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  • CHEVY 1500

    BACK TO CHEVY

    CHEVY 1500

    The Chevy 1500 is a versatile option for those looking for a dependable daily driver that can also handle light-duty work. Looking to take that versatility to the next level? Big Dog Builds can bring your dream Chevy to life with tailored, expert customisations from the American truck specialists.

    Big Dog Builds Rating System
    • Manufacturer
    • Big Dog Builds
    build type

    Build Type

    Weekend warrior

    Towing

    7/10

    Looks

    8/10

    Interior

    8/10

    Driveline / Performance

    7/10

    Off Road Capability

    5/10

    Modification Ability

    8/10

    Towing Class

    NIL

    Light

    Heavy

    build type

    Build Type

    Weekend warrior

    Towing

    8/10

    Looks

    10/10

    Interior

    8/10

    Driveline / Performance

    9/10

    Off Road Capability

    6/10

    Modification Ability

    8/10

    Towing Class

    NIL

    Light

    Heavy

    CHEVY 1500 BUILDS
    How to Design Your Dream HD Truck Build (Chevy 2500/3500, Ford F‑250/F‑350, Ram 2500/3500) | Big Dog Builds

From wheels & tyres and suspension tuning to under‑bonnet power, roof racks, bar work, towing electrics, ADAS recal, and off‑grid power—this video is your end‑to‑end plan for a reliable, compliant, long‑distance HD build in Australia. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or planning a lap of the map, we’ll show the exact choices to make (and in what order) so your truck rides right, tows right, and lasts.

We also run Australia‑wide transport: ship your vehicle to us, we build it, you fly in for handover and drive home—or we can freight it back.

00:00 Start Here: What “dream HD build” really means & how we plan your spec
00:43 Who You Are: Weekend warrior, full‑time lap, business + “gap year”, retired
01:27 Step 1—Wheels & Tyres: Style, offset, 18″ vs 20″, road‑force balance
02:06 Factory vs Aftermarket: Why OE wheels/tyres struggle on AU roads
02:58 Spare Strategy: 4 vs 5 wheels, where the spare fits (and when it won’t)
03:42 Pre‑fit Workflow: Pre‑mount & balance to cut workshop time
04:28 Step 2—Suspension: BDS + FOX 2.5 DSC overview; what adjusters do
05:19 Prep First: Kitting, checking, and why bench prep avoids delays
06:17 Rear Support: Triple‑bellow airbags: assist vs overload & getting the mix right
07:03 On‑the‑Fly Control: Air IQ compressor + presets for multiple trailers
08:07 Alignment: Hunter setup—why correct geometry = safety + tyre life
08:51 Flares or No Flares: Track width, offsets, and legality/look trade‑offs
09:32 Electrics Overview: Under‑bonnet powerboard & tidy, serviceable looms
10:14 Tow Wiring Done Right: Grey (ignition‑switched) & Red (direct/solar) Andersons
10:53 Roof Rack: Big Dog Builds accessory rack: lighting, Starlink, solar, MaxTrax
11:38 Bar Work: Outback Kitters pre‑runner, winch cradle, camera/sensor relocation
12:31 Wiring Standards: Deutsch plugs, routed looms, neat service points
13:12 ADAS Recalibration: Why you must recal after bars/lifts/wheels
14:09 Off‑Grid Power: Under‑seat 200Ah + 2000W inverter—what it can run
14:50 Registration Paths: NB1 vs NB2—payload/towing & state differences
15:32 Extra Options: Hitches, weather shields, paint protection & more
16:23 Transport & Turnaround: Why our pre‑stage prep speeds delivery
17:19 Aftercare: What happens after handover & how to book Stage 2
18:01 Your Brief: What to tell us (fitment, flare preference, use‑case)
18:40 Wrap: Book a build design call & recommended next videos


⚙️ Build Workflow (what we cover in the video)
✅ Wheels & Tyres: Road‑force balanced, offset chosen for flare/no‑flare plan; spare‑wheel strategy.
✅ Suspension: BDS lift + FOX 2.5 DSC tuning (low/high‑speed); practical heights; alignment.
✅ Rear Support: Triple‑bellow airbags + Air IQ (remote/app) for ball‑weight changes.
✅ Electrical Backbone: Under‑bonnet powerboard + labeled looms; service access.
✅ Towing & Charging: Grey Anderson (ignition‑switched) for charging on the move; Red Anderson (direct) for solar blankets to maintain crank batteries.
✅ Roof Rack: Big Dog Builds accessory rack (lighting, solar, Starlink mount, MaxTrax).
✅ Front Protection: Outback Kitters pre‑runner bar + 15K winch + camera/sensor reloc.
✅ ADAS: Recalibration after bars/lifts/wheels as standard shop practice.
✅ Off‑Grid Power: Under‑seat 200Ah lithium + 2000W inverter (induction, coffee machine, etc.).
✅ Compliance & Setup: NB1 vs NB2, weight planning, weighbridge checks, hitch height.

📍 Work with Big Dog Builds

If you have a RAM, a Chevy, a Ford or a Tundra, get in touch now.

Facebook: 👉  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083162745725
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/big.dog.builds/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@big.dog.builds
Website: 👉  https://bigdogbuilds.com/

Book a phone consultation today 👉  https://shorturl.at/ctDF6

Compliance note: Weight/tow rules (NB1/NB2, GVM/GCM) vary by state and change over time. Always confirm current requirements and verify on a weighbridge after fit‑out.

#HDTruck #Chevy2500 #F250 #Ram3500 #BigDogBuilds
    How to Plan Your Dream Truck Build
    YouTube Video UEwwYmFlRDROVWFkNWJyeVdmck1RbjVVVUE4bzN0VVRqbS5GM0Q3M0MzMzY5NTJFNTdE
    Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2: BDS 3.5" + FOX 2.5 = the ride these trucks deserve.

We replaced a “budget kit” with a BDS 3.5" suspension and FOX 2.5 remote‑res (DSC), added Black Rhino Rapid (Bronze) wheels on Yokohama Geolandar G016 265/70R18 (LI 129 ≈ 1,850 kg each), and dialled the fitment (front mud‑flap area trim, optional bumper spacing). Result: better control on‑road and off‑road, and a setup that tows smarter when you pair it with airbags and correct hitch height/ball weight.

New to ZR2? If you’re pre‑registration in Australia, talk to us about GVM upgrades to retain tow capacity per local regs.

Interstate? We can arrange transport, complete the build, then you fly in for handover and drive home in your new setup.

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 ZR2 owners: is wheels/tyres/suspension all you need?
00:52 Pre‑reg GVM note & who the ZR2 suits
01:32 What we changed vs a “cheap kit”
02:30 Suspension deep dive — BDS 3.5", FOX 2.5 (DSC) tuning
03:22 Wheels & tyres — Black Rhino Rapid (Bronze) + Geolandar G016 265/70R18 (LI 129)
04:06 Fitment tips — mud‑flap area trim, optional bumper spacing, rock‑slider reality
05:29 Rear setup — upgraded leafs (retained), airbags + FOX tuning for towing
06:16 Tow smart — hitch height, ball weight, one‑hole difference on the hitch
07:12 Next mods — under‑seat power, roof‑rack options, booking your ZR2 build

⚙️ Build Sheet (this ZR2)
✅ Platform: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 (AUS)
✅ Lift & damping: BDS 3.5"; FOX 2.5 remote‑reservoir (DSC: high/low‑speed adjust)
✅ Wheels/Tyres: Black Rhino Rapid (Bronze) 18s; Yokohama Geolandar G016 265/70R18 LI 129 (~1,850 kg)
✅ Fitment notes: Minor trim at front mud‑flap area, optional bumper spacing for extra clearance
✅ Rear: Upgraded leaf springs (retained), airbags (retained)
✅ Towing: Set hitch height correctly; verify ball weight; fine‑tune with airbag pressure

Why this combo: Bigger‑bore 2.5" shocks + remote reservoirs = heat capacity & tuning headroom; modest 265/70R18 A/T boosts sidewall & load rating while keeping trimming manageable; bronze wheels give contrast without pushing width too far.

Work with Big Dog Builds

If you have a RAM, a Chevy,  Ford and Tundra get in touch now.

Facebook: 👉  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083162745725
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/big.dog.builds/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@big.dog.builds
Website: 👉  https://bigdogbuilds.com/

Book a phone consultation today 👉  https://shorturl.at/ctDF6

#ChevyZR2 #Silverado1500 #BDSsuspension #FOXshocks #BigDogBuilds
    The ZR2 is Better Than Your Mums Land Cruiser
    YouTube Video UEwwYmFlRDROVWFkNWJyeVdmck1RbjVVVUE4bzN0VVRqbS4yMDhBMkNBNjRDMjQxQTg1
    Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ  — 4.2‑t SSM pre‑reg GVM upgrade, still 4.5‑t towing. 

Full Big Dog Builds walk‑around: BDS 3.5" lift with FOX 2.5s, Method 305 NV wheels, 35" Nitto Ridge Grapplers, Outback Kitters prototype bar, GME UHF, Boss triple‑bellow airbags + Air IQ, wiring and towing setup.

Chapters 
00:00 Why 4.2‑t pre‑registration SSM GVM on a 1500 (nationwide compliance + retains 4.5‑t tow)
01:03 Interstate process: dealer → Big Dog Builds → registered (fly‑in, drive‑away)
01:46 Wheels & tyres: Method 305 NV (18x9 0), Double Black + 35x12.5R18 Ridge Grapplers
03:12 Suspension: BDS 3.5" kit, BDS UCAs, FOX 2.5 remote‑reservoir coilovers (adjustable)
03:57 LTZ vs ZR2 lift note (how the 3.5" applies)
04:42 Prototype front bar (Outback Kitters): integrated LEDs + 15,000‑lb winch cradle
05:35 R&D tweaks, colour‑coded bar & flares planned
06:33 UHF setup: bonnet‑mount bracket + GME XRS handpiece control
07:17 Rear end: leaf options + Boss triple‑bellow airbags (Schrader valves + Air IQ)
08:26 Air IQ presets, remote/app control & linking bags
09:16 “Airbags as helpers” (correct spring/shock first) + FOX 2.5 rears; 2500 vs 1500 towing use case
10:01 Towing electrics: red Anderson (solar in), grey Anderson (van DC‑DC while running)
10:45 What’s next: flares, rack, Switch‑Pros, lighting + why we do pre‑reg through BDB

Build highlights
✅ SSM 4.2‑t pre‑reg GVM upgrade on Silverado 1500 LTZ (federal compliance pathway; retains factory 4.5‑t braked towing rating in AU).
✅ Suspension: BDS 3.5" system with FOX 2.5 remote‑reservoir front coilovers + adjustable rears; BDS UCAs.
✅ Wheels/Tyres: Method 305 NV Double Black, 18x9 0; Nitto Ridge Grappler 35x12.5R18.
✅ Protection & recovery: Outback Kitters prototype alloy bar with signature LEDs, hoop lighting, forward‑facing fairlead, winch‑ready (15,000 lb).
✅ Comms: GME XRS UHF with 640 mm / 6.6 dBi antenna on bonnet mount (spring base).
✅ Load support: Boss triple‑bellow airbags + Air IQ wireless control (cab remote + iOS/Android), 7 presets, link/unlink bags.
✅ Towing electrics: 12‑pin, Red Anderson (solar blanket feed with reg) to front battery; Grey Anderson (van DC‑DC output while engine running).

Why pre‑registration SSM for GVM?
Pre‑reg SSM is done before first supply to market so the vehicle goes onto the RAV as modified—giving a nationally recognised compliance pathway. That helps with interstate registration later and avoids re‑engineering when moving states. Always confirm state requirements for accessories (tow setup, tyres, lighting, etc.). (General guidance; not legal advice.)

Interstate? We’ve got you.
Can’t bring the vehicle yourself? We can arrange national transport to our Queensland workshop, complete the build, handover, and recommend staying locally a couple of nights for the final check‑over before you hit the highway.

Who this setup suits
Tourers who want a refined 1500 as a weekend warrior with occasional caravan/boat towing—plus on‑road comfort and off‑road capability.

Gear list & mentions
@OutbackKitters @GMSpecialtyVehicles @MethodRaceWheels @NittoTire @GMEAustralia

Work with Big Dog Builds
📍 Queensland, Australia
🛠️ Pre‑reg and post‑reg GVM kits for Chevy 1500, RAM, Ford F‑150, Toyota Tundra.
📞 Bookings & enquiries: [add your phone/email/link here]
🗓️ Ask about dealer‑to‑BDB direct delivery (pre‑reg) and interstate transport options.


#Chevy1500 #Silverado1500 #GVMUpgrade #SSM #BigDogBuilds #4x4Australia #MethodRaceWheels #NittoRidgeGrappler #OutbackKitters #FoxShox
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    YouTube Video UEwwYmFlRDROVWFkNWJyeVdmck1RbjVVVUE4bzN0VVRqbS5ENDU4Q0M4RDExNzM1Mjcy
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info@bigdogbuilds.com


+61 7 3487 1351


7 Alta Road, Caboolture, QLD, 4510, AUSTRALIA

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