My new truck...

[k2mslskier]

Will be bringing this home on Monday. It's one of our old foreman trucks.
I've been bugging my boss about it for the last couple of years telling him I wanted to buy it when they decided to retire it. He just kept brushing me off saying no decision had been made yet as it sat in the yard not being used.

So last month one of the higher ups told me to go to the "BIG" boss(owner of the company) and ask him...so I did. He said to "Make me an offer and if you are smart you will lowball me." Well...I was certain that my idea of lowball and his idea of lowball were 2 completely different #'s, but he assured me he would not be offended...to think it over and get back to him.

Well the other day he approached me and said he hadn't received my offer yet. I told him I had been dragging my feet unsure how he would take it and that I also didn't really have the cash right now but wondered if he would be willing to deduct it from my paycheck.

He asked how much so I said $500 at $25/week. He repeated me...$500 at $25/week...I said yes. He stuck out his hand and said deal. I was blown away, he said that it saves him $300/year for insurance on a truck that isn't being used.

A few stats...1998 K3500/350/4l80e/stock transfer case. Just over 174k miles but I believe the engine was replaced a few years back. All brand new front suspension...new tires...very few body dings...no rust(this is Arizona of course)...cloth front seat/vinyl back seat...a/c...manual windows/locks.

The only thing he wanted to keep was the service body which is why there is no bed...I removed it today along with the lettering. I found a longbed on C/L for $150, will probably pick it up next week.

Good deal huh?

 

[y5mgisi]

Nice score man! congrats!

 

[k2mslskier]

Thanks.

 

[yellowK20]

Good Score!! whats the plans??

 

[k2mslskier]

Thanks. At this point just a 6" lift with 35's and H2 rims. Has anyone ever had these flared fenders from Glassworksunlimited.com? I'm curious about their quality. They would add some more tire clearance. They are $455 for a set.

Obviously would love to do an SAS someday but that's a lot of $$$$ I don't have.

 

[dfl701]

honestly if your going to do a suspension lift, which is what im thinking you mean when you say a 6 inch lift, i would go ahead and consider a SAS. why spend the money twice? or just get a body lift or something.
i wouldnt want to spend $1500 on something when i would plan on changing it down the road

 

[AJMBLAZER]

What he said. Cut to fit the 35's or don't worry until you can do a SAS.

 

[yellowK20]

I'd say do the fenders and a Bodylift ,and crank the bars should be able to clear 37" that way

 

[k2mslskier]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm treading into unfamiliar territory with this IFS...it's been all pre 91 till now. I guess I'm kinda thinking ahead of myself even with a regular lift since I don't have $1500 lying around.

I've never been a fan of body lifts but as far as cranking the torsion bars what are the pros and cons of doing that? Will it put any kind of stress on my suspension or wear things out prematurely? I know IFS's are known for easy breakage but I don't really plan on doing anything too seriously with this, atleast not until I can afford the SAS.

 

[yellowK20]

you can get an an inch or so bt cranking the bars with out to much stress on the 1/2 shafts. on my 89 1 ton I had 305-70-16's on it with the bars cranked up a bit

i think if you just added the the fenders above and leveled the truck out with the bars you could fit 36" H2's would be a cinch

 

[AJMBLAZER]

What he said, 1" or so, don't go nuts and crank it out to the max.

 

[k2mslskier]

you can get an an inch or so bt cranking the bars with out to much stress on the 1/2 shafts. on my 89 1 ton I had 305-70-16's on it with the bars cranked up a bit

i think if you just added the the fenders above and leveled the truck out with the bars you could fit 36" H2's would be a cinch

Your pic is what I would like to get right now. The one thing about these that I didn't like was they always look like they are sitting in the weeds. Level it out and a bit bigger tire...that should work until I can afford the SAS. Have Michelin LT235/85r/16's on it now. Since they are new I will probably just wear them out then step up.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[dfl701]

As kong as you keep stock rims or near stock you should be fine. Just don't go out and get some wide rims. Then you will really start with rubbing issues

 

[noJeepshere]

Stick with the factory offset too, going with deep offset rims will put extra wear on everything under the front end. I cranked my front end about an inch to get a level ride, and nothing bad has come of it. Yet. That was ~25,000 miles ago too.

 

[k2mslskier]

Found these on C/L for $450. Weld Racing 16x8's. I think these with a set of 305-70-16 BFG All Terrains would work for now. With the bars cranked an inch or so.

 

[k2mslskier]

New bed installed. Taillights aren't hooked up yet. Need to get a factory harness for them so for now I have the other ones still wired up. Now I need a bumper.

 

[sweetk30]

you do 3" body and level the truck out with the bars cranked up. then notch the back side of the front fenders you can do 35" tires all day.

my buddy at work did this to his 2000 crew cab body like yours.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

I say just get some 35's and keep the rim width and backspacing stockish and then cut to fit. Seen it done and it looked good.

 

[yellowK20]

I say get the welds those would look sweet on there!!

 

[Avery4jc]

Is this going to be a tow rig at any point? If so I would stay away from the 35's and too much extra altitude. If it's just a toy then go for it.

My '00 K3500 has a 3" BL and the bars aren't cranked. I run 305/70-16 Nitto TG's. The 454 and 4.10's are fine with 33's but I wouldn't want to go any taller for towing purposes.