Building the SS(V) TrailHoe

[Bill 1960]

Got the rear done. Still have some fine details to wrap up like better securing ABS sensor wires and some new differential breather hoses.

Tomorrow I’ll work on tires. Maybe.

 

[Bill 1960]

Back on the road again. Got the seal of approval from the passengers. I’ll take some more pictures when the lighting is better.

Initial impression; while the handling and ride is impacted, it’s not as bad as many lifted vehicles I’ve driven. I’ll need to play around with tire pressures and decide what to do about coilovers. The factory style Monroe struts are riding OK, but they’ll never handle these tires on a washboard trail.

 

[bigfootchiro]

Where are you located Bill? I'm in Pinellas Park. Nice Hoe!

 

[Dantheman1540]

Back on the road again. Got the seal of approval from the passengers. I’ll take some more pictures when the lighting is better.

Initial impression; while the handling and ride is impacted, it’s not as bad as many lifted vehicles I’ve driven. I’ll need to play around with tire pressures and decide what to do about coilovers. The factory style Monroe struts are riding OK, but they’ll never handle these tires on a washboard trail.

View attachment 269368

Dang looks good and super tall with that front bumper cut! Lots of front approach angle

 

[Bill 1960]

Still not very good lighting conditions, but at least it has the hub covers back on. These are a little weathered so I ordered replacements today. GM wants stupid price for a bit of plastic adornment, so I went against my usual habit and bought imitations from eBay.



I will say IMO 6” of lift or more is not a great look. Too much wheel well above the tire for my taste. I may end up dropping an inch or two from here. Or maybe not, as I DO like the clearance.

@bigfootchiro I'm in SWFL. Nice looking rig in your sig. I'm envious of that 14 bolt.

 

[Bill 1960]

She went on a diet and became a two-seater today. In preparation for building a deck with storage.

Although I may prioritize rock rails/ steps because climbing in and out is a pain. Literally.



As you can see red Texas dust is still showing up whenever something comes apart.

 

[1BADI5]

I'm a lowered guy......but I like where this going. I have a '19 Rubicon for my off road pleasures....but I agree, driving a lifted Rubicon on the highway for long distance blows donkey ball sack.

I would love to build an SSV trail rig........but my PPV keeps sucking the money from me; I wanna go fast (Ricky Bobby style). Just built the 5.3 and now I'm building a 6.0(L96).

 

[Sparksalot]

Still not very good lighting conditions, but at least it has the hub covers back on. These are a little weathered so I ordered replacements today. GM wants stupid price for a bit of plastic adornment, so I went against my usual habit and bought imitations from eBay.

View attachment 269460

I will say IMO 6” of lift or more is not a great look. Too much wheel well above the tire for my taste. I may end up dropping an inch or two from here. Or maybe not, as I DO like the clearance.

@bigfootchiro I'm in SWFL. Nice looking rig in your sig. I'm envious of that 14 bolt.

Which caps are you after, the standard ones, or the PPV version? I know the PPV caps are$120 each. Between the twins I have three sets of wheels and 2.5 sets of caps.

 

[Bill 1960]

@Sparksalot mine came with the satin silver standard, just like most low spec trucks of that period. I think the PPV was chrome? I found lots of aftermarket chrome -not the look I want- and plenty of GM OEM satin still available from around $70 to twice that. Crazy money for a few ounces of painted plastic.

I finally found a set of four in satin for $50 on EBay. Fingers crossed they show up as described and not chrome!

 

[bigfootchiro]

Still not very good lighting conditions, but at least it has the hub covers back on. These are a little weathered so I ordered replacements today. GM wants stupid price for a bit of plastic adornment, so I went against my usual habit and bought imitations from eBay.

View attachment 269460

I will say IMO 6” of lift or more is not a great look. Too much wheel well above the tire for my taste. I may end up dropping an inch or two from here. Or maybe not, as I DO like the clearance.

@bigfootchiro I'm in SWFL. Nice looking rig in your sig. I'm envious of that 14 bolt.

Thank you. It's what happens when you decide to grenade your stock 10 bolt rear with all the torque of your big block