Best Products?

[More Power]

What's the best product you've added to your truck? How did it hold up over time? What was the worst product?

I put a set of Husky Liners in my truck early on. Love them just as much now as I did years ago. They've held up well and look just as nice as they did new. The carpet beneath the liners still looks new. No funky smell from long wet carpets, and nice original carpet will help with resale.

I doubt I'll ever install another roll-top bed cover. They're somewhat pricey when new, requires a tedious installation, consumes bed space, functionality is questionable in wet/freezing weather, and their looks fade as time and weather take their toll.

That's just a start..... Let us know what you think....

Jim

[PoppaWilley]

I'm just getting started with accessories, so I can't recommend anything. However, I am looking for a good bedcover that is mostly waterproof. The people I've talked to who own a bedcover have not been satisfied with their purchase. I use my gooseneck more than once a week, so I need one that moves easily without wearing out prematurely. I also keep several woodworking tools in the bed that need to stay dry. If there is a bedcover that has stood the test of time please share. Thanks!

[More Power]

By "roll-top bed cover", I'm referring to the mechanical metal type. The cover itself is like the old roll-top desks, but with jointed aluminum slats that provide stiffness, but can bend around a roll at the front of the bed. They're lockable, which is nice, and provide some security for smaller items you're hauling (i.e. skis, luggage, groceries, etc.).

Problem is they are somewhat delicate, require maintenance, and those that are covered with vinyl deteriorate over time when exposed to sun. Plus, they consume too much bed space if you need to haul bigger items, like dirt bikes or ATVs.

Around here, the most popular bed covers are the vinyl type used with aluminum stays to hold its shape across the bed. They stick down on the bed rails using velcro. Easy to roll up and remove, little bed space required and are much less expensive.

Bed covers have been proven to help with fuel economy. That's a plus.

I like toppers (color-matched fiberglass type that blends with the cab profile), but my daughter says they are for old guys...:( Getting one on/off can be a challenge unless you have a winch/pulley system in your garage to make it a quick one-man operation.

[CoyleJR]

Jim,
I agree with you about the Husky floor mats; they are great. Another product that I really like is the Edge programmer. I seldom use the power program, but the gage pod has become a necessity for driving in the mountains on hot days. The EGT gets high (over 1300) very quickly pulling a heavy load in hill country. With the Edge you know when to lift your right foot to lower the EGT and save the motor. I will say again I do not use the power program much, but the digital display pod can be a great tool to extend the life of your motor if it is used properly.

[jbplock]

I made several mods (see signature) to my 03 (http://home.roadrunner.com/~jbplock/) when it was new that were all good but I think those that provide the most daily utility are the Retrax Roll-Top bed cover, Bilstien Shocks, and J&J Millennium SS Running Boards (which I understand are no longer available). The Retrax (http://www.retrax.com/products/retraxone/) has been trouble free. The polycarbonate (Lexan) cover still works and looks as good as the day I installed it. However, I do keep my truck in the garage when it’s not being driven and as Jim pointed out it can freeze up in the winter. Otherwise, along with a Pop & Lock (http://www.popandlock.net/Manual_Tailgate_Lock/GM_Tailgate_Lock) tailgate lock, it keeps the bed dry and secure but allows the bed to be easily open when needed. The Bilstiens are just plain better than stock and noticeably improve the ride. The J&J boards have protected the truck from stone chips, provide a firm step for front and rear doors, and look nice as well. I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase any of these again.


:)

[GMC D-Max]

I installed a set of AMP Powersteps on my dually, and I love 'em! I hate the look of nerf barfs/running boards, and these tuck up virtually out of sight. They're plenty sturdy when extended, with a nice wide non-skid step.

I have to mention the Bed Rug liner I put in, as well. I had Rhino Liner in my last truck, but wanted something different, this time around. The liner is a lot more durable than it looks, makes the floor of the bed smooth, and is more "non-skid" than a spray-in liner.

:)

[Heartbeat Hauler]

When I first got my 3500 there were no running boards that actually fit my body style of truck eapecially with the dually fender. I tried some DeeZees but they didn't stick out enough to actually step on...had'em removed.

I finally settled on a set of Owens Glasteps. They had a nice contour to them, fit great and have held up for over 10 years with the same paint job.

Love'em!

Worst: Stock water pump, stock ABS unit, needed replaced at less than 65k miles....stock injectors at 100K...boooo sssss booo.. :)

[gimpyhauler]

My reversible ball gooseneck hitch and my fuel additive from Kennedy.

I wish I could get rid of my stock short heated mirrors and get the manual pull out mirrors my buddy has on his GMC Sierra 2500HD. I have a 30/38 ft flatbed gooseneck trailer and none of the aftermarket add-on mirrors will do the job. Besides, the stock pull out mirrors look much better than any aftermarket add-ons.

[AKMark]

Love my manual pull out mirrors. Best mirrors I've ever had.

[greatwhite]

Best:

Dodge flip out heated mirrors, Acura TSX HID retrofits, Rear Camera, Optimizer 6500, Heath PMD kit, USASpec iPhone to OEM radio interface (my favorite addition), Krown undercoating, Cadillac CTS wood/leather heated steering wheel, Pyrometer gauge, rear flood lights slaved to the reverse lights, Husky centerline WD hitch system, Tekonsha Prodigy P3 brake controller, inverter, heated washer nozzles, raptor 100 lift pump.

Middle of the road:

Cobra 29 CB NWBTWX, windshield washer fluid heater, WMI, Escalade wood kit.

Worst:

I don't think I can name a worst/waste....

[DickWells]

Not exactly an easy add-on, but, my Innovation bed-cap opens up like a clam shell, sideways, to almost 90 degrees. This allows me to winch my Spyder into the bed backwards. I have to remove the windshield and loosen the rear fender and turn it 90 degrees. I've also modified the tail-gate to clear the nose of the Spyder. The cap raises with a 12V scissor jack that I got from Harbor Freight. The jack and all the hardware had to be modified, but I don't own anything that hasn't been moded.

My second Edge unit has been pretty much trouble free, unlike the first one, and really makes a difference with a DM. I watch how I treat the transmission, with all that power, but with over 110K with the Edge in there, I havn't seen any bad signs. Haven't seen 210 deg. more than a couple of times in all those miles. Soooo.

Best thing I ever did to the old Suburban 6.5 has been the Phazer gears.

[DennisG01]

The Husky floor liners (I think that's the brand I have?) are fantastic. I have a large one that covers the rear cargo area (about 5' of it, anyways) and that has been invaluable (having the 3" lip around it). Easy to remove and wipe/wash off.

Powervision mirrors - Luv 'em! Extra large mirror area, power extending and heated.

Changed out the standard AM/FM w/separate CD to an all-in-one, DVD/Rear Camera, flip-out touchscreen. I added two monitors (inexpensive ones) to the backs of the front seat headrests... with two small kids, it's a fantastic upgrade for long trips. I don't let them use it for short trips - they still need to learn patience, after all!

ScanGauge II - read/clear codes on the fly, real time monitoring of various engine parameters. Not as much as a full bore Tech II, but for $135, it's pretty darn good!

[jhowery]

The removable soft top for the bed and front hitch with power interrupt to run a winch.