Overlanding - all years. General discussion and pics

[B-train]

Not sure if this is posted in the right spot or not. I'm looking to start a chain for members to share their overland builds and general info and observations with the Tahoe, yukon, suburban, yukon xl, Escalade, etc. used as an overlanding vehicle.

I'm fairly new to it and have enjoyed the exploring I've done so far. Looking for input and lessons learned,etc. Vehicle modifications, or stock setups and your failures or wins with said setups.

Share your adventures and routes you've taken.

 

[jnicks01]

Just started playing with my build. It's also my daily, so being able to quickly and efficiently removed overlanding items is important. I've rented completely built out rigs in Idaho and California, which was awesome! But for mine, I'm going more budget. No RTTs, dual battery system, etc. Sleep in the back on my homemade platform, Napa awning, light bar behind grill, basic supplies, folding solar panel/power station. I'm Midwest, so nothing too amazing is available, but that is why we jump on a plane and rent if we need some real terrain. This is my trial run last weekend in southern Illinois. Seeing what works and what doesn't. And obviously thinning down the list of items really needed.

 

[mrpeterclark]

We run a 2007 GMC Yukon XL Denali. Much of our info is around the forum, but here is a current run down. Happy to share what I know.
2007 GMC Yukon XL Denali
6.2L V8 w/ 6L80 replaced at about 240K
Roof Rack – Baseline Overland (that’s us)
Front Bumper - Chassis Unlimited Sierra bumper that I modified. I convinced them to make a specific one for us. (available at baselineoverland.com)
Warn EVO 12S w/ Factor 55 flat link*
Icon 2.5 Coilovers (71555) with Reservoirs CDCV adjusters set at 2.5"
Icon 2.0 rear shocks (76526) they're a pretty basic shock. I'll probably upgrade to 2.5's w/ CDCVs when they wear out. Might give Fox a try.
Cognito Upper Control Arms
Kryptonite upper and lower ball joints and tie rod ends
Dobinson 2" lift rear springs (C09-045)
Air Lift helper bags (don't make my mistake and use the ones spec'ed for this year model with the skinnier Dobinson springs. Use part number 60912 or 60913 for Dobinson springs)
Redarc Tow Pro Elite trailer brake controller. I like it. Fits great in the fuse box on the driver side of the dash. I like that I can switch between the manual mode or automatic since we do a lot of highway and off road driving.
Optimata Yellow Top Battery
K&N cold air intake
RTT: iKamper 2.0
Pelican BX140R Cargo Box behind the iKamper.
DFG Offroad Shower Awning

I'm planning on doing a rear drawer system that is modular so I can do a fridge cooler on one side and drawer on the other and swap the it out for two drawers. I've got it mostly dialed in. Just need to drop the cash and find the time to do it. I'll post a link for a kit once I get it sorted.

 

[B-train]

We run a 2007 GMC Yukon XL Denali. Much of our info is around the forum, but here is a current run down. Happy to share what I know.
2007 GMC Yukon XL Denali
6.2L V8 w/ 6L80 replaced at about 240K
Roof Rack – Baseline Overland (that’s us)
Front Bumper - Chassis Unlimited Sierra bumper that I modified. I convinced them to make a specific one for us. (available at baselineoverland.com)
Warn EVO 12S w/ Factor 55 flat link*
Icon 2.5 Coilovers (71555) with Reservoirs CDCV adjusters set at 2.5"
Icon 2.0 rear shocks (76526) they're a pretty basic shock. I'll probably upgrade to 2.5's w/ CDCVs when they wear out. Might give Fox a try.
Cognito Upper Control Arms
Kryptonite upper and lower ball joints and tie rod ends
Dobinson 2" lift rear springs (C09-045)
Air Lift helper bags (don't make my mistake and use the ones spec'ed for this year model with the skinnier Dobinson springs. Use part number 60912 or 60913 for Dobinson springs)
Redarc Tow Pro Elite trailer brake controller. I like it. Fits great in the fuse box on the driver side of the dash. I like that I can switch between the manual mode or automatic since we do a lot of highway and off road driving.
Optimata Yellow Top Battery
K&N cold air intake
RTT: iKamper 2.0
Pelican BX140R Cargo Box behind the iKamper.
DFG Offroad Shower Awning

I'm planning on doing a rear drawer system that is modular so I can do a fridge cooler on one side and drawer on the other and swap the it out for two drawers. I've got it mostly dialed in. Just need to drop the cash and find the time to do it. I'll post a link for a kit once I get it sorted.
View attachment 387408

We run a 2007 GMC Yukon XL Denali. Much of our info is around the forum, but here is a current run down. Happy to share what I know.
2007 GMC Yukon XL Denali
6.2L V8 w/ 6L80 replaced at about 240K
Roof Rack – Baseline Overland (that’s us)
Front Bumper - Chassis Unlimited Sierra bumper that I modified. I convinced them to make a specific one for us. (available at baselineoverland.com)
Warn EVO 12S w/ Factor 55 flat link*
Icon 2.5 Coilovers (71555) with Reservoirs CDCV adjusters set at 2.5"
Icon 2.0 rear shocks (76526) they're a pretty basic shock. I'll probably upgrade to 2.5's w/ CDCVs when they wear out. Might give Fox a try.
Cognito Upper Control Arms
Kryptonite upper and lower ball joints and tie rod ends
Dobinson 2" lift rear springs (C09-045)
Air Lift helper bags (don't make my mistake and use the ones spec'ed for this year model with the skinnier Dobinson springs. Use part number 60912 or 60913 for Dobinson springs)
Redarc Tow Pro Elite trailer brake controller. I like it. Fits great in the fuse box on the driver side of the dash. I like that I can switch between the manual mode or automatic since we do a lot of highway and off road driving.
Optimata Yellow Top Battery
K&N cold air intake
RTT: iKamper 2.0
Pelican BX140R Cargo Box behind the iKamper.
DFG Offroad Shower Awning

I'm planning on doing a rear drawer system that is modular so I can do a fridge cooler on one side and drawer on the other and swap the it out for two drawers. I've got it mostly dialed in. Just need to drop the cash and find the time to do it. I'll post a link for a kit once I get it sorted.
View attachment 387408

I like the setup. Where have you traveled? What kind of roads,trails, etc? Have you found any limitations without a low range available? I know 08 will do most anything, but the trans does work hard climbing up to 12k and beyond at 10 mph.

 

[B-train]

Just started playing with my build. It's also my daily, so being able to quickly and efficiently removed overlanding items is important. I've rented completely built out rigs in Idaho and California, which was awesome! But for mine, I'm going more budget. No RTTs, dual battery system, etc. Sleep in the back on my homemade platform, Napa awning, light bar behind grill, basic supplies, folding solar panel/power station. I'm Midwest, so nothing too amazing is available, but that is why we jump on a plane and rent if we need some real terrain. This is my trial run last weekend in southern Illinois. Seeing what works and what doesn't. And obviously thinning down the list of items really needed.

I love the simplicity of it! I too, have been trying to figure out a more efficient way to travel.......I'm going to leave the kitchen sink at home next time. LOL

The napa Awning looks legit. How does one fabricate a NAPA Awning? Like napa auto parts I'm assuming? The light below it has a nice glow.

Where in southern IL? What kind of trails/terrain?

 

[jnicks01]

I love the simplicity of it! I too, have been trying to figure out a more efficient way to travel.......I'm going to leave the kitchen sink at home next time. LOL

The napa Awning looks legit. How does one fabricate a NAPA Awning? Like napa auto parts I'm assuming? The light below it has a nice glow.

Where in southern IL? What kind of trails/terrain?

To fabricate one, just go to Napa's website and order one. It's a whole unit. Just mount it when it comes. But they can be hard to get now. I just camp in the Shawnee NF in Southern Illinois. Pretty much light gravel roads in that NF. A few natural material trails. I don't consider overlanding heavy off roading though. I'm not looking to break stuff. Just a nice cruise to my camp. I save more technical stuff for overlanding rentals out west each year. Tear the rental up a bit more.

 

[mrpeterclark]

Got a few new pics of the ride since all of the recent changes:

New Chevrolet Performance 6.2L crate motor
Remanufactured front diff from National Differential
Reman Rear 14 bolt SF axle w/ Eaton Truetrac and 4.56 gears
New Dual Swing Out Rear Bumper
35s - Goodyear Territory MT (315/70R17)

 

[B-train]

Wow! Looks sweet! I love the swing out bumper. I want to make something similar.

 

[B-train]

Got a few new pics of the ride since all of the recent changes:

New Chevrolet Performance 6.2L crate motor
Remanufactured front diff from National Differential
Reman Rear 14 bolt SF axle w/ Eaton Truetrac and 4.56 gears
New Dual Swing Out Rear Bumper
35s - Goodyear Territory MT (315/70R17)

View attachment 402270
View attachment 402271

How's the new motor? Better than OG? How is it climbing now with 4.56 gears? Does the 6 speed have actual engine braking down steep grades at this point?

 

[mrpeterclark]

How's the new motor? Better than OG? How is it climbing now with 4.56 gears? Does the 6 speed have actual engine braking down steep grades at this point?

The new motor has pros and cons. It's not necessarily the right motor for this rig. I had ordered the more mild cam version in January, but it kept getting pushed out until it was MAYBE going to arrive in June, so I started looking around. I kept it on order to resell it becuase the price had jumped another $1K. Ultimately they "discontinued" the one I ordered (I think it went to another part number - probably for cost reasons). The only one I could find was the 525 HP version. It's really a race motor that likes high RPM. The big cam doesn't like low RPM, so it's not as ideal at high altitude on slow trails as I would have liked, but it's great when you get into it. It would be super fun in a desert truck. It's got a ton more power than the L92, but it's mainly in the 3000+ range. That being said, it's fun. I think the 430 or 495 would be better all around motors or even a stroker, but time just wasn't on my side.
I really haven't gotten to spend a ton of time with it to see what it can do. After I got the motor broken in, I had to work through some fuelling issues, then started the diff/ axle swap. I just now got the gears broken in and a P0641 code popped up on Sunday. So...

The 4.56 gears are good. I think that was the right choice with this motor since I don't have a stall converter. It does run at a higher RMP that I would normally like on the highway, but it's not bad. I got 15.7 mpg per the computer running 80 from Boulder to Caslte Rock on Saturday, but once you go to in town driving the mpgs suck. It seems to use a ton of fuel at idle/ low RPM.

Once I get this PCM error solved, I'll do a long data log from cold start, through town, and up into the mountains to see if we can dial in the fuel. I probably should have stayed with the stock injectors, but was told they would be too small. The recommended ones are way too big. I think we're using like 45% of them. They're Bosh, and I think the ECU commands don't quite do the right think. I think after a little more adjusting to get the injector calibrations right with the various speeds and air temps and altitude we'll be in good shape.