2016 GMC Canyon trail build

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RJCanyon

RJCanyon

Rank V
Member

Member III

2,766
California, USA
First Name
Bobby
Last Name
Horne
Member #

19131

Here is the very beginnings of my build log.

I'm coming from an '01 Tacoma with a full long travel setup and an '06 4runner to this.

A 2016 GMC Canyon SLT 4x4 short bed.

Just picked her up over memorial weekend and I couldn't be any more excited. My overall long, long term goal is to have a capable trail rig that I daily drive.

As of 05/18/23:
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Current modifications:

Suspension:
Peak Suspension coilovers set to 3" with HD 600lb springs
Camburg Engineering uni-ball upper control arms
Fox 2.0 rear shocks
Deaver rear add-a-leaf
Street Rays sway bar relocation bracket
Street Rays differential drop
Prothane 19-419 extended end links


Wheel/Tire Setup:
Icon Vehicle Dynamics Rebound 17x8.5 0mm offset in bronze
General Grabber ATX LT285/70R17 (extensive trimming was required)

Metal Work:
DV8 front stealth bumper
DV8 front skid plate
DV8 rear bumper
ZR2 engine skid plate
ZR2 transfer case skid plate
AEV exhaust crossover skid
AEV differential skid plate
AEV differential cover
Go Rhino dominator DSS sliders
Go Rhino XRS Overland bed rack w/ gear table
589 Fabrication ultimate shock skids

Performance:
K&N drop in air filter

Recovery:
Smittybilt X20 Comp 10K Winch
Smittybilt snatch block
Deadman Off-road land anchor
TGL tree saver strap
Xbull 20' tow strap
Xbull recovery tracks
multiple shackles

On board air:
Smittybilt 2781 air compressor
Boulder Tools Pro deflator kit

Lighting:
Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport fog lights (Amber)
Rigid Industries D Series Pro ditch lights (White flood)
CBI Off Road ditch light brackets
Sylvania Silverstar ZXE headlights (low beam)

Overlanding equipment:
Roam Adventure co. ARC 270 awning
Roam Adventure co. Vagabond roof top tent
Custom tailgate table/cutting board

Power:
Bluetti EB3A power station
Bestek 500w pure sine wave inverter
Noco GB40 jump pack

Storage:
Pelican Cargo BX135 case
Pelican universal cross bed mount

Interior:
Scosche powerhub phone mount
Wynex MOLLE visor panel
One Tigris MOLLE seat back organizer

Communication:
Garmin InReach SE+
Midland MXT275 MicroMobile
Midland handheld x2
iPhone XS Max

On Board Diagnostics:
OBDLink MX+ Scanner

Misc:
Removed front air dam
Weathertech floor mats
Plasti Dipped emblems

Future modifications/needs:



Current measurements:

Front: (taken from ground through center of wheel to fender)
39 1/4 inches

Rear:
38 1/2 inches

Tow Hitch:
17 3/4 inches



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RJCanyon

RJCanyon

Rank V
Member

Member III

2,766
California, USA
First Name
Bobby
Last Name
Horne
Member #

19131

I know some people are like me and love gear so I thought I'd show a small bit of how I have my rig organized at the moment.

I have this stuff with me 100% of the time.

In my rear cargo I keep some basic truck essentials.

Rope
Rachet straps x2
Custom put together tool kit (all basic hand tools, wire/electrical tools)
Camp shovel
Gloves
Gerber Strongarm fixed blade
Noco GB40 jump pack
Assortment of bladed fuses

Right in front of the rear seat I keep a "bugout" bag or whatever you like to call it. It has all the essentials for me for 24-72hrs.

Full IFAK med kit on the side
Leatherman Wave with full bit kit
Freeze dried food and ration bars
Blanket
Extra clothes
Numerous ways to start a fire
Survival manual
Plenty of other miscellaneous items
Midland two way radios x2
Stream light pocket light
Kershaw 1776 blade

Now onto my driver door, unfortunately the Canyon appears to have cargo room on the door but the actual space is very limited so I make due with what I can. I have a CCW permit so when I'm carrying this is how it's set up.

Another set of gloves
Leatherman MUT (very important tool for a shooter)
Alien Gear single mag holster
Glock 9mm Magpul mag as an extra mag


As for on my person, I always carry a Spyderco Manix 2 and a Fenix PD35 flashlight, when I'm carrying a firearm I use a Glock 26 9mm.


This is why the Decked drawer system will be such a benefit to me, I can transfer a lot of that stuff into the drawers and open up the space in my truck. I will need the room for an assortment of recovery gear.

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ChasingOurTrunks

ChasingOurTrunks

Rank IV

Pathfinder I

1,212
Canada
First Name
Craig
Last Name
PereferNotToSay
Glad you started a build thread! I’m subscribed. I really like these trucks.

I swear if folks like GMC, they’ll love the Canyon as an alternative to a taco/4 runner/Jeep. And if they dislike GM, these second gen quadruplets (Holden, Chev, GM, Isuzu) will change their mind. They are just so much better than what I expected from GM as a vehicle and an overlander, and I say that as a person who is very familiar with GM products (I’ve owned 4 now) and wouldn’t normally look to them as my top choice for Overlanding. That’s true of their whole line still except the Canyons/Colorado’s/Dmax/Holden. Fantastic trucks that check a lot of boxes.
 
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RJCanyon

RJCanyon

Rank V
Member

Member III

2,766
California, USA
First Name
Bobby
Last Name
Horne
Member #

19131

ChasingOurTrunks said:
Glad you started a build thread! I’m subscribed. I really like these trucks.

I swear if folks like GMC, they’ll love the Canyon as an alternative to a taco/4 runner/Jeep. And if they dislike GM, these second gen quadruplets (Holden, Chev, GM, Isuzu) will change their mind. They are just so much better than what I expected from GM as a vehicle and an overlander, and I say that as a person who is very familiar with GM products (I’ve owned 4 now) and wouldn’t normally look to them as my top choice for Overlanding. That’s true of their whole line still except the Canyons/Colorado’s/Dmax/Holden. Fantastic trucks that check a lot of boxes.
Click to expand...
Appreciate the sub!

I completely agree and this is coming from a Toyota guys mouth. I owned a 2001 Tacoma TRD, full coilover setup and all. Owned an 06 4Runner.

This GMC has blown me away. I've driven the new Tacomas, love them but they flat out don't drive as well as the GMC/Chevy.

I'm very happy with my truck and can't wait to get this build rolling.
 
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RJCanyon

RJCanyon

Rank V
Member

Member III

2,766
California, USA
First Name
Bobby
Last Name
Horne
Member #

19131

I have now installed a Rough Country 2" leveling kit and Icon Suspension 1" rear lift blocks, Will be mounting Icon Rebound 17x8.5 in Bronze onto 265/70R17 Milestar Patagonia MT's on Saturday. Here are my measurements before and after the lift.

Stock:

Front: (taken from level ground through center of wheel to fender)
34 1/2 inches

Rear: (taken the same as front)
36 1/2 inches

After RC 2" level and Icon 1" rear blocks:

Front:
36 1/2 inches

Rear:
almost 38 inches

Also took some rear bumper and hitch measurements since those will likely be the most important in terms of clearance.

Corner steps of rear bumper stock: (taken from level ground to lowest point)
18 1/2 inches

After lift blocks:
19 3/4 inches

Hitch: (stock)
15 3/4 inches

After lift blocks:
17 1/4 inches
 
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tjZ06

tjZ06

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Launch Member

Advocate I

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Las Vegas/Palo Alto
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mynameisntallowed
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Adams
Member #

20043

RJCanyon said:
I have now installed a Rough Country 2" leveling kit and Icon Suspension 1" rear lift blocks, Will be mounting Icon Rebound 17x8.5 in Bronze onto 265/70R17 Milestar Patagonia MT's on Saturday. Here are my measurements before and after the lift.

Stock:

Front: (taken from level ground through center of wheel to fender)
34 1/2 inches

Rear: (taken the same as front)
36 1/2 inches

After RC 2" level and Icon 1" rear blocks:

Front:
36 1/2 inches

Rear:
almost 38 inches

Also took some rear bumper and hitch measurements since those will likely be the most important in terms of clearance.

Corner steps of rear bumper stock: (taken from level ground to lowest point)
18 1/2 inches

After lift blocks:
19 3/4 inches

Hitch: (stock)
15 3/4 inches

After lift blocks:
17 1/4 inches
Click to expand...
We need pics! ;) Great work with it so far.

-TJ
 
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