Perfect Your Pickup With These Aftermarket Parts and Accessories

When buying a new pickup, drivers have the chance to add any number of features, equipment packages, and trim options that can help to turn the typical off-the-shelf model into a one-of-a-kind ride. While those browsing the market for a used Chevy Silverado for sale might not have access to the same factory- or dealer-installed options, that doesn’t necessarily mean that customization is out of reach.

There are plenty of aftermarket parts and accessories that can transform a pre-owned Silverado into the perfect truck for your unique driving needs. Looking for a reliable job site companion? A spray-in bedliner or locking toolbox can make your hours on the clock a little bit easier. If you’re more of the weekend warrior type, a few simple modifications like retractable running boards and fender liners can help turn the already adventurous Silverado into a thrilling off-road rig. Whether you’re looking to test the truck’s limits or just trying to craft the perfect family pickup, our aftermarket Silverado parts and accessories guide should come in handy. Read on as we cover some of our top picks and see how easy it can be to tailor the Silverado to your liking.

Spray-In Bedliner

If you’re regularly using your truck to transport cargo, you already know the importance of a good bed liner. While many of today’s trucks are built with rugged beds that are designed to withstand the rigors of the working world, many pickup drivers choose to upgrade their rides with additional protection. This protection comes in two forms: spray-in and drop-in bedliners.

While spray-in bedliners might typically be the more expensive of the two they offer, there are a few key advantages over the drop-in approach. First, and most importantly, they do a better job of protecting against corrosion as there’s no gap between the bed and bedliner where water, salt, and dirt can become trapped. Second, spray-in bedliners have the added benefit of adding a little texture — and therefore traction — to the bed, which should help prevent your cargo from sliding around.

Spray-in bedliners tend to be more expensive than the drop-in variety — around $500 versus $300 for a drop-in — but a couple hundred bucks is usually well worth the investment if you’re looking for the best in cargo bed protection. One word of advice: spring for professional installation for spray-in bedliners, as the application process is a little more difficult than it might seem.

Tonneau Cover

A spray-in bedliner isn’t the only way to protect your truck bed. A tonneau cover can also go a long way towards improving your bed’s longevity by keeping the elements outside where they belong. These aftermarket accessories use either a soft- or hard-top design and are composed of either vinyl or aluminum, with the latter typically offered in a wide range of colors designed to match your Silverado’s paint job. No matter which style you choose, your days of worrying about wet tools or cargo will be a thing of the past.

Tonneau covers also have the benefit of providing a little added security for the contents of the bed. Are you a busy tradesperson who doesn’t want to worry about your gear whenever you enter a store or gas station? A locking tonneau cover might be the perfect solution. Most tonneau covers employ a manual design, but some powered options on the market can be activated using a key fob. While they might be ideal for hands-free operation, this retractable powered tonneau can also cost as much as $1,500 and often require professional installation. Those looking to save a few bucks will get the same sort of protection — if not convenience — with a standard tonneau cover that runs anywhere from $300 to $500.

Running Boards

Today’s trucks are bigger than ever. While small and midsize trucks once made up nearly half the pickup market, drivers have steadily gravitated towards full-size models in the last few decades. That’s not the only trend driving the shift. Vehicles have grown in general, with one Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study estimating that the average US vehicle has seen a growth spurt of around eight inches.

While this increased ride height brings a number of advantages in ground clearance and visibility, it can also lead to some real issues when trying to safely enter or exit your Silverado. That’s where running boards come in. These handy side steps, which can either be installed onto the body or attached directly to the frame, offer an important leg up when accessing the cab. This feature is particularly useful for shorter drivers, passengers, and kids, making it a must-have for anyone looking to use their pickup as an all-in-one family vehicle.

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a good set of running boards. First off, drivers have to decide between the powered and unpowered approach. A good set of articulating running boards can lower by as much as six inches to provide easy access to the Silverado while retracting during operation for improved ground clearance, but it can also cost upwards of $1,500.

Static running boards might only run a couple of hundred bucks but could present some problems for those eyeing aggressive off-road use. The type of material you opt for can also greatly impact longevity. Those chrome running boards might look flashy, but it’s important to remember the wear and tear that these side steps are going to experience. We’d recommend sticking with a good set of heavy-duty plastic or stainless steel running boards, as they’ll better resist the wear and corrosion that can come with regular use.

Tow Hitch

This one might seem a bit obvious, but still worth a mention for those who might be new to the world of pickups. While the uninitiated might assume that every full-size truck comes with a tow hitch, that’s not always the case. In many instances, drivers need to invest in a towing or trailering package if they’re looking to bring their boat, trailer, or camper along for the ride. With the addition of a tow hitch, the Silverado is one of the brawniest towing machines on the market, boasting a max towing capacity of 13,300 lbs when equipped with the Duramax diesel or 6.2-liter V8. That puts the Silverado firmly at the top of the full-size class, besting Ram and Ford’s marquee pickups by hundreds of pounds.

If the original owner of your pre-owned Silverado didn’t splurge for a towing or trailering package, you’re not necessarily out of luck. There are plenty of aftermarket tow hitches that will allow drivers to take advantage of the Silverado’s towing prowess, but it’s important to reflect on how it’ll be used before making a purchase. Different trailer hitches carry different weight ratings, so it depends on what sort of items you’ll tow and how heavy they are.

If you’re eyeing some lighter recreational equipment like a rowboat or small sailboat, you might be able to get away with a Class II trailer hitch with a gross trailer weight of 3,500 lbs. If you’re looking to take a large camper on your next family vacation, you could be in the market for a Class IV hitch with a GTW of up to 12,000 lbs. Cost generally varies by class, but expect to pay between $400 and $600 for a full towing hitch package. We’d also recommend paying a professional to do the installation, or you could be watching your new boat skid down the highway in the rearview mirror at 60 mph.

Fender Liners

Fender liners, also known as wheel well liners, wheel well guards, or inner fenders, serve an important role in protecting your wheel wells and engine bay. When driving, particularly in off-road scenarios, you’re constantly kicking up dirt, rocks, water, and other contaminants that can wreak havoc on your ride. While many trucks come standard with fender liners, some drivers like to upgrade beyond the typical factory-installed setup.

There are all sorts of specialized fender liners on the market, and many products are designed specifically for off-road use. These can be handy when it comes to reducing the tire rub that can occur when you upsize to a larger set of off-road tires. Many aftermarket fender liners are made with a durable thermoplastic that is smooth enough to prevent mud from caking your fenders and makes for easier clean-up once you get off the trail.

In addition to protecting the wheel wheels themselves, fender liners also play an important role in defending your suspension and engine bay from water and debris. While the suspension and engine bay aren’t the most delicate areas of your truck, a little extra protection ever hurts and is worth its weight in gold if it can prevent corrosion from taking hold. Fender liners are easy to install and one of the more affordable upgrades on our list at a cost of around $150 for a set of two.

Bed Rail Caps

If you find yourself regularly hauling bulky building supplies, hardware, tools, and other equipment, you know how difficult it can be to prevent these items from leaving their mark on the body of your truck. Aftermarket spray-in and drop-in bedliners do a great job of protecting the bed, but what about the rest of the vehicle? If you’re trying to prevent the area around the bed from becoming a mess of dings, dents, and potential rust, it’s time to invest in some bed rail caps.

Offered in plastic and metal designs, bed rail caps can help drivers avoid a worst-case scenario when loading or unloading cargo. These bed rail caps can be easily installed and removed by the average driver and carry a number of advantages beyond simple protection. Bed rail caps, especially those of the rubberized plastic variety, can improve overall safety by providing extra traction when standing in the bed. Some are even designed with tie-down points that help keep a heavy load nice and secure. With an average cost of $100 to $150, bed rail caps are an affordable way to keep your truck looking new no matter how many trips to the dump or building supply store it might have made.

Make Your Pre-Owned Silverado as Unique as You Are

The Chevy Silverado is already one of the most well-equipped full-size pickups on the market, providing drivers with a versatile truck that can seamlessly switch between work, play, and just cruising the streets. Chevy’s carefully crafted pickup formula has led the Silverado to become one of the industry’s best-selling trucks, with annual sales that regularly top 500,000 units. Still, the pickup’s legacy of customization has made it such a hit amongst drivers.

With so many aftermarket parts and accessories on offer, shopping in the preowned market doesn’t mean drivers have to settle for anything less when it comes to Chevy’s marquee pickup. From running boards that improve ease of access and off-road-ready fender liners to spray-in bed liners, tonneau covers, and bed rail caps that keep your gear — and truck — safe, secure, and looking good, a few aftermarket upgrades can make a big difference when it comes to building your perfect pre-owned pickup.