West Texas Prelander

[PaulHayslett]

Transferring build from DR since it seems to be a graveyard. I will update build details here shortly. In short, truck build turned into a snowball due to buying a rusty truck site unseen and completing a large year long home remodel which was unplanned.

• Dec 29, 2021 (yikes, copied from DR)

Hey all! I figured I would start a build thread for a recently started project since I am not active on any other media sites. (Back story) Sold race truck and prerunner when I left Ca. back in 2018 when my family and I moved to Houston, Tx. and then in 2021 I was asked to do a stint in West Texas and decided to jump on it. With that being said, we are closer to a number of areas to offroad/overland. I have been collecting parts since early 21' and recently did a pack trip down in Big Bend National Park and got the itch to jump into my project. Aside from this project, I returned to college a few years back and am finishing up my Electrical Engineering Degree, doing a large house remodel and a husband and dad to three. Build progress will be spotty but looking for a completion mid to late summer of 22'. Below are a few details and to date pictures.

2006 Crew Cab Silverado 4x4
Front
LSK long travel
Rcv axles
King 2.5x8 coilover
King 3.0x8 bypass
King 2.0x2.0 bump

Rear (Snowball)
Deaver F87
King 2.5x14 smoothbodies
King 2.0x4.0 bumps
Dana 70 axle converted to 6 lug

C85 Spring Under
King 3.0x16 Triple bypass
King 2.0x4 bumps
Trail Gear Full Floater
Willwood brakes

Body
Fiberwerx front and rear fenders

Motor
5.3
Cam
Long tubes
Tune...yada yada

Exterior Acc.
TBD

 

[PaulHayslett]

Ended up getting a second wind after not touching the truck for a year and some change. I was still getting over the anger of buying a rust bucket and decided to get the frame blasted instead of continuing to wirewheel/sand. I got the truck frame back from blast and started going to town.

 

[PaulHayslett]

Pretty exciting day. I only have about 6 hours into truck after getting it home from blast. I need to finish plating driver side of frame, pull shocks apart for cylcing, and install transfer case to mock up and cycle axles. I made a big order for the rear of the truck from Ruffstuff last night for spring under install and awaiting fuel cell before I did into the rear. I am hoping to have the truck or should I say frame, rolling in the next couple of weeks.

 

[PaulHayslett]

I got a couple hours in the shop today and installed front diff, axles, tore down shocks, and cycled. Rcvs bind like crazy. I am going to need to place a call and see if I can get some resolution. Ordered bypass shafts and rod ends for bypass rebuild.

 

[PaulHayslett]

Front end is on hold until I get axles from RCV. I reached out to Van at LSK and we worked through the axle limitation issues. Van and LSK are top notch. I was not expecting them to help me out but they are taking care of the issues. For the time being, I am going to flip the truck around and cut the rear off. I am going to use rectangle tube on the rear section to clean up the choppy frame rails. Any advice on thickness? I am going to use 2x6 rectangle tubing. I was thinking .120 or .188?

 

[Klever]

I would do 0.188" then you add weight, strength, and it's down low....and in the rear. All wins.

 

[the bodj]

Front end is on hold until I get axles from RCV. I reached out to Van at LSK and we worked through the axle limitation issues. Van and LSK are top notch. I was not expecting them to help me out but they are taking care of the issues. For the time being, I am going to flip the truck around and cut the rear off. I am going to use rectangle tube on the rear section to clean up the choppy frame rails. Any advice on thickness? I am going to use 2x6 rectangle tubing. I was thinking .120 or .188?

I used .250 wall for my rear frame rails, but it's shorter than yours. I wanted absolutely as much weight as far towards the back as I could get. I'd probably say .188 for yours to mitigate any cracking or needing to add overlays where tubes land on it. My stock gm frame is 1/8" thick and it is definitely the weak link.

 

[PaulHayslett]

I used .250 wall for my rear frame rails, but it's shorter than yours. I wanted absolutely as much weight as far towards the back as I could get. I'd probably say .188 for yours to mitigate any cracking or needing to add overlays where tubes land on it. My stock gm frame is 1/8" thick and it is definitely the weak link.

View attachment 14591

I think I will stick with .188. I am running leaf springs and a bed cage with a fuel cell and rear tent. I will have plenty of weight. Truck looks great btw.

 

[the bodj]

I think I will stick with .188. I am running leaf springs and a bed cage with a fuel cell and rear tent. I will have plenty of weight. Truck looks great btw.

I think that would be solid. Leaf springs love weight.

I appreciate it!