I will start my own thread so as not to clutter yours up, but basically just a good tow rig/family hauler/car camper. I use it to pull a car to HPDE (track days) and sleep in the truck.
Urban 'Burban
- Thread starter Boyink
- Start date
Overlandtowater
Well-known member
Heck yeah dude.
Boyink
Member
Progress:
- Painted the tow hooks, roof rack, and receiver hitch
- Installed a phone mount.
- Replaced the factory sub
- Fixed a rear speaker
- Got new floormats
- Installed window deflectors
- Added a hitch-step to make getting in and out of the back easier.
- I removed the 2nd and 3rd row seats and threw them out for free on FB. I had a bit of a feeding frenzy - probably could have got some $ from them but I just needed them gone.
- On order: hood deflector, GPS mount, interior LED light kit
Boyink
Member
Spent two days on the paint - using a polishing compound then a good carnuba wax. Really came back nice, and I'm ready for the karate tournament now.
Got a look at the spare and it was 9 years old, so got that replaced at Discount Tire and lubed up the tire winch while it was out.
Decided to take advantage of the blank slate status and do some sound deadening. My wife has hearing loss in her left ear, so any amount I can quiet this down while at speed will help communication. After much research and confusion, I ordered this NVX double-layer material from Amazon. There are probably better solutions but the thought of only one round of cut and fit was attractive. 'Course, now that I have the stuff the temps dipped lower than what it wants for installation. Not sure when I'll be able to get to that as I'm just working in an apartment parking garage.
Noticed part of my grille was broken, so I snipped out the other side and installed some $10 placebo lights to fill the gaps:
Just in from installing an interior LED light kit from https://precisionled.com and holy cow what a difference. But either I used the wrong bulbs somewhere, or the overhead flipdown TV console used different bulbs, or they didn't ship me all the right bulbs. I ended up with too many dome lights and not enough courtesy lights.
Also changed out the cabin air filter. I don't like how they buried them in these trucks and looks like the PO didn't either. It was the dirtiest thing I've found on this truck yet.
With a stretch of cold weather coming I guess I'll get after scheduling work that I need shops to do for me - fluid changes, etc.
Got a look at the spare and it was 9 years old, so got that replaced at Discount Tire and lubed up the tire winch while it was out.
Decided to take advantage of the blank slate status and do some sound deadening. My wife has hearing loss in her left ear, so any amount I can quiet this down while at speed will help communication. After much research and confusion, I ordered this NVX double-layer material from Amazon. There are probably better solutions but the thought of only one round of cut and fit was attractive. 'Course, now that I have the stuff the temps dipped lower than what it wants for installation. Not sure when I'll be able to get to that as I'm just working in an apartment parking garage.
Noticed part of my grille was broken, so I snipped out the other side and installed some $10 placebo lights to fill the gaps:
Just in from installing an interior LED light kit from https://precisionled.com and holy cow what a difference. But either I used the wrong bulbs somewhere, or the overhead flipdown TV console used different bulbs, or they didn't ship me all the right bulbs. I ended up with too many dome lights and not enough courtesy lights.
Also changed out the cabin air filter. I don't like how they buried them in these trucks and looks like the PO didn't either. It was the dirtiest thing I've found on this truck yet.
With a stretch of cold weather coming I guess I'll get after scheduling work that I need shops to do for me - fluid changes, etc.
Boyink
Member
I got out of the oil change business years ago - between the mess, the cleanup, and the disposal I'm happy to pay to get it done. Basic oil change is $30 at Walmart - I'll pay that not to be out in the cold crawling around on damp cement..
I'm also walking a fine line here doing this project in an apartment parking ramp....
I've developed a good relationship with the maintenance staff (they even offered me use of their shop space for the cabinetry work), but pretty sure oil changes or any deeper mechanical repairs are frowned on.
Boyink
Member
With cold weather and snow in Tulsa I haven't gotten much done on the 'burb.
But I do feel like I should comment on a new vendor I tried for this project: Realtruck.com. Realtruck has been acquiring a lot of brands you might recognize including ARE, Bushwacker, Lund, Superlift, and especially important for Jeepers: OMIX. The full list is here: https://realtruck.com/our-brands/
I ordered Husky floormats, AVS window deflectors, and an AVS hood deflector. I actually used their online chat because I saw a reference saying I might be able to get a discount. I did, but maybe $12 on a $288 order.
The floormats and window deflectors shipped immediately and all was well.
The hood deflector, however, was "pending" because they didn't have it in stock and they had to "ship it from the manufacturer" (which they own). It stayed that way for over two weeks. I started pinging their customer service and even though RealTruck owns the AVS brand they were unable to get me any answers on when it would ship. I cancelled the order four days ago, and they still can't tell me if the thing has shipped or not or if they can refund my money yet. I spent time on the phone with their customer service, was promised email updates, and have gotten nothing.
All to say, I can't recommend RealTruck as a vendor. All is well if it's something in stock. But they advertise parts they don't actually have, don't respond to customer service inquiries, and make promises they are unable to keep. I'm not a fan of businesses that grow through acquisition and they are demonstrating all the reasons why.
Just hoping to get my $80 back at this point.
But I do feel like I should comment on a new vendor I tried for this project: Realtruck.com. Realtruck has been acquiring a lot of brands you might recognize including ARE, Bushwacker, Lund, Superlift, and especially important for Jeepers: OMIX. The full list is here: https://realtruck.com/our-brands/
I ordered Husky floormats, AVS window deflectors, and an AVS hood deflector. I actually used their online chat because I saw a reference saying I might be able to get a discount. I did, but maybe $12 on a $288 order.
The floormats and window deflectors shipped immediately and all was well.
The hood deflector, however, was "pending" because they didn't have it in stock and they had to "ship it from the manufacturer" (which they own). It stayed that way for over two weeks. I started pinging their customer service and even though RealTruck owns the AVS brand they were unable to get me any answers on when it would ship. I cancelled the order four days ago, and they still can't tell me if the thing has shipped or not or if they can refund my money yet. I spent time on the phone with their customer service, was promised email updates, and have gotten nothing.
All to say, I can't recommend RealTruck as a vendor. All is well if it's something in stock. But they advertise parts they don't actually have, don't respond to customer service inquiries, and make promises they are unable to keep. I'm not a fan of businesses that grow through acquisition and they are demonstrating all the reasons why.
Just hoping to get my $80 back at this point.
Boyink
Member
Small steps...getting snow just delayed everything I was planning. Got the final LED's for the doors, and a different bug shield than the one RealTruck could sell but not fulfill.
The real purpose for the bugshield is to mask the 3" dent on the hose of the hood. Figured this was easier than bodywork.
The real purpose for the bugshield is to mask the 3" dent on the hose of the hood. Figured this was easier than bodywork.
CamptheBurb
New member
Any updates on your build?
Boyink
Member
A few updates, now that the weather is favorable to working on the rig again.
I sourced a Z71 rack and swapped it on. It sits ~2" higher than the regular rack, plus has beefier side rails and a rear roller bar for loading long things. And I am planning a tandem kayak at some point. I put LED lights in the rear corner housings. Not wired up yet as this is phase 1, phase 2 of the roof is a custom full-length platform that will sit on top of the rack. That will get more lights so I'll wait and do the wiring all at once.
Other upgrade is LED fog lights. Will swap the headlights out to match soon.
I sourced a Z71 rack and swapped it on. It sits ~2" higher than the regular rack, plus has beefier side rails and a rear roller bar for loading long things. And I am planning a tandem kayak at some point. I put LED lights in the rear corner housings. Not wired up yet as this is phase 1, phase 2 of the roof is a custom full-length platform that will sit on top of the rack. That will get more lights so I'll wait and do the wiring all at once.
Other upgrade is LED fog lights. Will swap the headlights out to match soon.
Boyink
Member
Rack/light project phase 2 complete.
Started with Z71 rack, added Makerpipe platform (including built-in towel rack). Used 2" muffler clamps to secure platform to rack. Added ditch lights, side/scene lights, and rear lights in the Z71 corners.
Wired up the system with a 6-circuit wireless remote panel. Wires run up windshield in rubber trim. Added a used/repainted Yakima wind deflector.
Headlights, fog lights, and backup lights all got changed out to LED. For this era Chevy there's a headlight hack where you ground the low beams and they stay on with the highs - did that as well.
Eventually the roof will hold an awning, shower/changing room, and storage box for an inflatable kayak. I'm assuming I'll need to modify the platform to mount all of that but flexibility is one reason I did the Makerpipe approach.
Ditch Light brackets: https://amzn.to/3LYKPrH
Ditch lights: https://amzn.to/49IhX0z
Switch panel: https://amzn.to/4onH8cD
Six conductor wire: https://amzn.to/48B3sKS
Wire hider: https://amzn.to/4p0kojN
Side lights: https://amzn.to/44mfzck
(Wouldn't recommend the rear lights I used - good enough for now but not nearly as bright as others.
Next phase is interior build-out - and I'm using the Makerpipe stuff there as well. Plan is to frame in a bed platform and side cabinet, then just skin it with plywood.
Started with Z71 rack, added Makerpipe platform (including built-in towel rack). Used 2" muffler clamps to secure platform to rack. Added ditch lights, side/scene lights, and rear lights in the Z71 corners.
Wired up the system with a 6-circuit wireless remote panel. Wires run up windshield in rubber trim. Added a used/repainted Yakima wind deflector.
Headlights, fog lights, and backup lights all got changed out to LED. For this era Chevy there's a headlight hack where you ground the low beams and they stay on with the highs - did that as well.
Eventually the roof will hold an awning, shower/changing room, and storage box for an inflatable kayak. I'm assuming I'll need to modify the platform to mount all of that but flexibility is one reason I did the Makerpipe approach.
Ditch Light brackets: https://amzn.to/3LYKPrH
Ditch lights: https://amzn.to/49IhX0z
Switch panel: https://amzn.to/4onH8cD
Six conductor wire: https://amzn.to/48B3sKS
Wire hider: https://amzn.to/4p0kojN
Side lights: https://amzn.to/44mfzck
(Wouldn't recommend the rear lights I used - good enough for now but not nearly as bright as others.
Next phase is interior build-out - and I'm using the Makerpipe stuff there as well. Plan is to frame in a bed platform and side cabinet, then just skin it with plywood.
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