Just bought a 85 K20 and a truck camper... Now Where?

[Philthe62]

Hey all,

Just bought me a 1985 K20 Silverado and an 89 Lance slide in. I graduate in a few weeks and then I'm taking off to Colorado for a couple months. Wanting to try and get this rig as far back into the bush as I can. I fly fish, and wouldn't mind hiking a 14er or two. Anyone got any suggestions on the best place to get all three of these things?

Thanks!

 

[K85 Octane]

I'm confused. What is the question?

Nothing makes campers more stable like tie downs that go to the frame, not the bed. Either way is fine, but if you're looking at some off road stuff, you ot to look into it. Also, even if you don't tie into the frame, the best addition to any tiedown system is front cabover shocks. The ones that go from the cabover, to the cowl. IMO night and day in the handling department, a must I think.

 

[y5mgisi]

I think he is asking where to go camping.

 

[Philthe62]

I've already got plans for a belly bar on the front. Haven't looked into shocks on the cabover but if I can get them in the budget it sounds good.

I was actually just looking for good places to find back country camping opportunities with good hiking and fishing. A friend told me about some BLM land near Buena Vista. Just wondering if anyone else has some good spots to check out....

 

[Avery4jc]

I have no idea where you should go but that sounds like a pretty awesome plan, cool setup!

 

[COCHEV]

The Frying Pan River that runs into Basalt is well known for fly fishing. Any of the areas around Buana Vista will be awesome. 14ers every where and lots of little high moutain passes (12k) you can do in that rig.

Don't know if it will be open by the time you go, but Independance pass outside of aspen is awesome too...

http://www.buenavistacolorado.org/

http://www.independence-pass.com/

 

[COCHEV]

oh yeah, nice rig

what drive train does it have? Best do a pretty thurow goins through on that bad boy. Starting with tires...

that thing is going to be gasping for air at those elevations too (you also ). don't expect awesome performance.

 

[Philthe62]

6.2 L, TH400, All J code stuff. Not sure yet on the gearing. Ran the VIN and nothing came back. Also tried looking for a label on the front diff, way too greasy to find out. Anyone know what else I can do?

I've got it all new fluids and filters so far. Still diagnosing my hard cold starts and lacking power. I'm getting drainback after prolonged periods of sitting, a little bit of air in the line coming from the LP, and I suspect I have some weak injectors. She runs and starts, but weak.

LP gets decent pressure, so I'm going to be pulling the glos when I get time and checking my injector spray. Still deciding if they need replaced, buying rebuilts, or just replacing the nozzles on my own and getting them popped by a diesel mech. I've heard as long as the injectors aren't too bad, I won't need to shim and **** if I keep all my parts seperate.


I've heard 3% loss in power for every 1000 ft above sea level. Its not going to be pretty, but I'm not looking to haul balls with this thing. The camper is pretty light considering its size, so I think I should be fine once I get her running a little better. I've got one more week until I graduate, then I get to go elbow deep in her and start getting stuff done.

Anyways, I definitely need to stay on the front range, and the BLM 4x4 trails above 10k probably aren't happening.

 

[Cornfield creations]

That is a dream trip for me. I would love to take a year off and go into the rockies with a chalet. Have fun and be safe. You have plenty of 14er's to choose from! Might as well go for all 54!

 

[OffRoad]

truck prep:

put a Detroit locker in the rear.
put some 265 muds on there.