2020 Silverado 3500 HD
The 2020 Silverado 3500 HD boasts some huge upgrades over the outgoing model. Tow capacity jumps a whopping 52%, up to 35,500 lbs, due to structural changes and improvements with the frame and suspension. For example, new, beefier axles are used in the front and back, alongside an 11.5" ring gear for gas equipped 3500 models and a larger 12" ring gear for those trucks with the Duramax. Speaking of engines, the Duramax returns in the same trim, producing 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque. Gone is the tried-and-true 6.0L gas option, instead replaced with a new 6.6L L8T model. This new, bigger gas V8 engine uses direct injection and variable valve timing, resulting in 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque.
Muscular Flare
Only sharing the roof with the 1500 half-ton, the rest of the 2020 Silverado 3500 uses all new body panels and sheet metal. Adding fender flares to the wheel arch is an easy way to give the one-ton a wider and more aggressive stance, as well as extra tire coverage. These are an ideal mod for those that want their 3500 to have a bolder appearance, and especially useful for running a bigger and wider tire. Aftermarket fender flares are usually made from a form of ABS plastic, a type of plastic with excellent rigidity, tensile strength, impact and chemical resistance - all qualities you would want from an exterior body piece. Depending on the style, fender flares can add as much as an extra 3" of tire coverage, allowing for fitment of bigger and thicker tires without contravening any road laws (in many jurisdictions the outer edge of the tire must be contained by the lip of the fender).
Bull Bar Accessorizing
Adding a bull bar to your 2020 Silverado 3500 can offer many benefits:
- Protects bumper and lower grille from damage
- Muscular appearance
- Platform for further accessories
Bull bars generally come in two flavors - constructed from mild steel or stainless steel. Mild steel bars will be on the cheaper end, but with less nickel and chromium content, are more susceptible to rust and corrosion. For this reason, it is rare to find a mild steel tubular bull bar that isn't finished with an epoxy sealant or black powder coat. Stainless steel bars offer much better rust proofing and corrosion resistant in their natural form, and are therefore normally left with a polished finished. In terms of performance, neither material is any less than the other. Each type of bull bar will still provide excellent front end bumper and lower grille protection in a small collision. Further, Silverado 3500 bull bars can also feature pre-drilled mounts to accommodate auxiliary off-road equipment like LED light bars, cube lights and even a winch.
Keeping the floor clean
With a major push by Chevrolet to equip the 2020 Silverado 3500 HD with an interior featuring more premium materials, it is a no-brainer to want a good floor liner package to keep the foot wells in good condition. Compared to a regular floor mat, a floor liner offers superior protection due their vehicle-specific design. Floor liners for the 2020 Chevy one-ton truck are molded to fit the exact floor plan, based on 3D laser measurements. Secondly, they use raised edges around the entire perimeter of the liner (similar to a tray) to keep carpet up the door ledge and center console scuff and dirt free. This raised profile then makes the liners very easy to remove, dump, wipe down and put back in without spilling any contaminants accidentally in the process.
