2007 Silverado - Buy Once, Cry Once: 1-tons, 40's & a Custom Camper
- Thread starter Andrew_S
- Start date
Andrew_S
Observer
^ thanks, I'm happy with how clean it turned out.
I haven't been able to get too much done in the last month, our new arrival is absorbing most of my time at the moment. Here's the bit I did tackle:
I cannot get the underbody lights to work to save my life, well, they work, but just all of the time. They never shut off...
I purchased another controller under Amp's suggestion this could be the only issue, but to no avail. They still insist the controller is the issue and have sent me a 3rd unit to try, which should arrive soon. I suspect it's the harness.
Swapped the serp belt for a shorter hd variant, tensioner is now back in spec range.
Started working on my winch wiring, 40' of 2/0 cable is not cheap.
This will get me front to rear for the 2nd winch.
The batteries that came with the truck were on my radar for replacement. Picked up these 34/78 yellow-tops for a decent price during black friday. I've owned about 8 of these now and have had good luck with them, although I've heard some not so great reviews as of late.
Working on my winch isolation switch/electrical panel for under the hood. Also picked up a quick mount fire extinguisher bracket for behind the back seat.
Got the y cable and both idash gauges are working now.
Decided to extend the exhaust out from under the bed. You can see the soot deposit from the previous short exit point.
Quick little adventure with the family, christmas tree hunting
Success
Picked up some 10mm gym mat to line the boxes with
Nice little finishing touch
Continuing on the electrical improvements, I opted for these kunkoncepts terminals, nice products.
Allowed me to retain the factory battery wiring while adding accessories cleanly
Front winch wired in temporarily until I finish up the panel. I'm quite leery about going in the bush without a winch anymore.
Finishing off with another family tobogganing adventure.
I have a rough idea on the layout, side door, rear dinette. It'll be a diy hard side pop-up, there isn't anything on the market that fits this platform and I'm not willing to pay $100k+ for a camper that would have some sacrifices. Planning to go all in on that effort in a couple months time. Thanks for the good words.
I haven't been able to get too much done in the last month, our new arrival is absorbing most of my time at the moment. Here's the bit I did tackle:
I cannot get the underbody lights to work to save my life, well, they work, but just all of the time. They never shut off...
I purchased another controller under Amp's suggestion this could be the only issue, but to no avail. They still insist the controller is the issue and have sent me a 3rd unit to try, which should arrive soon. I suspect it's the harness.
Swapped the serp belt for a shorter hd variant, tensioner is now back in spec range.
Started working on my winch wiring, 40' of 2/0 cable is not cheap.
This will get me front to rear for the 2nd winch.
The batteries that came with the truck were on my radar for replacement. Picked up these 34/78 yellow-tops for a decent price during black friday. I've owned about 8 of these now and have had good luck with them, although I've heard some not so great reviews as of late.
Working on my winch isolation switch/electrical panel for under the hood. Also picked up a quick mount fire extinguisher bracket for behind the back seat.
Got the y cable and both idash gauges are working now.
Decided to extend the exhaust out from under the bed. You can see the soot deposit from the previous short exit point.
Quick little adventure with the family, christmas tree hunting
Success
Picked up some 10mm gym mat to line the boxes with
Nice little finishing touch
Continuing on the electrical improvements, I opted for these kunkoncepts terminals, nice products.
Allowed me to retain the factory battery wiring while adding accessories cleanly
Front winch wired in temporarily until I finish up the panel. I'm quite leery about going in the bush without a winch anymore.
Finishing off with another family tobogganing adventure.
frojoe
Adventurer
Man, this truck is [and has been since the initial proposed idea] literal perfection. The only thing I would personally do differently is the style of the tail/brake lights, but that is 110% due to personal cosmetic preference.
I can't emphasize strongly enough the sentiment: "well done"!!
I can't emphasize strongly enough the sentiment: "well done"!!
Andrew_S
Observer
^ Ahh, the rear lights, it's a great debate between the wife & I... I'm a big fan when they are illuminated but they leave a bit to be desired when the truck is off. I'm embarrassed to admit how many different flatdeck light options I considered. I just couldn't bring myself to do the narrow long style, or the commercially available units. Thanks for the good words. Looking back at this thing with plywood fenders just 8 months ago is kind of hilarious.
I almost forgot two more quick things. I picked up this rifle mount by ready to shoulder. It will be great for those long bush drives where there just happens to be a critter off the side of the road.
I also completed my "get-out" package with a set of 5/16" V-bars
The difference between the 9/32" chain and these 5/16" is substantial & 3/8" cross bars...
These 355's fit perfectly on 40x13.5. Cams are a cheat code for those that know.
I almost forgot two more quick things. I picked up this rifle mount by ready to shoulder. It will be great for those long bush drives where there just happens to be a critter off the side of the road.
I also completed my "get-out" package with a set of 5/16" V-bars
The difference between the 9/32" chain and these 5/16" is substantial & 3/8" cross bars...
These 355's fit perfectly on 40x13.5. Cams are a cheat code for those that know.
Andrew_S
Observer
Managed to find a couple of hours over the holidays to knock off a few small items.
First up I spoiled myself and picked up this awesome little soldering iron. Wish I had done this 5 years ago.
I picked up an autometer z-series mechanical air pressure gauge. I didn't like not knowing how my compressor was performing or how much reserve pressure I had remaining. I believe the ARB's prefer around 85 psi, not sure how much of a tolerance they have. Now I can keep an eye on it and flip the compressor on to top back up above 100psi when needed.
I could have integrated this into the banks I dash gauges, but by the time I picked up the sending unit, 5-channel controller, harness, etc. It became cost-prohibitive; maybe one day I'll go that route.
My pressure switch pops off at 145 psi and the gauge maxes out at 150psi.
Went for a test run/solo ice fishing mission. Discovered a couple of issues, more on that later.
Had a great day on the lake,
Got the interior fully buttoned up, for now atleast. I have 3 dummy switches left over, likely to power the camper accessories, from the cab.
We've been heading out with the kids into the bush to build some confidence in this truck's reliability. So far so good, it fit's all 4 of us with comfort.
Back to the issues I discovered while out snow wheeling, no locker functionality at all & the compressor was bypassing the pressure switch when the lockers were engaged.
At the time I was a bit rushed so I cobbled together the ARB compressor harness with a relay/pressure switch and compressor harness of my own. Basically take the trailing 2 images and put them together.
I made 1 critical error that cascaded into a troubleshooting fiasco. I used a common ground for the locker solenoids and the pressure switch. I failed to realize the ground from the pressure switch was my trigger for the relay to engage the compressor. So anytime I hit the lockers, they would bypass the pressure switch, forcing the compressor to continue to build psi. Once I cut this connection, the compressor was functioning perfectly, but now I had no lockers, failing to realize that was the only location I grounded my locker solenoid harness....
It's all fixed now, builds 145 psi spot on, and the lockers engage perfectly, no leaks.
While I was it, I also bypassed the ARB daisy chain triggers. The ARB harness only allows you to engage the rear locker if the compressor is on, and the front locker can only be engaged if the rear locker is already toggled. The trigger wires from the first switch daisy chain to the next. In my case, I wanted to be able to engage everything separately, and this was easily achieved by running 12v ign power directly to the source for front & rear locker switches.
Looking forward to getting out into the hills sooner than later after a big dump of snow and putting it through its paces.
Oh and bonus, this thing got a shout out from the one and only Trevor @ WFO for #SolidaxleSunday. Watching his youtube videos is 100% what inspired me to go this direction. Bit of a full circle moment talking with him and getting his feedback on our build.
First up I spoiled myself and picked up this awesome little soldering iron. Wish I had done this 5 years ago.
I picked up an autometer z-series mechanical air pressure gauge. I didn't like not knowing how my compressor was performing or how much reserve pressure I had remaining. I believe the ARB's prefer around 85 psi, not sure how much of a tolerance they have. Now I can keep an eye on it and flip the compressor on to top back up above 100psi when needed.
I could have integrated this into the banks I dash gauges, but by the time I picked up the sending unit, 5-channel controller, harness, etc. It became cost-prohibitive; maybe one day I'll go that route.
My pressure switch pops off at 145 psi and the gauge maxes out at 150psi.
Went for a test run/solo ice fishing mission. Discovered a couple of issues, more on that later.
Had a great day on the lake,
Got the interior fully buttoned up, for now atleast. I have 3 dummy switches left over, likely to power the camper accessories, from the cab.
We've been heading out with the kids into the bush to build some confidence in this truck's reliability. So far so good, it fit's all 4 of us with comfort.
Back to the issues I discovered while out snow wheeling, no locker functionality at all & the compressor was bypassing the pressure switch when the lockers were engaged.
At the time I was a bit rushed so I cobbled together the ARB compressor harness with a relay/pressure switch and compressor harness of my own. Basically take the trailing 2 images and put them together.
I made 1 critical error that cascaded into a troubleshooting fiasco. I used a common ground for the locker solenoids and the pressure switch. I failed to realize the ground from the pressure switch was my trigger for the relay to engage the compressor. So anytime I hit the lockers, they would bypass the pressure switch, forcing the compressor to continue to build psi. Once I cut this connection, the compressor was functioning perfectly, but now I had no lockers, failing to realize that was the only location I grounded my locker solenoid harness....
It's all fixed now, builds 145 psi spot on, and the lockers engage perfectly, no leaks.
While I was it, I also bypassed the ARB daisy chain triggers. The ARB harness only allows you to engage the rear locker if the compressor is on, and the front locker can only be engaged if the rear locker is already toggled. The trigger wires from the first switch daisy chain to the next. In my case, I wanted to be able to engage everything separately, and this was easily achieved by running 12v ign power directly to the source for front & rear locker switches.
Looking forward to getting out into the hills sooner than later after a big dump of snow and putting it through its paces.
Oh and bonus, this thing got a shout out from the one and only Trevor @ WFO for #SolidaxleSunday. Watching his youtube videos is 100% what inspired me to go this direction. Bit of a full circle moment talking with him and getting his feedback on our build.
Last edited:
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
Absolutely a fantastic build! I’ve seen Joes truck in person (although not for a few years) and you guys both have amazing skills. I grew up in the Mission wheeling my ‘81 Toyota 4x4 and ‘77 FJ40 all over Chute Lake, Crawford etc etc. Tons of great spots back in the early to mid ‘80s that are mostly subdivisions now.
I’m in a similar place as you this past month. Chasing simple electrical gremlins on the winch and lockers in my 2005 Power Wagon. Loaded my chains (yes, the cam style rule) into the truck yesterday for some snow play soon.
I’m currently in Christina Lake and hunt this area, as well as OKMP and the Shuswap areas. How did your moose hunt go?
I’m in a similar place as you this past month. Chasing simple electrical gremlins on the winch and lockers in my 2005 Power Wagon. Loaded my chains (yes, the cam style rule) into the truck yesterday for some snow play soon.
I’m currently in Christina Lake and hunt this area, as well as OKMP and the Shuswap areas. How did your moose hunt go?
james_parkar99
New member
That’s a solid platform choice an LBZ 2500 crew cab offers the space, reliability, and payload capacity that really suit a growing family overland build. Looking forward to seeing how you integrate the camper and amenities, especially given your experience refining the previous rig over the years.
Andrew_S
Observer
Thanks! yes, really nice to put some miles on it start sorting out lingering issues.
Nice, small world eh? Our moose hunt was short-lived, only got out a handful of times and didn't see any legal bulls. It was too difficult to get out with a new guy at home that was only a couple of weeks old... Hopefully, this year we can take a better run at it. Thanks for the good words.
Thanks for that. Yes, hoping to keep this not too big and very capable while still supporting a family of 4 comfortably, bit of a tall task...
I'm not dead, just been busy hanging out with the fam and soaking up this incredible weather.
Although I haven't turned a wrench on this thing in what feels like months, I have been putting together the next round of parts and more importantly putting lots of miles on it.
The goal was to get 5-10k km's on it before the camper so that I could sort out all of the issues before I move onto the next step, sitting at about 5000km's now, or 3100 miles. That's helped identify a number of issues I need to resolve.
but let's start with the fun stuff;
I decided to put some marker lights on the deck, I don't believe it's technically required but I thought it would be a nice touch. After almost as much research as the tail lights, I found these nice little penny lights from a local fab shop. The price was right too, $5/piece.
Mocked one up in some scrap to ensure they would work with the .250" material
I also picked up some heims &lug nuts for my rear spare tire rack. Hoping to start on that in the next month or so.
Grabbed a fire extinguisher for the truck, just need to drill some holes, and I can mark this one off the list. If you don't have a fire extinguisher in your rig you should really consider it.
Back to where I started with putting miles on this thing. I've found several issues I'll need to resolve this spring.
Here's the list;
T-Case leaking at clocking ring, front & rear input - might be a clogged vent line, as I doubt all of these seals failed simultaneously.
Rad leaking - yup, big oooof. The lower section of the rad has a pinhole or has separated from the plastic tank...
Fuel tank filler neck is leaking when full
8274 leaking - need to dissasemble and reseal
Hydroboost leaking - needs to be resealed
That's all I can recall at the moment, lots of leaks. At least those are generally easy issues to fix.
Kingsize24
Well-known member
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