed the bug deflector and added an Airaid MIT.

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Last weekend I finally got around to putting on the new rims and tires. The tires for fine with minimal trimming of the mud flaps and bumper.

Right after putting them on:

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New pics from last week, fenders sitting at around 40" on all four corners:

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Did a quick wash today, it really needs a good clay and wax, but there are a few rust spots behind the mud flaps and rockers that I want to fix first. The calcium they put on the roads in the winter here in Maine is not forgiving.

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Here are a few of said spots:

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I hate the flaps because of this, but any really do without them. I plan on taking them off, sanding down, and probably painting up to the body line. As for the rockers I picked up some Eastwood interior frame coating I think it's called that I will try and spray inside, and I have some Rubberized Rust Encapsulator to do the outside. As you can see from the pictures, the precious owner had done some before. I am going to sand it all down and do it again. Hopefully this prolongs their life for a while.

Future plans are to fix behind flaps and rockers as mentioned, and do a complete exterior detail using Adams products.

Enjoy!! And feel free to comment.



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Discussion starter · #3 ·
Pull those flaps asap and get it sanded and touched up. As for the rockers they seem pretty bad but you won't know how bad until you sand it down.

Truck looks good though!
Ya for sure. I plan on doing it next chance I get. As for the rockers, I hope they aren't too bad once I sand them down. It looks like just surface right now but hard to tell, probably rusting from inside out like they all do...


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Discussion starter · #4 ·
Ordered up the paint to fix behind the flaps today. Hopefully taking on that project in the next couple weeks. Along with the Rust Encapsulator on the rockers.


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Discussion starter · #7 ·
love the color...

:troll3:

Not sure about the mirror caps. I've been looking at options & I don't dig the paint/black mirror option.

I'm trying to find a way to have all painted mirrors yet keep the power/heated/folding/signal mirrors I have.
I really like the color as well. Before buying it I was looking for black or white, but I am really pleased with the Graystone. I toyed with the idea of fully painted mirrors, but if I did, I think I would do the chrome cap. I am not sure how I like the whole thing painted. The reason I did just the cap is for it to flow with the bed rail caps, and the bumper pads. Your truck looks great by the way. Clear the heads, get some esky handles, and do painted mirrors with chrome caps!!

Mine are fully painted and they're powerfolding heated and signal.



Trucks looking good man
Everything about your truck is great Brett. I can't wait to see how your turbo setup turns out! You can probably see where I got some of my inspiration from ;)

I think I am going to be done for a while once I get this rust issue taken care of. Then it needs a good detail, and maybe some candied tails...
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Used Eastwood Interior Frame Coating on the inside of my rockers today. Dries rock hard, and sticks to just about anything.


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Discussion starter · #10 ·
A couple from tonight. Flaps are coming off this weekend, and rust spots behind them are getting fixed. Also rust encapsulating the outside of my rockers this weekend as well.

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Discussion starter · #11 ·
Did some body work yesterday to fix behind the mud flaps. I am really happy with how it turned out. The 2K clear is well worth it. I would never use Duplicolor again. Next is to do the same around the rear flaps, then candy my tails.

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Discussion starter · #13 ·
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Started candying my tails tonight. Taped the reverse light, sanded them down with 400, and sprayed 3 coats. Weather is supposed to be crap next few days, so I am going to let them dry, and wet sand, then clear them on Saturday.

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Discussion starter · #16 ·
What are u using on tails?
Testors Candy Apple Red. You can get it at craft stores like Michaels or AC More. Then I am going to be using SprayMax 2K clear over them.


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Discussion starter · #17 ·
Candied tails drying up waiting to be sanded and polished!!

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Driver side done in Rust Encapsulator.

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Redid my front emblem since it was peeling.

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Discussion starter · #19 ·
Dem candy tails...

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Discussion starter · #20 ·
Discussion starter · #22 ·
I think I am going to remove the GMC, and dealership emblems from the tailgaite. Also going to remove the Z71 stickers, I'm just nervous about them being noticable after removing them, but a bit of polish and wax should fix that...
 
Discussion starter · #23 ·
Debadged and destickered. I wish I wouldn't have waited so long to do it, it looks so much better.

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I would demold in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the guy who repainted the driver door taping around the moulding!!! Previous owner broke the driver side mirror, and got the antifreeze shit that's inside all over the door panel and clearly the shop cut corners which I am not surprised since I have heard of others on here having the same problem...I don't really mind the molding anyways, it ties in with the bumpers and handles.

Next free weekend I get, the flaps are coming off the back.


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Discussion starter · #24 ·
Sneak peak...

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Discussion starter · #28 ·
Your truck is the perfect dd! As I was scrolling through this thread on my phone I was thinking that debadging would make a huge difference and it did! Post some pics with the mirrors on! Should get some 1.5" spacers too IMO.
Thank man, it really means a lot. I do have 1.5" spacers in front which even the front and back exactly. As for the mirrors, can't take any pictures till Brett is ready to send them my way.


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Discussion starter · #29 ·
I think front window tint would look great
I know... I really want 20% and a brow. Have to get the GF to buy off on it though.


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Discussion starter · #30 ·
Dang that rust repair you did where the mudflaps covered looks good. Props on taking that project on. Tails turned out way good too!
Thanks. I am pretty happy with the way everything turned out. It's barely noticeable now. Just sucks its always a losing battle up here in Maine. It's next to impossible to keep something looking nice unless you don't drive it in the winter.


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Discussion starter · #31 ·
A quick dirty picture from tonight, it really needs a good wash. Should I run chrome caps on the painted mirrors, or stick with the paired caps?

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