GMT800 People - Opinions wanted on upgrades/mods

[CrazyDrei]

I am planning to build some of my own mods since none are available and was curious if there's any sort of interest in mods like this

StomperXJ,

You ask an excellent question and this is the perfect place for it.

Just some good tires and doing a lift of rear coil spacers and front keys crank will get you enough clearance for most of your travel.

Ford torsion keys cost around $20 shipped on ebay and another $30 for rear 2" coil spacers for Tahoes or 3" spacer for Suburbans will get you high enough to fit 33" tires with minimal rubbing or 35" tires with some massaging and mild trimming of the sheet metal. I run 37" tires with level kit and 3" body lift, no rubbing unless I'm really flexing the suspension hard.

350-400 mile range is pretty sweet when you compare it to the sub 300 people get with loaded LC100 and 200s

You are looking at 300+ range on a tank of gas. I travel with several Jeeps and 4Runners both of whom carry 10-12gallons of extra fuel and I still have longer range with the 33gal tank than they do with the gas cans.

Let's face it, the guys with the "money cannons" are all driving Toyotas, those of us driving domestic iron are doing so because we're frugal (i.e. cheap) and don't care about having all the ExPoTactiCool gear.

I have a friend that has sunk a crap load of cash into his 2006 Denali XL, some bolt ons for other trucks some custom work, truing to get him to join ExPo and write about his truck, but we did front coil over conversion, 3" rear coil spacers, 3" body lift to run 35" tires, hidden winch in the front bumper, double receiver hitch mounted articulating spare tire carrier, monster roof rack with a cargo basket, RTT and hammers, shovels, axes and jerry cans mounted up high.

I think he's coming to do a trail with me next weekend, I'll get some picks of his truck.

There is not to much after market support for GMT800 SUVs but here is the biggest collection of been there done that and still drive our Tahoe/Yukon/ Suburban guys anywhere. Any question or idea you can imagine will be supported and you will have great resources to help you custom build what ever modification you want on a budget.

Can't wait to see your build and adventures.

 

[rayra]

Looks to me like it would, looks like there's at least 10" free to the vehicle rear. I'll go stick a tape up under both of ours for a comparison measurement, after lunch.

That's another thing, when it comes to my gas tank skid plate / second skin idea. If I'm going to have a Tahoe option I have to get it prototyped asap as I've started actively trying to sell it. Got to get out there and whip up my 'cardboard aided design' template in a hurry.
One idea is to use rivnuts on the bottom of the frame rail along the tank and on the crossmember ahead of the tank and use truss- or pan-head bolts to secure a plate to that framing and float an upturned trailing edge ahead of the axle at the back end of the tank. And figure a way to attach the inboard edge to the metal shield on the tank which faces the driveshaft. It wouldn't be a true skidplate / structural, you wouldn't want to high-center on it. But it would be a good bit better road-hazard protection than that big expanse of exposed gas tank plastic.
The other variant / idea was to use a second set of gas tank hangar straps to sandwich a plate skin to the tank. 3/16" aluminum, or maybe even a nice thick piece of HDPE.
Either design is problematic as the bottom of the gas tank is pretty much flush with the frame rails. Anything you add - especially if attached to teh tank directly - is going ot hang lower than the frame and be the thing that drags first in a high center event. That's when I'm sort of leaning towards the idea of attaching a plate to the frame instead of the tank.

 

[CrazyDrei]

Spare tire mount before bodylift.

I cut out the spare tire cross brace and moved it up 5" with the body lift, now a 37x12.5" tire sits in the factory location and uses the factory hoist. There is enough room in there for a auxiliary 50galon tank now. If I were to move the spare elsewhere I would put a 1970 Mustang 22gal fuel tank in the spare tire location.

 

[ejwebb]

I am running a Rhino rack that is 7' X 4.5' on custom brackets that bolt into the factory holes in the roof, I love the flat rack. The Cognito leveling kits work really nice for a 285 tire.

 

[ejwebb]

I don't want the extra weight of a rear swing out bumper and a extra fuel tank. Aluminum bumpers are big bucks!! I feel like you would have to go ta a coil over in the rear to get the correct spring weight's or load. That's a lot of engineering to carry the extra weight. With a RRT, water and all the camp gear my rear was already sagging a bit on my last trip. I only run a 3/4 inch spacer in the rear.

 

[stomperxj]

Looks to me like it would, looks like there's at least 10" free to the vehicle rear. I'll go stick a tape up under both of ours for a comparison measurement, after lunch.

That's another thing, when it comes to my gas tank skid plate / second skin idea. If I'm going to have a Tahoe option I have to get it prototyped asap as I've started actively trying to sell it. Got to get out there and whip up my 'cardboard aided design' template in a hurry.
One idea is to use rivnuts on the bottom of the frame rail along the tank and on the crossmember ahead of the tank and use truss- or pan-head bolts to secure a plate to that framing and float an upturned trailing edge ahead of the axle at the back end of the tank. And figure a way to attach the inboard edge to the metal shield on the tank which faces the driveshaft. It wouldn't be a true skidplate / structural, you wouldn't want to high-center on it. But it would be a good bit better road-hazard protection than that big expanse of exposed gas tank plastic.
The other variant / idea was to use a second set of gas tank hangar straps to sandwich a plate skin to the tank. 3/16" aluminum, or maybe even a nice thick piece of HDPE.
Either design is problematic as the bottom of the gas tank is pretty much flush with the frame rails. Anything you add - especially if attached to teh tank directly - is going ot hang lower than the frame and be the thing that drags first in a high center event. That's when I'm sort of leaning towards the idea of attaching a plate to the frame instead of the tank.

Good luck with the skid plate. Interested to see that develop.

Spare tire mount before bodylift.I cut out the spare tire cross brace and moved it up 5" with the body lift, now a 37x12.5" tire sits in the factory location and uses the factory hoist. There is enough room in there for a auxiliary 50galon tank now. If I were to move the spare elsewhere I would put a 1970 Mustang 22gal fuel tank in the spare tire location.

A body lift would give tons of room back there for sure.

I am running a Rhino rack that is 7' X 4.5' on custom brackets that bolt into the factory holes in the roof, I love the flat rack. The Cognito leveling kits work really nice for a 285 tire.

Any closeup pics of your brackets?

I've been working on some in CAD. I laser scanned my roof and started working on a rack model.

 

[ExplorerTom]

I have an Expedition. As equally pitiful aftermarket support as the GMs.

But look, near full length platform rack with 4 Jerry cans worth of fuel, an Oztent, MaxTrax and an easy-up:

None of which is vehicle specific. The extra gas was only because this was during the Eclipse in 2017. I heard d that Wyoming was going to have a ton of people headed there. I thought gas shortages may be a problem- so I borrowed the tanks and mounting from a friend. With some decent planning, getting your Tahoe/Suburban that far removed from civilization here in North America where you can't find gas, would be tough.

Like others have said, lift it enough to get some decent tires under there. Sure you won't garner the Instagram followers like those with ExpoAF builds, but who cares. Put gas in the tank, food in the cooler and head outside. You really don't need all the crap that gets pandered around here. People have been "overlanding" long before the term became so trendy.

 

[ejwebb]

look at the back bone roof rack system off of a FJ, the roof is curved so the mounts also have to be curved. That was the idea I based my design off of. The steel was cut by a computerized plasma cutter and then bent. It is in two pieces per side. Its a pain in the ass but replace the nutserts in the roof or they will spin when you try to tighten up the bolts, ask me how I know.

 

[stomperxj]

But look, near full length platform rack with 4 Jerry cans worth of fuel, an Oztent, MaxTrax and an easy-up:

Like others have said, lift it enough to get some decent tires under there. Sure you won't garner the Instagram followers like those with ExpoAF builds, but who cares. Put gas in the tank, food in the cooler and head outside. You really don't need all the crap that gets pandered around here. People have been "overlanding" long before the term became so trendy.

Yep I agree with all that. Not lookin to be trendy, just want to go camping

look at the back bone roof rack system off of a FJ, the roof is curved so the mounts also have to be curved. That was the idea I based my design off of. The steel was cut by a computerized plasma cutter and then bent. It is in two pieces per side. Its a pain in the ass but replace the nutserts in the roof or they will spin when you try to tighten up the bolts, ask me how I know.

Nice lookin brackets

The original reason for asking was to see if anyone would buy something if it was offered. Sounds like the full size guys GM and Ford are big DIY fans.

Great discussion and ideas guys

 

[ejwebb]

There is no off the shelf full length racks, I use mine at Home Depot as much as I do camping. Having the light bar back from the windsheild and tight to the roof is nice and there is no glare on the hood or in the windshield.

 

[JSwanson]

Great thread stomper. Not sure if some of you guys have seen his (stomperxj) work but he is a great fabricator. I picked up a 03 z71 burb over the summer and am interested in similar mods. Great platform and powertrain in these trucks. Ive got the keys and spacers and im going 285 70 17 as well. Unfortunately a adv motorcycle ride cost me a few months as I shattered my wrist 3 weeks ago. So no more bikes for me and when I get my right hand back I plan to dive in to the burb.

Keep the mods and pics coming.

Thanks for the arb bumper info as well.

Stock form

 

[stomperxj]

I use mine at Home Depot as much as I do camping.

I hauled so much stuff on the roof of my XJ. Brought home full sticks of steel from the steel yard, multiple sheets of plywood, dump runs... whatever. I love functional/useable roof racks.

Great thread stomper. Not sure if some of you guys have seen his (stomperxj) work but he is a great fabricator. I picked up a 03 z71 burb over the summer and am interested in similar mods. Great platform and powertrain in these trucks. Ive got the keys and spacers and im going 285 70 17 as well. Unfortunately a adv motorcycle ride cost me a few months as I shattered my wrist 3 weeks ago. So no more bikes for me and when I get my right hand back I plan to dive in to the burb.

Keep the mods and pics coming.

Thanks for the arb bumper info as well.

Stock form

Thanks for the kind words JS. Nice Z71. Good luck with the mods. Hope your wrist heals nicely.

 

[02TahoeMD]

StomperXJ those roof rack brackets you designed in CAD look great. You gonna make them? I wouldn't mind trying to put something like that on my own rig, probably would get my roof rack an inch or so lower to the roof and look better too.

 

[stomperxj]

StomperXJ those roof rack brackets you designed in CAD look great. You gonna make them? I wouldn't mind trying to put something like that on my own rig, probably would get my roof rack an inch or so lower to the roof and look better too.

Thanks I appreciate that. Yes I'm going to prototype them and if they work out I'll see if there is some interest and maybe do a small run of them. I'll keep you posted for sure.

 

[ExplorerTom]

There is no off the shelf full length racks, I use mine at Home Depot as much as I do camping. Having the light bar back from the windsheild and tight to the roof is nice and there is no glare on the hood or in the windshield.

I guess it's not really "off the shelf". I had to pick up mine at the local freight terminal.
https://www.equipt1.com/collections/eezi-awn/products/k9-roof-rack-platform

And yeah, if I sell my Expedition, the rack is getting pulled off it prior. I use it all the time.