Thunder's Garage Tetris: 04 Taco + 12 CTS-V + 06 GSXR

That's the platform I'd love to start all over again for a family rig. Triple locked and can stuff 35's on stock suspension? Yes please. Throw on a GFC, awning, bumper/winch and fridge and you have a VERY capable wheeler/camper.

 

GFC and an awning?

 

Lol key words is FAMILY wheeler. My dog and I are happy ground tenter's with my current build but I hope to have kid's one day and also convince the wife to join one day as well.

 

Meh...my wife loves our ground setup. Couple of cots and an instant up tent are a great combo for east coast wheeling and camping. Too many trees around here to hit with overpriced expo crap stuck to the truck.

 

Another reason you hit the jackpot. haha

 

She's exceptionally patient to put up with me...I thought the 6 cars and trailers were going to break her for a moment to start after she moved in but we made it and we're pared down to just three cars/trucks now

 

Her ability to just read ebooks through the most fucked up obstacles still amazes me haha

 

Redoing some more hideous wiring I've done in the past. All connections getting soldered and heat shrunk.










Still looks like ass IMO, but much more reliable connection than a quick splice.

I'm getting better at it though.

 

Quick question-have you done UCAs? And if not have you has it caused any issues? I am looking at lifting 2-3" and I have a similar setup with ARB bumper but no winch.

I'm Debating between OME 881,882, eibach pro lift, or maybe wheelers t1 coils but dont know which one would be the best balance of lift and fitment with the stock UCA.

 

Never done UCAs and I've been lifted for almost 10 years now. No issues. Though it's getting about time I need to replace my upper ball joints. Those have 189k miles on them.
I personally prefer to leave the UCAs stock - yes you lose a little bit of down travel, but it also limits the amount of binding that your CV axles and steering components have to put up with when wheeling. There's always a tradeoff.

 

You must be getting good alignment numbers then, or just not rubbing. That's why I went with TC UCAs (plus got them for a deal) getting a little bit better alignment but can't find the right guy to get me to 3* of caster

 

Yeah I've had the caster pushed forward for as long as I can remember, the alignment guys don't even touch those settings. Pretty much all they ever adjust is the toe. I'm not sure how many degrees my caster is pushed forward. I think 2*. It's sort of a happy middle between not rubbing on the front or the back. I think if it were pushed further forward I would rub the washer reservoir.

 

Thanks. Any chance you know the spring rate and length on the coils you have? Are they the 550 or 650 ones they offer?

 

I actually think I have 600 lb coils. I asked All Pro if they could put those on for me instead of 550/650. Glad I did. If I had a winch, I might go 650. No idea on the length. It was whatever the standard length is for the AP coilovers.

 

You will out wheel most people with that truck on 33s and a crawl box. Had that setup for 8yrs and it was awesome, you will be amazed at what it will be able to do.

 

I'll just be happy to not have to play triple feet with the clutch and frying it to go slow all the time haha

 

Best part indeed!

 

Mitch when you were messing with the AC compressor did you do anything with the pulley? My bearing is going bad and I'm trying to figure out how to replace it and get the bearing PN

 

If you mean the idler pulley, that was new after I had timing belt work done so I didn't replace it. The compressor I bought had a new AC clutch and pulley so it was pretty much direct bolt on

 

No I already replaced the idler pulley, it's the AC clutch pulley bearing that's going bad. Ah well thanks anyways