Rocket Man's 2008 Bagged CC Silverado Build AKA "THE MACHINE"

[Rocket Man]

I also decided to go ahead and do Katzkin seats. Just undecided on if I want to spend a lot more to get colored stitching or inserts or just get the all black set I can buy on EBay for $575. I don’t like the OEM leather on the seats and both fronts are a bit worn. I could probably sell the factory ones for $300 or more so if I do the EBay ones it would be a fairly inexpensive upgrade. I’ll probably make myself wait until I sell some of the unneeded interior parts I have laying around.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I also decided to go ahead and do Katzkin seats. Just undecided on if I want to spend a lot more to get colored stitching or inserts or just get the all black set I can buy on EBay for $575. I don’t like the OEM leather on the seats and both fronts are a bit worn. I could probably sell the factory ones for $300 or more so if I do the EBay ones it would be a fairly inexpensive upgrade. I’ll probably make myself wait until I sell some of the unneeded interior parts I have laying around.

Gonna do the leather install yourself?

 

[Rocket Man]

Gonna do the leather install yourself?

Yes, I want to. That’s part of the reason that any set other than black with black stitching is so expensive, because the others are sold only with install included.Im not wanting any shop to touch my truck, there’s too much that can go wrong.

 

[iamdub]

IMO: Go with the solid black. It's cheaper and you can do it yourself and it leaves the interior open to color accents elsewhere that are much easier and cheaper to change should you get such a wild hair. I mean, you couldn't settle on one color for your LEDs so you have the RGBs . Now you have that Escalade dash with it's cool blue lighting that's gonna make the rest of the stock interior lighting eat at you that much more.


I know- fanning the flames...


If you just have to have the colored stitching and/or inserts, maybe a local Katzkin dealer would order the covers for you to install and only charge a small "convenience" fee. Inserts and stitching that complement the brushed dash trim would be universal for any other accent coloring and would look pretty sweet if kept in moderation. You don't want it to look like the "R-Racing" seat covers every Civic and Corolla had 20 years ago.


Throwback pics:

 

[wjburken]

Yes, I want to. That’s part of the reason that any set other than black with black stitching is so expensive, because the others are sold only with install included.Im not wanting any shop to touch my truck, there’s too much that can go wrong.

If you go with solid black, you could look around and see if a local shop could custom embroider a personalized “The Machine” logo in the seat back or headrest. Would definitely be unique to your vehicle.

 

[Rocket Man]

I got an online quote from Katzkin that wasn’t guaranteed, just ballpark. Even the basic black with black stitching was $1700 installed so I think I’ll just go with the eBay seller who will sell it for $575 shipped and I’ll install them. I just want nice leather instead of the cheap looking OEM.

 

[Rocket Man]

Man it took a miracle I swear but I finally got the demon eye switch installed in the truck. It just didn’t want to go in that place-it hung down inside and interfered with the installation of the HVAC panel as well as the TC switch panel since they all tie together and you need to install the upper panel, then the TC panel. I cut some stuff from inside the dash and made it work. Such a hard place to work in with the seats installed. Anyway I have some blue glow in the cubby when they’re on, and now I won’t forget they’re lit up. Before, the switch was hidden and I drained the battery once. They’re wired with constant power in case of car show lol.

 

[Rocket Man]

I did a temp hookup of the AVS switch box just to make sure it worked, and it does. I was concerned because the wiring to the old rocker switches was about 12 ga and the AVS is about 20 ga but it’s fine. It has a 5 amp fuse and it didn’t blow. Only thing is, in order to use the center switch all up/all down functions I will need to run a couple more wires to the manifold. I’ll add that to my list. I did decide to use an 8 pin Deutsch connector on it so I can just unplug it from under the dash take it with me because that will completely disable the truck. With it laying on the rockers and no way to air it up, there’s absolutely no way to move it. Best security system ever.

 

[Sam Harris]

I did a temp hookup of the AVS switch box just to make sure it worked, and it does. I was concerned because the wiring to the old rocker switches was about 12 ga and the AVS is about 20 ga but it’s fine. It has a 5 amp fuse and it didn’t blow. Only thing is, in order to use the center switch all up/all down functions I will need to run a couple more wires to the manifold. I’ll add that to my list. I did decide to use an 8 pin Deutsch connector on it so I can just unplug it from under the dash take it with me because that will completely disable the truck. With it laying on the rockers and no way to air it up, there’s absolutely no way to move it. Best security system ever.

View attachment 237897 View attachment 237898

Hell yes! Great security system there! [emoji106][emoji16]

 

[Rocket Man]

Oh, forgot...also decided the other day to get new carpet from www.stockinteriors.com. I’ll probably order it at the same time as the Katzkin. The stock stuff is a bit worn in the driver area and just like the seats, it leaves a lot to be desired in its stock form. It’s just not very high quality imo. I’ll get the mass backing and ultra plush pile. Altogether the seats and carpet will be less than $1k and will make a huge difference in the looks of the interior. Combined with the dash, console and cluster it will definitely look like a different truck inside. Plus it will give me more to do this winter.

 

[iamdub]

And you'll have that new truck smell every time you open the door. No more fart and Black Ice aroma!

 

[Rocket Man]

Got the switches wired in. I forgot how much patience those Deutsch connectors take. The security system works awesome. Not as easy as hitting a button but it’s simple as hell.

 

[Rocket Man]

Decided to order a flange connector so I can mount it inside the console and then the switches will be easier to unplug.

 

[Rocket Man]

So much for waiting, I want to do the carpet and seat leather at the same time as the console. Besides I’m about out of projects. It doesn’t make sense to pull the front seats, install the console, reinstall the seats and then later pull it all out again. So I just ordered the carpet with plush pile, mass backing and custom floor mats in black with Chevy bow ties embroidered in dark red maroon, and the Katzkin in all black. Should look badass when it’s all in. Then when I’m into it I’ll run wiring for a sub in the console and I won’t reinstall the under seat sub because it kinda sucks. Now I’m going to look into what to do about building a sub enclosure in the console. Hoping to be able to do a 10” JL.
Edit: I ended up ordering from OC AutoCarpets instead of Stock Interiors. It’s the exact same product, they’re both dealers for ACC who is the manufacturer. For just $10 more than the price of the carpet alone and shipping, OC also is including the floor mats which list for over $100, as well as shipping too.

 

[yates ™]

I did my own katzkins on my old Silverado. Wasnt that hard at all. Some of the wrinkles came out over a short time but I am sure using a steamer that they would have come out better.

 

[Rocket Man]

I did my own katzkins on my old Silverado. Wasnt that hard at all. Some of the wrinkles came out over a short time but I am sure using a steamer that they would have come out better.

I’ll probably get a steamer. Any idea what kind I should get?

 

[Rocket Man]

I did my own katzkins on my old Silverado. Wasnt that hard at all. Some of the wrinkles came out over a short time but I am sure using a steamer that they would have come out better.

Where’d you buy those? They don’t look like the regular all black ones.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Bet you could sell your old oem seat covers--just to recoup a little $$.

 

[NathanJax]

And a pic of what you ended up with on the dash mount -- without the phone. Please.

it sticks out further than I’d like it to... might see if I can bend mine to sit closer to the dash. I also put mine lower than Mark did, but you can put it anywhere on that side. Really, now that I have this, I could make my own, which is probably what I’ll do

 

[NathanJax]

I did decide to use an 8 pin Deutsch connector on it so I can just unplug it from under the dash take it with me because that will completely disable the truck. With it laying on the rockers and no way to air it up, there’s absolutely no way to move it. Best security system ever.

I like the Accuair controller for the same reason... Unless someone brings another remote, I can just take it with me and it's locked down...