2003 Silverado Z71 solid axle build

[justcuz]

Yea I was being specific to the SUVs. Totally forgot about the black box. Is the Atlas cost comparable to the black box all said and done? I've always seen folks shy away from the Atlas because of price, but never knew what they cost.

What's the plan for axles and tire size for the new build? You comfortable with current tire size?

 

[mccustomize]

Yea I was being specific to the SUVs. Totally forgot about the black box. Is the Atlas cost comparable to the black box all said and done? I've always seen folks shy away from the Atlas because of price, but never knew what they cost.

What's the plan for axles and tire size for the new build? You comfortable with current tire size?

The black box is very reasonable, about half of what an Atlas costs. I already have the axles, AAM 9.25 front and 14FF rear, I shyed away from the ford 60 because it was costly to swap bolt patterns, I didn't want to be stuck with a huge lack of aftermarket for the sterling rear either. I am probably going to end up with the current 37x12.50 size, but I will probably go to a 13.50 width. I would like to run 5.13 gears but I'm stuck with 4.88s for the AAM, but the new build will have a decent amount more power so that will help out a lot. Plans are 6.0/4L65 or 4L80 trans, 241c, 4.88s, electric lockers, 3 link front, coilovers, possibly leaf rear. I think it's going to be a really cool build that will serve us right.

 

[justcuz]

It does sound nice, looking forward to the start of the new build.

 

[mccustomize]

I've decided that since I designed and built the trailer to perfectly fit the truck, that it would make more sense to sell them as a package, if I get a reasonable offer. $20,000 for the package seems very realistic factoring $14,000 for the truck and $6,000 with the trailer and Tepui Gran Sabana tent.

 

[krazytoy]

If I had the choice to do it over I would go with either leaf springs in the back coils or air bags. The issue you will have with leafs in the back is the inward offset of the frame, this is great for mounting coil-overs but so nice for the leaf springs, you will need to mount the shackle/spring hanger off the side of the frame in the back to keep the springs parallel. I am seriously considering going to air bags in the back of mine as its the only way to get the best of all worlds. My coil-overs are AWESOME when the Yukon is empty but at a 111 pounds per inch spring rate it doesn't take much to have it sitting on the air bumps. A heavier coil set up would only diminish the entire reason of having coil-overs.

 

[mccustomize]

If I had the choice to do it over I would go with either leaf springs in the back coils or air bags. The issue you will have with leafs in the back is the inward offset of the frame, this is great for mounting coil-overs but so nice for the leaf springs, you will need to mount the shackle/spring hanger off the side of the frame in the back to keep the springs parallel. I am seriously considering going to air bags in the back of mine as its the only way to get the best of all worlds. My coil-overs are AWESOME when the Yukon is empty but at a 111 pounds per inch spring rate it doesn't take much to have it sitting on the air bumps. A heavier coil set up would only diminish the entire reason of having coil-overs.

Have you seen these from Universal Air? Just might be the ticket for you

 

[krazytoy]

Have you seen these from Universal Air? Just might be the ticket for you

No, I have not seen those, very cool design. Unfortunately those would not clear my frame, are only for a 2.0 shocks and according to Filthy Motorsports website they are no longer available.
I have found a Firestone air bag that has 15" of travel and if I remove my rear air bumps I would have plenty of room to mount them. I think that is the way I'm going to go in the near future.

 

[mccustomize]

No, I have not seen those, very cool design. Unfortunately those would not clear my frame, are only for a 2.0 shocks and according to Filthy Motorsports website they are no longer available.
I have found a Firestone air bag that has 15" of travel and if I remove my rear air bumps I would have plenty of room to mount them. I think that is the way I'm going to go in the near future.

Just realized you have 2.5s, I think this was a great idea, too bad it never caught on. I've read your build quite a bit and really like the work you've done!

 

[justcuz]

If you look at most factory rear leaf spring mounting you will notice the front of the springs are a bit narrower than the rear. They are not perfectly parallel to the frame. This design has the advantage of creating a little anti roll, using the spring to provide both functions. Depending on how narrow the frame is ahead of the axle, the spring mounts could be mounted directly to the bottom of the frame, similar to an S-10 Blazer.

 

[rayra]

I'm going for the shortest wheelbase possible, while having 4 full size doors.

Keep in mind that the Tahoe rear doors aren't truly 'full size'. They overlap the rear wheel well and the windows only go down about 8". If you want the back windows to go down all the way you'll need a Suburban.

And a reminder, my Sub is almost identical to the overall length and wheelbase of my standard cab long bed '85 C-10 pickup. So the Sub's good for any road or trail a standard pickup can handle.

 

[mccustomize]

Keep in mind that the Tahoe rear doors aren't truly 'full size'. They overlap the rear wheel well and the windows only go down about 8". If you want the back windows to go down all the way you'll need a Suburban.

And a reminder, my Sub is almost identical to the overall length and wheelbase of my standard cab long bed '85 C-10 pickup. So the Sub's good for any road or trail a standard pickup can handle.

This.

It's looking more and more like this is going to be the route I take, a 2500 suburban build. I'm drastically on the fence about keeping my truck and swapping the one ton axles under it and my coilovers, along with doing the crew cab shortbed swap.

 

[rayra]

Could you do a direct swap of front suspension / drive-train parts with a like-year 2500 Sub to your truck?

 

[mccustomize]

Could you do a direct swap of front suspension / drive-train parts with a like-year 2500 Sub to your truck?

My frame rails were cleaned to bare rails when I did the solid axle swap. With that said I had to have a tough conversation last night with my 6 year old and it went a little like this "Dad if you sell your truck I won't like whatever you get" My truck was supposed to be his once he is of age so he was devastated to find out I am selling it.

Needless to say I am now picking up a crew cab bed this weekend and the rebuild will commence shortly.

Crew cab bed swap
coilovers
one tons
and a few other odds and ends I have wanted to change up.

 

[justcuz]

I know how that goes. I told my kids I would build them a fort in the back yard. Life happens and it got neglected for about a year, finally I found out the kids had hurt feelings the fort was not built and had kind of lost hope.
So I took a couple 4 days and set the posts, framed it up and sat down with the kids to design the doors and windows before I built the walls. That fort served them well for quite a few years.

Lesson learned, I never promised my kids anything I could not follow up on. When it came to vehicles they both got project vehicles we worked on together and they had a little sweat equity into them.

One of the most bonding experiences I ever had with my son was when we rebuilt his engine in his truck together.

My kids know they are getting my Chevelles, but not until I am worm food.

 

[mccustomize]

Well I went and picked this up yesterday.....

Now version 2.0 begins.....