Jack's 2007 Chevy Build

[locrwln]

Very nice Jack.

Thank you sir. Staying busy I presume?

Those flares and Wheels look great. I'd love to see a side shot of the whole truck.

Thanks, I really like them. I had it in a parking lot yesterday and as I was walking toward it (with the stock rims/tires) I told my wife, I want to get the H2's on there sooner rather than later, but I have to get the front bumper first because I don't want to cut a good bumper that I am just going to replace anyway. As soon as the bumper is on (which I found out today is a 6 week lead from the time of order, was not ordered today), I will be buying the tires and will get some full side shots.

Hey Jack, like your writeups!! Just curious, when you use the PTO option to set engine speed, does it cancel when you touch the brake? I did this to my old 6.5L, and it ended up being almost useless, since I'm pretty much always on the brake when using the winch to drag stuff. It was still good for an elevated engine speed for faster warmup, or for faster batter charging after winching, but not so much during, that's all.

Nice H2's. And flares. My only complaint about my H2's is how much crap they throw on the truck.
Chris

Yep, hitting the brake takes it back down to 800 rpms. I really expect to use it more for my OBA, which should be going on in the next couple of weeks and for the eventual on board shower (underhood/engine heat supply). As you pointed out, probably won't see much use for winching because like you, the brake is used alot while winching.

The flares provide additional tire coverage, so the spray should be minimized, especially because I am going with a 285/75R17 tire, so they will be relatively skinny.

I have to start on my step/sliders now that the flares are on. The wife (she's only 5'1") really wants a step for getting into the truck, so I have been given my orders.

Jack

 

[DoMiNiC1]

Looks awesome man. The smoked chrome wheels are super clean!

 

[locrwln]

Looks awesome man. The smoked chrome wheels are super clean!

Thanks, I was pretty excited to find them. I have only seen one other set.

Jack

 

[locrwln]

Well after a few hours of hard work, the front diff has been pulled out and dropped off at the driveline shop for the installation of the Eaton E-Locker. Should be done Friday.

Jack

 

[Redline]

Thank you sir. Staying busy I presume?
snip...

Yes, and finally getting my camper prepped for travel.

Are you ready for a short trip soon during this spring-winter we are having, before it snows…if it snows?

 

[locrwln]

Good to hear, what more do you have to do to it?

Camper is already loaded, just have to get the front put back together. Darcie is on call for the last two weekends of the month, so those are out. We did an overnighter on New Years and it was cooooold.

Jack

 

[locrwln]

So last Tuesday I had to take the day off due to some waterheater problems. The guy was able to fix it by midday, so I pulled the truck into the garage and pulled the front differential out.

Last "black" Friday after Thanksgiving, I decided to go to Summit instead of the Mall. I had a coupon, Eaton was having a rebate and Summit was giving 10% off sale, so I got the e-locker for the front axle for $650 out the door, which ended up being about $100 off the list price.

Well, I have been sitting on the diff because I didn't want to tear my truck apart in case it actually snowed. My wife would need the truck if it did, so I kind of waited and last week looked good for the timing/weather.

I dropped it off at Bayshore Trucking in Reno and was scheduled for pickup on Friday. They got it done and I got it home Friday evening. I asked Spressomon to help with the install, because it was all I could do to remove it by myself.

Dan came up on Saturday afternoon and we got everything re-installed in about 2 hours. Thanks a bunch Dan.

I didn't get any pictures, which I should have because Bayshore made the front diff look like brand new. I will try and get some pictures this weekend, I have to change the oil, so I should be able to get some shots of diff in place.

I don't have it wired completely right now, went out of town Sunday, so this coming weekend I will do the final wiring and test it out.

The Chevy has a front locker baby.::wings:

Jack

 

[Redline]

$650 plus labor seems like a deal for a locker.

 

[1stDeuce]

Go easy on the skinny pedal, Jack!! I can't imagine the stress that low range plus a fat dmax on the nose could put on those seemingly tiny cv shafts... But it is pretty sweet and I am jealous!! Then again, I don't even have a working G80 yet... Mine is missing some teeth I presume, since I found several stuck to the magnet last time I changed the lube...

We're going to need a full report ASAFHP, BTW.

C

 

[locrwln]

$650 plus labor seems like a deal for a locker.

I wish, the $650 was just for the locker. The install included new bearings/seals throughout, so it was a little more, but I would rather not have to pull/install the diff anytime soon. You have to remove the steering system to get the diff out. GM left just enough room to get the front diff in and out.

Go easy on the skinny pedal, Jack!! I can't imagine the stress that low range plus a fat dmax on the nose could put on those seemingly tiny cv shafts... But it is pretty sweet and I am jealous!! Then again, I don't even have a working G80 yet... Mine is missing some teeth I presume, since I found several stuck to the magnet last time I changed the lube...

We're going to need a full report ASAFHP, BTW.

C

Don't worry, I am all about the finesse. I used to wheel my '90 Wrangler with the front d30, ARB, 35's, stock shafts with the tiny 260 ujoints all over the Rubicon, Moab, Fordyce, etc and never had any breakage. Besides, if the Truck Pull guys can send 1000 HP through this front end, I should be good to go.

So far my G80 works like a charm. I really don't want to replace it, my neighbor down the road has 260k miles on his D-max and the rear G80 still works for him (construction worker).

We may finally be getting some weather, so not sure how much of a trail report I will have any time soon.

Jack

 

[DoMiNiC1]

I am also impressed with the g-80! The Dmax also limits power when in 4 low to keep those tooth picks from snapping.

 

[tlbrewer]

Jack

I finally got to read all the way thru your thread. I really like all the smart mods you've made. I too have a Dmax/Ally and love it. However, mine is an '06 3500 SRW crewcab long bed. Obviously not the ideal offroad platform. But that's OK because my idea of exploring is fire roads and "easy" trails. Most of the mods you've made are ones I've been wanting to do for a long time so I'm glad I've gotten to read your posts first . Hopefully I'll be starting my "build" soon and will be using some of your ideas as I go.

One of the things I'm hoping to do in addition to what you've done, is adding RCV Axles. This should eliminate the "tooth picks" as was so appropriately mentioned. They are quite pricey, but seem to be indestructable. That seems to be the only thing you haven't addressed on the front suspension. If you do ever decide to add a lift (I'm only going to do a leveling kit-Cognito), they add CV articulation and should eliminate angle induced failure.

https://www.rcvperformance.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=35&products_id=82

Tom

 

[spressomon]

^^^ FWIW: RCV axles aren't perfect. Birf style boots are prone to leaking; the CV retainer bolts (socket head cap screws) need to be drilled and safety wired or fixed with red Loctite (not a big deal but you'd think for the cachinga they get for them this would already be done); based upon the samples I have they have less range of motion/articulation than my OEM Toyota CVs; and the company doesn't have the best reputation when you need their assistance in a hurry. Not to rain on your parade but I thought you might like to know before you dole out a couple grand...

 

[tlbrewer]

That is very good to know! Thanks for the heads up. That's a lot to spend for a less than perfect product!

Tom

 

[locrwln]

I don't know about toothpicks, the only breakage I am seeing is from the guys who are lifted or leveled and the CV's are at extreme angles. We'll see I guess.

Here are some pics of the diff installed. You can see the Cognito steering support as well.


The E-Locker wiring.



Finished up the wiring yesterday and took it out for a small test. I didn't get any pictures, kind of tough in the wind/slight rain and by myself. Anyway, it took a little bit to find a spot that I needed the front locker, as soon as the tires started spinning, the rear G80 locked up and the truck pulled through the ditch. I finally found a hill with some "moguls" and was able to give it a test. Worked like a charm. I would say the activation/de-activation is on par with an ARB and much faster than any of my factory Toyota electric lockers. Like most lockers, it does take a little to unlock if it is still "bound up." Once the strain is removed, it unlocks quickly.

Now we have weather, so it might be awhile before I can get some pics of it in action.

Jack