15' Silverado build

[Ds4x4]

Finished, just have to adjust the wind deflector to center. Luckily one of the silver nuts for the ARE bars had a threaded m8 spot. I was able to use that to secure the rack down. I'll get some better pics and a little write up on the install Thursday.

Now just to install those 5hp decals

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[Ds4x4]

Had an awesome time at the expo. Got lots of good ideas and met great people. Lots to come in the very near future, I did pick up my cvt 79" awning. Hope to order a 23zero Bundaberg this month as well from Tom at Nuthouse Industries.

Still rocking 18-21 mpg but I do have an increase in wind noise, chevy did a good job insulating the cab

I'll be throwing in some shots of the jk here and there as we have both builds going on at the same time.

-Happy Trails

Our kmart tent ended up having a leak or two so we had to try and cover it up

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[p nut]

Nice set up. A fairing would cut down on the wind noise quite a bit (I've found). That's pretty nice you're getting 21mpg with that set up. Not bad.

 

[Ds4x4]

I've been a little busy since the expo. I'm surprised that I don't see more write-ups for some of the stuff we put on our vehicles, it's more of a before and after shot. So here's a little write up on the Front runner slineline II Rack 1345mmX1762mm (53"w X 69.4l )

I started out as you may well know with the conundrum of having a new specialty cap. The ARE HD series cap does not really have a lot of info out there on it. So when it came to mounting options and accessories I had to do some homework. Luckily (at least mostly lucky) the cross bars are spaced about 54" to the center, this allows the holes in the Frontrunner rack which are on 8" spacing to line up. (Here's my mostly luck) my bars were not square and off over and inch so I had to drill a new hole in the side bar of the rack, no biggie..

I talked to Bryan Rush for at least a month while my cap was being repaired to narrow down size and options. Once the cap returned I emailed him some last pictures and measurements and made the phone call. The transaction was smooth as could be, it was shipped the same day and arrived 3 days later as I paid for the extra 3 day shipping.


Packaging- done very well. No damage to the box or contents.

All the hardware and tools (a double Allen key) are provided and packed in study bags with little notes from the people who put it together. Seen here is the side rails and hardware to assemble them

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[Ds4x4]

All it takes is to line up the side rails per the instructions (the instructions are as thorough as they need to be) and insert the plate, slide the nut in and put the bolt in Torque to the specs in the instructions . Just make sure that the short ends are opposite of each other when you assemble the two sides

Sliding the end caps and the cross bars in were easy, they were cut to size nicely without any burs.

Just prior to putting on all the end caps

Put on the small included wind fairing and you have your self a sturdy rack.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[Ds4x4]

Install for me was a little more tricky due to the design of the cross bars and I was the only one home at the time. A M8 bolt is the biggest that will fit through the holes in the rack, I used some zine plated M8x20mm with a washer and lock washer, along with one of the T-Nuts/Channel Nuts that were already in use by the cross bar. If you were to need extra T-Nuts fastnel supposedly carries them or they can be ordered through ARE, part #11384 “T-Nut Steel M6/M8

I had to slide one side of the rack off the edge of the cross bars to be able to feed in the T-Nuts. I also had to pre install the bilt/nut because I saw no way to do it afterwards.

Finished product -

Now that you've installed your rack on you HD series cap feel free to climb up top and have a look around. That 550lb weight rating means you can take your chair and a cold beer up for a scenic view.

Your mounting options are pretty limitless, a simple m8 bolt/nut is all it takes to secure something to the rack.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[Ds4x4]

What is the general opinion on mounting of an awning? To try and keep it as close to the vehicle as possible or let it hang over the side a little while it's folded up for travel? I picked up some 1/4 20 Channel Nuts that will fit in the rail as fastnel had them in stock. Now is just figuring out weathing to cut the brackets down a little or leave them as is.

Current status - pipe clamps to boot

I wish I could figure out the whole picture flipping issue
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[wrmmt]

Good to see you got the rack together! Mounting was a little tricky even with the frontrunner feet, but once you get it all lined up and figure out what bolts you need to get first it seems to go pretty good... I guess its pretty much personal opinion, but I like keeping it as close in to the truck as possible. I have my awning mounted directly on the rack. I like to keep it low profile, and it keeps rain from slipping through between the awning and rig. I have seen both though, Id say find what works for your needs and go for it!

 

[Ds4x4]

Good to see you got the rack together! Mounting was a little tricky even with the frontrunner feet, but once you get it all lined up and figure out what bolts you need to get first it seems to go pretty good... I guess its pretty much personal opinion, but I like keeping it as close in to the truck as possible. I have my awning mounted directly on the rack. I like to keep it low profile, and it keeps rain from slipping through between the awning and rig. I have seen both though, Id say find what works for your needs and go for it!

Thanks for the input. I really do enjoy others input, at the very least it helps reinforce my own thoughts and ideas. I posted up because moving it closer means I'll have to trim the l-brackets a little. It's no big deal but it'd be a pita to add length back or get new ones.

Tomorrow I'll paint the mounts black and do a write up for the awning/mosquito room.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[Ds4x4]

Not as much going on with the build as I would like as we're in between trips. First was the expo, a possible trip to the south jersey this weekend for some local exploring and then the big trip in November. We will be flying to Costa Rica, more specifically Tamirindo. Hoping to rent a vehicle and do some exploring while we are there. I still have the write up for the cvt awning and mosquito room to post soon.

Today just resulted in removal of the mud guards since they'd probably get ripped off this weekend anyway.

Before

After

 

[p nut]

Good call on the mudguards. Although I am thinking of putting on some short flexible flaps. Last weekend's mud/gravel trip wasn't too kind on the body. Nerf bars helped some, but I'd still like more protection.

 

[chilliwak]

Nice looking rack you got there DS. It sure is simple with that slide bolt system. Cool stuff. cheers, chilli..

 

[Ds4x4]

A little exploring back home in South Jersey at the old ski lodge

Almost forgot, one of my favorite pics from the expo

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[KAkers]

Nice truck. Here is a few thing I learned on mine. I had a 2010. I had a hidden winch on mine and a topper with a few recovery tools and two people in the cab I was about 400 pounds from max weight. With the whole family, dog, and a couple kayaks on the roof I'm sure I was over weight. I bought a new duramax now. I would be cautious of adding a front bumper because of the weight.

The stock suspension was way too soft. I added a level in the front with bilistein shocks. I added a full length add-a-leafs in the back. The stock rancho shocks did not last very long in the back. I put fox shocks on the back and they were 100% better. I would buy the fox coil overs if I was doing it again.

I tow a 6500 pound TT and with six people, the dog, kayaks, and some stuff it was too much for a half ton. I did like the truck and the newer ones have considerable drivetrain improvements. Good luck with yours.

 

[Ds4x4]

Nice truck. Here is a few thing I learned on mine. I had a 2010. I had a hidden winch on mine and a topper with a few recovery tools and two people in the cab I was about 400 pounds from max weight. With the whole family, dog, and a couple kayaks on the roof I'm sure I was over weight. I bought a new duramax now. I would be cautious of adding a front bumper because of the weight.

The stock suspension was way too soft. I added a level in the front with bilistein shocks. I added a full length add-a-leafs in the back. The stock rancho shocks did not last very long in the back. I put fox shocks on the back and they were 100% better. I would buy the fox coil overs if I was doing it again.

I tow a 6500 pound TT and with six people, the dog, kayaks, and some stuff it was too much for a half ton. I did like the truck and the newer ones have considerable drivetrain improvements. Good luck with yours.

Thanks for the reply. I'm considering a stiffer leaf spring in the rear as well, just the cap and roof rack have dropped it a little even with the added 2" block. I'm curious how much the tent is going to drop it let alone a bedslide. I think that installing a pair of airbags will help tremendously as well. Usually it is just my wife and I, maybe our Lab on occasion.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk