Modified GMC Sierra 1500 Truck Provides Visionary Owner Performance and Style

Chris Lara's GMC Sierra 1500 is equipped with K&N air intake system and wrench-off oil filter
Chris Lara's GMC Sierra 1500 is equipped with K&N air intake system and wrench-off oil filter
Chris Lara is a true visionary when it comes to his 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 with a 5.3 liter V8 engine. His passion has continued to grow from the moment he began the trucks first major modification. "I added some 22's a year after I bought the truck," said Lara, "But in July, 2005, I added the hydraulic suspension system. I got a lot of compliments after that."
Chris Lara's Custom 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 with a 5.3 liter V8 engine
Chris Lara's Custom 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 with a 5.3 liter V8 engine


In October, 2008, he sent the truck back to the shop for custom paint. Soon after, Chris Lara joined with the L.A. Chapter Nokturnal Car Club. After his first meeting in December, he knew he had to make a lot of changes. "Larger rims, bigger system, major changes," he said, "I upgraded the rims to 26", built a better system, added more TV's and installed custom interior."

Chris Lara has been using K&N performance products for 4 years. "I like the way the intake performs and that my truck can breathe easily," Lara said. "I also like the added power. I personally went with the K&N 77 series intake because I like the looks of the polished aluminum finish." Lara's 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3L is equipped with K&N air intake system 77-3021KP and K&N wrench-off oil filter HP-1007.

This custom 2003 Sierra 1500 has made its way to a number of car shows including the Toys R Us Car and Truck Show, Oldies Car Show, Lowrider Nationals, Ludikrs Car Show, Majestic Car Show, Lo Low's Low Rider Car Show and Victory Outreach Car Show. Chris Lara has taken home three 2nd place trophies so far this year.

Lara's vision for his truck has not reached the end. "My truck is going back to the shop," he said. "I am going to fiberglass the door panels, relocate the components in the panels to fit a 20 inch TV on each side, add a custom speaker box, fiberglass the rest of the bed to integrate two more 20 inch TV's and a floating amp rack down the middle."

Modifications for Chris Lara's 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 with a 5.3 liter V8 engine are as follows:

Engine - K&N 77 Series Intake (77-3021KP), K&N Oil Filter (HP-1007), Hypertech Power Programmer, and Gears are changed to a 4.10 gear ratio for more torque.

Exterior - Paint is a two-tone BMW Atlantic Blue and Black with a Silver Marble separation both colors. Body is shaved the taillights and tailgate added a roll pan to flush the back and added 2 10'' LED Brake lights to light up the back. Rims are 26'' Driv Sessna with Nitto Tires 305-35R26.

Interior - Backyard Interiors re-worked the interior and added Black Leather, Black Ostrich and Black Sting Ray with Blue Suede inserts to bring out the color and Blue Suede headliner with a line of stingray down the middle. Suspension - Full Hydraulic system from ProHopper Hydraulics with 2 pumps and 4 Optima yellow top batteries with 8'' cylinders in the front and 10'' cylinders in the back.

Audio and Video - Custom Fiberglass center console painted to match the exterior. 3 JL Audio 10" W6v2 subwoofers powered by a JLAudio 1000/1v2 Amplifier, along with 4 sets of Infinity speakers for mids and highs. Pioneer double din Head unit along with 2 TV's in the visors a 12" flip down for the back seat. Two more 10'' TV's integrated in the center console.

Plans for the Future - Installing 4 20" TV's that will be integrated into the door panels along with custom fiberglass. There are also plans for helicopter doors in the front and back doors are factory suicide but will modify to open up all the way back.

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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 with a 5.3 liter V8 engine
2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Rear Bed with Open Doors 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Custom Interior 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Front 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Custom Inside 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Rear with Open Doors 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Rear with 26inch Rims