2002 Duramax Solid Axle Adventure Build

NVWill

Member
I decided I wanted to get the bed more organized for all my recovery gear. I carry a ton of spare parts, u joints and even a spare front drive shaft. I had been eyeing a Decked system for a while and decided to pull the trigger on one.

I know most people on here have one so no review here. I’m definitely happy with it though.
 

Attachments

  • 5817F487-9113-4326-AF00-F0B9EF942E9B.jpeg
    5817F487-9113-4326-AF00-F0B9EF942E9B.jpeg
    335 KB · Views: 69
  • FF70D629-E15C-41B6-B478-88B055D90A01.jpeg
    FF70D629-E15C-41B6-B478-88B055D90A01.jpeg
    355.1 KB · Views: 67

locrwln

Expedition Leader
This is how the has been for the past year now. I’ve only put about 6000 miles on it so far. Around 1500 of those have dirt road miles out exploring northern and eastern Nevada.

At this point I’ve really been eyeing a newer dedicated tow rig. That means this thing can start to see some more parts thrown at and hopefully I can figure out how to get 37’s to fit with only 3” of lift.
I think you can fit 37’s as long as you are willing to lose the windshield washer bottle or relocate it. That’s the limit on these trucks.

Jack
 

NVWill

Member
Eventually 37’s with some Hutchison bead locks will happen. For now the 35’s get me where I need to go and they only have 6000 miles on them.

I wanted to get my full size pare out the bed and have always liked the swingout tire carriers. I contacted Buck Stop and asked if they would build one for my truck similar to the Ford swing out they make. They told me they don't have one in production currently but would get back to me. A week later they did and said they would and had a truck locally they could use for the template.
I optioned it with 20k built in receiver as well as 4” round reverse lights. This is the first production swing out they have made for the classic body style GM trucks.
 

Attachments

  • 6CB41FCE-488D-4B96-BA9B-971DA7AE8062.jpeg
    6CB41FCE-488D-4B96-BA9B-971DA7AE8062.jpeg
    336.9 KB · Views: 98
  • 7D867E4D-48D3-4946-8E03-1E25A8A4B80A.jpeg
    7D867E4D-48D3-4946-8E03-1E25A8A4B80A.jpeg
    318.5 KB · Views: 98
  • 15948222-3AEE-4E84-930B-574362DE32B3.jpeg
    15948222-3AEE-4E84-930B-574362DE32B3.jpeg
    397.9 KB · Views: 104
  • 46101C95-F55F-4A37-84D3-DDB5DBC94693.jpeg
    46101C95-F55F-4A37-84D3-DDB5DBC94693.jpeg
    454.3 KB · Views: 109
Last edited:

NVWill

Member
I’ve been doing a lot of day trips with the truck out exploring northern Nevada and the Sierras lately. I’m definitely wanting to get out on some extended trips out of state soon. I recently bought a new 3500 tow rig and will be starting to collect some parts this winter for the truck.

plans include:
Nitro 4.56’s
Arbs front and rear
PSC hydro assist
Possibly re working the front end with a secondary front reservoir shock and better bump stops
 

NVWill

Member
We just got back from a trip to Southern Utah to do some exploring and visit family. My wife had never been to this area of Utah so we did some tourist stuff and visited a couple national parks as well as sand hollow and the family ranch. 1800 mile trip and the 9000lb truck averaged 20mpg ? First up was Sand Hollow, we aired down and hit the dunes and took a trail called West Rim. It took us to the rim of the Mesa for a good lunch spot.
 

Attachments

  • 6F66D1B6-39DC-4DDA-BA16-3C4B63694053.jpeg
    6F66D1B6-39DC-4DDA-BA16-3C4B63694053.jpeg
    2.5 MB · Views: 85
  • 16B221D7-A61D-455B-B0B5-CDBCAA58E2AD.jpeg
    16B221D7-A61D-455B-B0B5-CDBCAA58E2AD.jpeg
    381.3 KB · Views: 90
  • 0C6081E7-66D7-48BC-8D15-3CEE3080C528.jpeg
    0C6081E7-66D7-48BC-8D15-3CEE3080C528.jpeg
    328.9 KB · Views: 88
  • 5410CB96-8962-478E-9F43-7997D39D9888.jpeg
    5410CB96-8962-478E-9F43-7997D39D9888.jpeg
    318 KB · Views: 85
  • 3D607024-0635-469F-8E1E-19B9C0F826A7.jpeg
    3D607024-0635-469F-8E1E-19B9C0F826A7.jpeg
    341.9 KB · Views: 65
  • B63864A0-CF3D-4CFB-A8C0-593E4EBB6784.jpeg
    B63864A0-CF3D-4CFB-A8C0-593E4EBB6784.jpeg
    376.6 KB · Views: 53
  • 6681C458-A4EB-4FDD-BCD0-048ACDFE6B97.jpeg
    6681C458-A4EB-4FDD-BCD0-048ACDFE6B97.jpeg
    363.4 KB · Views: 51

NVWill

Member
Next up was Zion Bryce and Kolab Canyon
 

Attachments

  • D76E535E-BB8C-471E-9276-E9927D0C7CED.jpeg
    D76E535E-BB8C-471E-9276-E9927D0C7CED.jpeg
    574.8 KB · Views: 29
  • 4C52AFE0-E4C5-4AC7-A361-68723E154887.jpeg
    4C52AFE0-E4C5-4AC7-A361-68723E154887.jpeg
    481.2 KB · Views: 30
  • 274F18DE-8060-4C99-ADD0-B705FAC4A7A1.jpeg
    274F18DE-8060-4C99-ADD0-B705FAC4A7A1.jpeg
    394.7 KB · Views: 31
  • 14E3E49C-45A1-42B4-9A4E-72B1AD0C3777.jpeg
    14E3E49C-45A1-42B4-9A4E-72B1AD0C3777.jpeg
    366.9 KB · Views: 30
  • 2355A138-316A-44BC-9232-1B0984ECCAF7.jpeg
    2355A138-316A-44BC-9232-1B0984ECCAF7.jpeg
    342.7 KB · Views: 31

NVWill

Member
We also took a drive up to Duck Creek Village and broke track up to Strawberry Point before heading out to the family ranch. We had weather earlier in the week and the road up to the ranch can be dangerous if wet. We headed up early in the morning while it was frozen and back down before it thawed and got to slick. Definitely some awesome county to explore. We plan on heading back in the spring and going from Hurricane to the north rim on all dirt roads if we can.
 

Attachments

  • C440762A-E7B6-4EDA-8F97-2428C01825B3.jpeg
    C440762A-E7B6-4EDA-8F97-2428C01825B3.jpeg
    606.4 KB · Views: 56
  • 3630A2FA-ACF8-47AC-B43F-FE62E1A15576.jpeg
    3630A2FA-ACF8-47AC-B43F-FE62E1A15576.jpeg
    414.4 KB · Views: 61
  • 385D7C63-CA94-4EC3-875E-EE637999CE90.jpeg
    385D7C63-CA94-4EC3-875E-EE637999CE90.jpeg
    379.9 KB · Views: 62
  • D3596D62-5B19-48D8-A010-1AD714122F1A.jpeg
    D3596D62-5B19-48D8-A010-1AD714122F1A.jpeg
    361.6 KB · Views: 55
  • 25A7CF88-B618-4DBB-8CFF-7019E525EC1E.jpeg
    25A7CF88-B618-4DBB-8CFF-7019E525EC1E.jpeg
    402.3 KB · Views: 48
  • 268C6CAF-E50A-4760-A616-988C775E3B61.jpeg
    268C6CAF-E50A-4760-A616-988C775E3B61.jpeg
    584.6 KB · Views: 45

locrwln

Expedition Leader
We also took a drive up to Duck Creek Village and broke track up to Strawberry Point before heading out to the family ranch. We had weather earlier in the week and the road up to the ranch can be dangerous if wet. We headed up early in the morning while it was frozen and back down before it thawed and got to slick. Definitely some awesome county to explore. We plan on heading back in the spring and going from Hurricane to the north rim on all dirt roads if we can.
We were just down in the So. Utah area as well. Spent a few days around the Hurricane area. ?

Jack
 

D45

Explorer
I decided I wanted to get the bed more organized for all my recovery gear. I carry a ton of spare parts, u joints and even a spare front drive shaft. I had been eyeing a Decked system for a while and decided to pull the trigger on one.

Do you know off hand how much weight can be set on top of this drawer system?
 

Hackopotomus

Observer
Thanks Jack!
You’re truck is a huge inspiration for me. I’m in Gardnerville and will definitely look them up!

Hey NVWill. Your truck is looking good! Love the rear bumper build.

I'm down in Smith Valley. Here's my in progress build. Still debating whether to stay with the stock bed or build a custom flatbed. I got my H2 wheels from Jack @locrwln. His rig is amazing and also a big inspiration.

Maybe we should do a northern NV ExpoPortal meetup!

IMG_8909.JPGIMG_8908.JPG
 

NVWill

Member
Hey NVWill. Your truck is looking good! Love the rear bumper build.

I'm down in Smith Valley. Here's my in progress build. Still debating whether to stay with the stock bed or build a custom flatbed. I got my H2 wheels from Jack @locrwln. His rig is amazing and also a big inspiration.

Maybe we should do a northern NV ExpoPortal meetup!

View attachment 626162View attachment 626163


Thanks you Sir! I'm actually in Wellington so we're pretty close! The flat bed would be awesome. I've been eyeing a norweld tray bed but will probably end up with a Four Wheel Topper Project M eventually.
Your truck looks great! We should definitely meet up for a run some time.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
185,530
Messages
2,875,581
Members
224,922
Latest member
Randy Towles
Top