(SUMMARY LIST OF MODS & FOR SALE ITEMS ON LAST PAGE)

First things first: A quick before and after... Though I still have a ways to go.

Chip Foose said something to the effect of I want to make the changes in such a way that people look at it and say "I know that something has been done to it, but I don't know exactly what it is". That said, I won't be doing anything real significant or outrageous to the exterior. To quote another auto guru, John Lingenfelter was known for the Look stock, but carry a big stick approach.

I bought it in late 2005 after my S-10 money pit blew up. I regret not taking more pictures of it before I went to work on it, but it's still early.

The first thing I did was remove the moulding and emblems. My thumbs hurt for a week, but I am still being rewarded with the results.

Next, still within a week of purchasing I welded in a Flowmaster and dumped the exhaust. I thought the pipe was hideous and I would rather it not be seen than chromed.

...Then I had the windows tinted.

In the pic below, it may be hard to make out the 6" black antenna I installed. I went from the factory whip antenna to a 10" rubber anteena to this one. It gets great reception and keeps itself out of sight.

I am still debating the practicality of the open element intake filters, so lucky for me... this truck came with a K&N factory box filter. I cut off the intake tube 'baffles', but later found out that I lost some low-end torque. I bought a new factory intake tube and will leave it alone until I figure out what I want to do.

The cluster was going to be replaced by an Escalade cluster, but since everyone else is doing it I decided to go a different route... I installed an Air/Fuel gauge in the cluster in the empty spot under the message center. I really like the way it turned out (left). I also intalled a custom switch panel to operate a device I will talk about next. The switch went in place of a useless pocket (right).

Then I ordered an electric exhaust cutout. I had a cutout on my S-10 and loved it. But I hated taking off the wingnuts so this time I opted to do it right. The electric cutout opens and closes via the aforementioned switch. This allows me to bypass the muffler. When I travel with the exhaust open, I get apprx an extra 30 miles to the tank. Small, but every little bit helps. I also make a little too much noise. But with the ability to close the cutout at my fingertips, I'm able to keep quiet in the early morn'/late evening or when driving by speed traps ;)

Then I replaced the factory tails with the '05 Silverado taillights. I got them for $90 shipped on eBay and the install was fairly simple. I had to do some trimming on the sockets. I recently removed the tow hitch to prepare for a rollpan. Since I don't have stock wheels, I removed the spare and renewed my AAA membership. Even with the bumper back there, I think it looks good. ...just for kicks, I shaved the tailgate and door handle in Photoshop (right).

I left the truck alone for a while, but a couple months ago I decided to go ahead with the 20" Chrome SS rims. They are knock-offs, but I don't think that GM made Chrome ones. They came with Faux Corvette emblems on the center cap. I'll be getting slotted rotors and better looking calipers to clean up the wheel well.

I removed the factory grille inserts and painted the shell. Sanding it down was a PITA, but it looks much better. I ordered clear turn signals, but they sent me the wrong ones. I put them on anyway because the amber turns looked funny after I painted the grille. If you can make out the turns in the pictures, you'll see the 'starburst' pattern that I despise so much. The ones I had ordered were simple and had that from-the-factory look. If you happen to know where I can find some nice ones (other than ebay), please leave me a message. I think the lenses they sent me make my truck look cheap. (edit: I just installed some better euro-clear turns that look more OEM. I will get pics up later)