Affordable Bolt-On Mods to Put on Your Diesel Pickup Truck or SUV​

Owners of Duramax-powered diesel engine pickup trucks and SUVs are always finding ways to get the most out of their rigs. They want better performance, improved suspension, and a better overall driving experience.  

The challenge of making your pickup truck or SUV your own is affording the modifications you want. For those of you with unlimited budgets, the sky is the limit. However, not everyone can afford to go “whole hog” on their truck.  

According to the Diesel Army website, there are several items you can do for your pickup truck that are within most budgets. You might be surprised as to what you can afford to individualize your Duramax-powered rig. 

Leveling kits strike a true balance between the standard suspension height and a lifted truck. In fact, leveling your truck adds control and safety while raising the ground clearance for tougher terrain. 

While you are leveling your truck, the website suggests considering additional exterior lighting. They include LED light bars, dust lights, rock lights, and light pods. They will help you navigate unlit places easily.  

Tires and wheels are a great modification to make. The most common tire change is to switch to all-terrain rubber from standard truck-rated all-season tires. That may require a change in wheels, too. You can do a tire/wheel swap with factory specifications, changing your Silverado 1500 LTZ to run on the same wheels as the Trail Boss or ZR2. Even with larger tires, you can actually add more ground clearance without any initial changes to the suspension.  

When you raise the suspension or enlarge your tires, getting into your truck may be a challenge. If your pickup truck or SUV is not equipped with side steps, bed steps, or bumper steps, we suggest getting some. You might even want to add side steps that are retractable – especially ones found on higher trims of the Silverado 1500 and HD.  

Sometimes we want more performance from our Duramax diesel engines. You can add intake and exhaust systems to do so. While you are boosting horsepower, you may be surprised by how much your fuel economy improves when you add these kits to your engine. Some of these kits and individual pieces are also available through GM Performance Parts, which match factory specifications.  

Window tints are also suggested as an affordable modification. Please keep in mind that the State of Idaho has regulations regarding the legal tint limit for your vehicle.  

Protecting your bed on your pickup truck is very important. You can add either a spray-in bedliner, a molded bedliner, and/or a bed cover with caps and other protective items to keep your box from getting scratched or damaged. GM Accessories offers a line of these protective items for your Silverado.  

The list continues with floor and seat covers, permanent phone charging cords, Apple AirTags, monitors, gauges, and so on. A lot of these will not break the bank every time you add them to your vehicle.  

Most of these items are available through the Twin Falls Chevrolet Parts Center. Items through the Genuine GM Parts, GM Accessories, and Performance Parts catalogs are covered under their own warranty. You can also have them installed by our Certified Service Center. Contact us to make your pickup truck your own.