2003 Silverado Z71 solid axle build

[mccustomize]

Very true, but I have my eye on an AAM 9.25 for the front. Looks like I will end up selling the jeep at some point next year and building a set of one tons for it.

Figured out that trans is a TH350 with a range box/NP203 behind it. I'll go ahead and grab it to and put it on craigslist.

 

[mccustomize]

My rear diff cover has been leaking like crazy lately so I finally remedied the problem last night. These LubeLocker gaskets are really nice. So me and the boy popped the cover off...

Everything still looked 100% inside, very, very few metal particles in the gear oil so that's always a good thing. Just FYI check the depth of the supplied bolts with your SOLID axle industries covers, with the supplied lock washers they did not engage enough threads to properly torque them, so I just removed the washers and used some thread locker.

All buttoned up with no leaks so I moved on to finishing my front recovery mounts.

I used a punch to transfer the hole pattern through to the bumper.

They turned out great, I painted them with dupli-color spray on bedliner, topcoated with Rustoleum gloss black. I painted my bumper the same way and it seems to have held up extremely well.

 

[justcuz]

I have been thinking about using front 10 bolt covers for rear axles. They are a bit thicker and have the fill plug.
What's all this 8 lug talk! Blasphemy!
Personally depending on the terrain of the Ozark Challenge, it would be nice to have those big axles in place before hand.
Most of the time it is not needed, but the peace of mind knowing your axles are not your weak link is well worth it.
Nice tow/recovery setup by the way.

 

[mccustomize]

Well........

 

[mccustomize]

so on to some real progress, I figure if I complete one item a week on my list the truck will be complete in no time.

Although this wasn't on the list initially.....

I've had this lightbar sitting in the box for a while now and got the itch to mount it up.
So I made an aluminum bracket to mount it high, behind the upper cut out of the grill.

I had to bend the bracket to clear the hood latch and my pusher fan.

Looks subtle and it's protected.

 

[Colorado_Outback]

That light bar mount is sweet! Ive been following along for awhile, your truck is one of my favorite Chevys on Expo. Keep up the good work!

 

[justcuz]

I know the LED lights put out lots of light. I also know they put out very little heat. What I am curious about is how much if any diffusion you will get with your light mounted behind the grille or if it makes any difference. I think it's a terrific idea, just curious if anybody has checked it out.

 

[mccustomize]

Skinny santa dropped this off to me today, freebie, just need to get some end links, and dang I knew I shouldn't have thrown away my sway bar mounts.

 

[mccustomize]

I know the LED lights put out lots of light. I also know they put out very little heat. What I am curious about is how much if any diffusion you will get with your light mounted behind the grille or if it makes any difference. I think it's a terrific idea, just curious if anybody has checked it out.

I will try to get a shot tonight of the pattern.

 

[mccustomize]

4.88 gears for the front diff and new shock bushings came in, Summit racing is stupid cheap on stuff like this and it usually arrives in 2-4 days from when I order.

 

[cyclic]

Yep, SummitRacing is a long term friend of mine. Sometimes you have to wait due to a vender being back ordered, but normally it is stupid fast. I also like that you can save a wish list and order stuff as funds are available.

 

[mccustomize]

I did get to fix my lower link mount/shock mount this weekend. When I lowered the truck I had issues with the existing shock travel and mounts since they were setup with the truck higher. I had to do a temporary fix when I lowered the truck but was never really happy with it, so I fixed that.

The old shock mount was integrated into the lower link bolt but used an ungodly long 5/8" bolt and put the shocks in a bind. I switched to a double shear shock mount that is bolted on with the lower link bolt and then a 1/2" bolt serves to mount the shock. I still need to fix the upper mounts and put them in double shear as well.

 

[mccustomize]

For those wondering about how the grill being in front of a small 20" lightbar affects the pattern, the answer is not very much. The trailer house is about 100 yards away from my truck, first picture is my OEM Mercedes Bosch HIDs in factory housings only.

This picture is HIDs+Lightbar

This picture is lightbar only

 

[mccustomize]

So here's what I'm down to....

To Buy:
U joints X2 $32.00
20ft 2x3 .250 wall tubing
10ft 2x2 .250 wall tubing
5ft 1.5x1.5 .250 wall tubing
20ft 3" 1/8th strap
10ft 6" 1/4" strap
37x12.50r17 X5 $1,411.55
Rebuilt calipers X2 $112.00
Air tank $61.60
Pressure switch $8.00
Gauge $18.00
20ft 1/8" air line $15.00
Snatch block $22.00
Tree saver $18.00
Bed tie down rails $80.00
Power steering pump$75.00
Redneck ram assist $287.00
Body mount bolts $25.00
Air bump cans $70.00

 

[rabbiporkchop]

Looks like a cool project.