New Guy 2 different Expo Options

[blackdmax15]

Jeep build list

BFtank and tyler thanks for the input also. I do think keeping the duramax as a DD and the jeep as the toy is the way to go. Especially since i can still make the dmax a camping rig and tow the jeep. Just for the price to build the jeep the way i want is as much as an 06 older duramax. Here is the jeep build list of stuff i haven't ordered yet:

1) Poly Performance Slider 575
2) PSC BFH Rear bumper 350
+ tramp stamp
3) RiverRaider HiLiftOffroad Mount 70
Axle breather kit 50
Evap Relocation 70
4)Xenon Narrow JK flares 4dr 530
5) ProRock44 front 4800
6) Rear Superior 35spline kit 2000
8) RockKrawler 3.5" Alum Pro 2700
9) Tatton driveshafts 800
10) 37/18 BFG AT 1000
11) Ripp mods supercharger 5000
mbrp black exhaust
12) Rubicrawler box 1400
13) PSC hydro assist 1200

Total comes out to 20,500 but i plan on waiting for the rubicrawler and the supercharger for a while. What do you guys think?

 

[poriggity]

The range on the Dmax is a BIG thing.. That's why I love my truck. Take last weekend for example. I filled up the truck at home, and headed out to the Mojave preserve. Total distance was about 270 miles one way. I drove all the way out there, went exploring all day on saturday, and drove 270 miles home, and still have fuel in the tank, enough to go another 120 miles or so. I LOVED not having to fill the truck up out in the middle of nowhere, when fuel was $4.45/gallon!

Scott

 

[blakeape]

First off thank you for your service. I have a built up Tacoma on 1 Tons and 42's, a 1997 Dodge diesel on 37's and a 1988 Toyota 4runner on 33's that is getting a solid axle and 3.4 motor. The Tacoma and the Dodge are both leaf sprung front ends with 1979 Ford Dana 60's. I built the Taco from IFS to a Dana 44 to a Dana 60 on tires from 31's to 42's. I think you could save a lot of money on either the Jeep or the D-max by doing some junkyard diving and internet shopping.
1979 Ford Dana 60: $600-1000
ARB Locker: $800
5.38's and install: $400
35 spline hubs and stubs $500
Labor to set it up $500-1000
Cross over steering: $500
Front end :$3300-4200
I have also seen a lot of great deals on complete built front ends on Pirate 4x4 from $1500 up.
A 14 bolt rear is also really strong and cheap.
14 Bolt $150
Detroit locker: $450
5:38's $400
Disc brakes $250
Set up: $300?

I would go with the D-max and a topper or slide in camper, some mild lift/cranked t-bars and 33-35's, maybe a rear locker and a winch. That will get you a long way off the beaten path. If you really want 38-40's on the Jeep shop for some already built axles or start looking in junkyards and fields for an old 1 ton. If you really want tires bigger than 35's on an expo rig I think you are better off with a diesel pushing them, I get anywhere from 13mpg towing to 17mpg empty with my Cummins on 37's with 4.10's.

 

[blackdmax15]

Scott that price on diesel sucks. I though 3.70 here in Lemoore, CA was bad.

Blake i've been thinking along the same lines with junkyard axles but maybe doing a AAM 9.25 up front 11.5 rear. I know the prices are a little high on them but they are newer. And now there are more ring and pinion and locker options for them. Problem is all of those axles including the one you mentioned don't get along with the damn speed sensors on the jk. But depending on which engine i go with i'll get rid of all of that crap and not need them. I'm wanting to do a 4bt swap and spent a month or so on 4btswaps.com looking for answers but not satisfied. For the weight of a 4bt, you could go 100#s heavier and do a duramax. Plus you can find lb7 to lbz duramaxes for the same price as refurb or new 4bts??? I just think packaging it will be a problem. I've had a hundred different ideas just with budget and finding someone to take on this crazy project will be the problem. And i know some people are thinking just to buy an older vehicle but i already have the jk and love it (except for the power).

 

[blackdmax15]

think i've decided

Finally think that i have decided on a route to go. Truck still hasn't sold yet but once i get rid of the 4dr for a reg cab 2dr i'm probably going to build the dmax. For rock crawling the jeep would own the dmax but i'll be moving back east in 8 months and there isn't as much rock wheeling over there. There is but the trails are not all long rock gardens. I just looked at the complete build and what i want the end state to be with each and the dmax would be about 20-30k cheaper.

I know that seams crazy but putting full float prorock60s on a jk and swapping the engine and an atlas and tires/wheels and and and..... it adds up. It would take 10-12k to get the dmax where i wanted PLUS it would still be able to tow a jeep or bikes. I bought me a rear aam 11.5 axle and may start building on it but first priority is getting the truck sold haha. Thanks for everyones opinions.

Jordan

 

[chasespeed]

The earlier the Dmax you can get, the better. Especially if you are coming back east.... I was stationed in TX until 08.... coming back east was a shock with inspections, and all...

PLUS, you really DONT WANT all that emissions equip.. you wont be any better off with a newer truck, than a lifted JK mileage wise....

Chase

 

[blackdmax15]

The earlier the Dmax you can get, the better. Especially if you are coming back east.... I was stationed in TX until 08.... coming back east was a shock with inspections, and all...

PLUS, you really DONT WANT all that emissions equip.. you wont be any better off with a newer truck, than a lifted JK mileage wise....

Chase

Yeah that's why i want an LBZ. Don't have any feelings for LLYs and had an LB7 before and i don't feel like messing with injectors. LBZ also has the most HP before the LMM/LMLs so want to get something i don't have to mod. And a guy just called who is flying down from Idaho and think he's gonna get my LMM so need to find the reg cab now.

 

[chasespeed]

Well, truth be told, I am not a fan of the Dmax's. my last company had 99% of its service trucks with the dmax.... and I am grateful for my Cummins...

Good luck with whichever you choose..

Chase

 

[blackdmax15]

The truck is up for sale on autotrader and on ebay. Someone buy it so i can get me a reg cab and get my build going haha.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GMC-...70eQQitemZ250786821902QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks

 

[blackdmax15]

SO I know it has been a while. The route i decided to go was get a 2011 Regular Cab GMC LML Duramax. I've had really good luck with these trucks. They are super reliable and pretty descent mpgs also. I bought the truck to move my household goods from CA to SC where i'm stationed now. So far the mods have been A.R.E. Z-series truck cap with roof rack, Cognito stage 5 leveling kit with sulastic shackles and steering braces, 285/75 17 Toyo MT's and the oem factory step bars. I may upgrade to the denali 20" wheels and a 275/65 20 Michelin LTX AT/2. I had the michelins on my other truck and since i do mostly road driving they kick *** in all weather and even snow/ice. Enjoy the pics.

 

[Larry]

Good looking truck! I am a big fan of standard cab long beds, especially with cab high toppers like that! Those factory wheels look so much better with bigger tires than they do with the little OEM tires too. Good luck with your new rig. Keep us posted how you still like the diesel once it rolls out of warranty. You’re a braver man than I to buy a late model diesel with a DPF, not to mention one that requires urea. The sweetness of long range and decent MPG quickly fade into bitterness with the first $4500 injector job or issues with the after-treatment system on a late model diesel once they go out of warranty. Trade them off before the warranty expires is about the only way to own a diesel these days.

 

[blackdmax15]

Hey Larry, yeah i was a little worried about spending all of the money on the truck but i trade trucks very often (about once a year it seems), so i 'll probably have another jeep in a few months. If i didn't just buy my mom a Mini Cooper, i would have one right now. The DEF hasn't been a problem so far and my MPG's are pretty descent considering how heavy those TOYO MT's are. I was looking at doing a 4dr jk on 1tons and 37s with an healthy engine but the price of all of those mods were crazy so i kind of "settled" for this. This has almost everything i want except some of the clearance a jeep would have, except darn near half the price of the dream jeep build. Again, i still may do a jeep rubicon with some 33's or 35's but i have gotten accustomed to crazy torque and hp of the diesel trucks so it's hard to deal with no power. I'll keep this truck more than likely as a tow truck but i want to get a 94-01 12v cummins and just completely re do it from the ground up. Still thinkin about going back to 285/70 17 michelin LTX AT/2's or even the 255/80 17 km2's so see if that helps with the mpg's. I just don't know if the 255's will be to skinny for my liking. They looked good on your old reg cab chevy though.

 

[Motor16]

If you're still thinking of building the Dmax for more severe off road & want skid plates, take a peek under a GOV or Forestry 2500 if you find one. A lot of them have some substantial plating underneath. Not sure if its a GSA numbered part, part of the original spec on ordering, or a local manufactured part, but I've seen them on several so far. Last one I saw was an ex-Dept of Army base cop truck a dealer had, had full steel skids mounted under trans & transfer case.