1500hd/2500hd build threads?
- Thread starter Tallan87
- Start date
verdesard0g
Search and Rescue first responder
Why not just get a Powerwagon if that's your ultimate desire? Would be much less expensive and more reliable in the long run.
There is no way that you are going to make a half ton chevywork like a PW!
There is no way that you are going to make a half ton chevywork like a PW!
its a 1500hd. so it has a heavy duty frame, axle what not.
Its also paid for and in the driveway. buying a 50k truck is not an option.
I have been looking at the wfo concepts sas and the offroad design. the issue with ord is the use of the hp60 which is very difficult to source.
Its also paid for and in the driveway. buying a 50k truck is not an option.
I have been looking at the wfo concepts sas and the offroad design. the issue with ord is the use of the hp60 which is very difficult to source.
just not sure its worth it to solid axle swap it or just run cutout flares and 35s on h2s.
the truck has very high miles so the front end components need to be gone through anways.
thats a good point.
I have a semi float 9.5 and the regular 2500hd front axle. 4l80e and 3.73 with g80. I don't like the drop bracket lifts so that would be out of the question.
I agree on the extreme vehicle setup for overlanding. I am very new to this having many samurais a zr2 and a lifted rubicon. the last few years has been 2 tacomas, but life happens and we bought an outback and I got this as our "farm truck"
I am keeping my eyes peeled for a set of h2 wheels and tires just to pick up the wheels but if the 35s can fit with minimal trimming I will go from there.
probably look to kryptonite for upgraded front end parts if I stay ifs. and 4.56 gears and lockers front and rear. petersons did an article in the early 2000s about wheeling an older gmt400 k2500. was pretty good.
I have a semi float 9.5 and the regular 2500hd front axle. 4l80e and 3.73 with g80. I don't like the drop bracket lifts so that would be out of the question.
I agree on the extreme vehicle setup for overlanding. I am very new to this having many samurais a zr2 and a lifted rubicon. the last few years has been 2 tacomas, but life happens and we bought an outback and I got this as our "farm truck"
I am keeping my eyes peeled for a set of h2 wheels and tires just to pick up the wheels but if the 35s can fit with minimal trimming I will go from there.
probably look to kryptonite for upgraded front end parts if I stay ifs. and 4.56 gears and lockers front and rear. petersons did an article in the early 2000s about wheeling an older gmt400 k2500. was pretty good.
gatorgrizz27
Well-known member
If you’re able to do the fab work yourself and wanting to run decent sized tires, a SAS isn’t a bad idea. You could probably do it for the same $ as a 6” drop bracket lift.
Ford Superduty axles are HP, driver diff, and can be commonly found for $500. If you get an ‘05+ it will be a Dana 60 and set up for coil springs and radius arms, which should be the easiest setup to fit.
The radius arm brackets and coil buckets are riveted to the frame, so you could easily drill yours and bolt them on. If you’re interested I have an F-350 at my shop I could pull some frame width measurements for you to compare.
You’ll probably want to swap the matching rear in as well, both for strength and the matching bolt pattern. They use 8x170mm rather than 8x6.5”. There are Trutracs, Detroits, ARB’s, and OX lockers available for them.
The vast majority of them will be geared 3.73, but 4.10 and 4.30 were options, most commonly in the V-10 trucks.
IMO you don’t need a front locker on the east coast with a full sized rig. You’re much more limited by trees and switchbacks than the wide open rocks out west. Add a Warn M12000 and get after it.
Ford Superduty axles are HP, driver diff, and can be commonly found for $500. If you get an ‘05+ it will be a Dana 60 and set up for coil springs and radius arms, which should be the easiest setup to fit.
04 - 08 Superduty Ford Dana 60 Front axle F350 Jeep GM Swap F250 | eBay
Front Axle Specifications: 2004 - 2008 Ford Super 60 Coil Spring radius armstyle F350 Front Dana 60 axle with Reverse cut / High Pinion type gears and center section, 3.73 (41-11) gear ratio, disk brakes, open knuckle, 35 spline inner shafts, 35 (?).
www.ebay.com
The radius arm brackets and coil buckets are riveted to the frame, so you could easily drill yours and bolt them on. If you’re interested I have an F-350 at my shop I could pull some frame width measurements for you to compare.
You’ll probably want to swap the matching rear in as well, both for strength and the matching bolt pattern. They use 8x170mm rather than 8x6.5”. There are Trutracs, Detroits, ARB’s, and OX lockers available for them.
The vast majority of them will be geared 3.73, but 4.10 and 4.30 were options, most commonly in the V-10 trucks.
IMO you don’t need a front locker on the east coast with a full sized rig. You’re much more limited by trees and switchbacks than the wide open rocks out west. Add a Warn M12000 and get after it.
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yeah with the type of wheeling makes you wonder if its just worth it to run the winch and a tbar crank with 35s and go from there. wfo concepts has a sas kit using the dana 60 radius arms.
Smileyshaun
Observer
Realistically doing a sas even if your doing it yourself will run you 3-10k little parts add up quick . Don’t crank Your t bars it will just ruin your ride , can lock your front end put 35s on with a light trim And travel a lot of places , do a coil over swap and you will get a great ride with extra travel .
twodollars
Active member
I've had two ifs 2500 gm trucks, a 1995 and a 1994. After replacing the ball joints and steering links and an alignment they lasted for years before needing any replacement parts. I kept the torsion nar tweaks minimal. Just enough to fit a 285 on a stock steel wheel. Both of those trucks rode better than my current super duty. You can find good prices for those front ends on rock auto or even ebay.
My 05 2500 had 285/75r16s on the stock 6.5" wheels and a torsion key lift. At 175k the pitman arm broke on my wife. Luckily she was still in a parking lot and not on the road. I just replaced the 285s (after a broken belt) with 255/85r16 Toyo MTs. Planning on hitting some Colorado trails in a few weeks.
I'm looking at getting a front receiver and a hitch mounted Badlands 12k winch for when the going gets tough.
I'm looking at getting a front receiver and a hitch mounted Badlands 12k winch for when the going gets tough.
Regcabguy
Oil eater.
Was it the GM beancounters that went with torsion bars over coils? The shop I use does the PPE upgrades on GM's that come.
Buddha.
Finally in expo white.
PPE?
Smileyshaun
Observer
you know personal protection equipment They put a mask on it and wipe down the interior..... Oh wait I might think we were talking about different things
locrwln
Expedition Leader
GM used torsion bars on trucks in 1960 and they look very similar (design wise) to the GMT400/800 system.
if you want to see what is possible with your truck; just look at my build. You’ll see the evolution of mine and what I put it through.
Jack