06_crewcab_ss

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May 12, 2013
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So I got this truck on January 7, 2012 and have big plans for it. But we all know how much money and time these things take so I figured I would make a build thread to show everyone the progress so far and any future updates.

Here it is the day I brought it home



Bought it used with 72,xxx miles, clean as can be, and loaded beyond belief. Have had a few problems with it since then but everything is all fixed up and happy again.
First issue was a leak in the pinion seal while it was still under warranty. I usually would just take car of it myself but I figured I'd use the dealer since it was under the 30 day warranty and had them check the brakes while they had it..big mistake. This is what happened on the way home from picking it up. The "tech" didn't torque the wheels and the lugs backed off going down the road at about 60mph. The wheel came off, I watched it passed me, then I saw it flying in the air after hitting another car.



Then had the trans go out, also replaced under the warranty with a brand new trans from GM.

First mods started out as a Magnaflow bolt on catback and a Volant intake. That held me for a while, she sounded good, ran good and I figured I'd stop messing for a while.

Of course it didn't last long so I decided I liked the look of them lowered a little. Took the rear blocks out and decranked the torsion bars. Then I decided to get the SS replica wheels with some Nitto NT420 tires and a Hellwig rear sway bar. Its amazing how much difference in handling a sway bar and good tires can make.

It was then time for a nice tune from Black Bear Performance. And I must say, it has been an incredible difference after the tune. Gas mileage even went up, that is as long as I can keep my foot out of it haha. I found a pretty awesome ODBII port cover for if it ever goes in to the dealer too



So here she is as she currently sits. I love the look of it now.





Next on the list is probably going to be bumpers and plastics colormatched to the truck.

This is probably hard to read since it's my first real build thread. But stay tuned as I have big plans drivetrain wise for it.

Let me know what you guys think
 
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Tylers88

3 GM's and a Jeep
Apr 16, 2012
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Clarion, IA
Looks good so far. I think it would look even better at 3/5-4/6 with full SS cladding/bumpers down the road.
 

Tylers88

3 GM's and a Jeep
Apr 16, 2012
6,949
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Clarion, IA
SS cladding would be awesome, how does it fit on the crew cabs?

Doesn't :lol: Takes work but looks awesome
IMAG0775.jpg
 

Tylers88

3 GM's and a Jeep
Apr 16, 2012
6,949
494
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Clarion, IA
that looks sick! I'm sold. What all would I have to buy to make it work?

Honestly I'm not sure. Purely a guess here but a full set of the cladding with an extra set of rockers and extra rear door sections so you can cut/mold to fit your truck. Sorry I'm sold you on it and can't help you more.
 

06_crewcab_ss

Member
May 12, 2013
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Well, I destroyed my rear diff a couple weeks ago. Guy who rebuilt it said it was the worst he had ever seen. The carrier split into like 3 bigger pieces and shattered the rest. I have no idea how I did this, considering the only real performance done to the truck is an intake, exhaust, and tune. Its also only been down the track maybe 5 times since I've owned it. Of course, I did buy it used so who knows how it was driven before.

But I got it rebuilt with a Detroit TrueTrac and new gears from Motive. I was planning on switching to a 4.10 gear but sadly this came at a horrible time financially so I couldn't afford to get both diffs rebuilt. It's too dark to get pictures of my carnage tonight so I'll be posting them up tomorrow after work.

Must say though, from the couple weeks I've had the truetrac I can definitely feel that its a tighter carrier and much better for a street performance oriented truck
 

06_crewcab_ss

Member
May 12, 2013
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its the terrible g80, they always break into multiple pieces, you will love the truetrac.

that's what I've noticed, I can't count how many broken g80s I've seen. No idea where the guy that rebuilt it has been but the g80 was one of the worst parts of these truck, along with the car transmission and weak hub bearings.

that's just what I wanted to hear about the truetrac, I found a bunch of threads online praising it, but also found a couple bad so i'm glad to be hearing more good
 

06_crewcab_ss

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May 12, 2013
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Okay i'm thinking about going 4/6 on my truck soon. What company do you guys recommend for all the parts? Was thinking about doing DJM control arms and spindles then adjusting the front height as needed. Are the arms good and reliable? This is my dd so I can't have parts breaking all the time. Also what flip kit and notch does everyone run?

I'll need helper bags too since I occasionally tow a small boat or my buddies integra, so what do you recommend for them as well?

Just trying to do this right the first time so I don't regret it or have to redo it all again

Thanks everyone :shake:
 

Dakota

Dat Static 4wd
Mar 12, 2012
15,997
1,041
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texarkana
If you want arms run 3" djm arms and decrank your keys..DO NOT run arms and spindles, trust me you dont want this bumpsteer
The arms are reliable and ride pretty good imo
You can run 2" spindles and 2500 keys and decrank to get the height you want and its still a pretty good ride for a lot less money
Run mcg flip and notch and the mcg helper bag kit for the rear
 

Dakota

Dat Static 4wd
Mar 12, 2012
15,997
1,041
113
texarkana
This is what I would run if i were you..
•Mcgaughys 17+ 2" spindles
•2500 keys deceanked to your desired height
•mcgaughys flip with bolt in notch
•mcgaughys helper bag kit
Ran this same setup for the longest time with no issues
 

06_crewcab_ss

Member
May 12, 2013
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This is what I would run if i were you..
•Mcgaughys 17+ 2" spindles
•2500 keys deceanked to your desired height
•mcgaughys flip with bolt in notch
•mcgaughys helper bag kit
Ran this same setup for the longest time with no issues

Cool thanks.

So just to double check part numbers before I start ordering parts,
2500 keys
mcgaughys spindles #33004
mcgaughys flip kit #33034
mcgaughys c notch #33033
mcgaughys helper bags #33024

What height tire am I going to have to run? right now I have 285/50r20 nitto nt420s, about 31.3" tall, on silverado ss replicas, would I need a shorter tire to run a 4/6?
 

06_crewcab_ss

Member
May 12, 2013
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Baltimore, Maryland, United States
awesome thanks :shake:

Your truck has my inspiration for lowering my z71, everybody kept telling me I was crazy but now that I've seen so many dropped it just looks perfect. Just wish I could go as low a you, sadly with it being a dd still and the shitty roads around me I would tear stuff up at every turn lol

Edit..meant to ask, what would be the best shock to run for that height?