2008 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE2 converted to Denali

[Trancer 10+ year member]

Hey guys, thought I'd post this. I got rear ended by my girlfriend which slammed my front end when I bounced. So I finally got an opportunity to do something I have been wanting to do for a while.

My truck is a black 2008 GMC Sierra SLE2 Texas Edition Crew Cab

I know the owner of this bodyshop here in Dallas. I bring him lots of business so he helped me out and did these mods for free and even gave me a matching 20" GMC rim with a new tire to put in the spare tire position. So if I ever have a flat, I can always use my spare tire and still be rolling on my stock 20's instead of the black steel rim.

I really like how the exterior looks on the Sierra Denali's. My truck is a Sierra SLE2. People know what an SLE is, but not what an SLE2 is. Basically an SLE2 is a fully loaded SLE. Its one option away from being an SLT. Should have opted for the SLT for just a little bit more money. I originally had a custom grill with the cutout with the GMC emblem. I since then traded it for a straight brushed stainless steel grill. The front is brushed, but in between each horizontal line, the inside is black. So its not a full brushed aluminum grill. Not sure how to explain it,

So here is what the exterior modifications I did.

Instead of replacing the front and rear bumpers that were chrome, I opted to go black. So we painted the front and rear bumpers glossy black, painted to match my truck. We also painted the outer chrome trim glossy black. The new grill blended the headlights and the foglights in well so they wouldnt stand out since my truck is now murdered out. I haven't had a chance to change out my chrome exhaust tips. Here is a tip, spend the extra money and go for stainless steel tips guys. Chrome may be shine much more at first, but they rust and fade out after a couple of years to where as the stainless steel may not be as shiny at first, but wont rust and fade. So Im debating on if I should go with stainless steel exhaust tips or go with powder coated black tips. I think the black exhaust tips might be going too far.

So here are some pictures. First picture is a before and after picture. The rest are pictures of the truck before and a couple pictures of after.

Before and After picture

Pictures of the truck before

Rear Chrome Bumper Picture. Sorry about the picture. This is the only picture I could find. It was a picture I took when a couple of crooks attempted to steal all four rims from my truck, but the jack fell on them and they were only able to get away with one wheel

After Pictures

Ok, so what do you guys think? I personally love it. I think it looks great and I am getting looks from fellow GM truck owners and compliments.

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[Mitch86 5,000+ posts]

I like the black bumpers vs the original.I wouldn't be too worried with what the exhaust looked like if it were me.

 

[Trancer 10+ year member]

Well the passenger side exhaust tip is bent from my gf rear ending me, so its getting replaced either way. Plus the exhaust tips are very worn, showing exterior rust, and are just dull and looks tacky. Its an eyesore when you look at it. Really draws attention away from the truck when you see these worn down exhaust tips.

Thanks for the opinion!

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

Looks absolutely fantastic man! I can get you some black tips if youd like?

 

[Trancer 10+ year member]

Looks absolutely fantastic man! I can get you some black tips if youd like?

Thanks man. If you got some pictures of some in mind, shoot them over to me. Looking for the same size and diameter.

 

[wone 10+ year member]

Love that truck man I'm trying to get one. And painting the bumpers look great

 

[Trancer 10+ year member]

Interested in buying mine? 53k highway miles, (32 miles one way to work and 315 miles one way to visit the parents once every few months. Fully loaded. Only had minor front end and rear end damage. Just enough to justify replacing the front and rear bumper. I can't stand any dents in my vehicles. I know its a truck, but a small dent in the front bumper and a small softball size dent in the rear bumper caused enough justification to go for what I have been wanting to do for a while. Two kids, planning on a 3rd in the distant future so I am looking at a 2010-2012 Tahoe LT 4WD with a 3-4" lift with the 3rd row removable seating. Build a box for two or 3 12" subs ported to 30hz, or maybe go with eight Sundown Audio SA-8's ported at 30hz also. I am not looking to sell immediately. I am looking to buy a cheapo car to drive to and from work, visit parents, and keep the truck in the garage and put no more than 5000 miles on the truck in a year.

All of the modifications I did increased the value. I didnt do anything that devalued the pickup or maintain the same. Most of the time when people do modifications to their vehicle, it actually decreases the value of the truck, but I made sure that what I did, appealed to all buyers, which would make it a one of a kind and original, but I wouldnt think that a person would not NOT like this. As for smoking out the tail lights and head lights... thats something that would be harder to sell as there are people out there that prefer to not have that.

Plus like I said above, the spare tire is the exact same 20" upgraded rim that I have all around my vehicle. Call the GMC dealership and ask them how much a 20" alloy rim, tire, mounting and balancing would cost you. I'll give you a hint. Its around the $1150 mark.

 

[silveradokid 10+ year member]

I like it, nice job!

 

[Trancer 10+ year member]

Thanks bro. I appreciate it.

 

[showtimeweber 10+ year member]

Looks nice love the matched bumpers.