Short version: The books (KBB / Black Book / J.D. Power) reward configurations that lots of Chevy shoppers want and that are easy to resell in Eastern Iowa. Some features move dollars; many don’t.
What Moves Book Value Most (Chevy)
- 4×4 + Crew Cab — the resale sweet spot around Guttenberg.
- Factory Tow Gear — Z82 Trailering Package (and JL1 integrated brake controller if equipped). NHT Max Trailering is a bigger bump when present.
Need trailering equipment installed? Click here to schedule service.
- Named Off-Road/Appearance Trims — Z71, Trail Boss; factory skid plates/lockers/lift.
- Engines shoppers expect — On half-tons, 5.3L V8 (L84) or 2.7L Turbo High-Output (L3B) both appraise well with the right packages; diesels hold strong where available.
- Driver Aids/Safety — blind-zone, rear cross-traffic, surround view, adaptive cruise (bigger impact on newer trucks).
- OEM 20″+ wheels — modest bump when factory.
Helps A Little
- Heated seats/wheel, larger screens (13.4″), remote start.
- Convenience/comfort packages (10-way power seat, dual-zone climate).
- Hard tonneau covers & toppers (caps): small add in some guides (see KBB/J.D. Power notes below).
Little/No Book Impact
- Spray-in bedliner, steps, mudflaps, floor liners, soft roll-up tonneaus (good for retail appeal, usually minimal in the books).
Can Hurt Value
- Aftermarket lifts/wheels/tires, tunes/deletes (depends on quality and drivability).
- Chip-delete items (e.g., without heated seats) when present.
- Accident history, rust, missing keys/fobs.
Real Truck Example (Sticker → our “truth set”)
This is the exact truck we’ll reference throughout: 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT (2FL) Crew 4×4, 2.7L Turbo High-Output (L3B). The window sticker is our source of truth for factory equipment—no guessing, no double-counting.
Click Here to Open the Window Sticker Example
Sticker highlights: All Star Edition, Convenience Package, Z82 Trailering w/ Hitch Guidance, 3.42 axle (GT4), G80 auto-locking rear diff, NQH 2-speed Autotrac, heated front seats & heated leather-wrapped wheel, 13.4″ display, 20″ aluminum wheels, and a −$50 steering column lock credit.
How KBB Books This Truck
KBB focuses on factory options. You select features; KBB applies the dollars after you rebook (the options screen won’t show amounts).
What we check in KBB for this build:
- Engine/drive: 4-Cyl HO Turbo 2.7L, 4WD, 8-speed automatic
- Packages/options: Trailering/Towing (Z82), Heated Seats, Heated Steering Wheel, Power Driver Seat, and one wheel choice for the factory 20s
- We do not select: Max Trailering (NHT), Z71, Leather seats, Surround View, Sunroof (not on the sticker)
Accessory nuance: KBB typically offers “Hard Tonneau Cover” as an option (small add) when applicable. Soft roll-ups generally don’t add in KBB.
Click image to view readable size.
How Black Book Books It
Black Book reflects recent wholesale/auction behavior, so it often shows visible plus/minus adjustments on the screen.
What Black Book shows on this truck:
- “2.7L Turbo 4Cyl” −$900 vs a V8 (typical in BB)
- If equipped, “Lift Kit & Wheels” may display a positive bump because some lifted trucks bring more at auction
- Avoid double-counting: don’t check “Lift Kit & Wheels” and separate big-wheel boxes for the same mod
Click image to view readable size.
How J.D. Power (NADA) Books It
J.D. Power leans on VIN-decoded OEM content. Many comfort items are “Included”; towing and caps/liners often show explicit adds.
What JDP shows on this truck:
- Towing/Camper Package +$350 (matches Z82 trailering)
- Engine/aluminum wheels included by default
- Accessory nuance: JDP often includes a line for Fiberglass Cap/Topper (adds a bit); hard tonneaus may appear depending on configuration. No specific “lift” option here—that’s normal.
Click image to view readable size.
Why the Books Disagree on Lifted Trucks
Short version: The guides use different data and rules. Black Book prices what sells at auction (including some lifted trucks). KBB and J.D. Power mostly price OEM, VIN-decoded equipment—so they often ignore aftermarket lifts.
| Guide | What it measures | How it treats lifts |
|---|---|---|
| Black Book | Wholesale/auction results by time & region | May show a positive line item like “Lift Kit & Wheels” when lifted trucks sell higher at auction. |
| Kelley Blue Book | Retail/private-party + dealer data; focuses on factory options | Usually no lift checkbox. Prices trim/engine/cab/4×4 and factory packages; aftermarket mods are typically ignored. |
| J.D. Power (NADA) | Lender/dealer valuation based on VIN/OEM | Rarely has a lift option; treats the truck as it left the factory. |
Our Store’s Policy on Lifts (Transparency You Can Count On)
We take the “lift” option with a grain of salt in valuation tools when appraising trade-ins or pricing for retail. It takes a trained eye with local market experience to determine those values. Two trucks may look exactly the same, but our sales managers are going to review the parts used, mileage, calibrations, drivability, alignment/tires, and overall install quality—then make a decision from there. We explain any risk adjustment and land on a number that makes sense for Guttenberg and Eastern Iowa.
Want to know what your truck’s actually worth? Click here for a real-world valuation.
FAQs
- Do tonneau covers or bedliners add book value?
- Usually no. Exceptions: KBB often adds a little for Hard Tonneau Cover, and J.D. Power typically adds for a Fiberglass Cap/Topper. Soft roll-up tonneaus are generally ignored.
- Which cab holds value best?
- Crew Cab, by a wide margin on half-tons.
- Is the 2.7L Turbo High-Output a V8?
- No. It’s GM’s L3B turbocharged inline-4 (310 hp / 430 lb-ft).
- Why doesn’t KBB or JDP add for my lift?
- Methodology. Those guides price OEM, VIN-decoded content. Black Book may add for lifts if auctions support it.