Economical Upgrades - 2010 Chevy Silverado

2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 Economical Upgrades Front Angle Motion

In this economy, it is getting harder and harder to find budget-friendly ways to make your truck look and perform better. Luckily for us, there are still companies out there that understand this and are making parts that do the trick, without eating a hole in your wallet. We came across this completely stock 2010 Silverado 1500 with a 4.3L V-6 and just the sight of it sent shivers down our backs, the same shivers you get when you hear gears grinding.

To solve this problem, we first contacted Rancho Suspension. They offer a leveling kit called the quickLIFT. Basically, it utilizes the coil spring from the factory strut and replaces the shock with a taller one. We also ordered a new set of Rancho 9000XL shocks for the rear. This combination levels the truck and gives it a better than factory ride, however, doesn’t cost as much as a traditional lift kit. For wheels, we called Black Rhino and had them send out a set of chrome 20x9-inch Serengeti wheels for a clean, yet tough look. We wrapped these with Falken’s new Wild Peak A/T 285/50R20 tires. Since the owner will never take this truck off-road, the Wild Peaks will give the look of a dirt/mud tire, but perform amazing on-road and won’t whine like other agreesive off-road tires. In order to gain back some of the horsepower and gas mileage our V-6 lost to the heavier wheels and tires, we had Gibson install one of their exhaust systems. This will help the engine exhale and sound better. To get more air into the engine, aFe sent us a replacement drop-in air filter. This costs half of what a full intake system costs and can be cleaned instead of having to be replaced. Follow along as we take this factory Silverado and make it a mild-mannered menace.

Before
1. To start the install, we took the truck to Gibson exhaust, in Corona, California, where Senior Technicians Thomas Vasquez and Shawn Seidelman made quick work of installing the exhaust system. Before the install, we strapped the truck to their dyno to get before numbers.
1. To start the install, we took the truck to Gibson exhaust, in Corona, California, where
2. The factory exhaust was a hindrance on the performance of the truck and needed to go. First, the head pipe was unbolted from the end of the Y-pipe. After lubing up the rubber hangers with WD-40, a crowbar was used to pry the exhaust from the grip of the hangers. For easier removal, the exhaust pipe was cut just behind the muffler with a Sawzall. Finally, the factory system could be lowered from the truck and discarded.
2. The factory exhaust was a hindrance on the performance of the truck and needed to go. F

3. The new head pipe slipped right into place without any trouble. Onto the head pipe, the muffler was inserted and the end pipe was mounted into place. After everything was loosely connected to ensure proper fitment, the system could be bolted in, starting with the head pipe and moving back.
3. The new head pipe slipped right into place without any trouble. Onto the head pipe, the
4. To finish off the install, a stainless steel tip was installed onto the end of the end pipe.
4. To finish off the install, a stainless steel tip was installed onto the end of the end
5. With the exhaust complete, we took the truck over to Dependable Offroad, in Anaheim, California. The first step was to remove the wheels and tires and unbolt the top bolts from the strut. After unbolting the bottom bolts, our technician, Shayne Wardle, dropped the spindle out of the truck.
5. With the exhaust complete, we took the truck over to Dependable Offroad, in Anaheim, Ca

6. Moving to the workbench, a set of coil spring compressors were used to remove the tension so the strut could be disassembled. The center nut was removed that holds the top of the strut assembly onto the shock inside the coil spring and the pieces separated.
6. Moving to the workbench, a set of coil spring compressors were used to remove the tensi
7. The Rancho quickLift kit comes with new shocks for the front struts and new hardware for reassembly. We also replaced the rear shocks on the truck for an all around better feel.
7. The Rancho quickLift kit comes with new shocks for the front struts and new hardware fo
8. Before tossing the old shocks in the trash, it is imperative to remove the threaded nut insert clip from them and move them to the new shocks. Here you can see the height difference between the new assembled strut on the left and the factory strut on the right.
8. Before tossing the old shocks in the trash, it is imperative to remove the threaded nut

9. Reinstalling the struts was as easy as removal. Shayne just lifted the strut into the factory location and tightened down all the top bolts and the bottom bolt. The new strut assembly added two inches to the front of the truck. Another nice feature of the new Rancho shocks is a dial to adjust the firmness or softness of the shock.
9. Reinstalling the struts was as easy as removal. Shayne just lifted the strut into the f
10. Moving to the rear, the bottom bolt was removed from the shock, followed by the top bolt. Here is the difference between the factory shocks and the new Rancho 9000XL shock. You can see they are the same length, but the Rancho shocks are much beefier.
10. Moving to the rear, the bottom bolt was removed from the shock, followed by the top bo
11. The new shocks were bolted into place without any trouble at all. These also have an adjustment knob that allows the ride to be adjusted from 1 (soft) to 9 (firm).
11. The new shocks were bolted into place without any trouble at all. These also have an a

12. Next on the agenda was to change out the air filter for an aftermarket drop in filter from aFe. After unbolting the filter lid with a T-25 Torx bit, the old filter was removed. The aFe drop in filter is much less restrictive than the filter that was in the truck. Also, the aFe filter can be cleaned one of three ways: blowing it out with an air compressor, sucking the dirt out with a vacuum, and washing the filter in water. The filter simply dropped in and the lid was tightened down.
12. Next on the agenda was to change out the air filter for an aftermarket drop in filter
13. Finally, the wheels and tires were mounted and balanced. You can see here how much better the 20-inch Black Rhino wheels look compared to the factory steel cheapos.
13. Finally, the wheels and tires were mounted and balanced. You can see here how much bet
After

Highs:

Low Cost
Extra clearance for larger wheels and tires
Added horsepower and torque

Lows:

Rancho install was tricky due to having to compress the springs

From The Driver Seat
The leveling kit brought the front end of the truck up enough to match the rear. The ride stayed the same as factory but the truck looks far better. As expected, the tires don’t whine on the road and are aggressive enough to take off-roading if needed. Before the exhaust, the truck came in right at 143 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, and after the exhaust, the truck boasted an improved 160 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. Overall, the truck looks better, feels better on- and off-road, and performs better—all for around $2,900.

Your Questions Answered
Time Spent Working:	4 Hours
Degree of Difficulty:	Intermediate
(Due to having to compress the springs)
Tools Needed:	Air gun, assorted metric sockets and wrenches, crowbar, Sawzall, WD-40, T-25 Torx bit, coil spring compressors
Parts Used:
(Prices from manufacturers and do not include tax, shipping, or installation)
Rancho quickLIFT Suspension Lift System	$199.99 (each)
Rancho RS 9000 XL Rear Shocks	$105.99 (each)
aFe Pro Dry Air Filter 31-10004	$53.50
Gibson Performance Exhaust Kit PN#615604	$546.81
Black Rhino Serengeti 20x9-inch wheels	$269 each; $1,076 total
Falken Wild Peak A/T 285/50R20	$182.00 each; $728.00 total
Total:	$2,916.17

SOURCE
Dependable Off-Road 1542 N. State College Blvd. Anaheim CA 92806 714-774-1471 www.dependableoffroad.com	Rancho Suspension 1 International Drive Monroe MI 48161 734-384-7804 www.gorancho.com
Gibson Performance Exhaust 1270 Webb Circle Corona CA 92879 707-996-4591 www.gibsonperformance.com	Black Rhino Wheels 800-479-8127 www.blackrhinowheels.com
AFE 252 Granite Street Corona CA 92879 951-493-7155 www.afepower.com	Falken Tire 13649 Valley Boulevard Fontana CA 92335 800-723-2553 www.falkentire.com