Blank Canvas - first mod suggestions...

[ihaveamustang]

Ended up w/ a deal too good to pass up on a Storm Gray Metallic 2010 Denali and since I've been on a forum for every car I've had for the last 15 years, here I am.

I've trolled pretty heavily for the last 2 days and come up w/ several options for first mods (never left a vehicle stock), but would like some input.

First mod is already on the way. I had the truck home for about 6 hours before I bought the G4 LED tails from REVOTEC on Ebay. I really don't like the OEM Denali tails. I had a couple of modded imports back in the day and the Denali tails remind me of the Altezza's that all the kids rocked on
civic and integras. Just never been a fan of that look. If anyone would like em, let me know. They'd be cheap.

I also hate fender gap unless you're going to commit to it and add more and play in the mud. Since I'll be beating up I-285 in Atlanta, I'm opting to close the fender gap. I don't want anything crazy dumped so the Belltech 2-3/4 kit here from Norcal SS is likely the route I'll take.

Now, on to the real question:
I'll need tires shortly so I'll likely upgrade to 22s at that point. I want to stick w/ an OEM style wheel.
What I like so far:
Stocker Esky's (find em on Craigslist or maybe from member here)
Marcellino Black Esky's (expensive)
CK919s from SuperchargedSS on here

I'm having a tough time thinking of what would look best against the gray truck. I've never been a huge fan of chrome (another mod will be scrapping the side moulding to kill that chrome stripe along w/ the badges - the grille, well, I'm effed there).

I like the polished/silver finish look but I haven't seen much in the way of a 22 in wheel with that finish (and it honestly may look weird). It's either chrome or black.
Any thoughts on what may look best w/ the gray?

Pic to see what I'm working with:
**This isn't mine, but unless I was sitting in it, I couldn't tell:

 

[soulsea]

Welcome aboard Josh ... I just bought a 10 Denali myself.

Hard to get a clear image in my head of how you want your truck to look as it seems you're somewhat torn in committing to a direction.

However if you want to de chrome a Denali it can certainly be done, including the grille.

But it seems to me the wheel choice will heavily depend on this decision for if you leave the chrome elements a 22" oem chrome wheel is the perfect choice ... if you de-chrome and/or de-badge/de-mold AND add a drop then wheel choice will be different.

Btw that Denali in the pic seems to have an Escalade mirror (or a Denali mirror with a cheap chrome cap on it). One less thing to deal with if you choose to de-chrome.

 

[ranorris2]

First off welcome to the forum...I agree with you on the denali lights, reminds me of the same thing...good choice on the g4's will make it look alot better. Do you plan on getting the esky third brake light to match it?

I would get the CK919's from SuperChargedSS if I were you, you will get the best deal from him, they will be brand new and wrapped in some new tires if you want. I am a fan of chrome so my opinion would be to keep some chrome, the denali's come with just the right amount of chrome.
But if you want to get rid of the chrome go for it...when you take off the side mouldings be careful, because someone on here will ****** them up in heart beat. And for your grille, your not effed. If you dont like chrome, take it off and get it painted to match or something.

Anyway good luck on your modding, this website will drain your wallet...I can't stop modding lol

 

[ihaveamustang]

Thanks for the welcome fellas. To help clarify, I'm not looking to take off all the chrome. Accents are ok, but it seems a little overdone for my tastes. I'm not overly concerned w/ that part. I have something in my head there and there will be a little chrome on the truck (I can't see spending the money to color match the door handles).
I'd really like to see a pic of the storm gray ride on black wheels. My photoshop skills aren't what they'd need to be to make this happen. I've scoured the interwebz for a pic w/ no luck. I'll keep at it.

 

[soulsea]

Well, it's not exactly the pic you're looking for but here's a de-chromed/lowered grey Tahoe on black rims: http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22863

---------- Post added at 10:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:49 PM ----------

If you like that look and want to keep a chrome element perhaps the CK798s are suitable:

Not my personal favorite ... I likes krome rims, specially on a Nali.

 

[ranorris2]

(I can't see spending the money to color match the door handles).

It's not that expensive, I'm sure you can find some used ones from someone for cheap. I'm not sure how much painted ones cost, but I had black painted ones and bought new chrome ones from the dealer for $110.00, easy install and not to expensive...

 

[Ben]

I would NOT get ck916's because not many people have them. I like being different! haha

 

[ihaveamustang]

Well, it's not exactly the pic you're looking for but here's a de-chromed/lowered grey Tahoe on black rims: http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22863

Damn. I can't believe you found that. It does tell me that I don't think I want to go that route. Thanks. Looking like a chrome wheel may be the best option. I like swapping parts from the same platform anyway, so the OEM esky's just moved way up the list.

My current car (till it's sold) is a G35 sedan. I made intake, exhaust, suspension, and wheel mods and never left the platform (G35 coupe, G35sedan, 350z).

 

[soulsea]

For my admittedly biased taste towards chrome elements on these trucks (especially denalis) I think that's the appropriate direction. Tahoes are one thing, but it seems a shame to me to buy a Denali and strip it of one of the major design elements that defines it.

Now as far as oem esky wheels ... be mindful that esky 22s won't take an oem GMC center cap. They might take aftermarket caps but I'm not an expert on this so I don't know. I'm guessing part of the reason folks buy esky replica wheels is that they have options for gmc/chevy replica caps.

Just something to check on whilst you're investigating.

 

[ajaxnxs]

Welcome and I miss being on 285 . Used to live in Marietta and McDonough. My boy works at a good shop there. Will post # when I find if you like.



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[ihaveamustang]

Do you plan on getting the esky third brake light to match it?

... this website will drain your wallet...I can't stop modding lol

Nah - I doubt I'll go that route. The esky 3rd brake light doesn't do much for me and the Denali stocker isn't' an eyesore to me like the tails are. The Ebay user I bought the tails from had a package deal that included the esky type 3rd brake light, but I just didn't want it.

Now as far as oem esky wheels ... be mindful that esky 22s won't take an oem GMC center cap. They might take aftermarket caps but I'm not an expert on this so I don't know. I'm guessing part of the reason folks buy esky replica wheels is that they have options for gmc/chevy replica caps.

Just something to check on whilst you're investigating.

Good thought, I"ll have to look into that.

It's not that expensive (matching door handles), I'm sure you can find some used ones from someone for cheap. I'm not sure how much painted ones cost, but I had black painted ones and bought new chrome ones from the dealer for $110.00, easy install and not to expensive...

To me, $500 for door handles (before being painted) is just too much money. I'm coming from a world of modding my G35 which meant I spent less than $100 on my drop (OEM springs from a 350z up front and from a G35 coupe in the rear). I've been a little spoiled. My most expensive mod on that car was the OEM coupe 19s and I found them for less than $800 on craigslist w/ tires that had 50% left on them. I understand we're talking about 2 different classes of vehicles, but I still have to look at getting a lot of bang for the buck. for what will likely approach $700+, I'll live w/ a little shine on the door handles.

Welcome and I miss being on 285 . Used to live in Marietta and McDonough. My boy works at a good shop there. Will post # when I find if you like.

I work in Marietta and live on the southside so I spent entirely too much time on 285. I"ll probably end up doing the majority of this stuff myself. My pops has a lift in his garage/shop at his house, so I can always run over there to do bigger jobs. At this point, the drop will be the only thing I won't do in my own driveway. That said (typed), if you have a shop name handy, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt.

Thanks for all the help fellas

 

[soulsea]

Josh, folks all over the webz are always taking off their painted handles and upgrading to chrome ... you'll find painted (your color) handles popping up on CL and ebay for less than $100. You can sell your chrome ones for a little over $100. So if it were your wish to de-chrome the handles, you'd actually come out a little ahead. Not saying you should do it, just saying it won't cost you to.

 

[ihaveamustang]

man - I thought you were saying the handles were around $100 each. I'll keep my eyes open for some take offs - I don't see many vehicles this color though, so I'm not sure how much luck I'll have. thanks for the input.

 

[soulsea]

You're welcome ... just to give you an idea of price: http://appleton.craigslist.org/pts/2812487100.html

But if you go in this direction it's going to look 'off' if you just do the handles and keep the rest of the side chrome trim pieces.

Did I mention I like chrome elements?

 

[ihaveamustang]

I can tell you like the chrome...
I'm interested to see how it shakes out. I"m going to debadge the whole rear for sure. Looking pretty certain that I'll go the 22in chrome Eskys (either OEMs or an aftermarket replica). With that, I think it'll look good to keep the door handles chrome, but remove the door moulding. Leaving the front fascia as is will tie it together. That's the vision for now, anyway. With a little drop, of course.

 

[RydnDrty]

I would be interested in your stock tails....let me know how much you want for them, and will they be coming with the harnesses?

 

[ihaveamustang]

I would be interested in your stock tails....let me know how much you want for them, and will they be coming with the harnesses?

I'll let you know when I pull them - got a shipping notification yesterday on my replacements, so it shouldn't be long. I'm pretty sure I'm dealing w/ a plug n play application here, so the stockers should have everything intact.