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Very cool truck! I love the idea of a crew cab Sportside on a 3/4 ton 4x4 chassis. Nice install 
CK5
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2000 GMC K2500 Sierra Crew Cab Stepside
- Thread starter TerryD
- Start date
I would think it would be easier to sell that rack and buy one for a full width bed with a cap, and cut the cross rails to fit your step side. Just an idea.
Thanks! I'm pretty pleased with it. I like the look of it a lot but some days I wonder if the fleet side wouldn't be easier to deal with when dreaming about slide in campers and stuff like that but that's a good ways off.Very cool truck! I love the idea of a crew cab Sportside on a 3/4 ton 4x4 chassis. Nice install
Tried that route first. I can buy 3-4 of these racks for the price of a used rack for a shell. Then, because of the lack of an inner bed rail lip would still have to do something similar to mount it without drilling a bunch of holes in the rails. I don't like drilling holes to mount stuff so I have to go with stuff like this. It really is a pain but I cringe at the thought of drilling into the bed rail. I like to be able to take stuff off and never know it was there.
Everything I've thought of to mount my ladder rack on the GMC hasn't been feasible either due to cost or lack of equipment. So do you guys think that four to six bolts down through each bed rail would be stout enough to hold it up.
It would be 3/8" thick flat metal going outside the shell and uprights of a ladder rack welded to it. The bolts would probably be some 3/8" flat head bolts with flat washers and lock-nuts underneath.
It would be 3/8" thick flat metal going outside the shell and uprights of a ladder rack welded to it. The bolts would probably be some 3/8" flat head bolts with flat washers and lock-nuts underneath.
How much weight do you plan on putting on it? As well as how much does it weigh itself?
It probably weighs around 130lbs. Rated to carry 800lbs but I doubt I put that much up there. Couple sticks of tube or angle. Few 2x4s and the like.
Your weakest link is going to be the sheet metal you bolt the plate down to. Reinforce under the sheet metal with large washers and spread the load out as much as possible. It should hold up fine.
The bed rails are approximately a 2"x4" box on the stepside bed and I was going to use with heavy fender washers or make up some plates to get maximum surface area covered underneath.
I just can't come up with a better means to do what I want and still be able to have full inside width of the bed.
I just can't come up with a better means to do what I want and still be able to have full inside width of the bed.
So I abandoned the rack idea and just went with the camper shell. It made the trip to the beach this year so nice. All our gear locked up and safe from the weather so we didn't have to worry while traveling.
Also before the trip I replaced all the for lock motors, the front door handles, passenger side door hinge pin bushings and the front speakers. Also bought a set of Iron Cross Automotive Stainless Steel wheel to wheel step tubes for it. It turned out that they are wheel to wheel length for extended can only, not crew but they fit and work well and are stainless so I stuck with them.
I'm considering a zero rate for the rear to level it back up after having to add a little more lift to the front to stop some scrubbing, but nothing doing soon. Anyways, here's how she sits now!
Also before the trip I replaced all the for lock motors, the front door handles, passenger side door hinge pin bushings and the front speakers. Also bought a set of Iron Cross Automotive Stainless Steel wheel to wheel step tubes for it. It turned out that they are wheel to wheel length for extended can only, not crew but they fit and work well and are stainless so I stuck with them.
I'm considering a zero rate for the rear to level it back up after having to add a little more lift to the front to stop some scrubbing, but nothing doing soon. Anyways, here's how she sits now!
Truck looks good still! I'm still debating on running fender flares. This gives me a good idea of what it would look like.
That's about 1.5" bar crank in the front on 285/75/16's. The 4wd trucks came with flares and I stuck with them even though they don't quite fit right in the rear. I'm probably the only person who knows they don't and I'd say a solid 98% of people who see the truck don't realize what it is.
Found a picture of the t-nuts I made to attach the topper. With the step side bed, there is no bed lip to clamp the top to the way you would a fleet side box. I made these and tapped them 1/2-13. They go down in the stake pockets, turn 90* then pull up against the pocket to hold them while you tighten the bolts. Works great! Tops hasn't shifted a bit and I didn't have to drill the bed to mount the topper. Should be easy to get off/on, but I've not removed it since putting it on a few months ago. I need to replace the driver's side window on the topper, the hinge is all jacked up and it won't open. Don't know what that'll cost, but it's a $50 topper so just about any way you stack it, I'm coming out ahead.
I guess I can update this too....
Truck is still doing a fine job. I need to pull the topper and pressure wash the back of the cab this summer though. Everyone calls it my "old man truck" with the topper on it but man is it nice not having to worry about stuff I put in the bed.
I've got most of the parts to replace the steering system and hopefully get it to handle better. It kinda wanders in the road as you go now. I'm planning on replacing the steering box since I have to pull it to get the pitman arm changed anyways. I'll also bypass the variable assist solenoid on the steering pump since it's gotten kinda random in it's operation. Most days I can't turn the wheels pulling out of my parking spot, but it'll snap open going down the road almost cause me to veer into another lane when driving around town.
It'll need new tires soon too. The Michelins have been great tires but they are only 1/2 worn now and the sidewalls are cracking pretty badly. Since I've had a different DD for the last few years, she's stopped racking up miles as quick. I'm thinking about running a set of the Discoverer AT3's in 285 and when the Xterra needs new tires, I'll buy new ones for the truck to keep fresh treads on there and move the couple year old ones to the X to wear out.
Truck is still doing a fine job. I need to pull the topper and pressure wash the back of the cab this summer though. Everyone calls it my "old man truck" with the topper on it but man is it nice not having to worry about stuff I put in the bed.
I've got most of the parts to replace the steering system and hopefully get it to handle better. It kinda wanders in the road as you go now. I'm planning on replacing the steering box since I have to pull it to get the pitman arm changed anyways. I'll also bypass the variable assist solenoid on the steering pump since it's gotten kinda random in it's operation. Most days I can't turn the wheels pulling out of my parking spot, but it'll snap open going down the road almost cause me to veer into another lane when driving around town.
It'll need new tires soon too. The Michelins have been great tires but they are only 1/2 worn now and the sidewalls are cracking pretty badly. Since I've had a different DD for the last few years, she's stopped racking up miles as quick. I'm thinking about running a set of the Discoverer AT3's in 285 and when the Xterra needs new tires, I'll buy new ones for the truck to keep fresh treads on there and move the couple year old ones to the X to wear out.
A solid axle swap would fix the wandering issues lol.
Glad to see it’s still hanging around.
I myself am getting to put on the new bfg AT’s.
Glad to see it’s still hanging around.
I myself am getting to put on the new bfg AT’s.
NO on the SAS. At this time I just don't have the time to devote to it. Don't think I haven't thought about it though. I have a buddy with a spare Ford D44 HP laying around. Throw some 3/4 Chevy outers on it and build some radius arms and I'd be set but that's just not in the cards right now. Besides, I like my IFS truck just fine. It does all the hauling and load handling, no need to worry about wheel travel with it. I was just checking out the last couple pages of your thread man. I've considered BFG's but they're quite a bit more expensive than the Coopers and I've had good service from the Coopers I've had so far. I liked the camper you found. I've considered one for mine as well. Some of them are narrow to fit between wheel wells for the entire "in the bed" section and that would just fit in my step side.
Lately we've been discussing getting a pop-up, axle flipping it and building some side protection to pull off-road with the X and possibly behind the truck. I tried to get the wife to let me spend the money we would renting a beach house this year on a cheap pop-up, but that was a no-go....
I still love this truck.
I do to, every time I drive it I get a thrill from it. I actually need to drive it more often than I do. I had been holding off on driving it, expecting to get the steering done last year, but as usual I had more pressing things. I drove it a couple months ago to work for a couple days and there was a smell that would wake the dead. I figured a mouse had died in my heater box so I pulled the box apart and pulled the fan as well. After all that, there was no mouse or anything. It just needs driven more to keep the musty smell out of it. I've been trying to drive it at least once a week, even if it's just across town to Wal-Mart.
The front dome and map lights have quit working for some reason. I've got to dig into that also when I get the chance. Otherwise it's doing fine.
I agree on the Coopers. I’ve never been disappointed. The last set I had were already cupped and rode terrible. But that didn’t change me liking them.
I was just checking out the last couple pages of your thread man. I've considered BFG's but they're quite a bit more expensive than the Coopers and I've had good service from the Coopers I've had so far. I liked the camper you found. I've considered one for mine as well. Some of them are narrow to fit between wheel wells for the entire "in the bed" section and that would just fit in my step side.
Lately we've been discussing getting a pop-up, axle flipping it and building some side protection to pull off-road with the X and possibly behind the truck. I tried to get the wife to let me spend the money we would renting a beach house this year on a cheap pop-up, but that was a no-go....
The big truck has been having brake issues for a while. I had the wife help me bleed the brakes Friday to see if that would help. It didn't.
I think the master cylinder is toast. It appears that most of the braking is being done by the rear wheels and I couldn't find any leaks anywhere. I'm going to try to get it and a set of front shocks ordered soon.
In semi-related news, I found a 4500lb winch on sale for $40 at TSC and nabbed it to add to my trailer which also needs work right now....
I think the master cylinder is toast. It appears that most of the braking is being done by the rear wheels and I couldn't find any leaks anywhere. I'm going to try to get it and a set of front shocks ordered soon.
In semi-related news, I found a 4500lb winch on sale for $40 at TSC and nabbed it to add to my trailer which also needs work right now....
Ordered the master cylinder, front brake hoses and some inexpensive Monroe shocks for the truck just now. I would love to have the spare $$ to throw a set of the Bilstein 4600s on it like are on it now, but I need something that'll keep it driveable and not break the bank for the time being. If I keep the truck after my wife starts working and budget is freed up a bit then I'll go back and stick the Bil's on it. I really like how the performed on the back of my Xterra but for the time being, I need to get the truck serviceable again. I'm going to strip the steering system out and replace all of it while I'm in there. It's all well overdue.
After I get the truck back to it's usualy 80% (haha) I'll paint the trailer and throw some new floor boards on it as well as weld a receiver tube to the front of it and get that winch mounted in a cradle. Then I can put it in the hitch of the truck, Xterra or on either trailer with the receiver tube. That'll make the most use of the winch I think. I'm going to try to rig up a couple shackle tabs on the winch mount so I can use it with some chain or straps around a tree or other mostly immovable object should I need to.
After I get the truck back to it's usualy 80% (haha) I'll paint the trailer and throw some new floor boards on it as well as weld a receiver tube to the front of it and get that winch mounted in a cradle. Then I can put it in the hitch of the truck, Xterra or on either trailer with the receiver tube. That'll make the most use of the winch I think. I'm going to try to rig up a couple shackle tabs on the winch mount so I can use it with some chain or straps around a tree or other mostly immovable object should I need to.
