2018 Chevy Silverado 3500

The Silverado 3500 has only a few minor upgrades for its 2018 model year, including a new grille design on the High Country and Z7I trims, three new exterior colors Cajun Red Tintcoat, Havana Metallic, and Iridescent Pearl Tricoat for crew cab models, and additional safety features such as a standard 7inch touchscreen on the base WT. The 2018 Silverado 3500 HD’s standard powertrain is a Vortec 6.0L V8 producing 360 horsepower and 380ft-lb of torque with a six-speed automatic transmission. The class-leading optional Duramax turbo diesel V8 delivers 445 horsepower and 910ft-lb, and is paired with an Allison 1000 six speed. This heavy-duty pickup can haul up to 7,153 pounds and, properly equipped, it can tow up to 23,000 pounds.

All-round Aggressive Style

One of the easiest modifications to make your Silverado look as aggressive as possible from all angles is adding in a set of aftermarket tail lights. To install, tail lights are basically two bolts and some light bulb plugs and wiring, but they can dramatically change the appearance of your Chevy’s rear end. With a wide range of actual housing designs, there’s incredible scope for customisation. For a unique blacked out effect, consider an aftermarket kit with smoked lenses and/or a completely black housing. For a dramatic step away from the typical white and silver OEM design, there are aftermarket kits with smoked lenses as well as completely blacked out housings that will provide a more sinister appearance. Most aftermarket tail light kits will include new bright LED bulbs that provide excellent illumination, however some may be compatible with your factory bulbs. That said, you may still want to upgrade to LEDs anyways, its more efficient and long-lasting technology when compared to the standard incandescent bulbs.

Extra Off-Road Capability

Especially helpful for all trail-going Chevys, a winch can help you get out of many a sticky situation. Aftermarket winches can be either electrically or hydraulically powered, though the electric winch dominates as they are considerably less expensive and just as capable of hauling a Silverado out of the mud as an industrial-strength hydraulic winch.

• Pull yourself, or a friend, out
• Steel cable or synethetic pulling rope
• Works with factory electrical system

A key consideration when deciding on a winch is whether to go for synthetic rope or steel cable. Steel cable is the tried-and-true traditional choice; it’s readily available and relatively inexpensive. However, it's heavy and can be deadly if it snaps under load. Synthetic rope is a modern option that is lighter, and easier to handle and repair, though it does have a larger diameter for the same rating as steel cable, meaning a lower pulling capacity for the same line distance. For Silverado’s with their stock bumper, there are plenty of low-profile winch plates that bolt to the frame rail. There also complete front bumper replacements that will include a winch plate, plus a number of other helpful off-road features, such as a D-ring mounts, light mounts and grille guards.

Protect your Paint

A hood protector isn’t a terribly exciting mod, but it does help to protect and preserve your paint job from flying road debris and also - bugs. A hood protector will normally be manufactured from a durable yet flexible acrylic material for a custom skin-tight fit. Their purpose is to help protect the front lip of the hood where road splash and bug guts are likely to hit. They mount in mere minutes using 3M automotive tape, and styles range from subtle smoked or blacked out, to classic chrome. For the more adventures, other designs include the All-American red-white-and-blue or camo print. Either way, a hood protector is a great way to stylishly shield and protect your paint job from the pain of rock chips and ugly bug splatter.