Originally from South Florida, got a marine engineering/naval architecture degree in New York, just moved to SoCal.
I've got a '06 2WD with ~260k on it right now. Yup 2WD... with the right mods I should be able to get pretty far, I hope. I'm just looking to get stuck a little less.
Anyways this is where I'm starting:
and heres where I am:
Since then I've added:
-Rola Vortec cargo basket
-OEM fogs
Not sure why the fogs say 24V on them but they seem to work on 12v just fine. Attached them to the bumper using a tie strap as a bracket and some thickened epoxy. Not the prettiest solution but it's easy to aim them while the epoxy is curing!
-2x Harbour Freight 30amp halogens mounted on the roof rack fairing.
-intake resonator delete
Future Plans:
1.) Axle Swap
Theres an 07' TB EXT with a G80 at my local pick your part. Ready for an axle swap and locker ASAP. I'm assuming I'll have to replace the clutchpack in the G80 if I plan to use it for any amount of time. I would eventually like to put some sort of lunchbox carrier in there, so it may not even be worth trying to replace the clutchpack.
2.) Suspension
At 160k I'm assuming my coilover and shocks are pretty fatigued. So I might as well replace the whole suspension if I plan on doing a lift right?
-Marc MC3" lift
correct me if this won't work please
Rear
-Moog 81114 ~equivalent to tahoe Z71?
-Bilstein (33-185552) 5100 Series Shock Absorber
Front
-Moog 81069
-Bilstein 24-103336
3.) Re-Gearing
Probably should do this the same time I replace the diff carrier. Although is proper mating of the gears difficult? Should I get this done in a shop?
-4.10 ring and pinion
4.) Tires
-Marc MC 1.5" spacers
Not set on this, will depend on the craigslist market when the time comes. Will have to look at tire chart to see how big I can go with the above setup.
-265ish/16/75 A/Ts
-Bigger tire will necessitate a different way to carry the spare. Havent figured that one out yet.
6. ) Onboard Air
similar to TrailXs with a built in compressor/cooling fan circuit. wondering why I've never seen an airup/down sort of bridle system. Something with a an adjustable pressure relief valve that can fill/dump two tires at a time. an unloader is a good idea too, although that can be done manually.
7. ) Misc
-Garbage can delete
wondering if JB weld will do for the straight pipe joint, don't have access to a welder
-Tow hooks
why don't TBs come with these and why are they so expensive. Also whats with cantilevering them from the frame, seems really bad for shock loading.
side note:
It seems like everyone has done a lift uses spacers. Why can't we buy longer springs/shocks with a similar spring rate? Is that an option/ why don't i see this?