Gene's 2016 Silverado 2wd regular cab SWB build and blog.

paullgj · October 17, 2016

OK, here we go. Grumpy Bear gave me the motivation to do a build thread. First, some background - I ain't no "spring chicken," more like 71 years old. Owned stick shift 4wd Chevies most of my life, then a few years ago took a detour to a 4 dr. Jeep Wrangler. Guess you can't "teach an old dog new tricks," - I hated to drive the damned thing - like I was locked inside one of those CATSCAN boxes - major claustrophobia. A few weeks ago, browsing the lots at Tipotex, Chevrolet, notice a base model WT, 2 door regular cab, with G80 locking differential, and not much else. To make a long story short, traded in the Wrangler, offered $4,000 off the list price, and they gave me more for the Jeep than what the Chevy cost. I would've liked 4wd, but, hey, I'm retired, on a fixed income, and wan't really wanted to cough up the extra $7,000-10,000 ordering a new one would cost.

I've got a pretty basic 2wd, that I'm going to turn into a "desert runner." Already, I've replaced to stock 255/70 highway tires, with BF Goodrich KO2 AT, LT255/75x17 load range C. This is a truck, right? No P-rated tires. I wanted the stronger 3 ply sideways for caliche ranch roads - less chance of a puncture.

Next, have a in bed spare tire carrier on the way. Have to get that tire off from underneath the bed. Ever crawl under a vehicle during a dark rainy night on a dirt road? Also, an underslung tire picks up lots of road debris, and could be hard to lower, or may even be flat when put to use.

The front end represents a more complicated issue and I don't know how to proceed. No spacers! I'm interested in wheel travel. Just changing the shock seems to be a complicated process as removing the spring is something I don't want to tackle. Thinking of a complete coil-over-shock such as Rancho Quick Lift or Fox. I've got to check on what kind of "bolt-in" and other adjustments may be needed. Regardless, here's some pics.

paullgj · October 17, 2016

Now with the new BFG 255/5x17 tires.

paullgj · October 17, 2016

More views of the BFG tires

paullgj · October 17, 2016

Have to get the machine dirty! Here I am at Boscaje de la Palma - Sabal Palms Wildlife Refuge, at the extreme southern tip of Texas. I'm expecting the spare tire carrier later today. Will post when installed.

Grumpy Bear · October 18, 2016

Ata boy Gene. Interested to see what your spare package will look like installed.

paullgj · November 2, 2016

Have to get the machine dirty! Here I am at Boscaje de la Palma - Sabal Palms Wildlife Refuge, at the extreme southern tip of Texas. I'm expecting the spare tire carrier later today. Will post when installed.

OK, here's the spare tire mount. This is called "Spare Tire Buddies" and I ordered it from Amazon - $74.95. The bed on the 2015 is a little angled where the tire mount goes so I'm not thrilled with the fit. n my 2004 the edge of the bed was flat and the install was perfect. Not drilled, just compression using a 15/16" nut. I'm a little concerned about security with the present install so don't know if I'll keep it, or maybe just use it in off-road situations.

Next question is the front end. Don't want to mess with warranty. I'd a like a long-travel coil-over such as Fox, but I think we need new control arms for that. That probably trashes the warranty. Spacers and blocks are out. More than a lift I'm looking for increased wheel travel and rebound control.

And I do miss the stick shift of my older Chevies! New 4.3 has plenty of power, but my style of driving makes use of the stick shift for manual control of everything - braking, cornering, freeway off-ramps, etc.

There is an identical vehicle in Mexico, 5 miles away, with a 5 speed manual and 4.10 rear end. Not only is it dangerous to go over there, but getting it back over here, registered, and imported is a nightmare equal to the original cost of the vehicle.