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Poll: Chevy Trucks Tailgate Lettering In Black Or Body Color?

While there are many things that go into choosing a pickup truck – such as capabilities, reliability, and size – prospective buyers also have many decisions to make when it comes to looks. One of these customization options is black tailgate lettering, which is currently available as an LPO, or dealer-installed, extra on all three ICE Chevy pickup trucks. This got us here at GM Authority wondering: do you prefer the standard body-colored lettering or the optional black lettering?

Offered on the Colorado, Silverado 1500, and Silverado HD as dealer options, the black lettering is available through different means for each pickup. On the midsizer, the black tailgate lettering (RPO code SHQ) is offered as a standalone option or $175. Meanwhile, the Silverado 1500 must be optioned with the $350 Dark Essentials Package (RPO code PDB) to include black tailgate lettering (RPO code SB7). Finally, the Silverado HD also requires the Dark Essentials Package (RPO code PDB) for $550 to be equipped with the black tailgate lettering (RPO code SB7) option.

As evidenced above, the difference between the body-colored lettering and black lettering is quite notable. Of course, the debossed Chevrolet logo stands out as the primary distinction between the two. Interestingly, as with the two Silverado models, the Colorado can also be equipped with black nameplates (RPO code RIK) for another $195.

So, what do you think, dear reader? Do you prefer the more subtle appearance of the body-colored tailgate lettering or the sharp contrast of the black lettering? Make sure to vote in the poll and let us know what you’re thinking in the comments section below.

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Comments

  1. I’d go for black as it would stand out more in lighter colors. GM trucks used to have letters embossed, not indented into the sheet metal, then colored black or white depending on body color of vehicle as an option.

    Reply
    1. See it in real life and there are some colors that do not look good with black lettering.

      Reply
  2. I installed silver lettering on my Northsky Blue Silverado, easy to do and looks good. The aftermarket is full of different options for all makes of trucks.

    Reply
  3. Just don’t chase Ford in seeing who can have the most laughably oversized tailgate logo!

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  4. Black or white colored tailgate lettering should be a no-cost item on an embossed background. It’s total BS for GM to make it available only through option packages.

    Reply
  5. Not a choice, but REFLECTIVE black would be a great choice. Had this on my ’06 GTO and it looked great, day and night.

    Reply
  6. Body colored. If someone needs the contrast to tell what brand it is they don’t know enough about trucks to matter.

    Reply
  7. After market letters are available, in numerous colors, chrome, even red/white/blue stripped letters, at far less than $!95. Easy installation, I put chrome letters on my Radiant Red Silverado. Very easy and they look great!

    Reply
  8. Black on the non-black paint vehicles. Chrome-like on the highest trim level. Silver on the darker paint vehicles. Might make this an LPO option for the dealers to install when the vehicle arrives on the transport?

    Reply
  9. Rather than “Chevrolet” spelled out on the tailgate, I wish they would just put the “bow tie” in the center of the tailgate, just like they do on the multi-flex tailgate.

    Reply
  10. 🐥 cheap, cheap, cheap…..

    Why GM not place lettering in the groves so that people can determine what type of vehicle it is?

    Reply
  11. Funny that contrasting lettering makes the brand CHEVROLET stand out. That would be good for Chevrolet, I find it difficult to spend extra money to help GM promote their brand. Reminds me of a story: years ago, my Dad’s dealer license plate frame cracked and the dealer wanted to charge him to put a new frame on that promoted their dealership.

    Reply
    1. Stealership greed even back than. I would of told them to pound sand.

      Reply
      1. He did, told em he didn’t want the plastic frame. Never bought another car at that dealership

        Reply
  12. If you want your product to stand out make a bold statement!! This is one area GM missed out on marking because you can’t tell what the product is until you are up on our bumpers. And it wouldn’t hurt to put our Chevy bowtie or GMC emblem back on tailgate. It’s cheap advertising that speaks volumes

    Reply
  13. BRING BACK THE BOWTIE!

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  14. Please… I’m so tired of all this black c rap on cars!

    Reply
  15. Owning a black Colorado, neither worked for me. So I purchased silver aftermarket letters through Amazon. FYI, they didn’t cost me $175!

    Reply
  16. Screw the lettering. Bring the Iconic bowtie back.

    Reply
  17. Bow tie badge please, no imprinted letters.

    Reply
  18. A solid no to black. There is already too much black on the exterior of these new vehicles to start with. You will also save a lot of money not paying extra for the black graphics or packages. I don’t mind some grille or wheel accenting however.

    Reply
  19. With the MSRP base prices that GM has placed on the Silverado and Sierra , they can easily afford to include the multi-step tailgate as standard equipment. Personally, I care a lot less about lettering.

    Reply
  20. How about start by building a decent pickup truck. Then we can talk about lettering on the tailgate.

    Reply
    1. I don’t care about the lettering as much as I would just like to have a tailgate in which the switches last more than a few months. Or a tailgate that was part of a recall.

      Reply
  21. put the MODEL name on the tailgate! COLORADO, SILVERADO, not Chevrolet.. and out a small BOWTIE on it as well

    Reply

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