did a little wheeling over the long weekend, but once again didn't get good pictures.






Also, i finally got to the bottom of my driveline vibrations. the rear shaft was bent pretty bad. between that and the balancing beads, my truck has NEVER driven so smooth on the highway!!! sure makes the trip to and from the trail a lot more enjoyable.


I'm staying in town for most of June to get projects done around the house (married life haha) but me and my buddies are planning a big trip over the 4th of jul so here's the to do list for this month:
1. install bud-built crossmemeber
2. re-do my rear leaf packs again
3. fix my cargo light (broke off in moab last month)
4. finish and install sliders

 

Nice pics man!!

 

i've knocked out #'s 1-3 on my "to do" list. here's a few pics of the budbuilt crossmember:
Unpackaged:




Factory one extended about 6.5" from the bottom of the frame:






Installed. Budbuilt measured about 3.5" from the bottom of the frame:





With the skidplate:




Overall i'm very happy with the product budbuilt makes. seems to be well made, fits as intended, and comes with all the required hardware. They are not timely though, so its a good thing i wasn't in a hurry.

 

Very nice! I did not realize the clearance you gain from those.

Does it retain the stock mount or come with a replacement that's smaller

 

Yea it gained be about 3" of clearance but it was for a 1" body lift too, so that was part of it. it uses the stock t-case mount

 

Nice upgrade!! Hey where you located in CO?? Im comin out there soon, Im proposin to my girlfreind there,its where we hooked up. 10yrs together,i better make a move!!

 

Good to know. I couldn't tell from the picture on my phone

 

nice, man...congrats! i live in denver but i'm from the western slope so i get over to grand junction a lot too. where are you gonna do it?

 

nice wheelin pics, the Budbuilt crossmember install looks good too, bet its nice to have that extra clearance!

 

That's pretty cool. My parents are in grand junction All the time. They live in Moab and typically have to drive to GJ to get anything other than groceries.

 

In estes at a place called nickys,its where we kinda got together and thats where i think shed enjoy gettin proposed,shed be pissed if i didnt do something kind of special.
Great scenery!!

 

thanks man, ya we'll see!

nice, i lived in moab for 8 years myself. won't ever do that again but i still love to visit. Junction is awesome, i could see myself moving back there at some point.

nice man, i like it up there that will be a great place. you gonna take her wheeling in some mountains while your over here?

 

Id love to,but well prolly take the her runner,the 97 limited...and she freaks out when i try and go anywhere off the road, otherwise i thought about taking amtrak and renting a new hilux!!

 

did some wheelin over the long weekend up by Ouray. should have more pics coming.
Loaded up for the 7 hour drive accross colorado


Black bear was closed so we had to settle for Imogene pass:










came back Osher pass


Had an awesome trip and the trucks ran great, no one broke...not even the land rover guy haha. i did slit a tire but what can ya do

 

Awesome pics, I know I've said it before, but you really got some beautiful scenery up there, its amazing what a wide variety of wheelin you can do! Now I see why you want to upgrade your rear springs, you really had your runner loaded up for the trip!!!

 

LUCKY!!X2 on the scenery!!

 

Amazing pics

 

thanks guys. here's a few more

 

Leaf spring update:
i've been pretty disappointed in the chevy rears, especially this past year. as they've aged they've become softer, to the point that i've been hitting bumpstops these past couple trips when loaded with my camping gear (which isn't all that heavy). after this last trip i was so disgusted that i was ready to hack them off and buy some all-pro springs. however, after looking into the cost of new springs and mounts, i'd be in almost 500$ and that is not in the budget right now. SO i'm back to the drawing board trying to make these springs work for me. I've changed/added a leaf on them several times in the past with no luck, so i've decided its time for some more drastic measures. I pulled 1 of the chevy leaves out, (leaving 3) and added 4 thin toyota leaves underneath, tapering them as i went. i know it sounds like overkill, but i'm going for a fairly firm feel on the highway, rather than the soft boat-like feel that seems typical for these springs. only trial will tell....

 

More cool pics! That river crossing looks like it got deep in the middle! Cool tunnel too! I hope the new leaf pack works out for you!