2002 Duramax Solid Axle Adventure Build

[NVWill]

I figured it was time to share my build. I’ve owned my 2002 Chevy since 2014. I bought it off an old man Bone stock with 97k on her. My plan was to have it as a dedicated tow rig for my other toys. It’s never really been my daily since I am lucky enough to have a company vehicle.


Shortly after buying it I went ahead and added the following:

Duramax Turner Spade with 5 custom tunes
Edge insight for gauges
Stealth 64 turbo
Fass 150 lift pump
Mishimoto intercooler pipes and thermostat’s
S&B intake
PPE up pipes and manifolds
PPE stage 5 transmission
Air bags
Cat filter conversion
mbrp down pipe
flow pro 4" straight pipe

The truck has been incredibly reliable and as of 11/2020 has 147k on it and I’m just now starting to see a couple injector balance rates go out of spec

I’ve built a bunch of other rigs over the years but my favorite was my 3rd gen 4Runner for it’s reliability and being so well rounded.

I’ve since sold off the crawlers and other rigs and have a 4 seater side by side that’s perfect for getting out with the family. This led me to want to build a “do everything truck” out of my Dmax

 

[NVWill]

Some of the other vehicles I’ve built....

 

[NVWill]

The truck has done it’s fair share of towing over the years

 

[NVWill]

I started with a 2005 f250 Dana 60 and rebuilt it hub to hub. I used a WFO Concepts 3” radius arm kit with 8” travel Kings in the front. The reason I decided to go this route was the kit uses mostly ford over the counter parts. If I have a failure in the middle of nowhere Nevada while hunting I can easily get parts.

 

[NVWill]

I took a week off of work and had the truck done I’m my garage in 5 days taking my time. I also installed a red head steering box. The rear initially has a 2” deaver mini pack with air bags and daystar cradles . It was way to soft and I ended up putting my over load back in with a 2” aal and 1” block. Eventually I will have a set of custom Atlas rear springs made.

 

[NVWill]

Some build pictures

I also did a pump rub fix on the transfer case And added a Merchant Automotive t-case brace while I was at it.

 

[NVWill]

The finished product.
I am definitely happy with their kit. I do not run a sway bar and don’t see the need to. The truck actually drives better than stock. Tires are 35’s and even towing it still does great.

 

[NVWill]

I drove the truck, went on some mild off road adventures in the Sierras and towed the toys with it for a few months and then decided I wanted to to throw some parts on it and get it more setup. Not one complaint on the Sas kit at all. Drives straight down the highway at 80 with one finger on the wheel.

 

[D45]

Looks like a great truck

Nice build!

 

[NVWill]

I decided it was time to add a winch for recovery and I wanted some auxiliary lights as well. I went with a Buck Stop front bumper and mounted a Smitybilt 12k winch and Baja Design XL-R Sport lights in it. I also added a Dmax Store trans cooler and a $130 amazon knock off Switch pro for some future upgrades.

 

[locrwln]

Good looking truck. I’ve had my SAS done for over two years and 45k miles. You will love it. I know everyone jumps on the Deaver/Atlas bandwagon, but depending on where in Nevada you are, John’s Spring Service in Reno did the rear springs on mine and they are great. He added leafs and tuned the arch on my rear pack, but mine has a constant load as opposed to yours.

Jack

 

[NVWill]

Good looking truck. I’ve had my SAS done for over two years and 45k miles. You will love it. I know everyone jumps on the Deaver/Atlas bandwagon, but depending on where in Nevada you are, John’s Spring Service in Reno did the rear springs on mine and they are great. He added leafs and tuned the arch on my rear pack, but mine has a constant load as opposed to yours.

Jack

Thanks Jack!
You’re truck is a huge inspiration for me. I’m in Gardnerville and will definitely look them up!

 

[NVWill]

This is how the has been for the past year now. I’ve only put about 6000 miles on it so far. Around 1500 of those have dirt road miles out exploring northern and eastern Nevada.

At this point I’ve really been eyeing a newer dedicated tow rig. That means this thing can start to see some more parts thrown at and hopefully I can figure out how to get 37’s to fit with only 3” of lift.

 

[ttengineer]

I’m planning on doing A SAS on my ‘99 2 door Tahoe.

I see you went with radius arms. Sorry if I missed it, but where did you get the kit?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[NVWill]

I’m planning on doing A SAS on my ‘99 2 door Tahoe.

I see you went with radius arms. Sorry if I missed it, but where did you get the kit?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The kit is from WFO Concepts. They have several lift height configurations for the GM platform. I highly recommend their kit. They Make a kit for the Obs platform also that’s really nice.