4silverado's 2004 Silverado

[4silverado]

I’d been running this wallpaper for a while on the radio. It started out as a flamed red bow tie license plate that I’d cropped out the mounting holes. This radio was an “open box” from Best Buy. It is an Kenwood DDX6706S DVD player with Car Play and camera. Original box was probably damaged and they were giving a really good deal on a radio that had everything except for Kenwood packaging. I’ve ran Kenwood radios for the last 30 years. Speakers, I’ve probably ran every medium quality speaker at some time since I was a kid.

I used to do stereos on the side but I’m 6’7”. It was difficult stuffing myself under some of the dashes.

 

[4silverado]

Got some maintenance done today. Last time the battery was replaced was back in January 2019, Advance Auto Parts Silver. It was nearing time for replacement. Replaced it with a Walmart Everstart Plus (2 year warranty).

 

[4silverado]

7/2025. Last thing done to the truck was an alternator replacement along the side of the road. I was 4 1/2 miles from the house when it died/ drained the battery. I had bought a reman and it was in the truck; I was headed to the house to install it. As bad as I hate to say it, watched a YouTube video to see what size sockets I’d need. 20-30 minutes later and a jump start, I was back home.

 

[4silverado]

Where the kid had replaced the radiator cover with one off of Amazon , the new one did not come with a belt routing picture. Local sign shop made this one and it’s stayed in place after cleaning the area with an alcohol prep pad.

 

[stutaeng]

7/2025. Last thing done to the truck was an alternator replacement along the side of the road. I was 4 1/2 miles from the house when it died/ drained the battery. I had bought a reman and it was in the truck; I was headed to the house to install it. As bad as I hate to say it, watched a YouTube video to see what size sockets I’d need. 20-30 minutes later and a jump start, I was back home.View attachment 3564
View attachment 3565

Nice!

A few years ago I went to a town about 3 hours from home for a small job. I was driving our 13 Chrysler minivan. Well, the battery light came on as a I was leaving. Luckily I made it an O'reilley's at the town and they tested and said bad alternator. After calling around a few shops they recommended and everyone was busy, I just decided to replace the alternator in their parking lot. They were nice enough to loan me some tools and I parked next to the trash enclose for some shade because it was the middle of the summer. Sometimes you just have to get your hands dirty and sweat a bit to get the job done. I really wished the alternator replacement was on a GMT800, not a transversely mounted engine with alternator buried behind the wheel well liner. SMH

 

[4silverado]

Back in 2017, I got this eraser wheel off of Amazon for $10.49 including shipping. It worked great on the remnants of tape on the tail gate, the side molding tape, and the pinstripes. And it was a whole lot cheaper than the 3M wheel and does the same. Still have it.

 

[MADDOG]

Back in 2017, I got this eraser wheel off of Amazon for $10.49 including shipping. It worked great on the remnants of tape on the tail gate, the side molding tape, and the pinstripes. And it was a whole lot cheaper than the 3M wheel and does the same. Still have it.View attachment 3605

I have the exact same one and you're right, it works well. I'm about to break it out to remove some old and flaky decals on our RV.

 

[4silverado]

Something gets mentioned on the forums is cracked dash. Throw a carpet cover on it and you’ll never notice it.


I always thought that it also helped reduce interior temps. I think I paid around $35 from Amazon.

 

[stutaeng]

I've noticed some of my coworkers have windshield sun shades on their vehicles. I've only used them a few years and don't currently have any. Was thinking of getting some. I figure it can't hurt. My 99 dash is still in one piece, as is my 06. My 04 does have a small crack though but that truck was actually a farm truck (SUV actually) previously.

The dash carpet is a pretty good idea to me

 

[4silverado]

I’ve had one in my last 3 Silverados and in every one of my wife’s cars for the last 10 years or so. My wife also likes sticking her feet up there so the carpet keeps her from burning her feet on a hot dash. I won’t say anything about the safety issue doing that. If you notice, mine is also missing the dash grab bar. I built a couple of block off plates so it isn’t as noticeable.

 

[Tonimus]

I’ve had one in my last 3 Silverados and in every one of my wife’s cars for the last 10 years or so. My wife also likes sticking her feet up there so the carpet keeps her from burning her feet on a hot dash. I won’t say anything about the safety issue doing that. If you notice, mine is also missing the dash grab bar. I built a couple of block off plates so it isn’t as noticeable.

WHY DO THEY ALL DO THAT?!? I managed to convince mine to stop. She's an RN and knows better.

 

[4silverado]

Good question, mine was an LPN and should know better.

 

[stutaeng]

Oh, geez. I have always seen folks with their feet on the dash and didn't realize it was so bad. I just watched a video on crash testing with dummies with their feet on the dash: Looks horrible.

I've never done that or anyone in family, that I'm aware of at least...

 

[4silverado]

2016 ish. The other thing I didn’t like about these trucks and was a simple fix, that oil cooler brace. Pulled the grill and painted it black.

 

[AuroraGirl]

2016 ish. The other thing I didn’t like about these trucks and was a simple fix, that oil cooler brace. Pulled the grill and painted it black.
View attachment 3680View attachment 3681

This is a close up but you can see i painted mine black to I just used some flat black rustoleum in the silver tall can I had that needed to be tossed after a few sprays, made the condensor and the bracket all black. the PS cooler is new so thats why its black

 

[4silverado]

Finally went and color matched (ish) the upper bumper pad; it’s a 10 foot paint job. I’ve been wanting to see what it’d look like with some maroon (satin burgundy from Ace Hardware) on it. While I was at it, I resprayed the bottom air dam. It’s as close to the Sport Red Metallic I could find in a solid color. I don’t have a paint booth so driveway in the sun did a decent job.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Finally went and color matched (ish) the upper bumper pad; it’s a 10 foot paint job. I’ve been wanting to see what it’d look like with some maroon (or in this case, satin burgundy) on it. While I was at it, I resprayed the bottom air dam. It’s as close to the Sport Red Metallic I could find in a solid color. I don’t have a paint booth so driveway in the sun did a decent job.
View attachment 4072View attachment 4071

your bumper is distorted on the passenger side, if you go under there , the bracket that holds that corner is probably loose

 

[4silverado]

Yep I know about it. Bumper is off an 05; it’s tweaked a bit. Just haven’t messed with it since it was installed a couple of years ago. It looks a whole lot better than the one the kid creased.

 

[4silverado]

I hit a milestone today. I got it with 118,000 miles back in 2016. It’s got some issues but it’s still going. Very little rust for a Florida/ eastern North Carolina truck.

 

[4silverado]

Got 2 things done today. Had to replace a tailgate handle bezel and needed to put the trailer brake controller back in (excuse the mess). I like it there versus in front of my leg/knee. It just sits in there, it isn’t bolted in.