What did you do to your GMT today?

[BC backroader]

Hillbillybonez, that night shot looks like the mothership coming at you!

I didn't do anything to my TB today, but I did get the news from the Ins. Corp. that my truck will be repaired, not replaced, and it has been towed to the body shop I chose, just 2 blocks down the street from me. My loaner car is a Nissan Sentra, so I won't be doing any trail runs with that! Total damage to my rig came in at just under $5K.

[ErikSS]

I started my new engine. I have some sensor issues. I will work on those tomorrow.

[jrSS]

Hopefully you fixed the oil starvation problem with these oil pans. Or else youll be redoing your motor over and over again. Especially off roading it.

[TBYODA]

Would a deeper pan help?

[v7guy]

I think he's avoided most of the issues offroad since we're largely at lower rpms so it doesn't suck a lot of volume like guys launching do.
That kit pcmofNC has looks pretty nice.

[jrSS]

The relocation kit from pcmofnc is what I'm talking about. Since gm was awesome and decided to make the oem oil pickup tube in the front of the pan... tons of tbss spin bearings. Oem or modded. That's why guys Run 7 qts instead of 6 for a " bandaid" fix so that when on WOT the engine will not starve of oil.

[v7guy]

We've talked about oil starvation a bit, it's even a problem on the I6 to some degree while climbing hills. He used the PCMofNC kit and for extra peace of mind the tried and true accusump would help all of us.
Most of us just use the calibrated noodle between our ears and make a judgement call. It's worked out for us so far... until it doesn't. lol

[ErikSS]

I did the PCM of NC pick up tube relocation kit.

[BC backroader]

Checked with the body shop this afternoon; they say my truck should be finished on Friday. I'll certainly be glad to get it back, though the little Nissan Sentra loaner has been cheap to run this week!

[Eredin]

Good to hear BCB. It's always nicer, in my opinion, to keep a hold of your own vehicle in cases like this, if reasonable, as you know the history. Glad it has worked out!

On the oil issue, had a friend just drop his LS2 on his SS. Warned him when he bought it to fix that tube, but he didn't do it. He's going to long block swap it, but I told him to buy that pick up before I would want to touch it, not worth the risk after your're that far into it.

[ErikSS]

He's going to long block swap it, but I told him to buy that pick up

That's good advice. I don't feel it's expensive either. Its kind of a pain to drill and tap inside the oil pan for the new baffles, but it's worth it IMHO.

[DirtyBacon04]

I had a productive 2 days off. Installed Optima Yellow top, mounted new CB Antenna, installed cargo area lights, and finally wired up the Warn 10k winch i've had in my living room for 3 months.

Lights: And holy hell, they are bright enough.



CB Antenna and mount. 4' Firestick and I used a Hood/Trunk Channel mount. I wanted to put it on the other side so it would be more out of the way, but the cable wasn't long enough. it just clears the rear hatch when opening and closing. I might reroute the cable some other time. It's out of the way right now.


Installed the quick connects for the winch and mounted it to the receiver carrier. Kinda looks like my truck has a face now.

[TBYODA]

Mike a very nice job on the fire stick instal but IMHO a that is a really low spot, What's the swr at channel 1, 20 & 40?

[DirtyBacon04]

uhhh. I guess I'll put that on my "To-Google" list.

I'm not to worried about it, just because I'll only be communicating with people that I'm on a trail with. I debated mounting it in the "ideal location" center, right above the rear gate, but I didn't feel like drilling through the roof. Plus, i dont know if you know, but firesticks don't have much give like a whip antenna. So a few tree branches in, i can see it ripping the screws right out of sheet metal.

[TBYODA]

Well check it a TECORE I have my swr meter in the tb.

[djthumper]

Once you set the SWR on the firestick you should be fine. They are top loaded so it isn't like putting a conventional antenna down that low.

[Hillbillybonez]

Was going to start working on the Limb Risers, instead The wife and i built a storage rack for the cargo area. still have to add carpet but almost done.

[Eredin]

I have my 3' Stik in almost the same spot, mounted to the bumper and grounded to the body via wire instead of direct. I tuned it and haven't had any problems. I'm using the bumper as a flex point as well, but it's low and doesn't catch much. It'll be temporary until I can decide what to do with it next spring.

[BC backroader]

I got my TB back at 4:00 today. The replacement parts and paintwork look really good, and all come with a 2 year warranty. After taking it home, I found a couple of small things they missed in reassembly. The drivers side fog lamp is out, and the washer fluid tank has a leak; that appears to have been the source of the spill at the accident site, as the rad and trans cooler are fine. I'll go back tomorrow and get those looked after.

Here are the "after" shots:

[HARDTRAILZ]

Put some air in the tires