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2004 Silverado Crew Cab Solid Axle Swap (LLY with ZF 6 speed)

Bringing this thread back from the dead for an update. Aside from driving the hell out of the Silverado and doing basic maintenance it's been awesome, but there's been 2 times now that I've gotten stuck in mud and had to winch, while pulling the trailer, so I decided it was time to get all 4 wheels spinning.

Out with the old (open) and in with the new (ARB).

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Fully installed, now I just need to take it out and test it (heading out this weekend, but probably won't need lockers...).

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Overall are you happy with the WFO kit?

I’ve got a xXx Traction 4 link setup that uses the’05 and up SD axle on my LBZ. I had this on my truck before WFO came out with their kits that use this axle. I’d like to change my current setup to one of the WFO kits either 3” or 6”. I really want to lower it down and have a crossmember/link mount instead of a belly pan. Which is a complete pain in the ass for maintenance.

How do you like the free spin kit?
 
I'm pretty happy with the WFO kit other than the few issues I've mentioned in the build thread. Eventually, I'll modify the crossmember (it hangs down way too low) and replace the radius arms with something a bit stronger.

The free spin kit is flawless, zero issues there.

I've put a ton of off-road miles on it, done stuff way harder than I should, got it stuck in mud a few times, but it keeps on trucking. The mud is the reason for the ARB in the front, I've never had any issues on hill climbs etc because of the weight from the DMAX up there.
 
I'm really fighting the urge to replicate your build with my '03 Duramax now. They are even the same color lol.

How much have you with this, besides your camping trailer?
I think you forgot a word?
If you're asking me how much I spent, I don't know, I don't really keep track of that stuff. If I did, I wouldn't have any hobbies :D.

You should be able to look up prices on everything based on my descriptions though. You could also save money by doing the Yukon free spin kit and cheaper shocks/bumps.
 
I think you forgot a word?
If you're asking me how much I spent, I don't know, I don't really keep track of that stuff. If I did, I wouldn't have any hobbies :D.

You should be able to look up prices on everything based on my descriptions though. You could also save money by doing the Yukon free spin kit and cheaper shocks/bumps.
Haha I did.

I was asking about towing. How much have you towed?
 
LOL, completely different answer. I didn't update this thread for some reason, but I've done a bunch of other work to the truck to address that. It now has airbags with poly cups (so it doesn't restrict droop) and I've gotten it tuned.

It tows the S-10 on my 20ft steel deck trailer no problem. I don't really have anything bigger to test with, in fact it doesn't usually tow anything other than the camping trailer.
 
I'm pretty happy with the WFO kit other than the few issues I've mentioned in the build thread. Eventually, I'll modify the crossmember (it hangs down way too low) and replace the radius arms with something a bit stronger.

The free spin kit is flawless, zero issues there.

I've put a ton of off-road miles on it, done stuff way harder than I should, got it stuck in mud a few times, but it keeps on trucking. The mud is the reason for the ARB in the front, I've never had any issues on hill climbs etc because of the weight from the DMAX up there.

Great info on the WFO stuff. I’m interested in the raising of your crossmember. To see how you’ll about tackling that issue.

I’ve been researching the pros and cons of each free spin kit. Dynatrac seems the best but definitely has a hefty price tag.

I used the wheel the piss out of my dmax. Until things were getting damaged and are pricey. I decided to buy a K10 which I’m in the process of building to beat the shit out of it and not worry. I did enjoy the low end torque of the duramax and having creature comforts while wheeling.

Thanks for the feedback
 
LOL, completely different answer. I didn't update this thread for some reason, but I've done a bunch of other work to the truck to address that. It now has airbags with poly cups (so it doesn't restrict droop) and I've gotten it tuned.

It tows the S-10 on my 20ft steel deck trailer no problem. I don't really have anything bigger to test with, in fact it doesn't usually tow anything other than the camping trailer.

Long overland trip to Moab again replicating that other trip that might have turned ugly?
 
Long overland trip to Moab again replicating that other trip that might have turned ugly?
I've done way more overlanding in the Silverado than I ever did in the S-10. It doesn't care if I'm offroad or on, pulling the trailer or not etc.

We were exploring once pre-running for a trip we were planning and I had to turn the Silverado and trailer around on a shelf road that just ended about 30 feet above the freeway... That was exciting.

I've got a big trip in the planning stage. Not sure when it will happen, maybe this fall or next spring since we cancelled all of our normal trips.
 
Time for an update. A few weeks ago I actually managed to cut a sidewall on one of my Nitto's. 5 years, one sidewall cut, 9 tires total, not bad.

I had already decided that when I got the next set of tires I was making the jump to 37s. I want a bit of a softer ride offroad so I raised the truck an inch (adjusted coilovers in the front and went from a 7" shackle to a 5" shackle in the rear). 37" trail grapplers were on backorder so I went with the Toyos. They start with the same carcas so I'm hoping they hold up as well as my Nittos did.

I knew there would be rubbing issues so I picked up a set of bushwhacker cut out fender flares. They give me an extra 1.25" behind the front tires and 1.5" on both sides of the rear tires. They're also a bit wider so hopefully that keeps more of the mud from coming in my windows.

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I like how it looks and I lucked out with pinion angle. I took it out on the freeway and no vibrations all the way up to 80mph.

We're getting ready to take a long weekend next week, hitting Sitgreaves, Marble Canyon then either into Colorado or Utah.
 
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