Kbuskill's 2008 Burb LTZ "MOD" Thread

[kbuskill]

Pretty cool looking and I bet at a fraction of the cost of the Boost Auto new LED doorhandles they just unveiled. The turn signal flash of the handles is a winner! Like looking at my twin, minus some of the cool mods you have with the lighting. Very nice!!

Yeah, the cost for the Boost Auto handles is ridiculous, and I am guessing they are still plastic since there is no mention of them being metal in their advertising.

I just installed these upgraded metal handles a couple months ago and decided I liked the look of the indirect lighting glowing back into the handle pocket better than the exposed lights on the BA handles. The BA handles are fancy with the sequential signals and all but look a little too ricey for my liking.

I also like the fact that when driving down the road without the signals on it is very unassuming. Going back to my motorcycle days we always used to say the most effective light is the one that wasn't there before.

In other words, a brake light that goes from Off to On is more noticeable and grabs more attention than one that simply gets brighter.

 

[Fosscore]

Yeah, the cost for the Boost Auto handles is ridiculous, and I am guessing they are still plastic since there is no mention of them being metal in their advertising.

I just installed these upgraded metal handles a couple months ago and decided I liked the look of the indirect lighting glowing back into the handle pocket better than the exposed lights on the BA handles. The BA handles are fancy with the sequential signals and all but look a little too ricey for my liking.

I also like the fact that when driving down the road without the signals on it is very unassuming. Going back to my motorcycle days we always used to say the most effective light is the one that wasn't there before.

In other words, a brake light that goes from Off to On is more noticeable and grabs more attention than one that simply gets brighter.

Yes do like the glow and flash on the handles. And some serious “I’m moving over at night notification for sure.

Metal handles ?

Link?

Since my kids are older now and the NNBS isn’t the little kids school hauler daily, funny the handles don’t snap as much as they used too. LOL

 

[kbuskill]

Yes do like the glow and flash on the handles. And some serious “I’m moving over at night notification for sure.

Metal handles ?

Link?

Since my kids are older now and the NNBS isn’t the little kids school hauler daily, funny the handles don’t snap as much as they used too. LOL

Here you go...

Amazon.com: A-Premium Upgraded Metal Exterior Door Handles Compatible with Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche & GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon & Cadillac Escalade, Chrome, 4-PC Set, Front & Rear Side : Automotive

Buy A-Premium Upgraded Metal Exterior Door Handles Compatible with Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche & GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon & Cadillac Escalade, Chrome, 4-PC Set, Front & Rear Side: Exterior Door Handles - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

a.co

The ends and back are still plastic but the part you grab is metal which includes the pivot/hinge mechanism. They are substantially heavier than the originals. There is a thread around here somewhere that discusses these handles, as I posted about them when I first discovered them, and of course interest was peaked.

I haven't quite made it beyond the young kids stage so these handles were a definite need... lol

 

[Fosscore]

Here you go...

Amazon.com: A-Premium Upgraded Metal Exterior Door Handles Compatible with Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche & GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon & Cadillac Escalade, Chrome, 4-PC Set, Front & Rear Side : Automotive

Buy A-Premium Upgraded Metal Exterior Door Handles Compatible with Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche & GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon & Cadillac Escalade, Chrome, 4-PC Set, Front & Rear Side: Exterior Door Handles - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

a.co

The ends and back are still plastic but the part you grab is metal which includes the pivot/hinge mechanism. They are substantially heavier than the originals. There is a thread around here somewhere that discusses these handles, as I posted about them when I first discovered them, and of course interest was peaked.

I haven't quite made it beyond the young kids stage so these handles were a definite need... lol

Thanks for the link and info. I must have missed this, but you get busy and miss days or weeks of the threads and **** cool stuff whizzes by.

 

[89Suburban]

Got bored and did a thing...

View attachment 470794View attachment 470795View attachment 470796View attachment 470797View attachment 470798

I like the sequential front turns. Did you post about those?

 

[kbuskill]

I like the sequential front turns. Did you post about those?

I think they are in my build thread somewhere. Sequential turns in the front and Sequential Esky third brake light out back.

 

[kbuskill]

Here is a cheap and easy upgrade if you need another switch for something.

I replaced the stock headlight switch with one from a Chevy Traverse. Note the dome off button also has that little white dot just to the lower left of the word "dome". It lights up amber when you have the dome lights turned off.

It has a switch marked Ambient Off

If you just install the switch as is the Ambient Off will control your fog lights. However if you notice, the headlight knob has a fog light emblem in the center and what I did was repin the fog light wire over to that location and added a pin to the Ambient Off button so I have an additional momentary, ground operated, switch. This could be used for train horns or anything else that requires momentary activation or it could be hooked to a latching relay and used for whatever you want.

I also found and added a pin to the back of my Tesla style radio because it had a switch to disable the power running boards, which my truck didn't come with.
It is the lower switch of the two in red in the pics above. I may use it for my neons under the truck or something.

I had already repurposed the heated washer switch to control my train horns a long time ago.

I figured I could repurpose the running board switch for something else since it is a latching switch. So now I have a wire pinned into it and ran into my glove box for future use.

I haven't decided what I am going to hook to either of them yet, but I have them for whatever I may need them for, so I guess that makes me the winner... lol

 

[the_tool_man]

Here is a cheap and easy upgrade if you need another switch for something.

I replaced the stock headlight switch with one from a Chevy Traverse. Note the dome off button also has that little white dot just to the lower left of the word "dome". It lights up amber when you have the dome lights turned off.

It has a switch marked Ambient OffView attachment 470837
If you just install the switch as is the Ambient Off will control your fog lights. However if you notice, the headlight knob has a fog light emblem in the center and what I did was repin the fog light wire over to that location and added a pin to the Ambient Off button so I have an additional momentary, ground operated, switch. This could be used for train horns or anything else that requires momentary activation or it could be hooked to a latching relay and used for whatever you want.


View attachment 470838
I also found and added a pin to the back of my Tesla style radio because it had a switch to disable the power running boards, which my truck didn't come with.
It is the lower switch of the two in red in the pics above. I may use it for my neons under the truck or something.

I had already repurposed the heated washer switch to control my train horns a long time ago.

I figured I could repurpose the running board switch for something else since it is a latching switch. So now I have a wire pinned into it and ran into my glove box for future use.

I haven't decided what I am going to hook to either of them yet, but I have them for whatever I may need them for, so I guess that makes me the winner... lol

That's awesome. I have ideas like this, but I usually run out of enthusiasm or time before I finish, lol. I bought a five-button version of the little panel that goes between the lighters, thinking I'd repurpose the two new buttons for something. But when I realized the harness didn't have pins for the new buttons, I didn't pursue it. I need to remember to cut the mating pigtail out of the harness next time and maybe I'll see it through. A switch to switch between normal horn and train horn would be great!

 

[kbuskill]

A switch to switch between normal horn and train horn would be great!

This is exactly what I did with my heated washer button. It is momentary so I wired it to a latching relay and originally was using it for my light bar behind the grille but eventually I just hooked the light bar to activate off the high beams.

I then repurposed the heated washer switch and latching relay to do exactly as you described.

Heated washer button OFF = hitting the regular horn button in the center of the steering wheel results in the regular "city" horn.

Heated washer button ON = hitting the regular horn button in the center of the steering wheel results in the regular "city" horn + the Train Horn.

I like repurposing factory parts as the fit and finish are great and with just a little digging through wiring diagrams you can do some pretty neat stuff.

 

[the_tool_man]

This is exactly what I did with my heated washer button. It is momentary so I wired it to a latching relay and originally was using it for my light bar behind the grille but eventually I just hooked the light bar to activate off the high beams.

I then repurposed the heated washer switch and latching relay to do exactly as you described.

Heated washer button OFF = hitting the regular horn button in the center of the steering wheel results in the regular "city" horn.

Heated washer button ON = hitting the regular horn button in the center of the steering wheel results in the regular "city" horn + the Train Horn.

I like repurposing factory parts as the fit and finish are great and with just a little digging through wiring diagrams you can do some pretty neat stuff.

This is exactly what I'd envisioned. You, sir, are a real genius! Now you got me wondering what box that panel is in...

 

[kbuskill]

Got bored and did some more things...

Added a 31" light bar out back. Wired to the reverse lights. Also decided to hook the new Ambient Off button up to the light bar so I can turn the reverse lights on at any point, even while driving forward.

Also added the courtesy lights under the dash that GM was too cheap to install on the GMT900s.

 

[Fosscore]

I'm bored..so I think I'm going to light up the moon behind me

Awesome work Ken!!

 

[Tonyrodz]

Got bored and did some more things...

View attachment 470963View attachment 470964View attachment 470965
Added a 31" light bar out back. Wired to the reverse lights. Also decided to hook the new Ambient Off button up to the light bar so I can turn the reverse lights on at any point, even while driving forward.
View attachment 470966View attachment 470967

Also added the courtesy lights under the dash that GM was too cheap to install on the GMT900s.

That rear bar is good for those guys who high beams you at night. That'll teach 'em.
Nice work.

 

[the_tool_man]

Got bored and did some more things...

View attachment 470963View attachment 470964View attachment 470965
Added a 31" light bar out back. Wired to the reverse lights. Also decided to hook the new Ambient Off button up to the light bar so I can turn the reverse lights on at any point, even while driving forward.
View attachment 470966View attachment 470967

Also added the courtesy lights under the dash that GM was too cheap to install on the GMT900s.

I've considered hooking up a light bar like that, but under the spoiler or inside the back glass up high to light up my trailer bed at night when loading.

 

[kbuskill]

I've considered hooking up a light bar like that, but under the spoiler or inside the back glass up high to light up my trailer bed at night when loading.

Super easy installation. All the wiring is already there at the 7 way trailer connector.

 

[Sparksalot]

That rear bar is good for those guys who high beams you at night. That'll teach 'em.
Nice work.

I’d love to get a red light bar to use as a brake light.

 

[Charlie207]

Got bored and did some more things...

View attachment 470963View attachment 470964View attachment 470965
Added a 31" light bar out back. Wired to the reverse lights. Also decided to hook the new Ambient Off button up to the light bar so I can turn the reverse lights on at any point, even while driving forward.

I'd like to add some better reverse lights... maybe more translucent than your deer-stalkers (lol).

Where did you splice into the rear wiring?

 

[kbuskill]

I'd like to add some better reverse lights... maybe more translucent than your deer-stalkers (lol).

Where did you splice into the rear wiring?

Right behind the 7 pin trailer plug.

 

[kbuskill]

Found these front sill plates at the JY the other day in a 2011 Suburban. I'm not sure if these came like this in 2011 but they didn't come with the CHEVROLET font on my 2008.

Oddly enough the rears were the same as my originals.

Cleaned them and swapped them in...

Old one laying on top of the new one to show the difference.

Can anyone with a newer truck verify if their's have the Chevrolet font?

 

[Fosscore]

Here’s the backlit ones in my fronts @07Burb put these in