Project "X-Max", Off-Road Expedition Style - The Ultimate Adventure Duramax
- Thread starter Nick.V70
- Start date
Hey Nick, I'm working on a similar build of a 2001 regular cab duramax (on a much smaller budget) and have run into the same space and weight issues. Have you considered a light weight offroad trailer for the bikes and larger items? Keep the posts and pics coming excited to see how it turns out.
Nick.V70
New member
Time for some updates on this rig.... the truck was sitting not driven for a handful of months while I explored a couple suspension options plus I had a number of other projects on my hands most of 2013. I finally started driving this truck a few months back and with things starting to level out I have the itch to set this rig up.
Here is a pic loaded up full of dirt bikes
So far the truck has just over 100k miles and runs like a champ, but the tires needed to be replaced so I decided to do a 2011-2014 Chevy face lift:
A 2013 Chevy front bumper was used, looks alot nicer compared to the 2008 style
When using a 2013 bumper you can simply bolt the 2013 grille up aswell.
Along with the bumper and grille I added a factory set of 20"s I snagged up from a GMC build I did a while back.
If some of you know that the 2008 wheel bolt pattern is 8on6.5 and the 2011+ wheels are 8on180, as you can see I used an adapter to convert the bolt pattern, also with the newer wheels having a deeper back space I wanted to equal it out so the tires didn't "suck" in. I used a 1.5" spacing front and rear.
End result was less than a days worth of work and a 2011+ look
Couple other simple suspension upgrades I did was install a set of Fox Performance Series shocks and Performance GM Compression stops, I really love the feel on the streets and at highway speeds with these items up front. In the rear the shocks help out when towing. My wife has used this truck a couple times to tow our boat and she got to feel the difference after the shocks and bump stops and she really said it made the truck more predictable and firm.
I say the truck has been great to me, only letting me down once so far........
Normal day driving the truck in town on a hot day, I stop to grab a drink and come out of the gas station and the truck will not turn over. I looked at all the simple possibilities but everything checked out other than a ignition fuse had popped. I though maybe started, did a bunch of searches on line and started a post on the Duramaxforum FaceBook group and after a few hours of frustration I track down this.....
Behind the power steering pump the starter ignition harness had rubbed through and ended up grounding out the hot wire to the starter
Easy fix once found.
Next upgrade I recently did was adding a Cognito Motorsports solid center link. I already had the Cognito Steering Braces but the truck needed new Idler & Pitman arms. A truck was needed for a story that was going in DieselWorld Magazine so my truck was used.
The story just came out, January 2015 issue, page 68
Here is what was installed:
Right after the install I hauled a 24' inclosed with a Chevelle in it and the steering felt great
I have talked to ARE truck tops a few times now and I am pretty sold on going their direction for a bed top. Whats everyones thoughts on between these 2 styles of tops? I am not sure what I like better.
Here is a pic loaded up full of dirt bikes
So far the truck has just over 100k miles and runs like a champ, but the tires needed to be replaced so I decided to do a 2011-2014 Chevy face lift:
A 2013 Chevy front bumper was used, looks alot nicer compared to the 2008 style
When using a 2013 bumper you can simply bolt the 2013 grille up aswell.
Along with the bumper and grille I added a factory set of 20"s I snagged up from a GMC build I did a while back.
If some of you know that the 2008 wheel bolt pattern is 8on6.5 and the 2011+ wheels are 8on180, as you can see I used an adapter to convert the bolt pattern, also with the newer wheels having a deeper back space I wanted to equal it out so the tires didn't "suck" in. I used a 1.5" spacing front and rear.
End result was less than a days worth of work and a 2011+ look
Couple other simple suspension upgrades I did was install a set of Fox Performance Series shocks and Performance GM Compression stops, I really love the feel on the streets and at highway speeds with these items up front. In the rear the shocks help out when towing. My wife has used this truck a couple times to tow our boat and she got to feel the difference after the shocks and bump stops and she really said it made the truck more predictable and firm.
I say the truck has been great to me, only letting me down once so far........
Normal day driving the truck in town on a hot day, I stop to grab a drink and come out of the gas station and the truck will not turn over. I looked at all the simple possibilities but everything checked out other than a ignition fuse had popped. I though maybe started, did a bunch of searches on line and started a post on the Duramaxforum FaceBook group and after a few hours of frustration I track down this.....
Behind the power steering pump the starter ignition harness had rubbed through and ended up grounding out the hot wire to the starter
Easy fix once found.Next upgrade I recently did was adding a Cognito Motorsports solid center link. I already had the Cognito Steering Braces but the truck needed new Idler & Pitman arms. A truck was needed for a story that was going in DieselWorld Magazine so my truck was used.
The story just came out, January 2015 issue, page 68
Here is what was installed:
Right after the install I hauled a 24' inclosed with a Chevelle in it and the steering felt great
I have talked to ARE truck tops a few times now and I am pretty sold on going their direction for a bed top. Whats everyones thoughts on between these 2 styles of tops? I am not sure what I like better.
surlydiesel
Adventurer
I like keeping my tailgate when I have a topper on. It's always my go to work bench, seat, bed extender, step ladder and the list goes on. So, I vote "contractor" style with the side doors and keep the tailgate. Otherwise, the barn doors look cool but I would prob miss my tailgate. I've never tried it but that's the gut feeling I have.
-jorge
-jorge
I like the first cap with the barn doors. I have a leer 180cc similar to the third picture and I'm looking at getting rid of it for an aluminum contractor unit or a "spacekap" fiberglass module which are hard to find, and harder to find at a decent price.
I'm really interested in the 8x6.5 to 8x180 adapter. Wondering who makes them and if they are available in 2". Thanks.
I'm really interested in the 8x6.5 to 8x180 adapter. Wondering who makes them and if they are available in 2". Thanks.
Nick.V70
New member
I agree on the "work bench" and I felt I would miss it so I am looking at a bed slide unit also. My thoughts are I can stack more up front and keep the tail end more free or where I can have things I would be using out side of the truck and then use the slide as a work bench when needed. I am leaning on ditching the tail gate because I hat leaning over it in to the bed.
I'd highly suggest looking at a place called Feds Spacers or > http://www.wheeladapter.com/
The once pictured I had problems with the studs and had to change them out already. You get what you pay for I think the saying goes lol
Also, why 2"? That would stick the wheels out more.
Wow, imagine that topper & drawer slide out system, combined with a service body, one would have tons of secure storage, with a dedicated spot for all manner of off road & camping gear.
Thanks for your thoughts on the spacers. I was thinking 1.5" up front and 2" on the rear.
Nick.V70
New member
No real updates, currently still sitting the same way it was in the last posts.
My son has been racing dirt bikes a ton so I have been trying to figure out how to alter the truck to fit the time we have been spending at the truck.
Also I am possibly going to upgrade the truck to a 2011-up so I have a chassis platform that will have more product being developed rather than keep beating a dead horse on a chassis that really is not going to see any improvements in suspension upgrades. I guess where I am is there is nothing really jumping out at me to do suspension wise so I am not excited to tear into the truck.
Nick
My son has been racing dirt bikes a ton so I have been trying to figure out how to alter the truck to fit the time we have been spending at the truck.
Also I am possibly going to upgrade the truck to a 2011-up so I have a chassis platform that will have more product being developed rather than keep beating a dead horse on a chassis that really is not going to see any improvements in suspension upgrades. I guess where I am is there is nothing really jumping out at me to do suspension wise so I am not excited to tear into the truck
.Nick