2013 Silverado Adventure Build

[wrmmt]

Awesome thread wrmmt!!!
Can you give me some more details on your suspension set up?
You said you are running King shocks, I assume they are different than the stock ones to allow the fitting of bigger tires...
Thanks!

Thanks, glad you like it! I originally had a 1.5" leveling kit with stock springs on it which brought it close to level, but not quite. I had a bit of rub on the fender liners at full lock when the suspension was compressed.

Early this year I upgraded to the Kings and got rid of the spacer style leveling kit. Its nothing too fancy right now, I am running King's OEM replacement shocks with remote reservoirs on all 4 corners. In the front, the coilovers are adjusted to bring the front of the truck up to level. I don't know for sure exactly how much of a lift over stock this was, but I believe its somewhere around 2" for the front. The back is completely stock, except for the King shocks of course. In terms of tire fitment I have not had any issues with this set up and the BFG 33s. Every now and then Ill catch some ice or mud that's built up in the wheel wells in a tight turn, but really have not had any issues after going to the Kings. I also did not do any trimming to fit the tires.

At some point in the near future I want to add some Mazzulla bits and really beef up the suspension, but that can wait. The Kings have been great, I haven't done anything too crazy, but have driven some pretty rough backroads in the mountains here in MT as well as down in Death Valley and not had any issues or complaints. Its remained solid on the highways getting to the mountains and around town as my DD, so I really can't complain!

 

[swrider]

Gotcha, so you didn't use a suspension lift, just went with the King OEM's ???
How do the suspension angles look? I was all set to go with a RC 2.5" level kit but got discouraged when I saw how much the angle changed, not sure if that's good for the components.

 

[Tiki]

Gotcha, so you didn't use a suspension lift, just went with the King OEM's ???
How do the suspension angles look? I was all set to go with a RC 2.5" level kit but got discouraged when I saw how much the angle changed, not sure if that's good for the components.

Kings typically ship preloaded at 2" of lift over stock, but I believe you can adjust them all the way to 3.5" I believe (can't find my papers). "Internet concensus" is that 2.5" is the max you want to go for upper ball joints and cv angles. You can mitigate these issues with aftermarket UCAs (Cognito, Total Choas, Baja Kits, etc) and differential drop kits.

 

[Dingers]

Really good build and adventure pic thread! I'm just getting started w/ my '15 Silverado 1500 4x4. I recently traded in my JKUR and have now sold most of my aftermarket parts on CL. In turn, I've picked up a Thule Xplorer rack and a Smittybilt RTT on CL for my new truck. Hope to put both rack and tent to use soon. Also hope to start on truck mods (starting with new King 2.0 or .5 coilovers- still reading up) early Summer.

Cheers!

 

[wrmmt]

Really good build and adventure pic thread! I'm just getting started w/ my '15 Silverado 1500 4x4. I recently traded in my JKUR and have now sold most of my aftermarket parts on CL. In turn, I've picked up a Thule Xplorer rack and a Smittybilt RTT on CL for my new truck. Hope to put both rack and tent to use soon. Also hope to start on truck mods (starting with new King 2.0 or .5 coilovers- still reading up) early Summer.

Cheers!

Glad you like it! Definitely post up some pictures when you get it going, always good to see some more of these trucks around! Really been enjoying mine, the amount I want to do to it has kind of become a little over the top maybe, but thats what makes it addictive!...

 

[Dingers]

Glad you like it! Definitely post up some pictures when you get it going, always good to see some more of these trucks around! Really been enjoying mine, the amount I want to do to it has kind of become a little over the top maybe, but thats what makes it addictive!...

I don't think you've gone over the top -- yet -- w/ your build. Recall I just came from owing a Jeep JKU in an area (metro ATL) where it's hard to drive a 1/4 mile w/out seeing multiple Jeeps w/ way more modifications than necessary, so I do understand (and live) the addiction.

I'm still learning all I can about the King and Icon coilover shocks, and the variables (estimated axle loads, suspension geo, shock valving, etc) before pulling the trigger on a shock purchase. Like you, my overlanding vehicle is also be my daily driver so I plan on keeping it as light as possible. I would like a slightly taller/beefier tire but my 3.42 gears may not push a lot more weight w/out affecting performance/parts. Note that truck came w/"P" rated shoes which aren't ideal for airing down while carrying loads off road. I'm a little ticked at GM for not equipping the truck with at least a L/T rated tire. I blame myself for looking at and purchasing a truck after a two margarita lunch w/ my wife.

Anyway, keep the pics coming. I hope to reciprocate w/some pics from my microadventures (southeast region) in the very near future.

 

[malibubts]

Note that truck came w/"P" rated shoes which aren't ideal for airing down while carrying loads off road. I'm a little ticked at GM for not equipping the truck with at least a L/T rated tire. I blame myself for looking at and purchasing a truck after a two margarita lunch w/ my wife.

Ram is doing this as well. We get Goodyear Wrangler SRAs stock and they are a terrible tire for a truck. I think they are trying to keep cost down as well as weight to increase the MPGs. It's one of those things though that I have trouble justifying replacing on a DD when there is tread left.

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

 

[Jsilverado]

My 2016 silverado came with the goodyear 265/65r18. I changed them almost immediately. The experience I have had with goodyear has not been the best. I was able to sell them and the stock wheels to recoup a little cash towards aftermarkets.

I just don't understand how these big truck companies can cut so many corners and change things that work well or function better just to save a few bucks.

 

[wrmmt]

My 2016 silverado came with the goodyear 265/65r18. I changed them almost immediately. The experience I have had with goodyear has not been the best. I was able to sell them and the stock wheels to recoup a little cash towards aftermarkets.

I just don't understand how these big truck companies can cut so many corners and change things that work well or function better just to save a few bucks.

Yeah, I never really did that much off road with the stock before going to the BFGs, definitely have not had any regrets. Maybe a little worse for DD use, but hardly anything that I really notice, and I go off road into the mountains regularly enough that the extra performance and peace of mind has been well worth the "costs."

 

[wrmmt]

I don't think you've gone over the top -- yet -- w/ your build. Recall I just came from owing a Jeep JKU in an area (metro ATL) where it's hard to drive a 1/4 mile w/out seeing multiple Jeeps w/ way more modifications than necessary, so I do understand (and live) the addiction.

I'm still learning all I can about the King and Icon coilover shocks, and the variables (estimated axle loads, suspension geo, shock valving, etc) before pulling the trigger on a shock purchase. Like you, my overlanding vehicle is also be my daily driver so I plan on keeping it as light as possible. I would like a slightly taller/beefier tire but my 3.42 gears may not push a lot more weight w/out affecting performance/parts. Note that truck came w/"P" rated shoes which aren't ideal for airing down while carrying loads off road. I'm a little ticked at GM for not equipping the truck with at least a L/T rated tire. I blame myself for looking at and purchasing a truck after a two margarita lunch w/ my wife.

Anyway, keep the pics coming. I hope to reciprocate w/some pics from my microadventures (southeast region) in the very near future.

Haha yeah, its definitely low key so far. Trying to decide just where the right median point between DD and off road use is for me. Either way I go, I definitely want to keep things functional, not into putting a bunch of unnecessary stuff on just for the show factor if I never intend to use it...

I don't think you should have too many problems going to a slightly bigger tire. I saw a very small mpg hit, but the roof rack and awning were a much, much bigger hit in that department. I would like to add an intake and exhaust system, maybe a tune to increase power and such, but I have not had any problems running as is.

Hope to have some more updates and pics soon, but well see how it goes, not a whole lot been going on this winter.

 

[wrmmt]

Been awhile since I have posted anything, but not a whole lot has happened this winter. Been trying to decide which direction to go with the camping set up and that's kind of been holding things up. Really torn right now between sticking with the topper or going to a RTT. I like the "stealth" camp set up I have been running with the topper, but it has been getting a little more cumbersome with two people, the dog, and all the gear. My plan is to eventually have a fridge/freezer set up and a spare tire mounted in the bed, so I am going to need some permanent storage that I don't have to move out of the truck bed every time I get to camp... I have been thinking about just doing a deck in the back and sleeping on top of that in the topper, but I really do not like the idea of loosing that much head room. I am thinking about getting rid of the topper and going the direction of a RTT mounted flush with the cab on a bed rack, but that is also going to get expensive quickly I am afraid. Also would loose some back window visibility and would have to work out something for the dog to get in the tent.

Anyone have thoughts or experience either way?

 

[Jsilverado]

I built a platform for my bed to use with topper. Got plenty of storage under it and not too high to sleep in it.

I'm going to write up a build thread with a lot more pics and such but here is a pic of the basic set up before I cover it with carpet etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TXBoots]

I'm following this thread closely----especially when it comes to getting a cap vs. bed rack and RTT. My biggest hang up on the bed rack is keeping everything dry and somewhat dust free + having a place for my Lab to be. Right now I like the idea of a cap with front sliding window where the dog can have his spot on the road in the back while still getting some air from the cab. Have to say though...I'm finding that to get a Leer or ARE cap with the Decked storage system is incredibly expensive...like $4,000 expensive. Bed Rck and RTT would cost half that or less.

 

[wrmmt]

I built a platform for my bed to use with topper. Got plenty of storage under it and not too high to sleep in it.

I'm going to write up a build thread with a lot more pics and such but here is a pic of the basic set up before I cover it with carpet etc.

Nice, that's low enough it would still provide some decent head room, probably end up going that way...

I'm following this thread closely----especially when it comes to getting a cap vs. bed rack and RTT. My biggest hang up on the bed rack is keeping everything dry and somewhat dust free + having a place for my Lab to be. Right now I like the idea of a cap with front sliding window where the dog can have his spot on the road in the back while still getting some air from the cab. Have to say though...I'm finding that to get a Leer or ARE cap with the Decked storage system is incredibly expensive...like $4,000 expensive. Bed Rck and RTT would cost half that or less.

Yeah, if I went the rack and RTT route I would want a hard roll-up tonneau cover to keep things safe in the back. I like the way the Retrax ones work, rolling up in the bed would fit well with the rough ideas in my head. If I was starting from scratch right now, I think I would go the bed rack/RTT route, but with the topper and roof rack already bought and on the truck I just can't justify going back to the drawing board and shelling out the money to start over on the RTT track. Not going the decked route either though, think Im going to put together something custom myself (and for less $$) and see how it all works out!

 

[wrmmt]

Well, I think I finally have somewhat of a plan for the bed storage and sleeping area. Just can't justify ditching the money and effort I have in the topper/rack set up for what I feel are not really huge improvements in my set up, so I am shelving the RTT option for awhile. That said, I can't make myself put in a deck that I could fit a fridge under, it would just take far too much room away from the sleeping area for my tastes. The plan I have (pretty much) decided on is to do a platform in the back, just tall enough to fit the spare tire underneath it and small tote boxes for gear. Haven't measured everything out yet but estimating somewhere in the ballpark of 12" off the bed. A sliding platform would be by the tailgate with the stove and cooking gear on it so I could just slide it out at camp for cooking, then just slide it back under when done. When I get the fridge, it would just have to sit on top of the decking, meaning I would need to move it into the cab at night if 2 people were sleeping in the back. Definitely not ideal, but I think it would be substantially cleaner than my current method of moving everything out of the bed every night, and is probably the best compromise right now between storage and sleeping area.

That brings up the second question of the solar power system. I had just planned on a simple panel on the roof rack hooked into a battery and outlet system in the bed. However, moving the fridge into the cab at times during the night means I would want to plug it in inside the cab and I don't want to be draining my main battery by just plugging into that. The two options I am thinking over now are
1) a portable battery charger unit (like a goal zero yeti or some such unit) that would be plugged into the solar panel during the day. The fridge and anything else I would need to use would be plugged into solar powered battery unit during the day. Then at night I could disconnect the charger from the solar panel and move it into the cab with the fridge.
2) Put together a true dual battery system hooked into the solar panel and just have a couple outlets in the bed and in the cab.

I like the flexibility of a portable battery charger, but it would definitely be more cumbersome to deal with and probably less reliable. The dual battery setup would probably be better route to take, but quite honestly wiring and such is not my strong suite and I find this option pretty daunting...