Skidder's Build...

[Skidder]

I'm not the kind of guy that likes to do stuff twice, so I'm spending a lot of time reading, digging through all sorts of postings to figure out what I want to do. I am also the type of guy who would rather learn from someone who has touched a hot stove, rather than touch it himself. Surprisingly, for a truck with 'not a lot of options' compared to other platforms, there are a lot decisions to be made regarding what parts are out their for our toys.

I decided the first step (other than complete fluid changes to give me a known baseline to work from) is the lift. Mark's new kit for the front, and Z-71 springs and BDS 5500 shocks for the rear.

Haven't done anything worthy of build photos yet, but I have already had a good start story...here it goes.

Having decided on what rear shock I wanted, I used the BDS website to find a local distributor, turns out it was in Fort Worth, approx 140 miles away. However, last week I had to go TDY to Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nv...flying out of DFW...25 miles from the distributor in Fort Worth. So, I figured, 'great, I'll pick up the shocks when I get back from the TDY'. Also, the Z-71 springs I found on Ebay turned out to be in Dallas too, 25 miles the other direction from DFW. (This part didn't work out on this trip, the guy was out of town the weekend I got back to Dallas...maybe on my next trip in a week.) While waiting for my 0600 hours flight out of Vegas, I decided to burn 5 bucks on the draw poker machine. I hit 5 Aces and won ~45 bucks...the cost of one of the shocks.

Now, if the rest of the build goes like this, I'll be set.

[Skidder]

Step two...get the Z-71 springs...done.

Ordered them on ebay, part number was the older spring model, and the seller was in Dallas. (~140 miles south of here) Went to Dallas yesterday to do some Christmas shopping, so picked the springs up while we were there. They turned out to be the new part number. Saved the 35.00 in shipping.

For any of you guys needing springs, he has plenty. He apparently has some deal worked out with the Border Patrol, he get all the stuff off their vehicles when they are modifying them for service on the border.

[KE7WOX]

He might have been the guy I got mine from, as they also got shipped from Dallas.

[Skidder]

Fresh from the loading dock...the much anticipated bumper and skids from Mike

[Skidder]

[Skidder]

[bartonmd]

Awesome!

The receiver plate mount was on there, too, right?

Mike

[v7guy]

Looks pretty damn cool, now get it on the truck!

[Mudwheelin]

They look great! Good job again Mike! Can't wait to see them on the TB.

[Skidder]

Yeah Mike, the pallet looked just like you photos you sent.

There was one small bag of bolts taped to something...was that the only thing on the pallet that wasn't powdercoated?

Oh, throw me on the list of guys who needs your sticker...if it was on there somewhere, it must have stayed on the dock.

[navigator]

Greg, those shipping guys must keep stealing Mike's stickers!

[Skidder]

Exactly!!!

[bartonmd]

No, I just don't keep them in the garage because the humidity kills them, so I always forget to ship them. I think the list is short, though, because I Mailed a bunch out to whoever said they wanted them, a few months ago.

Mike

[Skidder]

Well after sitting in the garage for the year my daughter was driving the TB to school, it was time to get the bumper/armor on the truck, so my son can start driving it to school.

[bartonmd]

NICE!

Mike

[v7guy]

that's a beautiful bumper you got there!