2007 Silverado - Buy Once, Cry Once: 1-tons, 40's & a Custom Camper
- Thread starter Andrew_S
- Start date
Andrew_S
Observer
Oh man, I wish I could say it felt like I was flying. I'm happy to have some momentum now that I've got parts sorted, but I was hoping to have this thing driving in January...
Thanks, I'm pretty stoked on the stance. It should be a good balance of stability but not stupid wide that it's uncomfortable to drive in town. The departure angle should be really good with the axle set back.
Took a vacation day to get some more work done.
Splashed some paint on this fuel tank cross member and called it done.
These hangers fall on a weird spot in the frame where it tapers in, and nothing is flat. First up I cut and bent back the rearward section to get it aligned on the flat part of the frame,
Much better,
Welded in a little fillet of plate
Next up the bottom of the frame wasn't flat either. It was stepped where the double frame butted up... this was a bit trickier to make it work.
Fixed*
Now for my least favourite task - drilling holes. The irony is my dad was a machinist for 45 years and I can't stand "machining" likely doesn't help I buy the cheapest tools on the market....
Need to pick up some 1/2" hardware to call this done but it's close.
Sitting on it's own weight. A couple more small jobs and then I'll be ready to roll this thing outside and spin it around. I can't actually finish it in my garage because it will be too long and too tall to fit...
Thanks, I'm pretty stoked on the stance. It should be a good balance of stability but not stupid wide that it's uncomfortable to drive in town. The departure angle should be really good with the axle set back.
Took a vacation day to get some more work done.
Splashed some paint on this fuel tank cross member and called it done.
These hangers fall on a weird spot in the frame where it tapers in, and nothing is flat. First up I cut and bent back the rearward section to get it aligned on the flat part of the frame,
Much better,
Welded in a little fillet of plate
Next up the bottom of the frame wasn't flat either. It was stepped where the double frame butted up... this was a bit trickier to make it work.
Fixed*
Now for my least favourite task - drilling holes. The irony is my dad was a machinist for 45 years and I can't stand "machining" likely doesn't help I buy the cheapest tools on the market....
Need to pick up some 1/2" hardware to call this done but it's close.
Sitting on it's own weight. A couple more small jobs and then I'll be ready to roll this thing outside and spin it around. I can't actually finish it in my garage because it will be too long and too tall to fit...
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Kingsize24
Well-known member
Looking damn good!
Andrew_S
Observer
Thanks guys.
YetiX - that's 100% the plan. Do it the right way now, and it'll be good for a decade of fun.
I went on a mid-week parts run to the coast to collect some loose ends. I randomly ended up at Hot Rod's Restos, and this is one of a half-dozen cars sitting in the shop. What a nice surprise.
3 stops later, on my way to Squamish.
10 hours of driving later, and I'm home with my facebook marketplace treasures.
Amp running boards, L5P banks oil cooler, Warn winch mount, King shocks & a bonus arb manifold.
I'm not 100% sold that this will be the final front winch arrangement. I can't seem to find a bumper that I love that doesn't make the truck look a guppy.
For now it will do, you know what they say "their is nothing more permanent than a temporary fix"
YetiX - that's 100% the plan. Do it the right way now, and it'll be good for a decade of fun.
I went on a mid-week parts run to the coast to collect some loose ends. I randomly ended up at Hot Rod's Restos, and this is one of a half-dozen cars sitting in the shop. What a nice surprise.
3 stops later, on my way to Squamish.
10 hours of driving later, and I'm home with my facebook marketplace treasures.
Amp running boards, L5P banks oil cooler, Warn winch mount, King shocks & a bonus arb manifold.
I'm not 100% sold that this will be the final front winch arrangement. I can't seem to find a bumper that I love that doesn't make the truck look a guppy.
For now it will do, you know what they say "their is nothing more permanent than a temporary fix"
Skinhyfish
Observer
Anything not getting replaced? Lol. Impressive !! Love the build
Andrew_S
Observer
Engine & trans, just minor maintenance on those bits. Thanks.
1stDeuce—The ARB bumper is the only one I've seen that I like quite a bit. It looks like it's meant for the bush and not just a sema build. Other than the price point, that one is guppy-approved. Destination adventure is rad, he's definitely added a few trips to our list. Coming through with the crew cab and camper, or?
Managed to get 2 hours in this evening.
One side hung
driver's side as well. This is a nice product to work with. In terms of durability/longevity on the FSR's, I'll hold my opinion for now.
And tucked, all it needs now is power
Andrew_S
Observer
Started sorting out the front winch,
Where I wanted it to live was in immediate conflict with the trans cooler
A common modification for these trucks is to flip the trans cooler up higher for better air flow. It worked well in this case, I modified the upper mounts so it's secured in 4 places and still retains factory damping mounts.
I need to extend the one hose about 6". For those that don't know, these crimp style hoses are 2 crimp connections away from being a standard hose/fitting.
I need to scrounge up a 1/2 ton front bumper sooner than later to make sure this is all going to work. For now I'm liking it quite a bit.
Finished the day by wiring up the steps.
This was a gratifying little project.
Got all the hardware sorted for the rear end bracketry, looking forward to getting this all bolted up.
Where I wanted it to live was in immediate conflict with the trans cooler
A common modification for these trucks is to flip the trans cooler up higher for better air flow. It worked well in this case, I modified the upper mounts so it's secured in 4 places and still retains factory damping mounts.
I need to extend the one hose about 6". For those that don't know, these crimp style hoses are 2 crimp connections away from being a standard hose/fitting.
I need to scrounge up a 1/2 ton front bumper sooner than later to make sure this is all going to work. For now I'm liking it quite a bit.
Finished the day by wiring up the steps.
This was a gratifying little project.
Got all the hardware sorted for the rear end bracketry, looking forward to getting this all bolted up.
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Andrew_S
Observer
Big driveshaft day,
Started disassembling the old f350 2-piece to get an idea of how I want to package a new 2 piece.
All broke down and I have a plan
On to the front shaft, measuring for length at max droop
Modified this old F350 front shaft to work as an interim solution
Split
marked and ready to go back together 4" shorter
I'll try this out to make sure the length is spot on and then get one made.
Rear brake lines bent up
Started bleeding all the brakes and found this issue- wrong side caliper... Must have got packaged wrong, I'll get it swapped out this week.
Not pictured, the fuel tank and lines are all hooked back up.
Went to fire it up, and the batteries were dead. Tomorrow.
Started disassembling the old f350 2-piece to get an idea of how I want to package a new 2 piece.
All broke down and I have a plan
On to the front shaft, measuring for length at max droop
Modified this old F350 front shaft to work as an interim solution
Split
marked and ready to go back together 4" shorter
I'll try this out to make sure the length is spot on and then get one made.
Rear brake lines bent up
Started bleeding all the brakes and found this issue- wrong side caliper... Must have got packaged wrong, I'll get it swapped out this week.
Not pictured, the fuel tank and lines are all hooked back up.
Went to fire it up, and the batteries were dead. Tomorrow.
1stDeuce
Explorer
Oh, now it's not a guppy... Worst lookin hat I ever saw
Hehahahah
We are coming through with the truck and a new (to us but far from it) camper. A hard side unit that we bought because the old Haulmark is falling apart and the project Phoenix is more work than I could finish before the trip. Got a good deal, and we will just sell it when we get back.
Current plan has us going up 93 for the scenery, but if it's crowded, we're bailing to back roads. I'm kind of hoping to make it to Stewart/Hyder and up to Salmon glacier before heading back but that is a LONG ways from here... So much to see, so this is a scouting trip and we'll likely be back in June of 2027...
Andrew_S
Observer
^Definitely still a guppy! guppy approved hahaha
Sounds like a super fun trip, salmon glacier has been on my list since destination adventures trip up that way. Enjoy it.
Bled the brakes and got it idling for the first time in months.
Had to drop the tires to get it out of the garage,
May need to look at a more robust air system. I'm doubtful the twin arb is going to meet my expectations with this tire volume.
First look at it out of the garage, makes our s15's on 33's look pretty small.
Now to get to business on the rear,
Taking some last minute measurements
Jacked up and sitting level
Sections added and cut to length
Testing shackle angles
Bracing the frame temporarily
I flipped the rear shackle mounts to get them as far rearward as possible. This only works if you are modifying both of your leaf spring mounts
Rained out, welding put on hold
Mocking up the rear sway bar, should work out really nice.
Rear frame section fully welded, added some additional reinforcement, and stitched-welded it to keep the heat low.
Test fit the exhaust - this will work but I'm not sure if I want to lose this storage space. May look at modifying it to go straight out the back.
Cutting off the front hangers - being extra careful not to nick the s&b tank...
Welded in 2 cross members, through structure to the frame and boxed them as well. Should be strong enough? may look at adding a couple of gussets before I call it done.
Coat of Por15 to seal it up for now.
Sounds like a super fun trip, salmon glacier has been on my list since destination adventures trip up that way. Enjoy it.
Bled the brakes and got it idling for the first time in months.
Had to drop the tires to get it out of the garage,
May need to look at a more robust air system. I'm doubtful the twin arb is going to meet my expectations with this tire volume.
First look at it out of the garage, makes our s15's on 33's look pretty small.
Now to get to business on the rear,
Taking some last minute measurements
Jacked up and sitting level
Sections added and cut to length
Testing shackle angles
Bracing the frame temporarily
I flipped the rear shackle mounts to get them as far rearward as possible. This only works if you are modifying both of your leaf spring mounts
Rained out, welding put on hold
Mocking up the rear sway bar, should work out really nice.
Rear frame section fully welded, added some additional reinforcement, and stitched-welded it to keep the heat low.
Test fit the exhaust - this will work but I'm not sure if I want to lose this storage space. May look at modifying it to go straight out the back.
Cutting off the front hangers - being extra careful not to nick the s&b tank...
Welded in 2 cross members, through structure to the frame and boxed them as well. Should be strong enough? may look at adding a couple of gussets before I call it done.
Coat of Por15 to seal it up for now.
Kingsize24
Well-known member
Yep! I'm jelly. 😂
Mekcanix
Camper
yep you and me both