Outfitting a 2500 Silverado

[britome]

Just rented a landcruiser with rooftop tents in NZ and I’m hooked.

Rather than buy some smaller vehicle and then beef up the suspension, Im outfitting my current 2010 Z71 Silverado which has more than enough suspension and bash plates. Im going to wade into this slowly because I know I have an addiction to farkles and bolt-ons. This has been established with my motorcycle which I do adventure rides with. I’ve already bought this tent off Craigslist

And ordered the Leitner rack with a couple pods.
My questions...

1. does anyone have recommendations for a front bumper that will give me more ground clearance.
2. it looks like if I find one and mount a winch, it will block the transmission cooler. Is this a problem and what is the fix?
3. are there any other must do’s for the first stage of my rig?

Thanx for the help.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Explorerinil]

The limiting factor of any gm truck is the IFS, beware of that. Before going too deep into your build. Look at ARB, I think they make a GM bumper, for a winch go with warn, get at least a 10k, I wouldn’t worry about blocking anything.

 

[Regcabguy]

Yeah,the shop I use beefs up the GM's IFS marginal frontend components with aftermarket.

 

[Explorerinil]

Yeah,the shop I use beefs up the GM's IFS marginal frontend components with aftermarket.

Adding a winch and bumper I would upgrade anything I can on that IFS set up.

 

[SoTxAg06]

I went with PPE TREs on my 2500HD after trashing a set of moog units. They were beefy, and took abuse well. Also put on a set of Kryptonite upper A arms that were a drastic improvement over stock. They help correct the ball joint angle after cranking the torsion bats to level the truck. I had planned to go with their steering brace, idler arm, and idler arm support, but got rid of the truck before that happened. Even with that, the ifs wasn’t really happy with a heavy front bumper, but it was better than stock.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bknudtsen]

Yeah,the shop I use beefs up the GM's IFS marginal frontend components with aftermarket.

Can’t go wrong with Cognito Motorsports.

 

[BPD53]

Love these IFS related posts. Since you drive a GM product your ifs will literally blow up the very second you touch gravel.

GM IFS = Stranded and left for dead ? (If you can't tell I'm being sarcastic...I camp in a GM and joke about GM hate.)

Save your money and go out exploring before you spend a dime. Your adventures will tell you what you need to purchase. If you find yourself burning through ball joints/tie rods/hubs then upgrade but get as much life out of them as possible. If you keep an eye on your components then you'll know what's necessary to upgrade.

A sawsall is a great alternative to a high clearance winch bumper that just adds tons of unnecessary weight. A hidden winch mount or even a front receiver hitch with a winch is a great start. If your just getting started don't get caught up in the Expo BS. Expo is a horrible place to be if your just getting started. You'll likely end up getting a ton of stuff that's not needed on YOUR adventures.

If you find yourself in genuine need of something more than once then buy it.

I think you'll find that you'll go a long way with your current configuration. I've led a few bone stock Chevy 1500s a bunch of really cool places with very little trouble.

Just my two cents after off roading and camping out of GM's bastard child for about a decade.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

I currently drive an ‘02 2500HD. Went through the same thought process as you. On my former ‘96 Ram I ran an ARB Sahara bumper (good piece of kit) with a 15k Warn winch. The weight of the two was, IMO, too much for my 1/2-ton even with the solid axles. I tried all kinds of things to help out but all of that weight cantilevered out front had an effect on steering, etc. When I began thinking about outfitting the Chevy, I looked at the ARB but it sits too proud for my taste and again, the cantilever issue. I’m about to install a Warn Transformer grill guard and winch carrier with the aforementioned 15k. Yup, it’ll look like a service truck but I don’t care. I’m hoping my measurements are accurate and that it’s lighter and tighter than the ARB.
Subscribed. ?

 

[luthj]

NZ has a way of inspiring the explorer in many for some reason.

Regarding the IFS, specifically the 2500 version, its very beefy. The vast majority of broken GM IFS incidents result from poorly designed lift kits, or from people cranking the hell out of the torsion bars. If you actually need extra lift beyond 1-1.5", you need a lift kit that drops the LCA AND diff equally. Keep the CV and tie rod angles close to the factory design, and you will have minimal issues. Not my photo below, but shows what the front suspension will look like for optimal life, and a good ride.



I would also humbly suggest avoiding upgrades (many wasted in my opinion) until you get some serious miles on the truck. I have worked on the few of these vehicles, and have found the factory design robust. If/when you have premature wear or breakage, you can consider the $$$$$$$ upgrades.

 

[Umbrarian]

Love these IFS related posts. Since you drive a GM product your ifs will literally blow up the very second you touch gravel.

17 years and 300K miles later, my 02 2500HD with a 400lb RanchHand FrontEnd Replacement + Winch + Rancho Lift has yet to have a problems. I must be doing something wrong.

 

[fl0w3n]

Can’t go wrong with Cognito Motorsports.

Agree'd. There's also a lot of bandwagon hating going on in here so far... not sure why that's necessary or even warranted.

Recommendations from the couple of 2500's I've done:
Upgraded tie rods
Upper control arms
Kryptonite ball joints have an unlimited lifetime warranty against all abuse... and they stand up to it
A good set of shocks
Replace the jounce stops if they're worn out
Get a idler arm brace (PISK kit)
Upgrade the idler arm and pivot
Rebuild the steering gearbox and pump from LEE Power Steering or Red Head, or buy a PSC unit
Don't run MOOG, I haven't had luck with them and a number of people reportedly don't on this platform either
If the hubs go bad, use Timken, don't cheap out or you'll be back there doing it again. Again, you can get lifetime warranty from Kryptonite (Dmax Store) if you pay an extra $20 or so per unit
Deaver mini pack in the rear with a u-bolt reversal kit
Watch the alignment of the torsion key and the torsion adjuster nut, sometimes the key likes to pivot (front to back ways) and will cause it to wear out

These are not all necessary, except maybe the tie rods, but should be done as you see fit. Or, if you just like peace of mind, knock it all out at once

 

[Kyron]

So, your not going to put the dirtbike in back of the truck?

 

[BPD53]

Agree'd. There's also a lot of bandwagon hating going on in here so far... not sure why that's necessary or even warranted.

My hating was sarcastic. Sarcasm doesn't translate well over the Internet.

I've been wheeling an ifs GM product with great results. Mine doesn't live an easy life so I think most of the GM hate is propaganda.

The OP will be just fine.

I'll clarify my earlier post.

 

[SoTxAg06]

Agree'd. There's also a lot of bandwagon hating going on in here so far... not sure why that's necessary or even warranted.

Recommendations from the couple of 2500's I've done:
Upgraded tie rods
Upper control arms
Kryptonite ball joints have an unlimited lifetime warranty against all abuse... and they stand up to it
A good set of shocks
Replace the jounce stops if they're worn out
Get a idler arm brace (PISK kit)
Upgrade the idler arm and pivot
Rebuild the steering gearbox and pump from LEE Power Steering or Red Head, or buy a PSC unit
Don't run MOOG, I haven't had luck with them and a number of people reportedly don't on this platform either
If the hubs go bad, use Timken, don't cheap out or you'll be back there doing it again. Again, you can get lifetime warranty from Kryptonite (Dmax Store) if you pay an extra $20 or so per unit
Deaver mini pack in the rear with a u-bolt reversal kit
Watch the alignment of the torsion key and the torsion adjuster nut, sometimes the key likes to pivot (front to back ways) and will cause it to wear out

These are not all necessary, except maybe the tie rods, but should be done as you see fit. Or, if you just like peace of mind, knock it all out at once

Agree with your upgrades. I bought my truck used, and it came with issues from the PO. The IFS road nice, but I wish Chevy would have gone coil over vs. torsion bar suspension. There are conversions now, but I didn’t keep my truck long enough to justify that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Buddha.]

The ‘11 and later HD’s are supposed to have a stonger front end. I wonder if all these upgrades are necessary on those as well?