Jack's 2007 Chevy Build

[locrwln]

I am considering a custom slider/step combo on my next build, only problem I see is how far the stand off is from the frame and how to make it from flexing against the body but not also be over engineered with metal everywhere. Going to have to see once I get to that point.

Here is my buddies truck build we used the Kilby kit on http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123502&page=10 I think I will have the truck in my shop next week to put new wheels and tires on it so I can take other angles if you would like or I can try and hook up with him over the weekend if you need anything sooner, it's a family friend so I see him anyways, just need him to drive his truck if we meet up with the family somewhere. I really can't remember what my tech did back then to fix the problem. Another one of my good friends used to work for Kilby so he was the one that helped us with the project. If I remember I believe the belts are a 5 grove cut down or something weird like that when we looked into it for spares. This I am sure will all ring a bell for you or the other HD owner that was the R&D truck, I think I may have talked with him in the past but can't remember it's been so long. Atleast i can say the kit still works and kicks *** when we are out on trips.

52 gals is always awesome, stopping to find fuel sucks when you are on the road or off road for that matter ha ha. Congrats on the new tank upgrade.

I may come into work over the weekend to put my build post together so I can get it up on the forums, I have a couple renderings done already from a few months back so we still will be changing the over all look but I finally found and purchased a 08 2500HD CC SB I will be using for the foundation of the build so it's game on and I am excited to say the least. I hope I can do your expedition life style justice, it's a first for me personally to build a truck for myself in this way so I have been soaking up all the stuff I have been reading on this forum and others over the months.

If you feel you will overwhelm some of the options I gave you on shocks I am happy to see what i can do about maybe letting you try and couple options on your next excursions coming up, can't do any worse than the stock shocks you have now ha-ha :sombrero: If your interested I love to gain the feed back.


Also, not sure if anyone has heard of this, Oasis XD3000 Air Compressor. We have used these a few times and they are pretty good on air supply also. Down fall is size and finding a place for it, OK and price also but it's not far from what the Kilby set up ran from what I remember. Just another option I have thought about.


Nick

As far as my sliders, I'm not 100% sure they would take the weight of the truck on a full hit or not. I do think they will stop a gentle or slight oops. I started out with much heavier materials and was planning on overbuilding them, but I decided that because I am not rockcrawling, it would be overkill. I hope I don't regret it. Right now, they are working great.

As far as my OBA, I didn't do much this weekend, just been gathering parts and tools for the project. The belt Kilby uses is for a Ford V10 with dual alternators and it is an 8 rib belt that is cut down to a 6 rib. I figure they rigged up some type of cutting system because it doesn't appear to have been done by hand. Thanks for the link, looks like a great truck. My plan it to attack it this upcoming weekend since my wife is on call, I should have time.

I am loving the 52 gal fuel tank. Nothing like doubling the capacity, it definitely gives you one less thing to worry about.

Looking forward to your build, as I said in my reply to your build, always like to see other peoples ideas.

I appreciate the offer on the shocks, but I will have to pass for now, I have too many other irons in the fire and the truck will have to stay as is for a couple of more months. So I don't want to get started on the shocks just yet. Again I appreciate the offer. Maybe when I am ready, you will have your truck done and had the opportunity to test some options out.

The Oasis is an awesome set up and with the way things are going as far as the engine driven option, it might not be a bad idea. Keep it simple.

Jack

 

[bob91yj]

I'm not sure what Kilby is doing about the belts since Brad has sold the company, originally they were trimming the belts by hand.

 

[locrwln]

Glad to see that your truck did not take any serious damage Jack. The sliders look awesome:Wow1: and I look forward to seeing more cool shots of the wilderness that you explore. Cheers, Chilli.

Thank you, I was glad as well. There were a few spots that I thought I would drag on, but nothing hit either under or on the rails. I was shocked that I didn't drag the belly. I have done a few other trips, but haven't gotten around to writing anything up. Nothing too off the beaten path, but I have been from Reno, to San Bernadino to Point Dissapointment Washington back to Reno and then to Great Basin National Park and other central Nevada destinations. I have put almost 5000 miles on the truck in the last month and half and it's not my DD. It will August before our next big adventure so to speak.

Jack

 

[hikingff77]

Love it. I'd like to see more interior pictures.

 

[locrwln]

I'm not sure what Kilby is doing about the belts since Brad has sold the company, originally they were trimming the belts by hand.

I saw a few little "oops" on the first belt, but the second belt looked factory. That is impressive. Maybe I will attempt cutting my own. Thanks for that.

Love it. I'd like to see more interior pictures.

Nothing too exciting there, still pretty stock. Do you have something specific that you would like?

Jack

 

[Lingenstein]

Great build! Thanks for the effort put in to the great pictures and information on the upgrades as well as all the travelling pictures. Really like what you've done with your truck.

 

[locrwln]

Great build! Thanks for the effort put in to the great pictures and information on the upgrades as well as all the travelling pictures. Really like what you've done with your truck.

Thank you. It's been fun and has been a great platform for us.

Just as an update, I started over with the kilby OBA. I was prepared to go to replace a bunch of parts in an attempt to stop the sqeal and noise. I realized from the original install that the kilby brackets weren't properly aligned and basically, I was "splitting" the misalignment difference between the A/C and York with the idler pulley. It didn't work. I measured everything up and realized that the A/C and York were roughly 1/8" out of alignment. Doesn't sound like much, but with a serpentine belt, it matters. I pulled the brackets off, modified holes, cut brackets and aligned everything back to what it should have been and re-welded everything back up.

I bought a new belt from Napa and cut it myself. Cutting the belt wasn't too bad. I started out with a brand new blade in the xacto knife. I had some additional blades, but they would not fit the handle. I was able to make most of the cut with the first blade and had to finish up with a razor blade.

Re-installed everything and everything lined up perfectly and it is perfectly quiet. I can drive my truck again. It was getting to the point that it sounded like a bearing was ready to sieze and I wasn't sure if it was going to be safe.

Kilby's service wasn't helping, they kept wanting to send me idler pulleys only. Nice kit, but it sucks that I had to "fix" it.

Jack

 

[Redline]

snip... I measured everything up and realized that the A/C and York were roughly 1/8" out of alignment. Doesn't sound like much, but with a serpentine belt, it matters. I pulled the brackets off, modified holes, cut brackets and aligned everything back to what it should have been and re-welded everything back up.
snip...

Great job figuring out the real problem and fixing it yourself, certainly better than anyone else would have done.

 

[locrwln]

Great job figuring out the real problem and fixing it yourself, certainly better than anyone else would have done.

Yeah it's just too bad I had to. Just for reference, the 1/8th inch is one belt rib of difference.

Jack

 

[Redline]

Yeah it's just too bad I had to. Just for reference, the 1/8th inch is one belt rib of difference.

Jack

Makes sense that one rib width off would be too much.

 

[locrwln]

Mt. Patterson on Labor Day weekend

4 adults, two dogs, chevy truck and a fwc summit Mt. Patterson in the Sweetwater Mountain Range.

My wife, me and my in-laws headed down to Bridgeport, CA for some camping and whatever else we could find over Labor Day Weekend. We camped at Buckeye Campground, the in-laws brought their travel trailer. We arrived on Saturday and took our time and after lunch we hopped in my truck and headed over to Bodie. It had been almost 40 years since my in-laws had been to Bodie. We took some photos and walked around and marveled at the tenacity and ingenuity of the residents.





We headed back to camp and that wrapped up Saturday. We had planned on heading into the Sweetwater range and shooting for the summit on Sunday.

We got up on Sunday and made our way north. Turning northeast off of US395 at Burcham Flat road we started the climb. I aired down and away we went. I had never came in from the south side, so it took a little map reading and discussion to find the right road. My in-laws had never been to the summit and it had been over three years for my wife and I.

 

[locrwln]

We worked our way up to Lobdell Lake and continued the climb. We left the highway at a little under 7000' and were at just over 9000' at the lake. From Lobdell lake, the road is used mainly by quads and side by sides, so it gets a little rough and tight for a full-size truck and FWC. I did have to make a few three point turns on the switchbacks and my MIL almost ripped the "oh-jesus" strap out of the roof because most of the shelf road had her looking over the abyss. We made it to the plateau just below the summit and decided to get out do some walking at 11000' feet. Just to the south of the plateau road, there is a mining cabin and evidence of mining. We walked down to the cabin, which at that elevation takes a little more effort. We made it down and looked around and again marveled at the drive someone had to live/work there.


Above the cabin looking west at the sierras


On the way back, my in-laws (late 60's/early 70's) ran out of steam, the elevation was too much, so I retrieved the truck and picked them up. Then it was to the summit. Mt. Patterson 11,654 feet here we come. Again it took a three point turn on one of the switchbacks to get there, but...

My 72 year old FIL with their rat terrorist (I mean rat terrior) at the summit.


I found and made an entry into the Geocach that is located up there. After we got some pictures, it was time to head down towards the east. We lunched in the townsite of Belfort, which sits at 10,000' and slowly made our way down to highway NV 338 and back to camp. It was an awesome trip and the truck took it all in stride. The camper ended up with some new "character" spots, those trees on the way up, got some love in as we eeked past them.

If you are in the area, you owe it to yourself to check it out. It is one of the last areas that you can drive a vehicle to over 11,000' in California.

Jack

 

[DoMiNiC1]

Looks like an awesome trip!!! Great pics. I put a little "Arizona pin striping" on my truck last time out.

 

[Redline]

snip...
If you are in the area, you owe it to yourself to check it out. It is one of the last areas that you can drive a vehicle to over 11,000' in California.
Jack

Man I love it up there, I've got to make time to get back there next year!

 

[Jimmeh]

Sweet pictures, Jack! The truck is looking awesome and really making me want to keep pushing forward on my build.

I was looking back at the progression of the truck, and noticed from the side profile the center of the truck looks odd...



Almost as if it bows up in the middle. Could just be the angle of the picture, though.