2 SASes 1 garage... Summer 2009

[rstoner1026]

Got the longtubes on the 04 and the shorties back on the 99 today. I realized how much I like the bodylift today. It was a royal pain in the ars to get those longtubes stuffed up in a stock truck, but after about 4 sqaure inches of skin (off my knuckles, hands,and forarms), removing the front driveshaft, cutting off the EGR stem (not needed, so instead of putting on a block-off plate, I just chopped it and welded a patch over the hole), and breaking off a sparkplug (just the ceramic head), I finally got them in. There is just a piece of flex in place of the cats until I run it to the exhaust shop.

[rstoner1026]

Got the exhaust all done now. Its a bit deeper, but quieter now than what it was before. Instead of having long tubes with 3" pipes and stock cats(2 1/2"), it was shortys that run 2 1/2" from the collector to the 3" magnaflow high flow cats.
So I got home from work today and scabbed up some mudflaps. I haven't finalized my hitch yet, so the mudflap brackets aren't quit done either. I put some very decent tack welds on everything throughout, that I will cut off when I finish everything up. Just got done with that when the fedex guy showed up with these (Bilstein 7100s):



Threw them all on:



And now it rides a little smoother. I have about 700 lbs in the bed to help break in the rear springs, but the front will just have to do with the engine weight and driving it. I should be able to get some more/better pics tomorrow in the daylight.

[rstoner1026]

Well, having it 95% complete, I had to drive it to work today... just for fun, but also to get a couple of good gear break-in sessions. Here are a couple more pics as promised...







And nose to nose with the new truck

[Blue-Z71]

nice to see a build come to fruition after watching it for awhile

[bhookxen]

wow, that's one big SOB.

looks great though!

[V6rado94]

Wow that thing is too low

[rstoner1026]

Thanks guys. I am still going to build the "false" drop bumpers (or whatever you wanna call them), trac bars, and still have to get rear shocks. Then, get the 44" Pitbulls...

[Stucknthemud]

is the front able shaft centered in the wheel well right? It looks like it's pushed forward

[Stucknthemud]

is the front axle shaft centered in the wheel well right? It looks like it's pushed forward

[Gopedxr]

Pretty sweet. How does it drive and hows the power?

[88GMCtruck]

Wow you've made a ton of progress, lookin good. One of these days I'll have to track you down and see it in person.

Where are you planning on taking it with all the trees around here?

[fastlt1]

I can't wait to see some big rubber on that beast.

[JAYB1RD]

BIG! And only on 36s at that! The pic with the dog underneath cracks me up...what are you going to use to drain your engine oil into now? LOL

[V6rado94]

Originally Posted by JAYB1RD

BIG! And only on 36s at that! The pic with the dog underneath cracks me up...what are you going to use to drain your engine oil into now? LOL

a bar stool and a regular oil pan

[Gopedxr]

Originally Posted by V6rado94

a bar stool and a regular oil pan

Word!

[bonedust]

you should build sliders with snap-on canvas flaps and camp under the truck. that would be so badass.

[rstoner1026]

Originally Posted by Stucknthemud

is the front able shaft centered in the wheel well right? It looks like it's pushed forward

It's pushed forward about an inch. When the springs flex, the shackle swings rearward... can run a larger tire without eating the cab corner/ fender up

Originally Posted by Gopedxr

Pretty sweet. How does it drive and hows the power?

Its a little rough without rear shocks and all new springs, but pretty good. I passed a semi on the way to work... seat height is the same. With 5.38s and 36s, plenty of power.

Originally Posted by 88GMCtruck

Wow you've made a ton of progress, lookin good. One of these days I'll have to track you down and see it in person.
Where are you planning on taking it with all the trees around here?

Thanks. I've got a pass to 90,000 acres of privately owned forests used for logging. Lots to get into, along with great hunting. Got my first black tail 2 weeks ago, have seen many elk, saw 1 black bear but no shot, and getting ready to start slaying the bobcats.

Originally Posted by V6rado94

a bar stool and a regular oil pan

It really nice to work under the truck, as compared to a stock truck. Under the hood sucks a bit. I'm 6'1" and I cannot reach the hood (when open and without jumping) from the front of the truck. There is definiatly no crawling under it needed.

[F4MOU$]

That's an amazing lookin truck man.

[BlackPearl]

Originally Posted by rstoner1026

It's pushed forward about an inch. When the springs flex, the shackle swings rearward... can run a larger tire without eating the cab corner/ fender up



Its a little rough without rear shocks and all new springs, but pretty good. I passed a semi on the way to work... seat height is the same. With 5.38s and 36s, plenty of power.



Thanks. I've got a pass to 90,000 acres of privately owned forests used for logging. Lots to get into, along with great hunting. Got my first black tail 2 weeks ago, have seen many elk, saw 1 black bear but no shot, and getting ready to start slaying the bobcats.



It really nice to work under the truck, as compared to a stock truck. Under the hood sucks a bit. I'm 6'1" and I cannot reach the hood (when open and without jumping) from the front of the truck. There is definiatly no crawling under it needed.

Out of curiosity, what happens if you need to drop your transmission/transfercase? How exactly do you do that with a truck that big? I'm being serious though, I'm really curious how people with huge trucks do that without killing themselves

Great looking truck man. I bet you are happy as hell to finally be able to drive it

[bonedust]

Originally Posted by BlackPearl

Out of curiosity, what happens if you need to drop your transmission/transfercase? How exactly do you do that with a truck that big?

roll the work bench underneath it and go to town!