Newbie

[Big Boy]

I've been lurking a couple of days and injected a thing or 2 here and there.  Looks like a great place.

 

I just got my truck, used with 13K on it.  Its a Z71 and I put the Airaid intake on it.  Planning for a spray-on bedliner.  I hear from the posts that Rhino, Line-X and armor something are the way to go?  Also thinking about bigger tires.  The 245/75 just don't make it.  I don't want to lift it much if any right now.  How big can I go without too much rubbing?

 

Has anyone been driving with the tortion bars cranked for more than a year or two?  Wondering about the long term effects.

 

Last thing for the near term is a cat-back system.  I want something that will give that low throaty sound but won't be too obnoxious on the long rides.

 

Whats the best single mod you've made to your truck?

 

Appreciate the input.

[chevy4x4trucks]

Big Boy, welcome to the forum

 

You can run a 285 w/o any rubbing problems.

 

I cranked my t-bars slightly about a year ago.  No problems to date, in fact I'm going to give them a few more turns this weekend or next weekend.

 

I've got a "flowmaster american thunder series" cat back exhuast.  It has a great rumble from the outside of the cab, but is quiet enough from the inside that I can't really hear it.

 

The best mod I've done to date would have to be the body lift, the truck looks about 100x better now.

[gandolphxx]

Welcome to the board - you should be able to put 265/75's on without problems - lots of opinions here, just check the threads. Small adjustments in the torsion bars 1 -1.5" doesn't seem to have any effect other than needing alignment and a somewhat stiffer ride.

 

There are opinions on every catback and muffler her - pays your money and takes your pick. Check out Flowmaster 70's and Magnaflow - might be what you are looking for, or just wait for folks to jump on this post.

 

Cheers

[silverado man]

I dont have any coments but to say welcome to the board.

[2000LTZ71]

Welcome to the board Big boy.  I too am pretty new here and this place has been a big help to me. I've only recently cranked my torsion bars some but I haven't felt any problems. I actually like the stiffer ride. After reading ALL the posts here about tires and rims and exhaust I'v decided to buy some American racing rims from someone on this board and mount some 285/75/16 tires to them. I've been told there won't be any rubbing so I hope that is so. also I'm in the process of buying a Flow master muffler 50 series SUV, I've heard that they have a nice deep rumble but not much interior noice at all. that's just what I'm looking for. Good luck with all your Mods I'm sure everyone here will give you advice when you want it.

[Shaners]

Welcome to the board.  265/75/16 tires are no problem.  285/75/16 are technically too big to safely mount on the stock Aluminum wheels, but alot of guys have done it with no problems.  You may have to crank the bars up a little because they are a tight fit.

 

Enjoy the forum  

[chevy4x4trucks]

Welcome to the board.  265/75/16 tires are no problem.  285/75/16 are technically too big to safely mount on the stock Aluminum wheels, but alot of guys have done it with no problems.  You may have to crank the bars up a little because they are a tight fit.

So what are you trying to say shane?  My 305's are too big to be using on these rims?

[gandolphxx]

I think the answer is yes - ask Paco - but the truck looks erally sweet.

[chevy4x4trucks]

well, when I get some money I'll get some 16x8's, but until then I'll have to live on the wild side

[TomTom]

Call me an idiot, but was does cranking the tension bars do?

[Shaners]

Call me an idiot, but was does cranking the tension bars do?

If you tighten the bolts on the torsion bars, it will actually lift the front of your truck up a little.  Alot of people crank them up to level the truck or to create extra room for larger tires.  It is pretty easy to get 1"-1 1/2" lift.  If you lift or crank very far it would be a wise idea to have the alignment checked...

[silverado man]

Call me an idiot, but was does cranking the tension bars do?

If you tighten the bolts on the torsion bars, it will actually lift the front of your truck up a little.  Alot of people crank them up to level the truck or to create extra room for larger tires.  It is pretty easy to get 1"-1 1/2" lift.  If you lift or crank very far it would be a wise idea to have the alignment checked...

Shaners is right but you also got to make sure if you do it dont max. the t-bars or you could do damage.

[Big Boy]

Thanks for all the info.  Seems like cranking the T-bar is something I can do? Yes/No?  Is this a good idea?  Just be sure I don't go more than an inch or so?

[chevy4x4trucks]

Most definetly.  I think probably 75% of the guys on the board have done it.  Great way to alleviate the nose down look of the truck.  I'm gonna crank mine up a bit more when I get some time.