2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 - Fantastic Four

This month’s Fantastic Four tech install is on a 2011 Chevy Silverado 4WD. These are amazing trucks from the factory, but could use a bit of help in some areas. The owner bought the truck to haul dirt bikes and motocross gear all over Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada. We decided on a moderate lift to give the truck more ground clearance when off-road, an intake and exhaust for better engine respiration, and beefy wheels and tires for improved off-road safety and capability.

For the suspension, we contacted Summit Racing and ordered a Skyjacker 6-inch lift kit. We also upgraded the leaf springs and rear shocks since the owner would be hauling heavy dirt bikes around. The intake we went with was AEM’s Brute Force intake kit from autoanything.com. This came with the new Dryflow oil-free filter for ease of use. We ordered a Cherry bomb exhaust, also from Summit Racing, since the owner wanted a rowdy sounding truck and according to Cherry Bomb, they have been disturbing the peace since 1968. Finally, for the rolling stock, BMF was contacted for their M-80 wheels in stealth finish for a mean look, and a set of General’s new Red Letter Grabbers in the 35x12.5R20 size were ordered from 4 Wheels Parts. We had heard good things from other truck owners about the Grabbers and were excited to see how they performed.

For the intake and exhaust install, we used our Tech Center and Truckin’s Editor Dan Ward handled turning the wrenches and holding back the expletives. The truck was then taken to Trader’s Truck Accessories, in Santa Fe Springs, California, to have the suspension installed, along with the wheels and tires. Once we arrived, technician Ox Higgins made quick work of giving the truck a better stance and new shoes. Follow along to see how we upgraded Chevy’s newest pickup.

Highs:
• Better than factory ride
• Increased off-road capability
• More horsepower
• Improved hauling ability

Lows:
• Difficult exhaust install
• Lower MPG

1. After disconnecting the battery and removing the engine cover, the first step was to unplug the mass airflow (MAF) sensor and disconnect the air tube from the airbox. Next, a Torx bit was used to remove the MAF sensor from the factory air tube. This was set aside in a safe place to avoid damage. With the airbox completely disconnected, it could be pulled out of the truck and set aside.
1. After disconnecting the battery and removing the engine cover, the first step was to un
2. The air inlet assembly had to be removed, so the PCV line was unplugged, and then after some prodding, the air inlet assembly was lifted out of the truck. Finally, the bottom tray from under the airbox was unbolted and removed and the coolant overflow tank was unbolted and set aside.
2. The air inlet assembly had to be removed, so the PCV line was unplugged, and then after
3. The AEM kit came with everything needed to complete the install, except the tools. The filter that came with the kit was their new Dryflow oil-free filter. The first step in assembling the kit was to install the rubber edge trim where the air tube would be installed. Then, the new airbox was installed in the factory location using the factory bolts that were removed earlier.
3. The AEM kit came with everything needed to complete the install, except the tools. The

4. After installing the factory MAF sensor into the new air tube, a hole had to be drilled into the top of the filter. The instructions called for a 1/8-inch hole but that was far too small and it ended up being a 5/16-inch hole. A 90-degree elbow was slipped into the hole and a rubber hose that attached to the Filter Minder connected to this elbow.
4. After installing the factory MAF sensor into the new air tube, a hole had to be drilled
5. When we tried to reconnect the MAF sensor, we realized that the mounting location wouldn’t allow for the sensor to fully seat, so a pneumatic cutoff tool was used to cut a notch and make it fit. We could then install the new air tube onto the throttle body. The Dryflow filter simply slipped into the box and attached to the air tube with a hose clamp.
5. When we tried to reconnect the MAF sensor, we realized that the mounting location would
6. The factory PCV hose was completely removed from the truck and a new 3⁄8-inch hose and was attached between the metal PCV tube on the engine and the new air tube. Finally, the lid of the intake was bolted on and the engine cover was put back into place.
6. The factory PCV hose was completely removed from the truck and a new 3⁄8-inch hose and

7. Next on the agenda was to install a new exhaust. The factory exhaust on most new trucks restricts burnt gases exiting the engine, so an upgrade will help your engine breathe easier. First, we loosened the clamp that held the end of the Y-pipe and the head pipe together.
7. Next on the agenda was to install a new exhaust. The factory exhaust on most new trucks
8. Next, using some lubricating spray and a prybar, the head pipe hanger was slipped out of the rubber mount. After enlisting the help of our Tech Center manager and tech guru, Jason Scudellari, we cut the head pipe just in front of the muffler and removed the factory exhaust from the truck.
8. Next, using some lubricating spray and a prybar, the head pipe hanger was slipped out o
9. The Cherry Bomb kit came with a new head pipe, over the axle pipe, and tailpipe as well as their Vortex muffler, clamps, and tip.
9. The Cherry Bomb kit came with a new head pipe, over the axle pipe, and tailpipe as well

10. At this point, we ran into a snag in the installation. In this picture, the lower pipe is the one that was included in the kit. It was the correct length but the hanger was in the wrong location. We called Cherry Bomb and they over-nighted us the correct pipe. This pipe is the top one in the picture. It was too short and the hanger was still in the wrong location. We decided to just cut the hanger from the first pipe we received and weld it into the correct location.
10. At this point, we ran into a snag in the installation. In this picture, the lower pipe
11. After that dilemma, we installed the head pipe onto the Y-pipe using the factory clamp.
11. After that dilemma, we installed the head pipe onto the Y-pipe using the factory clamp
12. Once all the components were fit into place, the clamps were then attached to all the connections and loosely tightened to ensure proper fitment.
12. Once all the components were fit into place, the clamps were then attached to all the

13. After making sure that everything fit correctly, the clamps were all tightened and the hanger was welded into place to hold up the head pipe. We tried to install the tip, but there were no slits in it to allow for it to compress around the pipe when tightened so it was left off.
13. After making sure that everything fit correctly, the clamps were all tightened and the
14. At Trader’s, the suspension lift could be installed, which included spindles, a front differential drop-down bracket, CV joint spacers, sway-bar spacers, a front crossmember, differential skidplate, rear shocks, leaf springs, rear brake line extensions, and all the required hardware.
14. At Trader’s, the suspension lift could be installed, which included spindles, a front
15. The first step was to remove the front tires. Then the struts could be removed.

16. Next, the spindles could be removed after the calipers, rotors, CV axles, and ABS cable were disconnected.
16. Next, the spindles could be removed after the calipers, rotors, CV axles, and ABS cabl
17. With the front almost completely disassembled, the lower control arms were removed along with the front differential crossmember.
17. With the front almost completely disassembled, the lower control arms were removed alo
18. Removing the crossmember allowed for the differential to be dropped down out of the truck. Then, the driver-side framerail had to be trimmed for the differential to fit back onto the truck in its lower position.
18. Removing the crossmember allowed for the differential to be dropped down out of the tr

19. Along with the frame rail, a tab on the differential also had to be trimmed.
20. The kit included differential drop-down brackets that were bolted in place with the differential out of the truck. After the trimming, the differential was bolted to the drop-down brackets.
20. The kit included differential drop-down brackets that were bolted in place with the di
21. CV joint spacers that were included in the kit were installed between the front axles and the front differential. This helps maintain the geometry of the front suspension.
21. CV joint spacers that were included in the kit were installed between the front axles

22. With the front differential back in the truck, the new front crossmember was installed between the two framerails. Here, you can also see where the driver-side framerail was cut on the left side of the picture.
22. With the front differential back in the truck, the new front crossmember was installed
23. Putting everything back together was very simple, the front driveshaft was connected back up to the differential, the lower control arm was put back in place, and before reinstalling the strut, a strut extension was bolted to the top of it. The differential skidplate was also bolted into place.
23. Putting everything back together was very simple, the front driveshaft was connected b
24. This bracket holds the differential in place after being lowered down with the drop-down brackets.
24. This bracket holds the differential in place after being lowered down with the drop-do

25. Before installing the spindles on the truck, the wheel hub had to be transferred to the new, larger spindles.
25. Before installing the spindles on the truck, the wheel hub had to be transferred to th
26. Both the inner and outer tie rods were trimmed to correct the geometry after the lift. Also, a bracket that relocates the ABS wire was installed. Then the front suspension could be put back together.
26. Both the inner and outer tie rods were trimmed to correct the geometry after the lift.
27. Now the lift on the front suspension was complete. And the rear suspension lift, which was much simpler, could be started.
27. Now the lift on the front suspension was complete. And the rear suspension lift, which

28. First, the U-bolts were unbolted and the leaf springs were removed and replaced with the new, beefier leafs from Skyjacker.
28. First, the U-bolts were unbolted and the leaf springs were removed and replaced with t
29. New rear shocks were also installed. With the rear buttoned up, the suspension was complete.
29. New rear shocks were also installed. With the rear buttoned up, the suspension was com
30. Back on the ground, the 6-inch Skyjacker lift allowed us to clear 35-inch General Grabber tires mounted to 20x9-inch BMF M-80 wheels in the new Stealth finish. The duo looks awesome.
30. Back on the ground, the 6-inch Skyjacker lift allowed us to clear 35-inch General Grab

2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 Fantastic Four After

From The Driver Seat
After taking the truck for a test drive, we noticed a couple of problems. Primarily with the intake and exhaust. First, the intake whistles when accelerating on the highway. It’s annoying and it’s constant. Also, the exhaust had a major leak at the connection of the Y-pipe and head pipe. This is because we had to reuse the factory clamp and with the new pipe not being the exact same size, it could not tighten down fully over the connection. The suspension, however, is amazing. It added 6 inches of lift and made the truck ride better than factory. With the 35-inch Red Letter Grabbers, the total height difference was about 8 inches. The upgraded leaf springs in the rear add support for when the owner hauls motorcycles and gear in the bed. The BMF wheels are great looking and tough enough for mild off-roading and the Grabbers are robust enough for the dirt, but quiet and compliant on the road.

Your Questions Answered
Time Spent Working:	12 hours (not taking into account the extra day due to the wrong exhaust pipe)
Degree of Difficulty:	Advanced
Tools Needed: Assorted metric and standard wrenches and sockets, cut off tool, crow bar, air gun, lubricating spray, drill, assorted drill bits, Torx set, Phillips screwdriver, flathead screwdriver
Parts Used: (All prices courtesy www.4wheelparts.com, www.autoanything.com, www.bmfwheels.com, www.generaltire.com, www.summitracing.com)
Skyjacker 6-inch Lift with springs #C7660PKS-H:	$2,027.11
AEM Intake #21-8030DC:	$339.95
Cherry Bomb Exhaust #300701:	$449.95
General 35x12.5R20 Red Letter Grabbers:	$432.99 each. $1,731.96 total
BMF M-80 20x9-inch Stealth finish:	$390 each, $1,560.00 total
Total:	$6,108.97

SOURCE
4Wheel Parts 400 W. Artesia Boulevard Compton CA 90220 877-474-4821 www.4wheelparts.com	Auto Anything 9210 Sky Park Court Suite 100 San Diego CA 92123 800-874-8888 www.autoanything.com
General Tire 1800 Continental Drive Charlotte NC 28288 800-847-3349 www.generaltire.com	BMF Wheels 1401 N. Batavia Street Suite 107 Orange CA 92867 888-313-2580 www.bmfwheels.com
Summit Racing PO Box 909 Akron OH 44398 800-320-3030 www.summitracing.com	Traders Truck Accessories 10242 Norwalk Blvd Santa Fe Springs CA 90670 562-204-2044 www.traderstrucks.com
AEM P.O. Box 1312 Hawthorne CA 90250 800-992-3000 www.aempower.com	Cherry Bomb Loudon TN 866-869-9704 www.cherrybomb.com
Skyjacker Suspensions P.O. Box 1678 West Monroe LA 71294 318-338-0816 www.skyjacker.com