4 inch Rancho lift, 34 inch tires and steel bumpers front and rear.

[Tozan]

Tozan, I’ve read your entire post start to finish, I’ve acquired the parts needed for the , work for a pharmaceutical company that “retires” their metal carts after they get degraded with bleach and alcohol dunking for new ones. Have started on building the bed.

I’ve got one ?, it may sound stupid but... how do you get out of the back of the truck when the lift gate is down? I don’t have a release button or cable to pop it open from the inside. My key fob only opens the glass and it’s been fun reaching down on the outside to get the gate to release.

Ive been using the back to sleep in during our Boy Scout Trips. Being the Scoutmaster does have its privileges! And the fact I’ve got 4 fused disks in my back.

Mine is the same way the rear only opens with the key fob so far... But, I am thinking of pulling and maybe deleting the rear plastic panel so while it is off I will take a look to see if I can install some sort of inside latch if possible..

 

[5strmtrp]

I had the panel off recently to replace the handle to open the gate. Simple 2 wires if I remember. I guess I’ll look into seeing if there’s a way to tap into the harness and make the gate work from outside or inside with another switch.

Keep all posted hopefully shortly.

Paul
5trmtpr

Mine is the same way the rear only opens with the key fob so far... But, I am thinking of pulling and maybe deleting the rear plastic panel so while it is off I will take a look to see if I can install some sort of inside latch if possible..

 

[Tozan]

It looks like two wires going to the lock but, there are a few more wires that attach to the back also. I did not have time today to probe the wires to see what would work but it does look like it should be pretty simple to do.. I was busy putting in insulation in the rear panel today.. But I almost did it... lol I guess I will have to wait til next time I am in there...

Here is the panel after adding insulation to it I also added insulation in the hatch too.. This should reduce a lot of the cold or heat coming in the rear hatch.

 

[Tozan]

Here is a video of my Tahoe.

And some of the gear I carry.

 

[Tozan]

One of our easy camping trip runs last year. 250 miles off pavement in my Tahoe.

 

[Tozan]

Still adding more stuff... I am completing the installation of insulation all the doors were done before and the headliner is done now also. To do this installation you have to drop the headliner unfortunately the wiring can not be disconnected so you can only drop it and work around it from either side. The headliner install took 3 hours total.

The insulation is inserted between the ribs in the roof then I also put on tape to close off the holes in the ribs. Be sure to work around and behind your curtain airbags so the insulation will not interfere with the Air bag deployment. I also put more insulation behind the rear air-conditioning ducts too.

Next project is installing a shelf and bin on the left side. First step was making a template so I can cut a piece of aluminum sheeting for the base. The underside of this base will also allow access into the storage below the shelf.

This is the wall area looking at it form where the rear window is. I cut the sides 1 inch longer so I could bend them over for mounting tabs. The base section will drop in here and be held in place with rivets.

After the pop rivets are installed I took a hammer and flattened the rivets out. The flatter side of the rivets are on the inside so they will not snag on anything stored in there. So far this only weighs about a pound. I am working on building things to be lighter and easy so at all costs I will avoid wood in all of my construction.

 

[Tozan]

I am pre-fitting it here and everything fits perfect. Next step will be putting carpet on the outside and putting in some quick release fasteners that will hold it against the side. I will also install a 3/8 inch thick block under the bottom it will go into the factory hole to locate the shelf and help hold it in place.

This is the right side before the carpet was installed on it I will include new photos when both side are done. On the right side there is room for 2 down jackets in stuff sacks and also two mid weight jackets and other things.

 

[Tozan]

Finished up the install today.
First step after the carpet glue dried over night was to trim it out. It only took a few minutes with a razor blade to trim it out. From there I did a few minor adjustments and marked and drilled mounting holes and installed it.. Took maybe 20 minutes... Also for those who wonder what an aluminum compartment with carpet like this weighs... About 6 pounds total...

This is what it looks like mounted in place I use plastic push in fasteners they are a 1/4 inch diameter and will have no problem holding it in place. To remove it for accessing underneath storage I only need to remove three pins and lift it out of the way. With the carpet you can velcro these pouches or any other things to the sides. I will add a pouch for my cell phone since my bed is inside here. You can also see my CO2 tank here with the air line that is routed through the vehicle for fast air up/downs.

The passenger side compartment was made in the past it also has carpet on it for attaching velcro pouches for accessories. You can see the large plastic buttons used on both units to hold them in place you can find these in automotive stores or on line. They can be removed in just a few minutes if you need to get behind them. The black wire to the right is for powering my elect water pump when it is being used while camping. The pouches pictured are magazine pouches and will hold misc. things or maybe even a magazine.. This is a good place to keep our radios hers on this side mine on the other. We have commercial encrypted radios so no one else can monitor what we are saying on them they compliment the Ham radio mounted in the truck.

 

[Fosscore]

Nice execution on that carpeted storage compartment. Really complements the cargo area given your overlanding missions and all the off-the-grid equipment needed. Like the ingenuity.

 

[Shumif1]

Love all the mods you have done , great job. Do you happen to use a power inverter ? I want to install one for camping purposes.

 

[Tozan]

Nice execution on that carpeted storage compartment. Really complements the cargo area given your overlanding missions and all the off-the-grid equipment needed. Like the ingenuity.

Thank you. I like it because it allows me to store items like tie down straps, oil, fan belt and other repair parts I don't need easy access to. It allows a lot of storage space for easy access stuff like jackets, pillows, hats or things I want access to when sleeping in the back. I have a velcro backed pouch I put a silenced 9 mm in when camping. When driving it is attached to the consul beside my right knee.

Love all the mods you have done , great job. Do you happen to use a power inverter ? I want to install one for camping purposes.

Thank you. At the moment I have a small 400 watt inverter I used it in the past. My refrigerator is 12 volt so I really do not have any need for AC power in the wilderness.

I have dual batteries and my refrigerator will go into a limp mode if the battery voltage goes too low. They are good for about 2 days. If needed I will run the motor for 20 to 30 minutes each day to recharge them. On most of my trips I drive everyday so there is no issue.

I may mount a solar charger for battery charging in the future for hot weather and in case I stay longer in one place. (like hunting)

 

[Shumif1]

thanks

 

[DesertRat]

How have the fender flares held up? Are you still not a fan?

 

[Tozan]

How have the fender flares held up? Are you still not a fan?

I am not a big fan I had one fly off while off road and they are not very sturdy. But They look better than having nothing..

 

[DesertRat]

I am not a big fan I had one fly off while off road and they are not very sturdy. But They look better than having nothing..

Dang, sucks to hear. I was hoping they'd at least handle some abuse. My truck currently has Z71 fender flares and I was hoping to be rid of them.

 

[Bill 1960]

Did you need to do any trimming or body mods to clear 35x12 on the 4" lift?

BDS is only claiming 32" on 4" and 33" on 6". Pretty sure I've seen a bunch of GMT900's with 35's on 6" lifts. Of course most of those are mall cruisers.

 

[Tozan]

Did you need to do any trimming or body mods to clear 35x12 on the 4" lift?

BDS is only claiming 32" on 4" and 33" on 6". Pretty sure I've seen a bunch of GMT900's with 35's on 6" lifts. Of course most of those are mall cruisers.

The only cutting I had to do was on the inner fenders and other plastic parts. Maybe they are using stock wheels with a stock off set..

I am not sure what stock off set is and off the top of my head I am not sure what mine is now...

 

[Jason in DLH]

View attachment 82335 View attachment 82336

This is great info here! I have been wondering how the lower control arm will be relocated and what will happen with the CV axle. Does all of that come with the Rancho kit?

 

[Jason in DLH]

I have the un-painted bushwhackers. They fit rather sloppy and loose I am not a big fan of them..

I have a similar Bushwacker flare and the rear had to be trimmed a lot. Not too happy with the fitment as well.

 

[Jason in DLH]

Latest upgrade... Custom 2.5 King Shocks for my 4 inch lift... Replacing the Rancho RS 7000 coil over struts that came with the lift kit.

First step in installing front struts lift both sides and put it up on jack stands. Remove wheels, loosen the sway bar bolts (but leave them connected)

View attachment 239602


Remove upper and lower shock mounts and slide shock out the bottom.

View attachment 239603

Slide the new shock in and tighten upper bolts to 37 Ft lbs and lower bolts to 40 ft lbs.
Remember to tighten the sway bar bolts when done with both sides. It will be easier to get the shock reservoir bracket on if you install the other two top bolts first. If needed you can use a heat gun to soften the plastic in the wheel well to make things easier too.

Note the rag over the lug nuts... The reason for this is to keep your shirt clean because you are one of those people who regularly puts never seize on your studs so it is much easier when you have to change a tire on a trail... Be sure to torque those lug nuts to 140 Ft lbs.


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I set ride height to allow for 3 inches of droop this leaves at least 6 inches for compression until bottoming out. Yes I have over 9 inches of travel now.View attachment 239605

How does it feel..... Well amazingly better... It feels just as smooth if not better on the highway and I had to drive across the field with little boulders in it next door and also hit several speed bumps as well... Hit them a lot faster than normal people would too... lol The suspension kind of shrugged it off and felt very smooth. It was much smoother and softer than it was with the Rancho RS7000's and it didn't make any noise... I give these shocks 3 thumbs up...

I also added a 12 gauge shotgun scabbard and small ammo pouch under my front platform today. The molle mounting perfectly attaches to the rack.

View attachment 239606

Hmmmmm... OK What's next

Any reason you kept your stabilizer bar connected? On my old leaf spring Wrangler I took it off with impressive articulation results. I just took it off my current Yukon as a first step towards improving off road capabilities. Just curious your thoughts.