Novice here!

[TexLonestarJustin]

Thank you everyone! Tremendous help yall are awesome and I'm learning a lot more talking to yall then youtube. There's a lot of great advice on YouTube but it's hard getting in touch and actually conversating with people who really does it. I see a lot of people who spends thousands of dollars on there rigs and actually doesn't use it. They just act like they do like Mall Trucks, lift your truck a foot add some popping color, offset rims, and vynals. It sickens me but its what they like. Thank yall so much I is there a way where I can add yall as a friend or a group on here for future conversations?

 

[Scott]

I will second the idea of recovery gear.. I use bubba rope sythetic rope products and love them.. My youngest daughter loves them too.. :)

 

[expeditionnorth]

Thank you everyone! Tremendous help yall are awesome and I'm learning a lot more talking to yall then youtube. There's a lot of great advice on YouTube but it's hard getting in touch and actually conversating with people who really does it. I see a lot of people who spends thousands of dollars on there rigs and actually doesn't use it. They just act like they do like Mall Trucks, lift your truck a foot add some popping color, offset rims, and vynals. It sickens me but its what they like. Thank yall so much I is there a way where I can add yall as a friend or a group on here for future conversations?

I think most of us are on Instagram ~ https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/threads/members-instagram-id.89/page-20#post-37104
So nice to see another GM here
Personally I think a roof rack on a sub is to difficult to access, I say build a custom one if you can or must have one
a leveling kit to the front and 2" coil spacers will give your rig a nice lift, thats what I did to my Yukon
in my build thread I have info on how I added a winch if thats in your plans as well
if you think about a hi-lift jack get the bumper adapter you'll need it too

 

[Jelorian]

Hello overlanders! New here,
I'm currently on my first build and need some pointers, opinions, and advice. I have a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban Z71 5.3L. there's not a huge market out there for it.

My questions:

Where and what do you recommend for roof racks? I'm looking for a one piece roof rack, very strong, but very light and permanent. (Windshield to back glass strong enough to hold jerry cans, tent, and possibly a spare tire).

Where did Expedition Overland go to get their Drawer system built for their 4runners?

How do I prepare my motor, suspension, front and read differential, and drive shaft for the terrain that it's looking forward to?

Thank you, Justin

Hey Justin,

I'm very new here as well. I saw your post and saw that you have the same vehicle as I. Mine is a 2003 Z71.

With regards to roof racks, there aren't very many for our rigs and you won't find anything that goes full length from windshield to back glass. The tops of our rigs are not perfectly flat as it slants downwards slightly if going from rear to the front.

You may end up having to go custom if you want something full length or adapt a rack for a van.

Like you've already discovered there really aren't that many offerings for overland type gear for our rigs. There are things out there and when you find them, they will probably be a little more expensive. You'll find that you may have to go custom for alot of things or if you have the skillset, tools, and the means, then DIY.

With regards to your 3rd question, I would just get in your rig and go somewhere. It is the best way to figure out what you need and don't need. I think you'll find that your rig is pretty capable in stock form. You'd be surprised where you can go with your rig just the way it is. You'll also discover how you really want to use it and be able to make better decisions as to what mods you'd like to make.

If I were to spend any money right now it would probably be on better tires. But even that isn't really required right now. Spend some money on getting your rig reliable. Address any maintenance issues that it may have at this point.

I wouldn't doing anything to the front and rear differentials unless you are having problems with them. Suspension could be as inexpensive as cranking your torsion keys and adding a 2" spacers and shock extenders. That would allow you to go up 2 tire sizes without having to do any fender trimming.

No need to worry about the drive shaft or transmission at this point as well.

For all things Overland, ask away on these forums. For things specific to your 2005 Chevy Suburban Z71, I would go over to the z71-tahoesuburban.com forums. I have the same forum name there as well.

Hope this helps!

 

[Vyscera]

Great thing about texas is all the public land that you can tour on. Get out and see what you Need. We took my wifes stock 1500 Silverado lots of places with nothing but a set of BFG A/T tires. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement and go overboard. I've focused more on getting places then camping gear, as I rarely camped in the past. Now that I'm doing it more I'm figuring out what improvements/ upgrades I need to make.