What have you done to your K2 today?

Mike1220 · August 15, 2014

So far...

Battery conversion (running 2 deep cycle marine batteries, 1 dedicated to the truck, 1 dedicated to alternate/backup power)

1400 watt inverter under rear driver side seat

Leer Bed Topper (not the best look, but great in Colorado mountain winter)

Rhino Lined the bed

LED lights running under both bed rails (operated by 2 switches in the bed)

Outdoor rated AC power outlet in the bed (connects to inverter, I camped in the topper on a -20 F night using a mattress pad, sleeping bag, and a heat blanket - awesome !!)

Leveling Kit

Removed front air dam

Window tint (match front to back)

Still want...
Rain guards for windows

More aggressive tires

OEM style fender flares

Some interior lighting stuff

Overall, the electrical work has been my most aggressive addition, it's pretty awesome to use in the back country.

Pics!

Sorry for the double post! Phone glitched for a second and must've hit post twice

Jay700 · August 15, 2014

I want two batteries.

BillsLT · August 15, 2014

Washed it.

ColotovMocktail · August 15, 2014

Nothing special, just plasti-dipped my emblems black. Considering debadging next.

Mike1220 · August 15, 2014

I want two batteries.

Ditto. Would make it easier when adding some aftermarket items that use wire harnesses. Then you don't have to worry about overloading the main battery or possibly messing up something for the main system.

Dusty12787 · August 15, 2014

Leveled the truck today. 2" rc kit. Still a little rake. May take out the rear blocks.

sanforce · August 15, 2014

Here is my electrical conversion setup:

I have 2 Interstate MT7 AMG deep cycle batteries under the hood. These have better performance under adverse conditions (cold being my primary concern), still provide adequate cranking amps when the battery is low, and are meant to be discharged/charged without hurting the battery life (note: normal car batteries are not designed to be discharged all the way and then recharged, their lead will not properly re-plate upon recharging.) If you want to keep it simple, just put one of these in your truck, they are much better than normal car batteries.

My alternator runs through a Stinger battery isolator and relay, which distributes charge to the 2 batteries and isolates them during discharge, so I can completely discharge my secondary battery without worrying about cranking. Or, I can completely discharge my main battery and jump my truck from the secondary (this should happen automatically, but I have cables if it doesn't.) I was somewhat concerned that the stock alternator wouldn't be able to handle this setup, but an expert automotive electrician told me otherwise, and I haven't had any problems over the last ~8 months.

My secondary battery is currently wired to 2 places - the inverter under my back seat, and to the LED light setup I have in the bed. When the inverter is on, it provides power to an outdoor rated ac power receptacle in the bed. There are 2 open outlets to power electronics inside my truck (phones, laptops, & other equipment that I need when working in the field).

(~ bed is currently a mess, and I'm in the process of rewiring the LED switches because the wire won't stay tucked under the bed rail during off-road driving)

Overall, I've been very satisfied. I've camped in the bed in relative comfort during adverse conditions (-20 F + blizzard was the worst night I believe). All of the air gaps under my bed rail are sealed to prevent drafts and I have an inflatable "donut" that seals my trucks back window to the topper. It still gets cold in the topper on those nights, but a 3 inch mattress topper, -20 F sleeping bag, and a heat blanket are plenty to stay comfortable. In the morning, I just fire up the truck (remote start) ~10 minutes before I get out of the sleeping bag, and I keep a Mr. Heater Tough Buddy handy if that isn't enough.

Edited August 15, 2014 by sanforce

sanforce · August 15, 2014

Wow, you've been busy. Any pics of the fender flares?

I still haven't actually added these on yet, but these are the flares I'm looking at.

edit: You GMC guys are lucky, I really like the look of those stock fender flares.

edit 2: I'd also really like to upgrade my exhaust to get something a little throatier than stock. However, I don't want it to be obnoxious at all, so I'd really like to hear a few different exhaust setups before I pursue this. Also, the V8/V4 transition *could* sound like crap with the wrong exhaust system.

Edited August 15, 2014 by sanforce

Smoothbassman · August 15, 2014

Got my truck tinted up today.

Just matched fronts to the rears.

Before

And after

Texas Husker · August 15, 2014

Here is my electrical conversion setup:

I have 2 Interstate MT7 AMG deep cycle batteries under the hood. These have better performance under adverse conditions (cold being my primary concern), still provide adequate cranking amps when the battery is low, and are meant to be discharged/charged without hurting the battery life (note: normal car batteries are not designed to be discharged all the way and then recharged, their lead will not properly re-plate upon recharging.) If you want to keep it simple, just put one of these in your truck, they are much better than normal car batteries.

Overall, I've been very satisfied. I've camped in the bed in relative comfort during adverse conditions (-20 F + blizzard was the worst night I believe). All of the air gaps under my bed rail are sealed to prevent drafts and I have an inflatable "donut" that seals my trucks back window to the topper. It still gets cold in the topper on those nights, but a 3 inch mattress topper, -20 F sleeping bag, and a heat blanket are plenty to stay comfortable. In the morning, I just fire up the truck (remote start) ~10 minutes before I get out of the sleeping bag, and I keep a Mr. Heater Tough Buddy handy if that isn't enough.

Excellent. Thanks for the pics and details.

FormerFordGuy · August 16, 2014

I still haven't actually added these on yet, but these are the flares I'm looking at.

edit: You GMC guys are lucky, I really like the look of those stock fender flares.

edit 2: I'd also really like to upgrade my exhaust to get something a little throatier than stock. However, I don't want it to be obnoxious at all, so I'd really like to hear a few different exhaust setups before I pursue this. Also, the V8/V4 transition *could* sound like crap with the wrong exhaust system.

I really like the GMC flares too. Too bad they won't fit our Silvys.

VMaxtastic · August 16, 2014

Here is my electrical conversion setup:

I have 2 Interstate MT7 AMG deep cycle batteries under the hood. These have better performance under adverse conditions (cold being my primary concern), still provide adequate cranking amps when the battery is low, and are meant to be discharged/charged without hurting the battery life (note: normal car batteries are not designed to be discharged all the way and then recharged, their lead will not properly re-plate upon recharging.) If you want to keep it simple, just put one of these in your truck, they are much better than normal car batteries.

My alternator runs through a Stinger battery isolator and relay, which distributes charge to the 2 batteries and isolates them during discharge, so I can completely discharge my secondary battery without worrying about cranking. Or, I can completely discharge my main battery and jump my truck from the secondary (this should happen automatically, but I have cables if it doesn't.) I was somewhat concerned that the stock alternator wouldn't be able to handle this setup, but an expert automotive electrician told me otherwise, and I haven't had any problems over the last ~8 months.

My secondary battery is currently wired to 2 places - the inverter under my back seat, and to the LED light setup I have in the bed. When the inverter is on, it provides power to an outdoor rated ac power receptacle in the bed. There are 2 open outlets to power electronics inside my truck (phones, laptops, & other equipment that I need when working in the field).

(~ bed is currently a mess, and I'm in the process of rewiring the LED switches because the wire won't stay tucked under the bed rail during off-road driving)

Overall, I've been very satisfied. I've camped in the bed in relative comfort during adverse conditions (-20 F + blizzard was the worst night I believe). All of the air gaps under my bed rail are sealed to prevent drafts and I have an inflatable "donut" that seals my trucks back window to the topper. It still gets cold in the topper on those nights, but a 3 inch mattress topper, -20 F sleeping bag, and a heat blanket are plenty to stay comfortable. In the morning, I just fire up the truck (remote start) ~10 minutes before I get out of the sleeping bag, and I keep a Mr. Heater Tough Buddy handy if that isn't enough.

I LOVE this idea. I basically live out of a suitcase, and my truck.. Would be awesome to be able to crash in the back with a heater. How did you run the wiring for the plug cluster in the bed? Looks like I might skip the tonneau, and get a topper!

Here is my electrical conversion setup:

I have 2 Interstate MT7 AMG deep cycle batteries under the hood. These have better performance under adverse conditions (cold being my primary concern), still provide adequate cranking amps when the battery is low, and are meant to be discharged/charged without hurting the battery life (note: normal car batteries are not designed to be discharged all the way and then recharged, their lead will not properly re-plate upon recharging.) If you want to keep it simple, just put one of these in your truck, they are much better than normal car batteries.

My alternator runs through a Stinger battery isolator and relay, which distributes charge to the 2 batteries and isolates them during discharge, so I can completely discharge my secondary battery without worrying about cranking. Or, I can completely discharge my main battery and jump my truck from the secondary (this should happen automatically, but I have cables if it doesn't.) I was somewhat concerned that the stock alternator wouldn't be able to handle this setup, but an expert automotive electrician told me otherwise, and I haven't had any problems over the last ~8 months.

My secondary battery is currently wired to 2 places - the inverter under my back seat, and to the LED light setup I have in the bed. When the inverter is on, it provides power to an outdoor rated ac power receptacle in the bed. There are 2 open outlets to power electronics inside my truck (phones, laptops, & other equipment that I need when working in the field).

(~ bed is currently a mess, and I'm in the process of rewiring the LED switches because the wire won't stay tucked under the bed rail during off-road driving)

Overall, I've been very satisfied. I've camped in the bed in relative comfort during adverse conditions (-20 F + blizzard was the worst night I believe). All of the air gaps under my bed rail are sealed to prevent drafts and I have an inflatable "donut" that seals my trucks back window to the topper. It still gets cold in the topper on those nights, but a 3 inch mattress topper, -20 F sleeping bag, and a heat blanket are plenty to stay comfortable. In the morning, I just fire up the truck (remote start) ~10 minutes before I get out of the sleeping bag, and I keep a Mr. Heater Tough Buddy handy if that isn't enough.

I LOVE this idea. I basically live out of a suitcase, and my truck.. Would be awesome to be able to crash in the back with a heater. How did you run the wiring for the plug cluster in the bed? Looks like I might skip the tonneau, and get a topper!