CK5
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One Piece at a Time: My 1985 Diesel Suburban

What a great trip. We can't wait to go back. The granite has near infinite grip, so you've just got to make sure the big girl will fit through the obstacles. We ran their easy and moderate trails, which had plenty of challenge to offer.

We found a nice stand of oaks and plenty of shade for camp.
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The granite rises up out of the ground, and makes for some beautiful scenery.
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Despite @muddysub's suggestion that "dashed trails are suburban-specific", we quickly found that wasn't the case.
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A bone head move requires a dummy's repair. Plenty of trees around for that.
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I need to build real bump stops. All the o-rings on the shock rods were bottomed, which you can easily see in the video. It's interesting to see how much the shackle hardware moves around as the suspension flexs. There's not a loose nut on there.

Good group of folks.
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The shocks work very well in concert with the softer front suspension. Everything was more stable, controlled, with a whole lot less dramatic rebound after coming off an obstacle or suddenly coming up one. I would describe the truck and it's trail performance as substantially more balanced. What occurs at the front or rear does not throw the other end out of whack. Very pleased.

New tie rod, bump stops, maybe a sway bar, and probably new injectors. That's what's coming up, but first a very busy week of work .

David
 
Cool video. I've always wanted to take one like that.
I was at wolf caves this weekend. You should check that place out if you haven't already.
 
Very cool. This exact build is what makes me strive to better my own rigs, both on and off road. Thanks for all the knowledge dropped David.
Glad to share, and I've appreciated all the feedback. Posting progress here is a big motivator to take pictures, which I'm usually pretty bad about. Thanks!
Cool video. I've always wanted to take one like that.
I was at wolf caves this weekend. You should check that place out if you haven't already.
We talked about that spot, but I haven't checked it out, yet. What's your take for foolsize-friendly? I'm interested.

David
 
i dont go to k2 or wolf caves cause they are fullsize friendly lol. lets just get that out of the way. I have come to terms with my adaptive sheet metal.
 
I think you said this is Katemcy. Where exactly is that?
 
katemcyrocks.com is the moab of texas. Wolf caves is a very similar place practically next door.
very centrally located to most of texas so it gets alot of attention.
 
I have family in Midland, is it far from there? Midland doesn't look anything like that from what I remember.
 
We are very fortunate in Texas to have a little bit of everything. The granite is pretty localized to that area. Hundred miles west from katemcy is dusty prairies and a hundred miles east is gray rock. Hundred miles more are the coastal plains.
 
What pressures you running in your tires on the trail? Looks like you could go down a few more.
 
Also, that video was strangely entertaining, watching the suspension move around and especially the gear lash. You think everything is solid and whatnot, but obviously it isn't.
 
We are very fortunate in Texas to have a little bit of everything. The granite is pretty localized to that area...
Yes we are. It's a beautiful part of the country in the spring. Fire wheels were everywhere this weekend.
I have family in Midland, is it far from there? Midland doesn't look anything like that from what I remember.
Google says Midland to Mason is 3.5 hours. We'll meet you there.
What pressures you running in your tires on the trail? Looks like you could go down a few more.
Went down to 20. I sliced my old BFGs straight down the sidewall a couple of years back after airing down to 15, which makes me pretty cautious. I think you're right I could go lower. The suburban is heavy, and 20 gave it a pretty nice squat, but I'm open to input.
...You think everything is solid and whatnot, but obviously it isn't.
Eye opening for sure. Springs, shackles, Detroit locking/unlocking, all of it.

David
 
Wow that video gives a great perspective! I gotta attach one to my rig now I'm amazed how much the spring moved.. looks like it works really well though!
 
Can I get some info on the tent?
 
I run about 18 psi on my Yukon, and it weighs right at 6,000 lbs.
We might be in the same ballpark for "tire squat."The suburban is about 7500 with fuel and a spare tire and me.
Can I get some info on the tent?
It's the Kifaru Sawtooth. Half tent, half tipi, and very lightweight. I also have the medium box stove for winter.

David
 
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