2007 Silverado Crew "classic"

T

Treybiz

Observer
Well, I guess I should put my truck up here since I haven't yet..

07 Chevy Classic 4x4 Crew
Leveling Kit
Bilsteins
325/60/18 Nittos
ARB Bumper with 8k Smittybuilt
Few little odds and ends.

photo (1).JPGphoto.JPG\

I have my basic recovery items and tools behind the rear seat.
Hi-Lift and Shovel Mounted on the Driver Side Wheel Well.
Jerry Can Mounted Right Behind the Rear Wheel Well.
Mag-Light Mounted to the Floor Next to my Transfer Case Lever.
Couple front Axle Bicycle Mounts on the Front Bed Bulkhead.



I love my truck and plan to drive it somewhat daily for about the next 3-4 years, retire it to hunting, camping, expo, boating duties and drive something smaller for commuting. (I don't really drive it daily now as I drive my wife's civic and she stays at home with my truck.)

I have read through and searched a bunch of the build threads on here looking for ideas about a few things I want to do soon and long-term.

Has anyone with this truck or a similar interior style built "bins" or some sort of storage solution for behind or under the seat? Everything gets put in nicely but is all jumbled up after a few weeks. I tried searching but couldn't really find a good diy thread.

What about relocating the spare? I love tire-gates but the pre-fabbed ones don't do it for me and something one off is wayy too much $$... I don't really like how much space a "baja" style mount takes up. My tires are 325/60/18 and a like-sized spare doesnt fit under the bed+ I tend to drag the stock one+ the hitch all over the place.

Hitch+ Bumper. I hate chrome and I hate bad departure angles... Its a crew cab full size so I know departure angles will never but great but has anyone seen or built hitch with the ability to tow that works well?

Aux. Lighting.. I have had nothing but Bad Luck the the Current Hellas on the front Bumper. Have put thought into a Light Bar from Procomp or Rigid. Any advise there?



I'm sure I will come up with more questions!
 
Last edited:
Jimmeh

Jimmeh

Think'n with me dipstick!
Awesome truck! I have really been thinking about selling my ex-cab and looking for a crew cab, but at the same time it's hard to get rid of a truck I've put a lot of work into.

For the underseat storage, I do plan on building some boxes/bins to keep stuff from sliding all over the place (having a vinyl floor doesn't help much). It's one of the many things on my list to do. Like you though, I haven't found any DIY threads on it and figure I just gotta jump into it. DUHA makes an underseat storage system, but it's hard to spend $200 on something I could build for less than a quarter of that.

If you can find a builder willing to work with you on the price, a custom made bumper for relocating the spare is the way to go. I found a guy finally who is willing to help me out for really cheap, and after seeing some of his work I am pretty damn impressed. I will be updating my build thread when we start the process, but I have just a couple of things to fix on the truck prior to that project (though I have sort of started on it already, and my update that part later on this week).

With the hitch, going custom is probably your best bet. I've seen guys build them into their rear bumpers, but I couldn't tell you the tow ratings after said installation. Honestly, though, I don't see the hitch being the major downfall of these trucks out on the trail (depending on how wild you are getting, and no offense, but judging by the condition of your truck, looks like it stays pretty mild [so does mine, haha!]).

Question for you regarding the hellas: what has been the problem with them? I have almost considered picking up a set myself since they are fairly inexpensive and it seems like a ton of people run them with 0 issues. And if you plan on doing a light bar, is that something mounted to the cab or are you replacing the front bumper?
 
T

Treybiz

Observer
Awesome truck! I have really been thinking about selling my ex-cab and looking for a crew cab, but at the same time it's hard to get rid of a truck I've put a lot of work into.

Keep yours. If I didn't have kids I would still have my 05 X-Cab.

For the underseat storage, I do plan on building some boxes/bins to keep stuff from sliding all over the place (having a vinyl floor doesn't help much). It's one of the many things on my list to do. Like you though, I haven't found any DIY threads on it and figure I just gotta jump into it. DUHA makes an underseat storage system, but it's hard to spend $200 on something I could build for less than a quarter of that.

I've seen the DUHA ones myself and I like them but I can't justify $200 for a plastic bin. I really liked the behind the seat bin with removable gun racks but, I don't really know what I would use that feature for... Most of the time if I am hunting I would want some what easy access to my rifle and I wouldn't leave them back there. I guess I just liked the idea behind it.

If you can find a builder willing to work with you on the price, a custom made bumper for relocating the spare is the way to go. I found a guy finally who is willing to help me out for really cheap, and after seeing some of his work I am pretty damn impressed. I will be updating my build thread when we start the process, but I have just a couple of things to fix on the truck prior to that project (though I have sort of started on it already, and my update that part later on this week).

There is a pretty good builder down the street from work that builds rockcrawlers and Ultra 4 buggies so I might have to bounce some ideas off him. Since I still have a stock size spare and the larger one currently I just throw the bigger one in the bed for long trips but its no my ideal setup.

With the hitch, going custom is probably your best bet. I've seen guys build them into their rear bumpers, but I couldn't tell you the tow ratings after said installation. Honestly, though, I don't see the hitch being the major downfall of these trucks out on the trail (depending on how wild you are getting, and no offense, but judging by the condition of your truck, looks like it stays pretty mild [so does mine, haha!]).

None taken... Is my truck a mud racer or a rock buggy? Negative. But don't let the pictures fool you, that was a few days after my truck's Bi-Annual Wash and wax. Its got tons of desert pin-striping and a few bits of rock rash. Saying all that, It doesn't see anything overly or even remotely extreme but the hitch/and spare are still prone to making a nice little ditch behind me. Matter of fact, I drug it several times this weekend at my hunting property. I can't lie to you though, I also like the look of a beefy but functional setup.

Question for you regarding the hellas: what has been the problem with them? I have almost considered picking up a set myself since they are fairly inexpensive and it seems like a ton of people run them with 0 issues. And if you plan on doing a light bar, is that something mounted to the cab or are you replacing the front bumper?

As far as the lights go I am just looking at other options but they would still be mounted on my ARB. I keep braking them or having failures. I followed the Hella Wiring diagram to a T, waterproofed, soldered, and made sure any where wire passed through metal had a grommet. In addition to wiring issues, I have smashed one and drowned another. In all honesty it probably isn't the lights. I am just rough on things and the light bar that was on my previous chevy is what I want. When I say light bar I am talking about something like this: http://www.rigidindustries.com/product-p/eseries20.htm

But,
Obviously several hundred dollars for a single light can be tough to swallow.


[/QUOTE]
 
T

Treybiz

Observer
I guess since I could this a build thread.

Future ideas/plans:
Rear Bumper/ Hitch Of Some Flavor
Mouting Solution for Full Size Spare
Under seat/Behind Seat Storage Bins
Dual Battery Set-up
4.10s plus a rear locker of some sort.
Shovel/ Axe Mount.
OBA
Distribution Block for 12v Aftermarket Stuff. (lights, Stereo, etc)
Swap the Mag Light out for one of the 12v charging surfire lights. (I believe thats what I saw at BPS)
Figure out a good fishing pole mount.
 
T

Treybiz

Observer
Black_ZJ said:
Why do you have such a small winch on there? I would have opted for a 10k or 12k rated winch.
Click to expand...

I had it sitting around from a TJ I had. I will go bigger at some point.

It has removed me from a pond and my Hunting Property Owner's F-350 from the creek twice. It works fine with a snatch block you just can get in a hurry.
 
jeep-N-montero

jeep-N-montero

Expedition Leader
Treybiz said:
I had it sitting around from a TJ I had. I will go bigger at some point.

It has removed me from a pond and my Hunting Property Owner's F-350 from the creek twice. It works fine with a snatch block you just can get in a hurry.
Click to expand...

Good, you sound like you are familiar winches. I'm actually thinking about picking up one of the Harbor Freight winches and adding the synthetic line, they have had decent reviews for the price.
 
T

Treybiz

Observer
Black_ZJ said:
Good, you sound like you are familiar winches. I'm actually thinking about picking up one of the Harbor Freight winches and adding the synthetic line, they have had decent reviews for the price.
Click to expand...

Yep,

Had a few. I have a 9k Warn in my parents barn but the body of it doesn't fit in the ARB bumper so i just left it there. Probably sell it at some point to help fund a 12k for this truck. I actually helped a buddy mount and wire a habor frieght 8k on his TJ about 5 years ago and installed a Winchline.com Rope as well. It worked great for several years until he sold the jeep. The rope faded quite a bit from sitting outside but he never had an issue. Like the 8k I have on my truck at the moment it was slower than a wounded turtle but it always got the job done. Matter of fact.. Here is a couple pictures of a HF winch in action.dougjp2.jpgdougjp1.jpg
 
chilliwak

chilliwak

Expedition Leader
You have a nice looking truck there Trey! You can always upgrade the winch later, and as you said, it works.....:)
 
B

Bushcoat

one trail at a time
AWESOME!!! Looks great, are those tires more of a 35" or closer to a 33?

I want a crew cab SOOOOOO bad
 
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