tail light guards secured

[cbbryan]

I got the 3/4" clamps from fastenal because I couldn't find them anywhere else. I chose the rubber wrapped clamps because the wouldn't scratch the paint off of the light guard should I ever choose to sel them, it should also eliminate all the rattle frome them. I painted them because they are not stainless and I think it looks better.I got the idea from Gordinh80's build.

[Dizzlenator]

I gotta say I would lift first, then start adding everything else on. Lift, tires, spacers is your most expensive thing on the list. The rest you could (and should, in my opinion) do later. Window vents are only $60. Here are some helpful links (I got these all bookmarked for newb bashing on the OS, even though I haven't had to use them as of yet)....

BFG Tires that JD, Gordinho, Me and quite a few others use
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LT-255-7 ... 06.c0.m245
Guy is in PA. I ordered a set from him, payed with paypal and got them 2 days later. Good deal.

Z71 rear springs
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-200 ... 06.c0.m245

There are lots of other things, but these are just to give you a small head start. Good deals, IMO.

[Gordinho80]

Looks good. I agree with Dan, do the lift, tires, and spacers first. I lifted first, then did spacers, then did larger tires (larger wheels also, but that was cause I was running 16s and found a killer deal on the BFG MTs for 17" as well as UBER cheap Rainier wheels)...

My truck looked weird with just the lift, then a little less weird with the spacers... Once I got the wheels/tires on, it looked BAD ASS!!!! Here is a pic of the truck with just the lift...

[Dizzlenator]

I waited on mine. Gathered the parts over the course of a couple of months. Tires, spacers, front Bilsteins, Z71 rears, and put it all in at once. The whole shebang in one afternoon. Started around noon, and finished around 7pm. It was cool to see the complete change at once, with only a few hours of hard work....and a few breaks for a beer....

[janesy86]

Go for the lift, spacers, tires first then all the other little accessories.

I thought about gathering the parts but once I found the wheels I couldn't stop ordering til it was all done.

So happy with the outcome so far, just still so much more planned.

[HARDTRAILZ]

I did rims and tires first with adapters, but not enough for me.

So I got another set of bigger tires that rubbed alot which made me have to lift and I couldnt let myself lift without new shocks and struts.

Then they still rubbed, so I got the body lift. Was pretty nice set up.

Then I went to Carlisle and WHAM these rims popped out at me and when i was lookin at them the third time, the guy said last set and I got em, but they needed rubber and being it was a truck show...There were tires there and I got some bigger ones which meant cutting the fenders and an additional inch lift for the body.

Over about 5 months this all happened. I am glad i did it this way, because I learned alot on the way and I sold the first set of rims and tires for double what I paid, and the second set for $250 more than I paid, and bought and sold a third set of wheels I never even used and made $200 off them, so I got my both lifts, shocks, and struts paid for by spending some time and effort on craigslist and ebay.

I would say do some used wheels and tires and spacer/adapters first to get started. Then lift it as high as you want it to be and get new tires.

[Trail X]

Then I went to Carlisle and WHAM these rims popped out at me...

Chrome boy...

Hey... when are we going to get some on-dirt pictures posted over here!!

[HARDTRAILZ]

Then I went to Carlisle and WHAM these rims popped out at me...

Chrome boy...

Hey... when are we going to get some on-dirt pictures posted over here!!

Black Chrome...I dont like black rims, I still see cheap when I see them. No offense just my taste. I didnt want Chrome-Chrome, so i got what fits me best. Plus they are the easiest wheel I have ever owned to take care of. Wash and wax like paint since they are powder-coat.

The few i have on dirt are not worth posting. I will admit to babying it while waiting for rock rails, I dont like the long expanse of doors unprotected since I know what happend with my suburban. Rocks hurt. I did order the rails so soon I will be out and make some one take pics. i will attend the nect TECORE in the spring if you will have me. I almost threw my name in this time, but I have not had a free weekend in two months and dont get one til the 24 and then halloween after. I hate wedding season and I just got engaged.

BUT I do have a question on the tail light guard securing..HOW? I searched and didnt find much. I dont want mine to catch a branch and rip off since they only screw in to the 2 stock holes.

[The Roadie]

BUT I do have a question on the tail light guard securing..HOW?

I did the definitive one over on the OS: http://forums.trailvoy.com/showthread.php?t=45389

[Philberto]

did you use nutserts too? Or did you just make do with sheet metal screws? I'd rather not have to buy tools that I don't have.

[The Roadie]

did you use nutserts too?

Never thought I'd pull this smilie out on one of our own.

Harbor Freight has really cheap nutsert kits. Once you use them once, you'll discover a DOZEN reasons to keep using them. $17!!!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=1210

[Philberto]

I know you used them bill, I was asking if he used them... Good lead on the HF kit though.

[The Roadie]

I know you used them bill, I was asking if he used them...

Sorry....sorry....I'm in full-on noob management mode sometimes on the OS. Gotta get better at shifting gears when I breathlessly run in the back door here and try to calm down as somebody throws me a beer.

This place is like:


That place is like:

[Philberto]

I know you used them bill, I was asking if he used them...

Sorry....sorry....I'm in full-on noob management mode sometimes on the OS. Gotta get better at shifting gears when I breathlessly run in the back door here and try to calm down as somebody throws me a beer.

This place is like:


That place is like:

Haha, the Ron-bies!

Come to think of it, I hardly ever post on the OS now... too many questions about check engine lights and how to fit 24s on our cars... *gag*

[cbbryan]

I used sheet metal screws. I also bought a pack of 10 clamps because it was $3.79 for the bulk pack and $1.09 for each individual. I would have used rivetnuts, but the special rivetnut gun is $75. So I took the sure thing; If I ever have any problems with them I wil upgrade to nutserts or rivetnuts.

Thanks for ebay links too those are great. Here is one i found for anyone who doesn't have a lift yet.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-200 ... 06.c0.m245

I would buy it, but I'm broke and pretty much unemployed.

I would have put up more pics showing how I attached the light guards but it was dark and my phone doesn't have a flash.

[Gordinho80]

Moved this to Off Road Mods / Discussion as this doesn't really involve fabrication...