2001: A Truck Odyssey

I've had quite a ride going through trucks during the pandemic... One truck totaled while parked, another bought back by a dealer for more than I paid due to pandemic pricing... Decided to drive something a bit older until the market settles down / someone comes out with a reasonable mid size electric truck. So...

Recently bought a 2001 Limited, 4x4 Off Road package with 80k original miles. Plan is to build it out for camping/hiking/climbing/cycling transport with double duty for house work.

Truck is mostly in great shape. Was filthy when I bought it. Clean now but still in need of a serious polishing.


Did its first ever timing belt/water pump/plugs:

Installed Husky liners front and rear:

Added a backup camera to the previously installed head unit (mounted in the tailgate handle, need to 3D print a spacer so I see less tailgate):

Fabricated some simple mounts to install some diode dynamics SAE fog lights I had in a previous vehicle. Might get the factory fog delete plates to fill in the openings. Last photo is before I aimed them down to the proper height. Still need to get rid of the LED bulbs a previous owner installed in the headlights and give them a polish:



This is where I am so far!

Next steps:

1. Maintenance items - service the transmission, replace the carrier bearing and check the u-joints, service the transfer case and differentials.

2. Cosmetics - polish the whole thing. Touch up some rock chips. Probably DIY a spray in bedliner, build some bike mounts etc.

3. Suspension - I want to do a small lift. Hoping 1.5" or so is low enough to prevent issues with CVs. Will probably either go with Dobinsons IMS or Icon. Will do upper control arms, maybe lower ball joints (they seem fine and only 80k miles...) and maybe the 03 brake upgrade at that time.

4. Tires/wheels - nothing crazy. Probably a 265 75 16 on a wheel with a bit less positive offset.

That's it for now! More to come soon.

 

Nice find and good looking project thus far.
Enjoy!

 

Seems like you found a good truck. Nice work! Look forward to seeing what else you do.

 

Waiting on better weather to finish, but I have the front clip polished and waxed. DA buffer, medium pad with Meguiar's Utimate compound. Followed with Car Guys liquid wax and then hybrid wax. It's not perfect. I almost certainly should have started with something more aggressive, but it was my first time using a buffer and didn't want to risk it. Pretty happy with the results!

This was just after the DA polish, stopped at the body line:



Finished front end:




Helped a buddy with some landscaping. He thought we could haul 3/4yard of gravel and 11 60lb pavers in one go... Ended up with 1/4 yard, about 1200lbs total.



Started ordering some parts! Was leaning toward the Dobinson's lift, but ended up scoring a wicked good deal on the Icon stage 1 kit. Going to set it for about 1.5" up front. Hoping that avoids and CV issues and doesn't make the 265 75 16s look too small. Should have it installed in a couple of weeks.

 

I have a mild lift with 265/75/16, it's a good size IMO. From some angles they look a tad small but overall I think it's a good fit.

Nice truck! I love the access cabs, if it wasn't for the kids I'd be in one.

 

Tires and wheels installed! Method MR703s with Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATs in 265 70 17. Truck rides way better than the E-rated Falkens and I can turn full lock without rubbing the frame. Have the lift, will probably install it in a week or two.