Member III
- 2,771
- First Name
- Rolando
- Last Name
- Nispiros
- Member #
17011
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KN6JJS
It's cool how you can have the soft topper and RTT setup at the same time!
Why are there so few Silverado overland rigs?
- Thread starter Pike
- Start date
Enthusiast II
thanks man. thats why i decided to build all of my own things because no one makes what i wanted for my truck. i have kayak mounts bike mounts and a platform that all drop on and bolt to the same position. i have to finalize some of the platform but ill have more soon. i need to sit down and make a rig build thread
Member III
- 2,771
- First Name
- Rolando
- Last Name
- Nispiros
- Member #
17011
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KN6JJS
Enthusiast III
I'm running a 2500. My old rig was a built 4 Runner. Space. Was. Limited. Dirt bike plan required a tad more. So we upgraded. Best decision ever. Also, we don't plan to do crawling in this sucker. Just getting out there with some capable 4 wheeling fun.
Member III
- 2,771
- First Name
- Rolando
- Last Name
- Nispiros
- Member #
17011
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KN6JJS
Awesome build. Love that bumper lights, camper top, etc. I agree on space. It's plenty for now cause my kids are still young lol.
Nice set-up. I have a Sierra k1500 and I often think my next one will be a 2500. The jury is still out on that. I just dont tow all that often, though theres a possibility that may change.
Really nice Sierra!
JButtress
Rank VI
Traveler II
Member III
- 2,771
- First Name
- Rolando
- Last Name
- Nispiros
- Member #
17011
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KN6JJS
Very cool setup! How kind of muffler do you have installed? I see dual exhaust.
JButtress
Rank VI
Traveler II
Thanks! We actually have an amazing group of rigs in our camping group, Subaru Outback, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel. Its a fantastic group. My exhaust is a Borla. It didn't come with the truck when I got it, so I contacted the dealer and made sure I was adding the upgraded exhaust they put on the Silverados. Not too loud, but very throaty
Traveler II
Well as soon as my camper comes in I will be using my 2017 DC 4x4 to tow all over.
MrTheKiller
Rank IV
Enthusiast III
I am currently building my recently acquired 1998 Z71 extended cab. 300k on the clock and dead reliable, looks and drives like new. The 5.7 has decent power, I can fit 33's on the truck in stock form, no big expensive lift required. It has plenty of storage and ground clearance for most moderate trails. I just need to build my winch bumpers and storage/bed rack for the rtt.
Traveler II
I am very happy to see Silverados out there, I thought I was the only one... Lol
Influencer III
- 4,312
- First Name
- Rex
- Last Name
- Drake
- Member #
19540
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KI5GH
- Service Branch
- Air Force
I'm no expert, but I think, if you are talking rock climbing or rugged trail riding, a Jeep, a Taco, or a Colorado is where it's at. I get the idea that over-landing is different than that, so the bigger trucks can actually do very well. I hope so, anyway. I'm using my Sierra
Contributor III
Expedition Master III
Aftermarket OR.....homemade skid plates? (black ones) I like the transmission one first, then the big transfer case one, as my 2003 OEM is much smaller. The Duramax/ Allison with it's spin on external filter is just waiting to be snagged on a rock or obstacle. Just glad there's no Def, as the now earlier design location was so marginal. Even with upgraded aftermarket skid-plates . Had a work colleague rip a transmission external filter right off on a rock driving a military hummer, what a mess that was cleaning the fluid up on BLM land because of permit restrictions and trail lightly principals. It had a extensive belly plate skid design also......but No Joy, and he wasn't driving in a rock field.
The other sub par design issue is that area where the inter-cooler and bottom/back of the front bumper is- see photo). There is just a big opening with NO protection from sticks or limbs from poking a hole in the inter cooler. GM really left their under carriages vulnerable, even when you ordered the full OEM under carriage skid plate system.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EDIT 07/08/20
I like the idea of a fuel tank skid plate. Outside of cost, GM should at-least offer it either on a off-road trim version, or as a OEM option, open to any
trim level. My old 1985 F-150 6 cylinder, LWB, had a full STEEL gas tank skid plate. It showed a few scratches, so you know it worked. I don't even know if FORD even offers that now. Maybe their top tier RAPTOR has it as an included part. You would hope so!
Attachments
Last edited:
MrTheKiller
Rank IV
Enthusiast III
I very much agree. I was big into rock krawling for about 10 years and my main rig was a 2008 Jeep JKU on 37's and dana 60's powered by a 5.7 hemi. That was a great krawler. The 98 Z71 wil be a whole different beast. Low CG, built to be reliable and drive like a daily driver yet be capable on moderate trails. It has decent ground clearance but it is long being an extended cab so the break over angle and get to be an issue on some obstacles. Skid plates and a good winch will be required.
Enthusiast II
yea its home made. its actually some corner guards that some one made and were wrong. i got them from a metal shop when they moved. i get all my metal from this shop and am buiding all my own things. im working on sliders right now. but the skid plate i will be going to a bigger one. im doing a full sheet under the engine to back where the gas tank is. then will build a second plate for the gas tank. will make for a pain when servicing but id rather have to work a little harder during servicing than smack a hole in a trans or rip a abs module out
Member III
We'll be building some more skids for our Sierra soon as well.... its so friggen hard to find anything for these trucks 
