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95 Chevy Z71

Hitamori

Hitamori

Registered Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2011
Posts
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Location
Washington State
Hey guys new to the board. Already dropped my greeting in the lounge. So I figured I would introduce the truck here as well. She is a stock 95 1500. She has the Z71 package of coarse. Not much has been done yet just installed the step bars and refreshing the engine. I have a brush guard and tiregate coming soon. Oh and a roof rack. Other then that I have it scheduled to get a Pro Comp 4 inch left done by Texpro here in Lampases. Then going to throw on 35's hopefully. She is going to be a trail and camping truck. I do alot of hiking and biking. It would only make since to have a truck that can keep up. Well hope you enjoy the pics I know she isnt much yet but I will keep you guys posted.
 
Both hobbies I enjoy myself! Enjoy the wealth of knowledge my friend as there are alot of real great people on this forum. Oh and POST A DANG PIC!
 
Welcome.

FYI ProComp's lifts aren't known for being great. Multipiece subframes that loosen up and rattle around.

Planning on regearing to spin those 35's? Going to want to do that.

Beware any hard wheeling. The front 8.25" AAM Co front axle is NOT up to abuse. The rear 10 bolt is hardly much better.

Not trying to be a downer but it's a road I've been down before.
 
Weird I tried posting pics last time I guess they didnt take. Well hopefully they work this time lol. Yeah I am not sure about the 10 bolt problem but I got a 14 bolt semi floater in the rear. Not sure if thats better or whatnot. And about the Pro Comp setup if not that then whats good. Thanks for the feedback guess.
 
14SF > 10 bolt
Just because I've heard it before...you are SURE you have a 14SF in the rear, as in actually crawled under and counted the bolts, right?

Not trying to be insulting but I've seen it several times where someone was told Z71's, 4x4's, extended cabs, trucks with 350's, or whatever got the 14SF and then when they finally actually checked theirs...10 bolt. How GM decided which 1/2 ton trucks to put them under defies logic or sense.

I've been out of the game a while but the Rancho and Tough Country lifts had one piece subframes last I knew. The TC lift had longer knuckles so your steering stayed in the stock location too.
TC would have been my choice if I was going to suspension lift a 88-99 GM fullsize IFS 4x4 again. Barring that super expensive lift that ditches the torsion bars for coil overs...but I'd do a solid axle swap before lifting it anyway.

That said...make sure you regear and take it easy because that front end is on borrowed time if you abuse it offroad.
 
Yup hear is a pic of the rear. Yeah the first thing I did before I got the truck was crawl under it and see what she had. I ran the numbers and found out almost everything. TBI 350 of coarse, 241C trans case, 4L60 transmission and the 14SF rear. I am not exactly sure what the front is yet tho. And I will be sure to look into that TC setup. I know the fronts are said to be weak on these trucks but I am not planning on going hard on her. She is my trail and camping truck. I am looking at a SWB 80's chevy or a K5 blazer for a beast of a off road truck. Tell then tho I will do what I can with this one. Oh and thanks for the helpfull advice. Its always welcome.

rear.jpg
 
Front is a AAM Co 8.25" IFS diff. It sucks basically. Aluminum housing that splits in the middle. Disassembles that way and also disassembles itself that way if you really beat on it.

Random but a couple guys on here have been playing with their TBI setups lately and getting more power and mpg out of them. Nothing huge but still noticeable. Might do a search.
 
Well I will look into those threads I wouldnt mind a little more of both. And is there anything I can do to strengthen that front. I know the SAS would be the best but is there a better front somewhere? And I will look into that 6 inch lift that was mentioned. Thanks for the help as always guys its great having that little extra when building anything.
 
Only way to improve GM torsion bar IFS is to junk it.

Even the 9.25" IFS that the 8 lug trucks got is crap and it doesn't bolt up to your truck at all.
 
wow well I will have to take it easy on the truck then. I know I place that could help me with a SAS. But I will have to see price wise what it will take. Not to mention I will be going to germany soon and I dont need a crazy truck tell I get back from there. Again thanks for the help.
 
You'll notice a common thread on a lot of guy's SAS builds...






...they put an IFS lift on their truck first.

Got the big tires and the height. Then broke stuff or just wore stuff out. Eventually they got sick of fixing it and did the SAS swap.
 
well I found a place that can do the SAS with a Dana 44 front for around 700 if I get the kit and take it to him. I do plan on keeping the truck for a LONG time. So I might as well save some heart ache and money now.
 
Hi & welcome!

I have a 99 Z71..it's basically a decal package!

There's a couple of vendor members here that make & sell sas kits/parts...that's the route I'm taking....


after seeing my credit report yesterday, this truck and I will be together a long, loooonnnnnngggggggg time....:haha::thumb:
 
Thanks I have felt welcome here. Which is not a very common thing in forums these days. There is so much knowledge here and it has helped me on a few things. I have been looking at the SAS kits. Depending on what I plan for this truck I might go with one. But there are a few good early 80's Chevy 4x4's that are within easy reach for me. If I get one that will be my off road beast.
 
Might be a better plan. Gets hard to beat on your DD. Been there done that.
 
Yeah luckly I still have my little Honda to drive around just in case. But I still dont run the truck that hard to break her. Just a little mud here and some slow trail crawls there. Oh and by the way anybody in Texas know of any good camping or trail hiking thats out of the way. All of the places I have been are to crowded.
 
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