I think With this latest mod, I've finally done enough to justify myself a build thread.

I bought this truck in February of '16. It's a ccsb XL 6.2 4x4 in magnetic grey with the xlt appearance package. It has e-lock 3.73 gears, cruise, sync and trailer brake controller. It is a manual window and lock truck with vinyl seats(which were a must for me).
I don't have any good pics, but this was stock form

First mods were small but very functional. I added a Hopkins back up camera and keyless entry. The keyless entry also allowed the front locks to control all four doors, so I kinda got power locks. I also tinted the windows.

In June, the truck got its first big test. We hooked up the 30' travel trailer and loaded the golf cart in the bed. We did a 1600 mile round trip to the outer banks of NC. The truck did great, and averaged nearly 10mpg with 8500lbs. This was crossing the TN/NC mountains and across the steepest interstate grade east of the Mississippi.


My next mod was a used set of 285/70r17 BFG AT's with 5k miles on them, that I traded my stockers for with my dad. I also added a 2wd air damn after ripping the factory one off on a shallow creek crossing.

Next up was a set of factory take off step bars I got off Craigslist for $100 bucks.

My Christmas present from the wife this year was an OEM fog light kit. This, along with removing the front license plate was a huge improvement on the front end to me. the added chrome on the grill was from a bust ebay purchase of a chrome overlay. It came with the chrome covers for the bars, but one didn't fit very well(way to tight) and fell off the following day. A phone call to "Peggy" from the capital one commercial, and I new it was a waste of time trying to resolve the issue. So those little chrome "[ ]" pieces are expensive.

I decided to give the interior a little love. I replaced the black radio/climate control bezel with a grey one, and added the chrome A/C vents.

The next mod was small, but has more meaning than any I've done or will do. This was for my youngest son who suffers from autism. The money spent goes to research, awareness and to help families with cost of therapy.

This brings me to my current set up. I dropped the truck off at Dougs off road yesterday for some 4.88 gears.
This is the last time the truck will look like this. I stopped by today to check on things. I had every intention of installing the lift myself, but with some time restraints for an upcoming rod run next week, and some cash price negotiations, I decided to let them install the 3.5" SST readylift lift kit. I also picked up my factory wheel and tires while I was there so the tire shop could put my TPMS sensors in the new wheels. The rear lift is in and the rear gear is set up. He had the front end opened up.Attachment 1

I Will get some wheel and tire pics tomorrow, and hopefully Monday some completed pictures. He gives a 1 year warranty on his gear installs, so he insist on doing the heat cycles himself. Future mods will be upfitters, bumper light bar, headlights, cab lights and a bed cover. Then, who knows?

 

Great write up Ron! Man when I 1st saw your post I got all excited because I thought maybe you had some pics of that lift and tires already!! You've done a great job so far on that truck and I can't wait to see what it looks like next week. I especially can't wait to hear your reviews on those gears.

 

Thanks Sir! Yeah, I'm pretty excited, like a kid at Christmas. Been planing and saving for this a long time and had some set backs. I'm borrowing dads gem green regular cab with 4.30's while my trucks getting the install. I'm getting spoiled already, and know the cost of gears will be worth it.

 

Very nice. I'll watch.

 

Great...I'll follow

 

Well crap, my wheels didn't come in on the truck today. Got to take my current wheels and tires back to the shop this afternoon, so they can get it off the rack. Oh well, this will give me a chance to drive it Monday, and feel the lift with current tires, and get to feel the power of those 4.88's with small tires

 

This is probably the thread I'm most excited about after some of our back and forth. Can't wait to see how it turns out!!

 

I hate it that your wheels didn't come in but that's gonna be a good comparison on your new gears with the same size tires you had.

 

That should be quite the experience driving with the 4.88 gears and smaller tires.

 

It actually will not be that bad. My current tires are 285/70r17, so >32.5". I don't live near the interstate and all my local hwys are 50-55. If I run with traffic at 60, I'll just be turning a little over 2k.

I snapped a few pics today

The 37x12.50r18 Nitto ridge grapplers

These are the tires set up against dads stock truck.

The front lift is on

 

Great thread and mods, that will be one good looker Ron. Looking forward to a 4.88 review.

 

Wow Ron gotta give ya credit for making this happen bud.

4.88s ?!??? Awesome!!!!!!!!

And sounds like you are a great father too.

BTW the scenery in the back of your pics is always beautiful. FTE members live in some nice areas. Where I live the only hills we have are overpasses and bridges.

 

Thanks everyone. Picked the truck up today. Truck drives great. Can not tell there is any lift on it. Drives just like it did when I dropped it off. No front drive shaft rub either.

100%, no doubt, 4.88's or at least 4.56 should have been an option on these trucks with 20" wheels. I've driven nearly 100 miles, mostly hwy, and my average is sitting on 13 even with the 32.5" tires. And that's with a half dozen "try out" runs.



Never mind the average, this was right after resetting it and pulling out from the garage.

The torque is unreal. This set up obviously isn't going to be the ideal set up for interstate cruising. But for someone that has 20" wheels with 34.1" tires, drives the interstate empty only occasionally and pulls heavy often, 4.88's should be considered if looking at gears.

Hopefully wheels and tires tomorrow.

 

Dude your gonna be KILLIN IT in four low!!!!!

 

On a side note, anyone know what this may be from? Mechanic said it fell out of the engine compartment and hit the floor while he had the impact on the front pinion. He never had the hood open and thinks it may have just been laying up there from the assembly line.