Need advice on improvements to my 99 5.0 AWD

[99 XLT 5.0 V8]

I recently bought a 99 XLT 5.0 AWD with 170k miles on it. Very clean inside and out, one family owned and dealer maintained.

I had my mechanic check it over and all fluids, filters, etc changed, and bought a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks, I'm now thinking of making some improvements and was wondering where I'd get my best "bang for buck".

I'm not a mechanic and don't have a garage, but have a good local mechanic that is very reasonable for his services. I have no plans to go off-road or climb rocks, I'm a snowboarder and want to be able to get to the mountain in ANY conditions (un-plowed roads, blizzards, drifts, etc). I have a car for summer driving, this is my winter vehicle and I want it to be bad-ass winter beast. The AWD and Blizzaks are a great combination so far. Feels like I can crawl through anything...very sure footed.

Here's what I was thinking, I would appreciate any advice from those that have done similar things to their trucks:

1. cold air intake and cat back exhaust to improve fuel economy and horsepower
2. full grill guard to protect front end from the deer that I will inevitably hit (northern Michigan)
3. fog lights on the grill guard so I can see the road in a blizzard at night

I've done some searching for grill guards on ebay the Hunter's are affordable ($209 plus shipping) and look good but there must be some shortcuts or quality issues if the other brands are $200 more.

Thanks...any help much appreciated.

 

[shadowless127]

The intake and the exhaust are a good start.

I'd also suggest maybe a TT and some Shackles to give you a little bit of a suspension lift.
You may also want to consider ditching the running boards, as they become pocket for snow/ice to collect in.

 

[99 XLT 5.0 V8]

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry for being a dunce but what is a TT?

How do the shackles improve the suspension?

Also, how easy / difficult is it to remove the running boards?

TIA

 

[shadowless127]

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry for being a dunce but what is a TT?

How do the shackles improve the suspension?

Also, how easy / difficult is it to remove the running boards?

TIA

TT = Torsion Twist, you tighten the torsion adjusting bolts on the front to raise the front end, and the shackles will raise the back end. Usually amounts to 1.5"-2" of lift. Warrior Shackles (P/N WAR153) can be had for around $70 new, and the TT is free as long as you have the required tools.

Running boards are just bolts.

 

[99 XLT 5.0 V8]

Good stuff...thanks.