*RIP* Bijan's #EXPOASF Long Travel Build

Haha I didn't even know she was listening, most of the time she hears me talking about trucks is when I'm on the phone with friends.

The plans if going +2 were just to do DMZ SUA and my buddy was going to box up the rear of the truck. 12" Kings for now then one day going through the bed.

3.5 is nearly the same setup but I would go to a Baja bumper and fenders. Me selling my ARB would cover the cost for fenders and vinyl to wrap, and I know someone who builds bumpers locally and i'd just have him make something on a weekend

 

Well shit man it sounds like you got it figured out pretty well, just need some fenders. I would see about getting on the list for a bumper and then selling the arb if you are ok letting it go...I never had one but they look heavy as shit. Man if you are already going DMZ and want shocks through the bed...I feel its almost a disrespect to not go 3.5 honestly. Your rear will likely feel better than your front by a long shot with that set up.

 

I second it, glass it is

 

You really need to decide what you're trying to achieve with you truck and build it accordingly. This post makes it sound like you want to focus on desert stuff, which is fine, but then you're probably not going to want to do the full on camper setup and you'll want to cut weight anywhere you can so say goodbye to the ARB bumper.

You created and "expo" following, which is also cool but do you see a need to do a full on SUA conversion to make a rig capable of multiple terrain? When we first started talking, you wanted to do more technical trails and explorer new areas. You don't need SUA to do that.

Figure out what you want to use your truck for and run with it. If you want to go fast, go 3.5" with DMZ SUA and send it. If you want to explorer new areas, get the +2 kit and keep your current rear setup since you're already cycling a full 12" shock and go have a good time. If you want to do it all, which we all have a tendency to desire, then idk what to tell you. +2" w/ TC SUA with heavy duty leafs maybe? You could probably keep your current shock hoops and get a more aggressive shock to serve your purpose. Idk for sure though, I haven't cycled that setup.

We've never wheeled together so I don't know your tendencies or driving style. I can only speak from my experience, style, and what I know my truck is moderate at and what it sucks at. It's not GOOD at a damn thing but it'll hold it's own in most categories.

 

There is a good point to this...if you plan to have a camper and all the expo stuff still then I know going SUA could be interesting although I think some do similar with the DMZ kit with success. Snowsk8air2 has the DMZ with an AAL in the pack from deaver since he has a custom 300 pound bumper with all sorts of crap and his works great and he drives his ride ape shit compared to me in the whoops. I would argue though that if you went with the TC SUA you might have a pretty harsh time since the travel wont be as much and the HD version atleast wasnt the most forgiving on hits in general. I couldnt wait to be done with that SUA, but I think the DMZ is still a solid pack. I know Tim always brags it gets nicer the more weight you have it on. Lastly, Deaver is pretty good about designing their packs to the customer weight and Tim has had his kit with them for long enough that folks have done similar with a camper to a degree. The thing is, if you commit to the camper you might be able to adjust and remove an AAL, but the weight could be significant enough too that it might need a new pack.

I would call up deaver when you get a chance and run them through your ideas for the rear and see what they say in terms of options as they will know what they can design to better than anyone else.

 

I should add that I am aware that the TC SUA kit doesn't pull the travel the DMZ does and is considered more of a "glorified mid-travel." I was trying to find a happy medium for the example. The TC kit requires a lot less labor to install and you still gain bump travel which is mainly what kills the SOA setup in higher speed applications.

 

No worries man I was mainly referencing the TC mid travel cause I have actual experience with the HD one in the event he was curious about that option with a +2. Honestly after thinking about it more...having the dmz with a +2 would still be a better set up in the long run than the TC one as like you said it is a dedicated mid travel kit for OEM kings. Having the +2 front will still make that rear a little lacking. Agreed as one of the main advantages of SUA is the bump travel you get which gets you an actual travel increase instead of just a shift in the orientation of the travel like standard SOA lifts do.

 

So you were THAT displeased with your TC SUA kit? What was your shock setup paired with it?

 

Yea man it felt ok with when I had OEM kings, but even then it was a little harsh. When I went LT up front it obviouosly just couldnt keep up at all. That said, I only had 12" 2.0 smoothie kings with clickers with the BAMF relocation so it got a full 12. I think it works well with OEM kings, but beyond that...meh.

 

The problem with OE fitment shocks is they limit travel so badly due to top mount location. If you remove the shock you gain inches of travel. I was kind of looking at the kit to pair with a relocation and a 12" shock, mainly to gain the bump travel for the desert stuff. Maybe throw a bypass in there and see how it does. Anything would be better than the Dakars I currently have.

 

Yea the shocks do limit things alot, but if you stay SOA then I think you only get like an inch tops in travel up top since it cant go anywhere like you said. I think a bypass would be better for the rear as my buddy has the TC SUA but with doubles or triples and I think it feels much healthier than my rear did. I got to admit though, many things are better than dakars. Are you looking to go LT up front?

 

You're not wrong. My Dakars have done well for a cheap leaf pack but they are unimpressive to say the least.

Going LT changes per the day. Originally I wanted to and I have since changed my mind numerous times. Realistically, for the right price I would in a heart beat but it wont be any time soon. If I did I would probably still do the +2 kit simply because of my application. My truck doesn't do horrible as it is and if anything was the weak point it would be the lack of bump travel in the rear.

 

Honestly man might be worth just upgrading your rear and see how the front does and then reassess from there? I feel the front can take a little more if its lacking from the rear than the other way around. Top of that, the rear depending on what you get might not put you in a predicament like the front might with glass. If your rear starts to kick ass and make you want more speed...then I think you might be in a better mindset to make a better decision? The TC kit can be installed pretty cheap and doable if you are comfortable with a welder. You may want to put out a feeler if you decide that the tc kit is something worth investing and see if someone is itching to off load to upgrade to LT?

 

#Chevy63swapFTW

 

That will definitely be the route I go. I know what my truck is weakest at and the rear will need more work than the front for what I use it for. When I am ready to make the jump I'll put a feeler out but there is a long list of shit I need to do to first and that falls towards the bottom at this point. I'd really be interested in finding someone local with the kit and checking it out more. I'd love to do an install for someone to get a better idea of numbers. That's what it'll really come down to.

 

GTFO

 

Shell on, shell off.

I’ll end up going bed rack + tent in the future to keep weight down. @fatfurious2 yes the M55, not the M49, not M54, not even M56

Did you get yours yet?

 

You're going through the same stages of my build. I had a a low rack, contractor cap, then bed rack too.

Im hoping it ships this week. In the meantime, I put Hammer Hangers on today..

 

@Shmellmopwho has said good things about HH. Did you too feel the rear not shimmy after?

 

And for those who know Jim's truck...I drooled so much at this. The main issue that we both had with the Flippac were it being too heavy, not waterproof, and not built well enough.

Well this son of a bit** went ahead and just made it himself. Props to this guy, he killed it. Pictures are from Jim himself.