Glockfan
Member
- 274
- 16
- 18
- Location
- Brigham City, Utah
Folks, it has been a good long while since I have interacted with you and I promise that I will post more pics as I get the time... My truck is back on the road after being out of commission for three months. We still have a few bugs (leaks) to address but I figured that I would post some pictures. Since moving from Georgia to Utah, I have embraced the "overland" concept. My son and I are going to hit the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park in about 17 days (June 1-6, 2019). Let me attempt to outline what I have done to the truck since moving to Utah. The truck has been a work in progress and all of the frustrations are starting to pay off!
When I first moved here, priority number one was getting the steering working right. I installed ORD crossover steering with a 1.5" x .375 DOM tie rod and heavy duty ends. I installed all new PSC parts (pump, reservoir, steering box, hydraulic assist ram) and got rid of the king pin springs and Delrin bushings. I opted for the neoprene "cylinders" and Reid Racing bronze bushings.
Next, I decided to upgrade the anemic 1.97:1 low range NP205 by adding an ORD doubler. The NP203 range box added to the NP205 gives me closer to 4:1 low range and top speed in "low-low" is about 8 MPH. While doing the doubler, I decided to go ahead and get rid of the TH400 and I opted for the 4L80E. To save you a lot of hassle, there are three things that you need to buy that will make your 4L80E conversion simple. These are: The factory Delco Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) from a 1991 diesel truck. You remove your old vacuum TPS and install the new sensor and you are good to go. You need to buy a Winter's gated 4L80 cable shifter. It simply works. Stephen Watson at Offroad Designs recommended it and he was right. Money well spent. One of the most critical decisions that I made was deciding which transmission controller to use. Another member of this site suggested US Shift (Baumann Electronic Controls) and that is the company that I chose to go with and I am so glad that I did. Kevin at US Shift is simply awesome!
While the truck was "down", I had my fabricator build me an over the bed rack for my Tepui Rooftop Tent. I have the Autana 3 and it fits perfectly on my custom rack. I added a Tepui 6' awning. In true overland spirit, I bought an ARB Elements refrigerator and permanently mounted it in the bed. The fridge is designed to live 365 days a year in the elements and requires no special treatment to make it weatherproof. It was expensive but I think that it will be worth it for those desert outings. Cold drinks always available will be an overland luxury.
I have already purchased and plan to install a York engine driven air compressor. I have a brand new ARB RD166 sitting in the box for the front D60. I am not sure if I will have time to get the compressor and air locker installed before the trip but that is my goal.
Now, on to the pics (thank @sharecropper for convincing me to post)...
When I first moved here, priority number one was getting the steering working right. I installed ORD crossover steering with a 1.5" x .375 DOM tie rod and heavy duty ends. I installed all new PSC parts (pump, reservoir, steering box, hydraulic assist ram) and got rid of the king pin springs and Delrin bushings. I opted for the neoprene "cylinders" and Reid Racing bronze bushings.
Next, I decided to upgrade the anemic 1.97:1 low range NP205 by adding an ORD doubler. The NP203 range box added to the NP205 gives me closer to 4:1 low range and top speed in "low-low" is about 8 MPH. While doing the doubler, I decided to go ahead and get rid of the TH400 and I opted for the 4L80E. To save you a lot of hassle, there are three things that you need to buy that will make your 4L80E conversion simple. These are: The factory Delco Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) from a 1991 diesel truck. You remove your old vacuum TPS and install the new sensor and you are good to go. You need to buy a Winter's gated 4L80 cable shifter. It simply works. Stephen Watson at Offroad Designs recommended it and he was right. Money well spent. One of the most critical decisions that I made was deciding which transmission controller to use. Another member of this site suggested US Shift (Baumann Electronic Controls) and that is the company that I chose to go with and I am so glad that I did. Kevin at US Shift is simply awesome!
While the truck was "down", I had my fabricator build me an over the bed rack for my Tepui Rooftop Tent. I have the Autana 3 and it fits perfectly on my custom rack. I added a Tepui 6' awning. In true overland spirit, I bought an ARB Elements refrigerator and permanently mounted it in the bed. The fridge is designed to live 365 days a year in the elements and requires no special treatment to make it weatherproof. It was expensive but I think that it will be worth it for those desert outings. Cold drinks always available will be an overland luxury.
I have already purchased and plan to install a York engine driven air compressor. I have a brand new ARB RD166 sitting in the box for the front D60. I am not sure if I will have time to get the compressor and air locker installed before the trip but that is my goal.
Now, on to the pics (thank @sharecropper for convincing me to post)...
