2001 Chevy Silverado 4x4 Build

[Razorwalker]

I’m liking the wheels.

Thanks. Nice set of steel Ultra wheels from 20 years ago, lol. Got lucky and found a guy that had them for $100 for all four. Needed a lot of work, but nothing $50 and a LOT of elbow grease couldn't solve, lol. Wish I could find another for a spare, but have searched everywhere for one. Oh well

 

[RoarinRow]

Wow she's looking good!

 

[Razorwalker]

Wow she's looking good!

Thanks :) She's getting there. Hoping tomorrow or Friday, get the RTT & both awnings installed and maybe the rear lights.

 

[RoarinRow]

Thanks :) She's getting there. Hoping tomorrow or Friday, get the RTT & both awnings installed and maybe the rear lights.

Some fun projects!

 

[Razorwalker]

So, got a little progress done over the last few days. Got the topper adjusted and permanently mounted to the bed of the truck. I swapped out the halogen taillight bulbs with new LED bulbs since I will not be able to access the screws to the taillight assemblies easily, so these LED's should last for a few years. Weather proofed all the gaps, got it bolted down in 6 different locations. Got my rooftop tent attached to the top. I ran 1" superstrut channel iron on the top of the topper, attached to the cross rails on the inside frame, then attached the RTT to the superstrut. Got my 50" LED light bar installed in the back, along with the rear and side awnings. The bigger awning came will detachable walls, so when both the awnings are deployed, I can take one of the walls and run it along the rear awning and boom, instant batwing for a fraction of the cost, lol. Started raining on me, so didn't get everything done I wanted to, but will continue on Monday. The POA that I currently live does not allow any outside work on Sundays, so I guess I get a break for today, lol. Got a ton of projects coming over the next few weeks, so keep an eye out. She's getting there :)

 

[RoarinRow]

So, got a little progress done over the last few days. Got the topper adjusted and permanently mounted to the bed of the truck. I swapped out the halogen taillight bulbs with new LED bulbs since I will not be able to access the screws to the taillight assemblies easily, so these LED's should last for a few years. Weather proofed all the gaps, got it bolted down in 6 different locations. Got my rooftop tent attached to the top. I ran 1" superstrut channel iron on the top of the topper, attached to the cross rails on the inside frame, then attached the RTT to the superstrut. Got my 50" LED light bar installed in the back, along with the rear and side awnings. The bigger awning came will detachable walls, so when both the awnings are deployed, I can take one of the walls and run it along the rear awning and boom, instant batwing for a fraction of the cost, lol. Started raining on me, so didn't get everything done I wanted to, but will continue on Monday. The POA that I currently live does not allow any outside work on Sundays, so I guess I get a break for today, lol. Got a ton of projects coming over the next few weeks, so keep an eye out. She's getting there :)
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Nice upgrades!

 

[BStriegel]

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Latest picture & build update, taken just a few hours ago up on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Added all the lights (Curved 56" on front, 2 36" on the RTT rack for the sides, moved the "pods" to the rear bars for rear ditch lights and another 48" bar on the rear. Wiring is temporary. Got weather-proof Quick disconnects coming so if I want to remove the rack for hauling, I don't need to cut wires.) Yakima Roof Rails & Smittybuilt Defender Roof rack installed. Not sure if I'll keep the rails. It's the perfect height for when I add a side awning and for the solar shower, but I think would look better if it was just above the light bar. I did get a brand new Smittybuilt Universal Mounting kit with the rack, but already had the Yakima's installed and Flex sealed. Let me know what you guys think or if you've had good/bad/negative experience with a setup like that.

She's not the prettiest lady on the road, but she's been turning a lot of heads :P

like it!!!
Glad to see someone else in a silverado!

 

[izzywolf]

Hi, just joined here yesterday (new to overlanding). That rig is eye-candy to look at.

The posts in this thread are like an ongoing story. I thought I could learn a thing or two by reading them.

I have a few questions:

• Do you go off-road with that rig?
• What kind of differential do you have?
• Would you recommend other people to get a similar truck?
• Is the roof over the truckbed removable?

 

[BStriegel]

not as much right now.My wife and I and the 3 kids are doing what I call the parks project which is doing all the national parks.
The diff is factory.
Not a lot of overlanding accessories available for the silverado but it fits all 5 of us comfortably with all the gear boat or kayaks.
I made the bed cover mounts and they will come off of the HD bed cover with 8 bolts,but I have not had it off since putting it on.

 

[Razorwalker]

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like it!!!
Glad to see someone else in a silverado!

Hell yes, brother. Looks awesome.

 

[Razorwalker]

Hi, just joined here yesterday (new to overlanding). That rig is eye-candy to look at.

The posts in this thread are like an ongoing story. I thought I could learn a thing or two by reading them.

I have a few questions:

• Do you go off-road with that rig?
• What kind of differential do you have?
• Would you recommend other people to get a similar truck?
• Is the roof over the truckbed removable?

Not sure who you directed the question to, but I'll answer as well :) For my rig, yes, I do go off-road with her. Nothing too technical, but I do it. The diff is stock on mine as well. As to recommending a Silverado or any pickup, that's a tough one. Most people (in my limited experience) will find a vehicle that suits their needs. Like me for example: #1 for me was budget followed real closely by comfort. I'm disabled and very fat, lol. I needed something that was easy to get in and out of, plus something that I can sit upright in (one of my disabilities is spinal arthritis.). I considered long and hard all different kinds of vehicles for overlanding before settling on the Silverado. But, yes, I would recommend a pickup if you are not going to be doing serious/technical offroading. As to the roof over the bed, in my case, the topper is semi-permanent. It was made for a 2015 Ford F-150, so modifications were made to make it fit and while it can be taken off, it probably would not go back on again. For me though, that is fine as this will be long term. I'm not building a weekend warrior, lol. I will be travelling full time and living full time in this truck :) Hope that answers your questions. Fell free to ask away if you have more :)

 

[Razorwalker]

So, back with another build update. Meant to do one a few days ago, but just been really slammed.


So, first one is not a biggie, but got rid of the chrome junk hook that came with my winch and picked up a Badlands Forged Hook. Harbor Freight just opened a store in my town and had these bad boys for $20 each. Had to get one. Really want a Factor 55, but not in the budget at this time.

This one I'm really proud of. I've always fretted about my stuff getting stolen and trying to keep things on a budget, wasn't really wanting to spend hundreds of dollars to secure my stuff to the outside of my vehicle and honestly, there was no really good place to secure it to. So, this is the solution that I came up with and I think it will work nicely. I also just picked up those wheels and tires for $100 for all of them last night. The wheels will not work on my truck, they are for a Nissan, but the tires are Goodyear Wranglers with LOTS of good tread left on them. Definitely worth the $100. Plus, the wheels still have the factory TPS sensors in them. Figure I could probably make my money back on the wheels and sensors.

Had to make a few adjustments to the back. The way that I originally had everything, it was extremely difficult to get the back awning to open. So, relocated both the rear light bar and awning on a bigger bracket and now it all works nicely.


Got my 2 100 Watt Renergy solar panels mounted. Not liking the way I had to do it, will probably switch it up, but they are VERY secure. Was up to 80 MPH on the interstate yesterday and had a camera on them, they did not budge an inch.


And here is my battery box. 2 100ah batteries run in parallel giving me 12v@200ah. More than enough for my needs. I know it's not the prettiest cable management, but not wanting to cut any cables just yet incase I need to relocate anything later, I won't need to buy new cables.

That's all the updates for right now, but hoping to get started on the electrical and interior building this weekend/Monday at the latest. Only a few weeks left :)

 

[Razorwalker]

So, build is finished and have been on the Transamerica Trail for the last month. Sorry for not updating sooner, just been enjoying the journey. Search Disabled Overland on YouTube to see videos if you like. Here are some pictures of the journey from the past week....

 

[RoarinRow]

She's ready for adventure for sure!

 

[Desert Runner]

Question:---------Do you plan on some truck sliders? Also what under frame skids for the gas tank, the front diff to also replace that plastic splash shield. My 2003 needs that diff/inter-cooler area protected, along with a fuel tank skid, which i have not been able to find or if it was ever offered. Seems they are available for the newer versions, but not our era trucks. That is a deficiency that never should have been deleted by GM.

Truck looks great, really looking to when it is finished. You should see about obtaining a 5th rim to match your other four while they might be available. I thought those newer model OEM wheels looked good also on your rig, but i am partial to spoke wheels.

Love the sleeping arrangment/traveling position for your side kick.. Have you thought of buying a cheap dent puller for that fender area

 

[Razorwalker]

To the first, yeah, I plan on adding sliders soon, probably Road Armor or Smitty Built. As to under skids, nothing that isn't factory yet. I do have a front skid, but nothing for diff or tank yet. I try to not get myself into any situation where I would damage those, but accidents do happen, lol. Mainly, I take my time, either walk or use my drone to scout ahead in anyplace that looks like I might have an issue. I've had to detour a few times on the Transamerica Trail because of this. One day though. I agree that it is hard to find anything for these years of trucks. There is always custom fabrication, but that is usually expensive unless you have the ability and tools yourself. As to the rims, sadly, I have looked hard and long for a fifth one, but those are 20 year old Ultra Wheels that were discontinued about 15 years ago. I switched from the 18" stocks because I knew I'd be going off-road and everyone told me to loose the aluminum rims and get steel. I can't justify $1,500 for rims. Hell, I only payed $2,500 for the truck itself, lol. I would like to get another though. She's about 90% done. Want to upgrade the RTT to either a pop-up or clamshell. With how I have it mounted with the side and rear awnings, it's a real pain to set up everything. I have to carry a 6 foot ladder to reach everything on the top. Granted, I have the room inside the topper, but I've learned over the years that the less you carry the better. :)

 

[Desert Runner]

To the first, yeah, I plan on adding sliders soon, probably Road Armor or Smitty Built. As to under skids, nothing that isn't factory yet. I do have a front skid, but nothing for diff or tank yet. I try to not get myself into any situation where I would damage those, but accidents do happen, lol. Mainly, I take my time, either walk or use my drone to scout ahead in anyplace that looks like I might have an issue. I've had to detour a few times on the Transamerica Trail because of this. One day though. I agree that it is hard to find anything for these years of trucks. There is always custom fabrication, but that is usually expensive unless you have the ability and tools yourself. As to the rims, sadly, I have looked hard and long for a fifth one, but those are 20 year old Ultra Wheels that were discontinued about 15 years ago. I switched from the 18" stocks because I knew I'd be going off-road and everyone told me to loose the aluminum rims and get steel. I can't justify $1,500 for rims. Hell, I only payed $2,500 for the truck itself, lol. I would like to get another though. She's about 90% done. Want to upgrade the RTT to either a pop-up or clamshell. With how I have it mounted with the side and rear awnings, it's a real pain to set up everything. I have to carry a 6 foot ladder to reach everything on the top. Granted, I have the room inside the topper, but I've learned over the years that the less you carry the better. :)

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I did the upgrade for my spare, OEM alloy 5th rim as they are getting harder to find as a OEM(forged). Verses Aftermarket (cast alloy), wheels (China) along with OEM vs Aftermarket caps. Good for you on 16 inch vs 18 inch for off-roading. I do not like the shift to bigger rims by the OEM's for their off road version trucks. Too many spend the $$$ and afterward find out they chose badly, and wonder why someone running 16 inch wheels seems to get thru (aired down), where they struggle.

Watching the You-Tube videos of So Cal Pismo Beach action hammers it in on those stuck in the sand on 20's!...