First gen build

First gen I’ve had for three years now. Ended up making it my daily driver. Completely stock, but bringing it into the garage for a few long overdue upgrades this week. This is yesterday on the farm, can’t wait to get started on some things I’ve always wanted to do to this truck. I’ve beat the hell out of it going hunting, camping, and at work. Will post more photos later this week after the work is done if anyone cares to follow.

 

I'm a couple pay days away from a suspension rebuild, I've been collecting parts for what feels like forever. Bit by bit, what are you going to do with it?

 

@devanHI I know what it’s like man, I just waited till I had all the money to get one big start on it.

I’m trying to make it into an “overland” truck, essentially, while also still my daily driver. But these trucks are great as is, so I’m starting off with 3” lift in front, 2.5” in back. Throwing 33inch BFG KO2 tires on and a new set of wheels to clean it up (We’ll see if I need some spacers, I know I will have to trim some plastic). New KYB struts, bilstein 5100s for rear shocks (trying out that setup, neighbor has exact same suspension setup and he has good remarks about it). Putting in new LED projector headlights and taillights.... I don’t believe in light bars, yet- will be putting in some LED amber fog light pods though because the fog is terrible where I live in the fall. And then having a buddy fab up some rock sliders I will be welding on next week.

Just got off work, starting this project as we speak. Got all the parts except for the sliders. Pretty excited but got a lot of work to do between now and Monday!

 

Definitely curious how those bfg's will fit. Do you have locking hubs? That's been an issue for me choosing wheel and tire size, locking hubs are great but complicate sifting the bazillion choices haha

 

@devanHI I don't have manual locking hubs if that's what you mean. But I do have locking hubs, just automatic 4x4.

 

New wheels, BFG tires, shocks and struts, and head and tail lights on. Struts were giving me a hard time. Had some wiring issues with the headlights to get the halos to work around the bulbs, they didn't want to turn on when spliced into the parking light. Ended up just leaving it with the main beams only being able to turn on for now.

Anyone know much about power steering issues on these things? Seeking some input...

 

Looking good! Any rubbing with those tires? What issues are you having with your steering?

 

@devanHI Oh yeah there was some pretty serious rubbing at first. It was the bottom fender bolt/screw on the mudflap that the tire rubbed on. Replaced the one screw with a flatter panhead screw and the rubbing (at least the loud annoying noise) is minimal.

 

Looks good! Are you doing a strut spacer in the front for the lift? Cus from my experience the KYB Gas-a-Just’s aren’t adjustable...

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Hhl225E8A


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5k61KXRK8bM

you need to also check out the roll pin / tack weld steering mod

 

@SkunkMan17 Correct. I used a 2.5 inch strut spacer. The adjusting I believe refers to the compression and rebound although I have yet to tinker with that. But, I think I am going to redo the shocks and struts all the way around, I don’t like the ride- thought I could get away with the whole block and spacer lift but it’s real sh*t when driving off-road. Might jump on the bandwagon and do 5100s all the way around and 881 coil. Thoughts?

 

@Dalandser I’ll have to look into that, thanks man! Anything is better than the leak it is now

 

I run KYB Gas-a-justs on the rear and the Monroe’s up front. I hear really good things about the bilstein 5100’s and the adjustment on them relate to the height settings.

 

i love green tacos~
Are you just stock in the rear? Yours seems to sit right nice.

 

How do you like the headlights? I just picked up an 03 and they're pretty awful, I was thinking about an upgrade.

 

@SkunkMan17 @Taco critter
Did some more research based off the shackle statement. Sounds like I may be able to get longer shackles and take out those damn blocks (that'll let the leaf springs breathe...) but then I would need to find a shock that can go that whole length without a block.

I need to retain the height of my truck right now in order to clear my 33 inch tires (3 inch lift). Sounds like with a shackle extension, a longer travel shock in the rear, 5100s + 881 coils in front will allow me to do this and make the ride as good as it was stock. Anyone got ideas for a rear shock?

 

The rancho shocks or the bilstein 5100’s in the rear would probably work fine. Or kings/foxes/icons, but those are all very expensive.
Rancho and bilstein, and rough country i think are the only shock manufacturers that make lifted shocks for the 1st gen rear as far as I know.

 

I know it’s been a while since I showed progress on the truck but I’ve done a lot of work since last being on here. All new suspension, new CV axle adjusted my valves and made my own IFS skid plate as a little project to see how it would turn out. Photos to follow....

 

Here is how the truck sits after a month of driving on the new kit. OME nitros, 882s, and Dakar leaf springs

 

Just enough “flex”, right?