hello all,
Been lurking a bit and recently got started on my dream full size rig. Wife and I have bought/built/sold many 4x's over the last 10 yrs (yj 2.5, yj 4.2, xj 2.8 swap, xj jspeed, 91 runner 3.slow), but have been waiting for/planning this for a while. The basic: bought a high mileage 93 2wd w/ new interior/upholstery, was going to swap the l29/4l80/nv241 into it and my mechanic talked me into buying a complete k2500 instead. So, searched high and low (agonizing) for a few months and finally pulled the trigger on my cream puff. Located a nicely maintained (and probably begrudgingly lost) 99 gmc burb with the full lt package at a sheriff's dept impound yard. 1 owner 75k miles, white on tan leather, near showroom condition (other than the classic pealing white gm paint). So that was 4 years ago, now @ 150k (all pleasure/only drive it to the store or adventure) been up and down the west coast and around the mojave with it and our travel trailer.
since the truck was in such good condition when we found it, I haven't changed much till this past year. Just swapped the 4l80e with a built one rated @500 hp & a bigger cooler, beefed up nv241, im dying to swap a beefier l29 in (but this factory 7.4 is so happy & healthy it looks like its going to be a while lol), complete rebuild of front end (all joints & links, steering box, ps pump,both cv's), hd alternator, just changed exterior lighting to led, bright lights, interior av, dual light relay for brights, complete rebuilt of front ac system & other misc & little things im sure i'm forgetting. looking to enjoy this truck for another 10+ years, just had our first son last wed and plan on upping our game/raising him in an outdoor life.
,,
ultimate plan is to complete this as a rolling battery/power bank for camping (power for lights & utilities on the trailer), & increase its trail/tow ability suspension wise. Over the last few years I've kept a server grade APC UPS 2500 mounted in the back for exterior lighting & misc charging needs (charge it before heading out). Just upgraded to an APC UPS 3000, waiting on a 4000 watt inverter to charge it with/draw from dual battery, just wired battery isolator in (waiting to buy dual red tops), ran 4 ga power line to the trunk area, will be adding solar to the roof. power/battery system will be completed this month. Medium duty Via air 4gal onboard air system has just been ordered and rear helper bags going in shortly.
My question:
1. we camp in it regularly with an air mattress & 3rd row out, however with the bigger ups ( weighs approx 100lbs) it will be in the way and I would prefer to not lug the 3rd row out/set in the elements upon arrival (we usually just leave middle row down for my hound dog, he loves the walk around space/sleeping on 3rd row when driving). has anyone found a custom air mattress manufacturer or an air mattress that would allow for the 3rd row to remain open/in place?
2.suspension is next month to 2 months, been looking at the 5-7" (i'd go smaller but refuse to torsion lift & etc) kit by superlift: any suggestions on this or something different. or is it really worth it to modify the factory proportions,it already crawls over many things and is monster in low (havent even touched the factory 4.10 gearing yet and its not like im trying to relive my jeep days)?
3.anyone done onboard air? any suggestions on tank/compressor placement & gauge setup?
more pictures to come, cheers!
Been lurking a bit and recently got started on my dream full size rig. Wife and I have bought/built/sold many 4x's over the last 10 yrs (yj 2.5, yj 4.2, xj 2.8 swap, xj jspeed, 91 runner 3.slow), but have been waiting for/planning this for a while. The basic: bought a high mileage 93 2wd w/ new interior/upholstery, was going to swap the l29/4l80/nv241 into it and my mechanic talked me into buying a complete k2500 instead. So, searched high and low (agonizing) for a few months and finally pulled the trigger on my cream puff. Located a nicely maintained (and probably begrudgingly lost) 99 gmc burb with the full lt package at a sheriff's dept impound yard. 1 owner 75k miles, white on tan leather, near showroom condition (other than the classic pealing white gm paint). So that was 4 years ago, now @ 150k (all pleasure/only drive it to the store or adventure) been up and down the west coast and around the mojave with it and our travel trailer.
since the truck was in such good condition when we found it, I haven't changed much till this past year. Just swapped the 4l80e with a built one rated @500 hp & a bigger cooler, beefed up nv241, im dying to swap a beefier l29 in (but this factory 7.4 is so happy & healthy it looks like its going to be a while lol), complete rebuild of front end (all joints & links, steering box, ps pump,both cv's), hd alternator, just changed exterior lighting to led, bright lights, interior av, dual light relay for brights, complete rebuilt of front ac system & other misc & little things im sure i'm forgetting. looking to enjoy this truck for another 10+ years, just had our first son last wed and plan on upping our game/raising him in an outdoor life.
,,
ultimate plan is to complete this as a rolling battery/power bank for camping (power for lights & utilities on the trailer), & increase its trail/tow ability suspension wise. Over the last few years I've kept a server grade APC UPS 2500 mounted in the back for exterior lighting & misc charging needs (charge it before heading out). Just upgraded to an APC UPS 3000, waiting on a 4000 watt inverter to charge it with/draw from dual battery, just wired battery isolator in (waiting to buy dual red tops), ran 4 ga power line to the trunk area, will be adding solar to the roof. power/battery system will be completed this month. Medium duty Via air 4gal onboard air system has just been ordered and rear helper bags going in shortly.
My question:
1. we camp in it regularly with an air mattress & 3rd row out, however with the bigger ups ( weighs approx 100lbs) it will be in the way and I would prefer to not lug the 3rd row out/set in the elements upon arrival (we usually just leave middle row down for my hound dog, he loves the walk around space/sleeping on 3rd row when driving). has anyone found a custom air mattress manufacturer or an air mattress that would allow for the 3rd row to remain open/in place?
2.suspension is next month to 2 months, been looking at the 5-7" (i'd go smaller but refuse to torsion lift & etc) kit by superlift: any suggestions on this or something different. or is it really worth it to modify the factory proportions,it already crawls over many things and is monster in low (havent even touched the factory 4.10 gearing yet and its not like im trying to relive my jeep days)?
3.anyone done onboard air? any suggestions on tank/compressor placement & gauge setup?
more pictures to come, cheers!
