Hi All-
I've been over in the diesel area building a diesel 80 but now that project is wrapped up and I'm starting in on a 100. I just picked up a '99 with 160k miles from the second owner for the last 13 years. It needs a timing belt (it had it done at 60k and can't find documentation for another one ...bummer.
Anyways, I've been soaking up the tribal knowledge over the last couple weeks and am starting to settle on my plan for the truck and would love some input. Don't need to rehash old posts...maybe this is just for me to put down what I'm thinking...but I'd love your input if you care to share.
This truck will see pavement 98% of the time. I love the quite, smooth ride but also looked for a '99 to get a rear locker for the other 2% of the time. I want the to be able to load it up with kiddos and take it places without having to worry about things like EGT's etc. We'd like to take long distance trips in it with some light offroad exploring...maybe light stuff in Moab but nothing nuts. I'd also like to be able to tow a small trailer or boat occasionally...but I'm fine going slow when I do that. My last build became more purpose built than I'd like...I really just want to personalize my truck a bit without ruining the things I like about it and end up with a good all around family utility cruiser. So here's what I'm thinking:
-Use stock torsion bars re-indexed to get a 1" (20.5" fender to center cap) front ride height
-Use OME medium 1.5" springs in the rear
-Leaning towards fox or other shocks
-Run 285/75R16's on stock rims
-Diff drop (from reading it sounds like I need this for even just 1.5" lift...does everyone agree with that?)
-If more lift is deemed necessary (for looks) go with a 1" body lift
-Likely a light winch bumper and light winch (9.5k smittybuilt?)
-Also maybe a rear bumper with integral hitch for towing w/o hanging a receiver hitch down low to drag everywhere...again...I'll have to build this light so the truck doesn't sag too much...
So here are things I'd love input on:
-How many folks run stock torsion bars at that level and like it?
-Any clever rear hitch solutions or should I just stick a normal hitch on it and be content to drag it around offroad and use it as a bumper protector?
-Any drawbacks to the small body lift (other than bumper gaps) that should cause me to shy away from it?
-If you have a truck sitting in a similar position I'd love to see pics
Thanks!
I've been over in the diesel area building a diesel 80 but now that project is wrapped up and I'm starting in on a 100. I just picked up a '99 with 160k miles from the second owner for the last 13 years. It needs a timing belt (it had it done at 60k and can't find documentation for another one ...bummer.
Anyways, I've been soaking up the tribal knowledge over the last couple weeks and am starting to settle on my plan for the truck and would love some input. Don't need to rehash old posts...maybe this is just for me to put down what I'm thinking...but I'd love your input if you care to share.
This truck will see pavement 98% of the time. I love the quite, smooth ride but also looked for a '99 to get a rear locker for the other 2% of the time. I want the to be able to load it up with kiddos and take it places without having to worry about things like EGT's etc. We'd like to take long distance trips in it with some light offroad exploring...maybe light stuff in Moab but nothing nuts. I'd also like to be able to tow a small trailer or boat occasionally...but I'm fine going slow when I do that. My last build became more purpose built than I'd like...I really just want to personalize my truck a bit without ruining the things I like about it and end up with a good all around family utility cruiser. So here's what I'm thinking:
-Use stock torsion bars re-indexed to get a 1" (20.5" fender to center cap) front ride height
-Use OME medium 1.5" springs in the rear
-Leaning towards fox or other shocks
-Run 285/75R16's on stock rims
-Diff drop (from reading it sounds like I need this for even just 1.5" lift...does everyone agree with that?)
-If more lift is deemed necessary (for looks) go with a 1" body lift
-Likely a light winch bumper and light winch (9.5k smittybuilt?)
-Also maybe a rear bumper with integral hitch for towing w/o hanging a receiver hitch down low to drag everywhere...again...I'll have to build this light so the truck doesn't sag too much...
So here are things I'd love input on:
-How many folks run stock torsion bars at that level and like it?
-Any clever rear hitch solutions or should I just stick a normal hitch on it and be content to drag it around offroad and use it as a bumper protector?
-Any drawbacks to the small body lift (other than bumper gaps) that should cause me to shy away from it?
-If you have a truck sitting in a similar position I'd love to see pics
Thanks!