Photoshop help- A Gentleman's ZAV??

I got a new truck. It's kind of a big boy version of my old work truck.

Now, I'm trying to come up with a look I like. I'm looking for a cross between an off-roader, and a ZAV. A gentleman's work truck, weekend camper. Don't want anything extreme- no machine gun turrets on the roof, or 12" lift kits with swampers. It won't be a real off-roader. It will be a street driver used for daily construction site work and occasional camping.

I like the functionality of the work topper on it, but don't think it looks like it belongs. Looks like a standard Crew Cab being humped by a utility truck. I'm trying to think if I can make a few mods to make it a bit more cohesive.

A few of my ideas...

• Paint the topper the right white to match the truck (it's off a couple shades). Or, perhaps make it intentionally different, like grey or something.
• Maybe add some subtle graphics that tie the body and the topper together.
• The roof rack looks a bit too much GA Power Co to me. A bit more off-road? Maybe a basket style roof rack on the cab (put the spare up there?) with a black ladder rack on the topper a little higher (so ladders can extend over the basket rack).
• Or maybe a single black roof rack on the cap that extends over the cab.
• Winch on the front?
• Rear Ranch Hand bumper to match that massive front brush guard?
• Don't think the yellow bubble light is right. Maybe an LED lightbar? Or maybe LED worklights placed on the sides and back so they are functional for my work.

I'm open to ideas- heck, it's just photoshop. I'm not locked into anything, but I need to avoid making it look like a teenage farmboy trying to prove how big his pecker isn't.

Here's a couple other angles for inspiration:

That's a good looking truck! I run load range e Goodyear duratracs on my k3500 with duramax/Allison. Nice, aggressive look, and great traction, but they've also held up very well to towing and heavy hauling.

I would also add a winch. I opted for an 18k Superwinch Talon series since I'm in muddy fields with a loaded trailer fairly often, and let's face it, my dually is a heavy girl unloaded. I mounted it on a beefed up Mile Marker front winch mount and brush guard.

I also have a magnetic Go Light remote control spot light, which is pretty handy. Go Light

I like the purposeful, commercial, look if the truck. Will you be towing large loads? I ask because this look could hurt you if you begin to look like you are towing commercially and draw some unwanted DOT and CDL attention.

If you are towing substantial loads you may want to try to look more residential.

I like the commercial look too. A lot. Right now, I'm just playing to see if I like something else better. That's why I'm Photoshopping, instead of parts shopping.

Good word on the towing, but I don't think I will cross that line. I tow a lot but these days my loads are small. Car trailer is the biggest. Maybe a camper in the future. Truck is registered privately, and owned privately.

Besides I live in Georgia. Towing anything smaller than the space shuttle is considered the same as towing your lawn mower!

In reply to SVreX:

No Carolina squat?

Ok, a couple ideas. I'd say step one is aftermarket wheels with slightly more aggressive tires - nothing bro-dozerish, but if you want a more off-road/zav look, that's the place to start. Also possibly a mild ~2"(?) lift.

Second - do something to make those running boards more noticeable & aggressive looking...not sure what, but they need to look more industrial/purposeful.

Third - you need to find a rear bumper to balance out the front. Preferable with a big-ass anvil and/or vice mounted on either corner. Let people know you mean business!

Then get rid of the stock "Z71" decals. Maybe rhino-line the rockers all the way around? I also agree with ditching the yellow strobe for an LED bar, and painting the box grey.

In reply to SVreX:

Well the utility topper will help you against any DOT stuff, because most of our guys hauling campers don't have one and usually have an auxiliary fuel tank and 5th wheel residing in the bed. They pick on us too. We are just as fair game as the 18 wheelers.

petegossett wrote: In reply to SVreX: No Carolina squat?

Carolina squat makes me want to slap people.

Id thing a nice satin black top half and shell, dark tint windows, 1/4 plate winch bumpers front and rear, safari rack, some added lighting, 3 inch lift

If you see my first post, I cam across this overnight while up with the baby. I now have a little more time with a real keyboard to share some ideas, but, I have no P'shop skills.

Is it too white?
I am not sure, I don't necessarily think so but here are some ideas for color.

Lots of color: You could go with a lower 2 tone via vinyl. This would also give you paint protection to the lower half. Not a bad idea of paint protection since I know you are planning for this to be a long term vehicle. In 7 years you could pull the vinyl and start a second phase of ownership. Orange would not seem to be the right choice if trying to avoid the Road Crew Look but it was a quickly found sample.
More photos of Orange
I like the blue I did on my van so blue and white might be the choice.

More complex but imagine a new version of this:

Or just a lower rocker panel strip of color. I have more ideas but I have run out of time.

In reply to John Welsh :

That 2nd one is teh hotness!

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: In reply to SVreX: Well the utility topper will help you against any DOT stuff, because most of our guys hauling campers don't have one and usually have an auxiliary fuel tank and 5th wheel residing in the bed. They pick on us too. We are just as fair game as the 18 wheelers.

I understand.

This isn't really THAT far from what I've been driving, and I have never been stopped, so I'm not gonna sweat it.

petegossett wrote: In reply to SVreX: No Carolina squat? Ok, a couple ideas. I'd say step one is aftermarket wheels with slightly more aggressive tires - nothing bro-dozerish, but if you want a more off-road/zav look, that's the place to start. Also possibly a mild ~2"(?) lift. Second - do something to make those running boards more noticeable & aggressive looking...not sure what, but they need to look more industrial/purposeful. Third - you need to find a rear bumper to balance out the front. Preferable with a big-ass anvil and/or vice mounted on either corner. Let people know you mean business! Then get rid of the stock "Z71" decals. Maybe rhino-line the rockers all the way around? I also agree with ditching the yellow strobe for an LED bar, and painting the box grey.

Good list.

Plasti-Dip faux steel panels with rivets and faux rust stains

More aggressive tires: BFG K02 if you can get the right load rating.
Basket over cab for spare tire, extraction tools, etc.
Large LED light bar on front of basket with smaller ones on side for area lighting.
Winch in front bumper.
Rear bumper to match front.
Front to back bars(square tube) to connect ladder racks. Make a platform to hold rooftop tent.
Paint, DIP, or wrap with some color other than white. ZAV's aren't white.

What Hal said sounds good. All of it.

I'd sell that monster bumper and brush guard, get a smaller one with front hitch receiver. Then add a hitch mounted winch that you can lock away.

In reply to OHSCrifle:

That brush guard has a receiver hitch in it.

I agree it's, shall we say "overstated", but there is an advantage to that brush guard. There is enough space behind it for me to stand and lean over the engine. This is enormously useful for things as simple as checking the oil (which is a pain on a truck this high).

I wouldn't touch it.

John Welsh wrote: If you see my first post, I cam across this overnight while up with the baby. I now have a little more time with a real keyboard to share some ideas, but, I have no P'shop skills. Is it too white? I am not sure, I don't necessarily think so but here are some ideas for color. Lots of color: You could go with a lower 2 tone via vinyl. This would also give you paint protection to the lower half. Not a bad idea of paint protection since I know you are planning for this to be a long term vehicle. In 7 years you could pull the vinyl and start a second phase of ownership. Orange would not seem to be the right choice if trying to avoid the Road Crew Look but it was a quickly found sample. More photos of Orange I like the blue I did on my van so blue and white might be the choice. More complex but imagine a new version of this:

I like the idea of vinyl simply because the paint protection.

Looks good to me. Maybe add those Duratracs.

I'd lose the black pinstripe down the sides.

Done.

Not enough?

Maybe add a black hood panel for glare:

In reply to Mike:

Not really a fan of the black hood. Looks kinda ricer to me.

I'm in the drive it camp. Maybe coat the rocker panels as mentioned.

It's a work truck, make it your bitch and make it pull its share without getting dolled up.

In reply to Grtechguy:

The days of "work truck" being synonymous with "piece of E36 M3" are over for me.

For me, "work truck" is more synonymous with "office on wheels". I work in it, I travel in it, I play in it, occasionally I sleep in it. And I use it as a family go-to-church hauler.

Plus, it's my only vehicle.