Bare to Clad Conversion?

[murtaugh87]

I have a 2005 unclad avalanche. I am wondering if it is possible to put cladding on an uncladded Avalanche? I love cladding and would like it on my avalanche to include the cladded step rear bumper.

 

[redheadedrod]

Nope, totally different body steel.

 

[Vaeagleav]

First welcome to the site murtaugh87!

redheadedrod is correct in that the sheet metal underneath the cladding is different and also full of holes to accept the clips that help hold the plastic cladding panels in place. Then you have differences in front end etc. to complicate things.
What some members have done in the past is to spray Line-X on the lower rockers and around wheel wells to provide a rugged and more off-road look to their WBH AV.  The rear bumper is not an easy thing either and others have resorted to aftermarket off-road bumper companies for a different look.
You could look at a bedslide device to make it easier to place stuff in your bed or retrieve it so you don't have to climb in and out of the bed.

 

[murtaugh87]

  Thank you so much for the information guys. I actually was considering a bed slide and have a couple of designs in mind. I am most certainly going to buy a fully Cladded avalanche at some point, step bumper, roof rack, and all. Btw, I have the WBH down now but I what the acronym is for an Avalanche with Cladding and what it means?

 

[Vaeagleav]

If you plan to buy a cladded AV one thing to inspect thoroughly is the sheet metal behind the lower cladding since they haven't been made since 2006 they are starting to show their age and some members have had to have the cladding removed and metal repaired or replaced then cladding reinstalled to restore the Av.
To help with many acronyms used on this site check out this thread:
http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?topic=18925.0

There are many old threads where members good heartedly teased the different styles of AVs. No real name was finalized for the original cladded AV. Some called it original, others said it looked like a Tonka Toy, Tupperware, or wearing plastic pants. The cladded AV owners called the WBH (without body hardware) Av as being nekkid, or wearing a bikini due to lower door side trim ,or even a Silverado wanna be. All in good fun though.

 

[Vaeagleav]

To see photos of a WBH AV that a member put Line-X on look like a cladded AV check out this thread:
http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?topic=50355.msg781518#msg781518

 

[murtaugh87]

Thank you for the info again! While I do love the cladding on the older models, I feel like the bed liner is a great replacement and I think I did find a step bumper that fits the WBH online. I wouldn't want to deal with repairing the sheet under the clad either I suppose, not to mention that the newer Avs have better options and features, and it is easier to find a newer model with lower miles, since the model is becoming extinct!  . It is to bad I did not realize the Av was the perfect truck until 6 years after they quit making them.