Badassblaze's 2006 Dmax DD/Tow rig build

Where did you end up getting the led's from? Been wanting to do the led change over for a while, just haven't convinced myself yet lol
 
Where did you end up getting the led's from? Been wanting to do the led change over for a while, just haven't convinced myself yet lol


Ebay. I'm going the SMT route on LEDs as they have a way wider viewing angle so there won't be any hot spots. I may have to get creative with soldering them in place, but I think they will work just fine. My total was $21 bucks shipped for 100 SMT LEDs and 400 549ohm resisters (yes I know excessive but I couldn't find them in lesser quantities). I'm doing bright white as I didn't want to change gauge colors or any of that business, just wanted clean lighting. I'll post pics when I do it.
 
Already have my tunes. IdahoRob tunes. Optimized Stock (whatever that means lol), +40rwhp tow tune w/turbo brake, +70rwhp economy tune, +90rwhp street tune/dd tune, +120rwhp race tune. I can't tell a whole lot of difference in mileage 70 to 90 tunes, but to be fair I haven't had a chance to compare on an even scale. I did get about 20-22 on my stock tune, but perfect conditions, i.e. no headwind, no stop and go traffic, drafting 18 wheelers when I could. On the 70 or 90hp tunes, I'm getting about the same in less than ideal conditions. I got 18.6mpg (70hp tune) on the same stretch of road I was getting 21 on stock tune, except I was stuck in stop and go traffic for 45 minutes. I'm pretty happy with them. I don't run the 70 tune a whole lot, the 90 just seems to have a lot more get up and go than 20hp would lead you to believe.

Trans: I'm going to do a transgo jr for now... I've had it for a month and haven't had a chance to put it in. Putting aside some money for a transmission, but I don't abuse it so it should hang in there. I'll probably have a localish transmission build it when its time, nothing too crazy, just something that can take 550ish to the wheels
 
I got my HIDs in the high beams. 1st impression: Damn thats alot of light. 2nd impression: Damn thats alot of light!! Then I go stand in front of the truck and am permanently blinded. Since the high beams don't have the little shield over them that blocks the glare, they are blinding. Its ok though, I don't plan on driving into on coming traffic with them on, and the out put is awesome. Did the 4 hi mod so I can switch over to highs, the back to lows no issues.

All my Cognito stuff finally came in, so this weekend will be a wrenchfest staring me myself and I. I'm going to have to really work to get it all done, but its possible. I'll try to remember to take pictures as I go
 
And :bird: to GM IFS suspension. I have been working on it since Friday and finally am making progress. I couldn't get the pitman arm off for anything. I struggled and struggled using a puller and couldn't get it off. I finally drove to Waco, got a die grinder and cut a slot all the way through it and drove a chisel into it to split it. Then using a puller, it came off. This is also after I have taken the power steering box loose from the frame to lift it up where I can get a puller.

Summary so far: All steering braces in, weld in gusset in, idler pivot assembly is in, new Moog pitman and idler arms, and the driver side UCA.

Still to go:
Passenger side UCA
Press out old LCA ball joints, press new Moog LCA ball joints in
Reassemble CV axles (because GM put the LCA bolt in backwards and hits on the CV )
Reassemble swaybar
Reassemble LCAs
Reassemble tie rods
Reassemble sway bar end links
Reassemble knuckles/brakes/wheels/tires
 
And :bird: to GM IFS suspension. I have been working on it since Friday and finally am making progress. I couldn't get the pitman arm off for anything. I struggled and struggled using a puller and couldn't get it off. I finally drove to Waco, got a die grinder and cut a slot all the way through it and drove a chisel into it to split it. Then using a puller, it came off. This is also after I have taken the power steering box loose from the frame to lift it up where I can get a puller.

Summary so far: All steering braces in, weld in gusset in, idler pivot assembly is in, new Moog pitman and idler arms, and the driver side UCA.

Still to go:
Passenger side UCA
Press out old LCA ball joints, press new Moog LCA ball joints in
Reassemble CV axles (because GM put the LCA bolt in backwards and hits on the CV )
Reassemble swaybar
Reassemble LCAs
Reassemble tie rods
Reassemble sway bar end links
Reassemble knuckles/brakes/wheels/tires

:roflsquared:
 
Hopefully finish it up this weekend. Hope my steering box isn't leaking bad. It appears to have started leaking where the steering shaft goes into the box... hopefully its driveable for a while because I'm tired of working on it
 
How did this weekends festivities turn out? And by that I mean how much shit did ya get done :laugh:
 
Got it all done and driving it again. No real difference in ride, but that is to be expected because I have the same old shocks. The steering is great though. Super tight.
 
Think my next items are going to be Foxes, Sulastic shackle for the rear, and a Pioneer AVIC940. Need a better ride, and need some better tunes than radio and CDs.