When replacing stock bags snowballs into a Long Travel '04 Denali

[iamdub]

Excellent work on that tube bending. Looks so symmetrical and even that I'd swear a $100K machine bent it.

 

[Regency]

Badass build man.

 

[slow4dr]

Excellent work on that tube bending. Looks so symmetrical and even that I'd swear a $100K machine bent it.

Thanks, I am pretty happy with how the front turned out. There was a ton of measuring and a few tests on scrap pieces. The outer wings are roughly 3 degrees off from each other. Hardly noticeable to the naked eye.

Badass build man.

Thanks!

Feeling confident with the front bumper build I tackled the rear as well. Design wise was up to my wife even though I ended up without the step she asked for. Possibly will add it later.

I reused the factory brackets, just had to cut some holes and trim them back.

You can see the pilot hole for the hole saw.





A little mock up before bending the ends.







The front is still stock width so it looks silly with the McNeil fenders.



I added a couple bars to the front. The middle one being the most obvious. I also added one to the control arm crossmember and a short one that ties the center bar to the center crossmember.

 

[slow4dr]

With a little persuasion I convinced the wife that the Denali body moldings had to go. I figured removing the double sided tape was going to be the biggest issue. I did a little research and found that 3M makes what is called "Stripe Off Wheel". I removed a couple body pieces last night and messed around with the wheel. Holy crap that thing works. Albeit a little messy. I sprayed the dirty area down with water and wiped it clean. Then used a cordless drill at its slowest setting. It leaves a bit of a residue that is easily wiped off with a damp cloth. Afterwards I used a cleaner wax.

 

[iamdub]

Stripe-Off wheel FTW! I found mine the other day that I bought 12+ years ago. It was dry rotted and cracked. lol

 

[slow4dr]

I didn't care for the factory rear bumper bracket. So I added a few plates to make it stronger.

 

[Fosscore]

Great build with skills and forethought. Nice work!!

 

[slow4dr]

I decided to stick with stock length rear control arms for simplicity sake. The bars clear everywhere and thru full travel except when the anti-roll bar is disconnected and the suspension is fully articulated. The upper bar hits the frame slightly. The Johnny Joints are narrower than the mount opening so I had to shim them. I am fairly certain that I can just offset the bars/shims to gain the clearance needed. I ran out of daylight last night so I ended up just installing the stock upper bars again.

 

[inmypassatlife]

With a little persuasion I convinced the wife that the Denali body moldings had to go. I figured removing the double sided tape was going to be the biggest issue. I did a little research and found that 3M makes what is called "Stripe Off Wheel". I removed a couple body pieces last night and messed around with the wheel. Holy crap that thing works. Albeit a little messy. I sprayed the dirty area down with water and wiped it clean. Then used a cordless drill at its slowest setting. It leaves a bit of a residue that is easily wiped off with a damp cloth. Afterwards I used a cleaner wax.

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Wanna send me those body moldings?

 

[slow4dr]

Wanna send me those body moldings?

I will be selling all the factory Denali stuff I've removed. Including bumpers, and running boards.