LML Duramax build part 6

[JR]

FYI, just got a 70gal aux tank for mine. Got 19+ mpg going to placerville and back today.

Then I ran to Brooks, then to Stockton selling my old lift parts ($350). Still on 3/4 tank after filling in Folsom ($240)

Can't wait to buy diesel for $1 cheaper a gallon and have plenty around AND maybe make some!

[Flyin6]

FYI, just got a 70gal aux tank for mine. Got 19+ mpg going to placerville and back

Saw that and responded over on your thread...That's solid JR. Question: How many miles do you have on yours at the moment?

[Flyin6]

Buttoned it up today. Took some time to tape up the wiring harness and zip-tie it in places. The old zip ties had moved, and some branches of the harness were flapping in the breeze. I greased the front end as well and took it for a test drive after topping up engine oil (Where I had removed the filter to get at the manifold bolts). Topped up the coolant, then drained the fuel filters and refilled them with transmission fluid to make sure I had a good prime. I had completely drained the filters to get diesel to clean the side of the engine bay.
It's running strong and the pist-pist sound is gone, so the problem is remedied.

On to the next fix!

[JR]

I am just shy of 250k. The 35 tires are the ticket for towing. Big thing I need now is traction bars, air bags installed and a rear sway bar.

[rpar86]

FYI, just got a 70gal aux tank for mine. Got 19+ mpg going to placerville and back today.

Then I ran to Brooks, then to Stockton selling my old lift parts ($350). Still on 3/4 tank after filling in Folsom ($240)

Can't wait to buy diesel for $1 cheaper a gallon and have plenty around AND maybe make some!

19mpg is pretty good. I can eek out 20-20.5 mpg running up I-5 to our friends’ place about 80 miles away.

[JR]

I find it goes down when I get past 70mph. These trucks really push some air.

[Flyin6]

I am just shy of 250k. The 35 tires are the ticket for towing. The big thing I need now is traction bars, airbags installed, and a rear sway bar.

I use an earlier F350 sway bar and I flip it and mount it on top of the axle, so it does not reduce ground clearance. With that and the airbags I use along with the fatter-than-factory front sway bar, my truck does not roll much in the corners.

I do really feel the need for a smaller tire...It's coming

[Flyin6]

I find it goes down when I get past 70mph. These trucks really push some air.

And I think that is about 50% of the equation right there. A lifted truck, especially with that big shell that sits proud of the cab is hurting me. The next bigger factor is the tire size. I have to agree with you JR, that a 4.56 gear and a 35" tire is perfect for power. Almost like when I get to 75-80, I can almost relax on the pedal. It just wants to run at 2200 rpm. Mine, of course, is a little different than stock since I run a larger Fleece turbo.

[Flyin6]

Guys give me a good recommendation for an AT tire in the size 35X 12.50R18 load range E

Seems my favorite, Kanati trail hogs are not available

Not interested in a MT tire at all

I'm coming up with the standard, the BFG AT, but at $440 ea, that's almost stupid.

[TexasRedNeck]

Not cheap but nitto ridge grapplers have performed well for me


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[Flyin6]

Not cheap but nitto ridge grapplers have performed well for me


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Thanks, but too expensive

[rpar86]

I’ve always been a fan of Cooper tires. Supposedly one of the last tire Made in America…

[JR]

Thats why I went with cheap this time around. These Ironmans were $200 each. Thats a screaming deal today, shipped free (ebay)

Don't think the shell is really a factor, its the added weight. Just like I guess I am way over 8k. Sure I got a few things I could loose, but I like a full size spare and some tools/gear.

Iv'e had really good luck with coopers, would get them in a second!

Look for whats on sale, see how much lower it sits then and adjust. I am looking vortex generators for the shell and maybe a dam when tow big stuff. It all helps.

[Bigdave_185]

Not cheap but nitto ridge grapplers have performed well for me


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I’d pay the money for nitto ridge grapplers all day long

Of the many sets I have never seen less then 50k miles on them


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[Flyin6]

Not cheap but nitto ridge grapplers have performed well for me


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I’d pay the money for nitto ridge grapplers all day long

Of the many sets I have never seen less then 50k miles on them


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Thanks for the advice, but-

You never had a Yukon grizzly locker though. My tires would last a lot longer but that locker locks most of the time. Yesterday, I was turning out of the just recovered driveway into our local school. My tire on the inside was chirping and digging all through the turn. It's that scrubbing that wears the tires quickly. For that reason alone I am just not going to invest in anything expensive. Nothing will last very long on my truck.

[JR]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325283686069?epid=14048562138&hash=item4bbc6b26b5:g:ZVcAAOSwTWJi4ErT:sc:ShippingMethodStandard!95687!US!-1

[rpar86]

He said he didn’t want MTs.

[Sammconn]

Ive had good luck with Duratracks.

Not sure on cost for that size or if available.
But will likely be aloof 400 bones each id guess.

[TexasRedNeck]

Not cheap but nitto ridge grapplers have performed well for me


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I’d pay the money for nitto ridge grapplers all day long

Of the many sets I have never seen less then 50k miles on them


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Thanks for the advice, but-

You never had a Yukon grizzly locker though. My tires would last a lot longer but that locker locks most of the time. Yesterday, I was turning out of the just recovered driveway into our local school. My tire on the inside was chirping and digging all through the turn. It's that scrubbing that wears the tires quickly. For that reason alone I am just not going to invest in anything expensive. Nothing will last very long on my truck.

I have a grizzly in mine. I’ll check the mileage.


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[Bigdave_185]

Maybe dump the grizzly locker.


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[JR]

Pretty happy with my Posi, but I would do a Truetrac if I did it again. I want driveabilty and traction, not a mall rock cruiser.

God I hate the look of these wide low profile tires people are doing.

[Flyin6]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325283686069?epid=14048562138&hash=item4bbc6b26b5:g:ZVcAAOSwTWJi4ErT:sc:ShippingMethodStandard!95687!US!-1

Great lead, JR!
Prob not going with the Ironman because those are gonna be NOISY

I've driven this truck now for 11 years, and 3-4 times a month I get really off-road. The times I needed a mud tire were extreme cases and the mud tires could not even handle it. Thinks like during days of rain on a long steeper slope. Every time the truck just kept slipping downhill further and further. For the rest of the 99% off-road, I have to say, an AT tire worked just fine. It will slip and spin a bit more but because of that excellent grizzly locker and the truck's weight and wheelbase, AT tires will even allow me to tow uphill, all except when its mushy, and I don't tow uphill on grass or goo when it rains.

Now, most of the life of this truck it glides up and down US highways and by-ways, so noise is really more of a factor. Not that I can hear all that much except for that constant high-pitched whine 24/7. With what hearing I do have left (Not much..Really!) I want to listen to my 80's R&R, my country, and my Christian along with a healthy spattering of instrumental tunes. I don't want another whine to compliment the one I live with, even now.
So, I am going to try and stay away from noisy tires.
But, and there's always a butt, especially when we talk about that certain "H"
But I am about to take delivery on a serenely quiet Tesla.
That will be quiet
And that is what I will soon be driving to and fro in urbana and suburbia. This means the truck will get used far less
This means if it did make some noise, well it would only be for a short time
So, for that reason if I can't find reasonably priced AT's I might just opt for a MT...

[Flyin6]

Pretty happy with my Posi, but I would do a Truetrac if I did it again. I want driveabilty and traction, not a mall rock cruiser.

God I hate the look of these wide low profile tires people are doing.

They just telegraph..."STUPID!"

[Flyin6]

Maybe dump the grizzly locker.


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NEVA...!!!

[JR]

I hear the same whine, hate it but what can you do.

I may go the same on tires next time. 90% is on the road but those times I deal with snow and ice they come through. There some pretty aggressive AT out there. I saw some for around $240 lest I looked, not name brand.

[Flyin6]

I hear the same whine, hate it but what can you do.

I may go the same on tires next time. 90% is on the road but those times I deal with snow and ice they come through. There some pretty aggressive AT out there. I saw some for around $240 lest I looked, not name brand.

I would stay with Kanati trail hog AT,s but they stopped making them in the size I need. I am on my second set of Kanatis and I just love them. Really an RT tire more than an AT, they stand up to the grizzly locker better than anything else. They do whine a little.

Driving down to and back from Richmond KY today, 1+30 each way. I drove 72 mph down there and averaged 17.1-3. But coming back I set the cruise on 64 and pulled in the driveway with 19.3 showing on the dash. What a difference!

Based on the noise I was experiencing; I think I am going to use the dyno Mat on the floor while the interior is out to be recovered.

This morning I used a propane torch to heat and almost melt the wheel well liners on both sides. While they were hot, I used gorilla tape to securely pull them as far aft as possible. That took care of a lot of the rubbing but the tire is still hitting the electric folding step. Try as I may, the 37" tires cannot remain in use on that truck

[JR]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/334258489057?hash=item4dd35bc6e1:g:uSAAAOSwkOJhvLkw

I see many in the $250-300 price range. Got to be something out there!

[Flyin6]

Tires are ordered

TBB AT's 35 12.50R18 Load Range E

$993 out the door

After burning a lot of brain cells out and checking everything out, just tossed in the towel and punched the "Place Order" button

[JR]

I  those

[Flyin6]

I  those

Ya know JR,, I Think most of these cheapo tires are about the same. Same belt construction, pretty much the same load ratings, wear index and all the rest.

My kanatis are probably no better than all the rest of the tires manufactured in Singapore, Thailand, and China. They will solve for the rubbing issue and allow me to lower the truck about another inch which is about where it will remain. Hopefully, they may pick up fuel mileage and for sure will make towing nicer. So it's a win in my books. I don't look as zombie ready, but I haven't run across any of those folks, they all moved to California and Texas!

[Flyin6]

So, I got a bunch more done today on the interior upgrade.

First I replaced the worn original driver's door interior panel with a new GM panel

Here's the old one and the new one about to get installed:

[Flyin6]

The new trim panel even included the factory Styrofoam panel which had a bead of caulk/rubber gummy stuff which made for a nice install

It didn't take long, and that piece was reinstalled and looked good. While I was in there, I regreased the window sliders and inspected the inside of the door. On that: That 3M cavity wax really does a great job. There was nothing in there to buy shiny paint. Absolutely zero corrosion anywhere. I had the same result when I pulled off the wheelhouse liner earlier. I had coated the interior parts with the 3M and another product, and all those areas were factory fresh. Seriously, if you washed it all out with kerosene it wouldn't look much different from the day, I took delivery when it was new

[Flyin6]

The dash redo is a bit more involved.

I stripped all the stuff I had all over my factory-cracked dash and cleaned and sanded it all down.

Next I pulled a lot of the trim panels and the instrument cluster so I could get to that EFI Live 5 position tune switch. I had it in a fixture on the top of the dash, and I finally decided it looked pretty hillbilly sitting there, so I moved that down beside the steering wheel and made a super clean install of it.

[Flyin6]

I thoroughly cleaned everything and snugged up some bolts I found which had loosened over the years. I sprayed some cavity wax all over that steel pipe below the dash and tucked the wires a little better.

The new dash is just a dash cover. I figure I'd give this a try and if I didn't like it, replace the whole dash with new GM parts.

Frankly, I have to say, this dash cover is a great fitting part and looked good at the test fit

[Flyin6]

I laid beads of the supplied silicone and then cleaned the old dash with brake cleaner.

[Flyin6]

I placed the dash cover over the existing factory piece and pressed it into place.

I placed heavy things all over the thing and taped it down in places. I'll have to leave it this way for 6 hours while the silicone sets up

It looked a ton better right away

[Flyin6]

And for those of you not believing Kentucky is just getting pummeled by thunderstorms, here's another big one approaching the casa. We have been getting downpours for a couple of weeks now.

My sister had three feet of water over her lower field, and the bridge they need to cross over that connects their driveway to the main road was almost underwater. It stands about 15 feet proud of the stream under normal conditions. The town of McKee was about half submerged, but the water will come up fast, then abate.

My neighbor and my boy's doctor has kin living in eastern KY. They are OK, but the town below them washed away along with the road. I hear it is pretty desperate in Hazard and other more back-water places. Those people are proud. They likely won't let the feds to come in, as they don't trust the federal government at all. I'll bet the death toll is much higher than reported because of that.

[JR]

Looks good Don, My drivers door is showing some wear, so that may be in the works too. Bet that panel was $$ from GM though.

Hazard County Kentucky, it just sounds like a problem but hope everyone is OK. We could sure use a little rain hear.

[Flyin6]

Looks good Don, My drivers door is showing some wear, so that may be in the works too. Bet that panel was $$ from GM though.

Hazard County Kentucky, it just sounds like a problem but hope everyone is OK. We could sure use a little rain hear.

That door panel new from GM was just under $500

[TexasRedNeck]

Gee. Can’t imagine why people wouldn’t trust the government….


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[Sammconn]

Gee. Can’t imagine why people wouldn’t trust the government….


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I know right…

[Flyin6]

Gee. Can’t imagine why people wouldn’t trust the government….


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Maybe some of those 86,000 new IRS auditors can come on down and grab a shovel...They could really help then

Funny, but I read yesterday that although the IRS seeks to audit big organizations to hopefully recover (steal) billions, is practical terms, big companies are very good at avoiding being taxed. Therefore, according to testimony from one IRS auditor, they turn their attention to poor people since they are "Easy."

Government story line: You will not see additional audits if you make less than $400,000

Truth: The newly created Pretorian guard, numbering more than the FBI, Homeland security, Border control, and the US Marine Corps and heavily armed is coming after every American. Part of a planned takeover by a far overreaching and oppressive new American regime.

[JR]

Maybe something to do with the "new" minimum tax for businesses.

And each of those agents makes around 100K a year (give or take bennys)

[oklawall]

Just as a reminder some political party used the IRS audit against their political party running against them. But history never repeats itself. Right?

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[Flyin6]

Just as a reminder some political party used the IRS audit against their political party running against them. But history never repeats itself. Right?

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That was a fluke! A one-time thing. The government can now be trusted.
and
since the FBI just raided former President Trump, I think we can all assume he really is a big bad orange man and never, never vote for him again.

[Flyin6]

Today: One tire showed up, but FedEx is showing four delivered!!!!!

My horn had stopped working. I purchased a factory note dual horn setup. When I pulled the replacement horn out and rotated it, I emptied half a cup of rusty water. I can figure out what happened to that one!

I used the horn 10-amp circuit and repositioned the dual horn setup ahead of the intercooler facing down and aft. I made up a fresh harness, loomed it and finished the install. It's now loud (110db) and sounds like a factory setup

Next, I removed the factory door trim strips in preparation for the upcoming Urethane coating.

[Flyin6]

That whole area will be sanded smooth, then brought back with a sealer and the urethane, but before that, I worked vigorously to rub off all the factory glue and foam. That took a little time, but I was rewarded with a smooth surface

[Flyin6]

I have a guy coming over next week to detail the Suburban, and I almost want to detail this truck, but first it really needs some good old paint repair. I will use the three-step process of primer/sealer, then the flat black color coat, then finally three coats of two-part clear. I'll buff all that out later on when it gets cooler, and the paint has had several months to set up.

This truck is in really good condition, and I believe it deserves a retouch along with all the mechanical repairs and of course the new leather interior.

[Flyin6]

I am also thinking hard about what I may do with the spare tire carrier. Part of me says to just toss it since that expensive wheel and tire broke off and rolled away, and I also think about getting rid of the topper and just adding a tonneau cover.

It is now faded a little, so it, too, would have to get a repaint.

But another part of me likes the truck with that tough-looking utility topper. I could just remove it, paint it too and reinstall it and go for another 11 years.

Thoughts?

[TexasRedNeck]

A good detailer can do paint repair and correction.  let a pro handle it.

There is a thing called a 3m eraser wheel to take off all that residue from the removal of the moulding.  Yeah, I know I’m fired for not mentioning it before you did it the hard way…

I don’t personally like toppers unless you are sleeping back there. I like open beds or covers that allow you to use the open bed, the essence of a truck.  Otherwise you have a suburban…but you already have one…


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