When am i good to wheel?

[HarrisonTX]

Like i have stated before, im very very new to 4x4's but not new at all to GM's, or SBC's.
The truck has a rebuilt rear end, im sure with stock replacement parts, and 3.42's
The tires are 31's, its got a good running crate motor, with an 700r4, and the hubs have been switched over to manuals.
Im not looking to go crazy by any means, just very eager to check out the trails in Colorado when i get it up there very soon.
So, to just do some trail riding, and going up some good hills, is there anything that im gonna need? What is the weakest link in a stock driveline?
Thanks guys.

 

[Thunder]

Your best bet is just run what you have. Learn how to handle your truck on the trails. The stock 1/2 ton stuff is plenty strong if all you are running is 31" tires.
You can go up to 33" no problem if you want to go with a bigger tire.
If you have an open diff in the rear, a locker would be a good thing to put in. The added traction will really help you get around better. Plus boost your confidence in your truck. One of the weak points in 10 bolts are the spyder gears. A lockrite or power trax locker replaces the spyder gears, is an easy install and will make it stronger.
The powertrax costs more but I highly recomend it. It is a great locker for trail and street use.
I would also add a good aftermarket transmission cooler and run it along with the stock cooler.. 700r4s dont like heat. Also change the trans fluid and keep it clean.
You should also change all your other fluids in the drivetrain if you have not done so already.

 

[HOPPER]

Dont forget to beef up the frame around the steering gear. Where they tend to crack. You might be O.K with 31's though.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

What Thunder and Hopper said.

Don't forget good tires. A nice set of mud tires can make a WORLD of difference in traction abilities. I can't tell you how many times in winter up here I've seen folks with all four spinning as their highway tread tires spin furiously biting little bits of snow and slush and sending them flying no where. Meanwhile the wife and I dig through the stuff with our Muds.

 

[Desert Yeti]

I echo what's been said here...run what you have...the K5 was a reasonable wheeler for trail rides straight off the showroom floor.

As for my two cents worth, make sure you have a couple of basic trail tools, a recovery strap, a jack, and a spare tire that holds air. Good strong tow points on front and back are also a good idea.

 

[HarrisonTX]

Thanks guys.
Thunder, the rear was rebuilt with new 3.42's and an eaton posi, i take your adive, and run a tranny cooler. Too easy to install one of those,
So the added gearing from larger tires is what breaks stuff?
I was thinkin when these wear out, to get some 33's or 35's but i wouldnt want to lift over 4 inchs, and im not going to trim the fenders, so probably stick with some 33's.

Hopper, ill look into the frame issue. What is a common fix, just some added plate welded into place?

 

[HOPPER]

Hopper, ill look into the frame issue. What is a common fix, just some added plate welded into place?

ORD makes bolt in braces and or you can buy a weld in patch kit from just about anywhere. i bought my last patch kit from 4 wheel parts. I would probably go with the ORD braces if its not cracked yet.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

If you want to go any taller than 31's then you will need to regear to a lower gear. You'll quickly find, especially in those mountains, that 3.42's don't spin anything taller than 31's well at all.

Least you don't have 3.08's like a lot of folks start with.

 

[imiceman44]

If you want to go any taller than 31's then you will need to regear to a lower gear. You'll quickly find, especially in those mountains, that 3.42's don't spin anything taller than 31's well at all.

Least you don't have 3.08's like a lot of folks start with.

If it has the 700 it's an 80's and they came stock with 3.42, the 70's is what got the 3.08's

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Eh...plenty of 80's era trucks got 3.08's with the 700R4. LOTS of them. GM was looking for that high fleet mpg number.