2014 Chevy 1500 AWD - Family Road-Camp-Havoc-Mobile
- Thread starter DEFENDERBEAM
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DEFENDERBEAM
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10' awning mounted
installed the fiamma f45 s awning. 10' long, 8' roll out.
had to get a middle rack for a center support.
after trimming the tops off the stock rack ends, I welded on a couple pieces each of square tube steel. drilled holes through the tube steel sections to mount the factory fiamma 2-hole mounting plates (aluminum).
the van gutter has a slight arch. luckily its just within fudge factor range. the middle rack mounted slightly more inside the gutter to perfectly alight with the other two racks. slight over-drilling of the holes for the 2-hole brackets allowed just enough adjustment up and down to not have to tweak anything into place.
drove about 80 miles back and fourth over mountain winding roads and then did some slight tightening and did the same again. all good.
the only thing is some minimal rattling of the legs and brackets rolled up into the enclosure on a hard bump here or there.
the 2-hole bracket is solid, and cannot flex, even though the tube steel only supports the top half.
I probably won't keep it on for daily driving.
if I keep the 3 racks mounted, it only takes about 5-minuets to dis-mount the awning.
but even the racks are slightly annoying for daily driving. I would apply some tape markers for replacement if I also remove the racks.
pretty plug and play now.
installed the fiamma f45 s awning. 10' long, 8' roll out.
had to get a middle rack for a center support.
after trimming the tops off the stock rack ends, I welded on a couple pieces each of square tube steel. drilled holes through the tube steel sections to mount the factory fiamma 2-hole mounting plates (aluminum).
the van gutter has a slight arch. luckily its just within fudge factor range. the middle rack mounted slightly more inside the gutter to perfectly alight with the other two racks. slight over-drilling of the holes for the 2-hole brackets allowed just enough adjustment up and down to not have to tweak anything into place.
drove about 80 miles back and fourth over mountain winding roads and then did some slight tightening and did the same again. all good.
the only thing is some minimal rattling of the legs and brackets rolled up into the enclosure on a hard bump here or there.
the 2-hole bracket is solid, and cannot flex, even though the tube steel only supports the top half.
I probably won't keep it on for daily driving.
if I keep the 3 racks mounted, it only takes about 5-minuets to dis-mount the awning.
but even the racks are slightly annoying for daily driving. I would apply some tape markers for replacement if I also remove the racks.
pretty plug and play now.
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DEFENDERBEAM
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Rear Sway Bar Installed
got the first memorial day weekend project under my belt.
Now for a test drive to see if it actually does anything besides limit my articulation.
the bar is a Hellwig for 2500/3500 2WD. Boulder Off Road fabricates an end link bracket assembly to make it functional with the AWD chassis.
seemed to all go together well. Did all the work on the ground in my driveway rolling around on my back. after I drilled the holes, I painted over the area. When I put the back plate into the chassis, then the studs with thread locker , I waited overnight before installing the end link brackets, and the locker was very solid. They provided blue. I also left a portion of the wire that was welded onto the back plate to fish it into place (in the even anyone ever wanted to remove these brackets.
I'll probably do another coat of paint over the finished installed brackets/bolts after driving a few days and confirming the fitment.
also the chassis Drilled out like Butter. Based on all my steel drilling experience, this penetrated easy. (unlike drilling out rivets from a Fuso chassis - HAHA).
Side Note: the U-bolts that come with the (rear spacer block) lift kit, are way too long. I am either going to replace them, or chop them down.
got the first memorial day weekend project under my belt.
Now for a test drive to see if it actually does anything besides limit my articulation.
the bar is a Hellwig for 2500/3500 2WD. Boulder Off Road fabricates an end link bracket assembly to make it functional with the AWD chassis.
seemed to all go together well. Did all the work on the ground in my driveway rolling around on my back. after I drilled the holes, I painted over the area. When I put the back plate into the chassis, then the studs with thread locker , I waited overnight before installing the end link brackets, and the locker was very solid. They provided blue. I also left a portion of the wire that was welded onto the back plate to fish it into place (in the even anyone ever wanted to remove these brackets.
I'll probably do another coat of paint over the finished installed brackets/bolts after driving a few days and confirming the fitment.
also the chassis Drilled out like Butter. Based on all my steel drilling experience, this penetrated easy. (unlike drilling out rivets from a Fuso chassis - HAHA).
Side Note: the U-bolts that come with the (rear spacer block) lift kit, are way too long. I am either going to replace them, or chop them down.
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DEFENDERBEAM
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Dual Battery KIT
just need to fabricate a couple brackets to weld onto the tray for securing inside the engine compartment.
This was a rugged ridge tray originally designed for a jeep JK. I cut off a couple parts to simplify it for easy fitting into the van engine compartment.
National Luna regulator and remote monitor (flush mount version). I might be able to find a clean spot to put it behind the driver side sun visor depending on how difficult fishing the wires up the door jam to the visor is? TBD.
just need to fabricate a couple brackets to weld onto the tray for securing inside the engine compartment.
This was a rugged ridge tray originally designed for a jeep JK. I cut off a couple parts to simplify it for easy fitting into the van engine compartment.
National Luna regulator and remote monitor (flush mount version). I might be able to find a clean spot to put it behind the driver side sun visor depending on how difficult fishing the wires up the door jam to the visor is? TBD.
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DEFENDERBEAM
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the sway bar is a great addition for the road. The van is closer to a giant WRX now. I believe it has a similar front-to-rear power distribution as a WRX.
The van actually feels slightly more powerful with the new stability. The over steer is a lot more controlled.
It'll be real fun when I drive it without racks and the awning.
The van actually feels slightly more powerful with the new stability. The over steer is a lot more controlled.
It'll be real fun when I drive it without racks and the awning.
DEFENDERBEAM
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Accrete
Explorer
Really sweet mod!! I seriously need to take these pics down to my local shop and see if they can work in something similar. I want to install a mobile dual band ham and can't see it being successful without some extra juice somewhere. And under the hood has been a dream for a while now. THX for the pix and sharing what is possible.
: ) Thom
86cj
Explorer
Thanks again for the Hellwig/Boulder Offroad rear sway bar pics and info, that would be a good addition to the "AWD 1500 Van Info Thread"
You are on the right track about the stock plastic battery tray supporting the new batteries, it does not offer much confidence. Some kind of support bracket seems like a good use of spare time, the fit is great by the way....I have been way off the pavement and hit some unexpected large bumps then had the lights go dim and smoke billow from under the hood to find a loose battery swollen up like a football spewing acid on the firewall and wires glowing everywhere, so I could be biased to caution.
You are on the right track about the stock plastic battery tray supporting the new batteries, it does not offer much confidence. Some kind of support bracket seems like a good use of spare time, the fit is great by the way....I have been way off the pavement and hit some unexpected large bumps then had the lights go dim and smoke billow from under the hood to find a loose battery swollen up like a football spewing acid on the firewall and wires glowing everywhere, so I could be biased to caution.
Accrete
Explorer
Battery tray mod is a must post to the AWD thread IMO!
The battery event up a trail would be a bummer. Today i'm meeting up with the prez of our local HAM club to brainstorm ideas on getting a radio in the van. All I typically run is a handheld and that doesn't hit the repeaters once we are back in the canyon(s).
Thom
DEFENDERBEAM
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Before I did any actual custom brackets onto the tray I modified, I realized the batteries sat about 1/4 - 1/2" too low, as the tray was slightly resting on a small radiator return line. The line has some give, but I determined it was NOT worth the risk.
But the pair of batteries do fit very nice into the area. There is still just enough room to access the surrounding parts.
Now, my next plan is to remove the stock single battery tray, and build a new beefier under-tray support. I will most likely have to drill some extra mounting holes down through the wheel well. But the support should end up very stout.
OR, just remote mount to 2nd battery under the van onto the side of the chassis.
since this is my daily driver, it is a pain doing modifications that temporarily disable the vehicle. disable on Friday evening, back operational by sunday night? But what if the waves are good and you need to surf. haha. Nothing gets done, just undone.
But the pair of batteries do fit very nice into the area. There is still just enough room to access the surrounding parts.
Now, my next plan is to remove the stock single battery tray, and build a new beefier under-tray support. I will most likely have to drill some extra mounting holes down through the wheel well. But the support should end up very stout.
OR, just remote mount to 2nd battery under the van onto the side of the chassis.
since this is my daily driver, it is a pain doing modifications that temporarily disable the vehicle. disable on Friday evening, back operational by sunday night? But what if the waves are good and you need to surf. haha. Nothing gets done, just undone.
Mcarpenito89
Adventurer
Any updates on the van?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sweet van dude. I'm in the process of switching over from an Astro to an Express. The Astro was my first build ever (and I think it turned out pretty good) but I'm looking forward to starting it all over again on the bigger Express platform.
First up is solar + house batteries. Nice to know I can mount in the hood. Otherwise, I might throw two 6V under the van!
First up is solar + house batteries. Nice to know I can mount in the hood. Otherwise, I might throw two 6V under the van!
DEFENDERBEAM
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thanks man. we have 95,000 miles on it now, and we love it. the AWD is so fun to rally. I think the sway bar totally helps.