Project Workshop's offroad adventure mobile

[Project Workshop]

This month I picked up an OVS 180 awning. Really impressed with the quality of the awning, and combined with the rear hatch provides great coverage. I also fabbed up some brackets to mount the traction boards to the roof rack.

 

[Project Workshop]

That brings us to this weekend. Had the opportunity to spend some time on the truck and finished up some projects. After I changed the suspension I have really wanted to trim the front bumper, and I had to Photoshop it a few times to convince myself to finally pull the trigger. Really happy that I finally committed to it, I can finally say I like the front end after chopping half of it off!

Long term plan is to fab a simple tube bumper and skid plate. Need to draw up a few ideas first.

I also plastidipped the grille frame/front emblem black and removed the running boards. Next up is the rear suspension refresh and I am hoping to get back out in the dirt soon.

 

[Project Workshop]

Saturday I installed a Moroso oil catch can and Black Bear tune. The tune really woke this truck up and I highly recommend them for their great customer service.

Today we had a great time exploring Trabuco Canyon. Had a blast on the trail and found a great spot to stop for lunch and try out the OVS awning for the first time in the dirt.

 

[swathdiver]

Man, I should've kept my old bumper cover to cut it down like that for when we play in the mud! Awning is really cool! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Project Workshop]

Man, I should've kept my old bumper cover to cut it down like that for when we play in the mud! Awning is really cool! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks so much! I would have loved to had a spare bumper to cut instead haha! Was a bit nervous on that first cut.

 

[89Suburban]

Awesome!

 

[Fosscore]

Nice work and adventures with the family! Truck is looking good.

 

[Project Workshop]

February has been a fun month! Replaced all of the links and rubber in the rear suspension with new oem pieces as well as Moog Z71 rear springs. The stiffer ride and ride height is exactly what I was hoping for.

Took a drive out to Joshua Tree shortly after everything was installed and found a few trails to cruise around.

Last weekend was an absolute blast! Saturday I took the family down the Burns Canyon trail that runs from Big Bear to Pioneertown. The trail was pretty mellow but had a few fun sections that let me test the suspension. I am really blown away by how much flex this has.

Sunday we drove Bailey Canyon, a mountain trail that overlooks Silverwood Lake. The views here were incredible! One thing to note, it is definitely a Jeep trail. I’ve got the pinstripes to prove it haha.

 

[Project Workshop]

No trips to the trails this month unfortunately, but I got a bit of work done.

I have been designing a sleeping platform to fit in the Yukon for camping trips. I had a few unique needs in that I needed to allow a space for my fridge and more importantly needed the middle row seats to be functional until we arrived to our destination. Really happy with how this has turned out. At 6’ I fit comfortably on the drivers side, while my wife and kids fit perfect across the rest.

I also picked up my hitch mounted spare tire carrier from Rigd Supply. I am really impressed with how well this unit is designed and assembled.

 

[slow4dr]

Looks good! Spare tire & storage/fridge

When my junk is back on the road we'll have to hit up some local spots.

 

[Project Workshop]

Some build updates and a fun trip to share with y’all! The Rigd spare tire carrier has been great, but the tire blocking the backup camera was an inconvenience. I disassembled the rear hatch cover and extended the camera wires to mount the camera on the back panel of the Rigd carrier and so far it was been working great. Mounted a Rotopax and lock for our trip too.

The rear bumper had also been bothering me since trimming the front so I broke out the masking tape and saw for some more fun. Really happy with how it came out. While I was there I removed the factory spare tire and winch and chopped off the resonator. Haven’t noticed any change in sound and gained a ton of clearance in the rear. Wrapped up the week with a trip to my mechanic to have the front wheel bearings replaced along with the front rotors and pads.

One issue I need to tackle is the rear springs. The Z71 springs provided the ride and amount of lift I was hoping for, but after having the Rigd carrier on the sag is bothering me. I’ve reached out to Dobinsons, but am still not sure their springs will get the rear to sit where I would like. I would really like to avoid using spacers, and plan to reach out to Coil Spring Specialties next.

 

[Project Workshop]

After the work was done we packed up and headed to Arizona for the week. We stayed in Williams and explored some trails in the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Sycamore Canyon. Yukon ran great and the whole family had a blast, can’t wait to go back.

 

[DesertRat]

You ever sort out your springs?

 

[mountie]

Next up was some maintenance. I replaced the spark plugs, wires, and serpentine belt.

I was going to only replace the air filter but then discovered this forum . I then ordered an AEM Dryflow filter and Airaid MIT tube. Thank you for anyone who has recommended this combo in the forum over the years, the sound makes me happy every time I get on the throttle.

I have the Airaid tube……. My next little fix will be putting insulation between the radiator hose & the bottom of the Airaid. I don’t want that hot hose against the “cool” air intake.