Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Here is a quick writeup on my Daily Driver. I chose the name “Daddy Blue” because my little boy calls it that. I am the second owner of this and really seemed to luck out winning it on a Purple Wave auction back in May. I had been searching out a clean Arrival Blue (03-04 only) Crew cab diesel. These first shots are from the auction and site unseen in person.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Won the auction and my father and I road tripped out to Colorado to pick up the truck. I was glad to see that there was zero rust in the rockers nor the bed. Only modifications on the drivetrain appear to be a lift pump, which was great on the LB7. Injectors have been replaced twice in its life. Drove it back and it never missed a beat.
Got it home and started making it mine.
First, started with removing the wood in the bed and the toolbox. Followed by replacing the mirrors with some updated tow mirrors.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Up next, a 2015 & up 2500hd rear step bumper

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Played with some new-to-me Mickey Thompson/Alcoa Challenger wheels and swapping the hood for the 2005 & up HD hood and grill. I prefer the 2001-2002 HD front clip and will eventually swap out for it.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Removed the factory body trim from the doors.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Next, I tracked down a lightly used Rancho 4” lift that I was able to keep cranked down to keep my cv angles straight. Also, added a 01 & up 3500 under tailgate light.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Ordered 295/75/16 Cooper AT3 XLT’s. Just a little larger then the normal 285/75/16. I chose these because of their reviews in rain, snow, etc. plus towing. These tires are aggressive looking, but are quiet.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Took some time and body-worked and color matched my 05-07 hood. Also, figured I’d show a picture of my future little helper.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Added some Iboard running boards. Seem to be great quality and required no drilling. I also found a cheap steering wheel off Amazon. I dyed it Cocoa brown and plan on refinishing the Escalade interior parts to match.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Very nice, I just got a 2004 2500 LB7. Mine's 2wd, It's going down on 5-star 20's. Gonna be a boat tugger. Already have the grille to change mine to a 2006.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Beautiful truck!
Love all the changes.
There’s no way I could switch that front end out for the 01-02 HD front clip.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Thanks guys, still slowly collecting good parts for the 01-02 front swap. I just prefer that front end. I think the hood reminds me so much of the 69-72 hoods is why.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Looks great!
I have found some winners on Purple Wave and Big Iron.

Greg

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Looks good.

Can I have the '05-'07 Hood and grille?

(I'm halfway serious).

I'll need some front fenders, and pickup box pretty soon too if you happen to come across some nice (rust free) ones.

K

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

I don't mean to hijack - but - was the rear bumper you removed pretty decent?

K

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Cloth seats are nice. Hate the 04 grill. Like the 01 HD! Excellent.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Hey Keith, yes, it was relatively straight, and clean rust wise. I wound up giving it to one of my coworkers for his beater truck.
Trevor

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Yep, not a fan of the 03-04 grill and hood. I stripped the flaking chrome off the 01-02 HD grill and color matched the center bar. Thinking about color matching the front 01-02 bumper Blue as well like the Denali/High Country.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Let me know if you wanna lose the hood, I go right by there in January headed for the Devlin show. Building up parts for the Spring Spray-In!

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Low Elco, will do. Need to get all my pieces rounded up and painted first.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

love it, I had an 03 that I owned for 10 years. Sold it last year as it was time for it's second set of injectors and I didn't need a diesel anymore. I did most of what you did, I did pop the tailgate emblems off and the 2500HD and just left the d-max badge, cleans it up and looks clean and subtle. Blacked out stock tails and cab roof lights were sweet to. My painter hit em with clear that he dropped a little bit of black in, still could see the light come through easily but looked more aggressive all black.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

That's a great looking truck.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

Great looking truck and your cute paint color matched helper,lol !!!

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

New gauges, went with a Carbon Fiber Escalade style with red needles and white LED’s.

Re: Daddy Blue - 2003 2500HD
 

New headlights, and added stainless window trim like the newer high end models.