Before & After - My 1993 K1500

[93 Krawler]

My first trip out with the truck was on 1-1-08 at Haspin. I saw CORE there for their hangover run. I started out with with a 6" lift and 35's on the stock IFS. I got bored with it pretty quick and started upgrading.




And now...



I originally planned on a full exo, but decided on just some grill protection and half an exo instead. Made some simple tube doors I can swap out when it's nice out. Let's go wheelin.

[yellowjacket]

Looks lot better now.. What mod made the biggest improv? I guessin the solid axle, or the trail lightening...or some other mod?...

[93 Krawler]

The biggest improvement was the axle swap. That torsion bar bracket in the middle of the truck would hang up on a lot. It also made it ride better off road and flex better. I used a 52" rear spring with a 4" lift on the front so it would flex good. Except for the cage, most of the other stuff was a ripple effect. Heavy truck with big tires = big axles, moving the front axle forward to clear the big tires = hydro steering, and so on.
Now I need more power. Where's Tim the Tool Man Taylor at...

[93 Krawler]

Here are some build pics as it evolved through the years.

Off with the bed.



The bed, box, and fuel cell done.


Rock sliders getting installed.


Starting the exo cage.

[93 Krawler]

Working on the rear cage






Cage almost done. Added some bracing and cab protection later. Still IFS at this point.


Started the 1 ton axle swap. I wish my tires still looked that good.

[93 Krawler]

To the front...






Swap all done.

[humpy]

Here's my frame



I'm hoping to weigh in under 4500#

[humpy]

Ex cab linked both ends makes for LONG wb... My buddies is 12 9 and be tough to get it much shorter and still have good approach/departure angles... Mind is 116" and right where I wanted it

[Runoveru2]

Your engine, axles, frame size are what's killin you on weight, my rig weighs in at around 3500 Lbs, start downsizing on axles & motor, besides its your weight that will hold you back or brakes you in the first place. Just my opinion...

[93 Krawler]

Originally Posted by Runoveru2

Your engine, axles, frame size are what's killin you on weight, my rig weighs in at around 3500 Lbs, start downsizing on axles & motor, besides its your weight that will hold you back or brakes you in the first place. Just my opinion...

I hear ya... I doubt I will ever run less than what my current drivetrain is. I just need another 100HP.

[humpy]

Yea ill measure tomoris mornin when I'm at my shop... Those are tons and 43s ...it will be fairly low for a truggy rig... 23" belly and 76" to top of cage...

[twiztedzuki]

Originally Posted by 93 Krawler

I hear ya... I doubt I will ever run less than what my current drivetrain is. I just need another 100HP.

That is my thoughts exactly!! more motor!

[93 Krawler]

Originally Posted by humpy

Ex cab linked both ends makes for LONG wb... My buddies is 12 9 and be tough to get it much shorter and still have good approach/departure angles... Mind is 116" and right where I wanted it

That's sweet!! I like the idea of a tube frame. I didn't realize the s-10 ext cab was so long. I was wanting to go a little less than the 117" mine is now. My biggest issue now besides being on the heavy side is it's way too long. Linking it would fix that. I figure I can remove around 30" off the length if I link it. The width at the sliders can be an issue at times, but not a huge problem.If I end up doing an s-10, the tube frame and non ext cab would be the ticket.

There are things I can do now to save weight. I know my stock doors are heavy. There's an easy 150 lbs. I just don't know if it's worth it to build a whole new rig to save 500 or so pounds.

If you don't mind, could you throw a tape across your rock sliders and let me know what it is. If what I read online was correct, my cab is only 8" wider than the s-10. That doesn't sound right. Thanks

[93 Krawler]

Since my rig hasn't sold yet, I don't see any point of giving it away.(low ball offers) I am probably going to keep it. So that leaves me wanting tires. I'm running 39.5 TSL's now, and wanted to try something different this time. I want the 40" LTB, but Interco isn't making them yet, so that doesn't leave much. That leaves an Irok or Bogger unless I use a different brand. Any ideas?

[WrenchMonkey]

Sorry it didn't sell like you hoped, but I am glad you're keeping it. Do like that rig...

I love my LTBs. You can't find a set of 40s anywhere? And no idea when you could?

4WP lists them as available? http://www.4wheelparts.com/Tires/16-..._pn=SSTLTB-204

[underpowered]

Boggers are great for around here, but their weakness shows when you get into Rocks. i'd be happy with a stickier compound Bogger.

If you can't find LTB's, Boggers would be my next choice. iroks would be behind other brands

[93 Krawler]

Originally Posted by WrenchMonkey

Sorry it didn't sell like you hoped, but I am glad you're keeping it. Do like that rig...

I love my LTBs. You can't find a set of 40s anywhere? And no idea when you could?

4WP lists them as available? http://www.4wheelparts.com/Tires/16-..._pn=SSTLTB-204

I see a lot of companies will sell them, but do they actually have them. National tire and wheel says they show what is actually available, and 4wheelonline.com shows the same as NTW. 34" is the biggest they have now. They are slowly bringing the tires back.

Originally Posted by underpowered

Boggers are great for around here, but their weakness shows when you get into Rocks. i'd be happy with a stickier compound Bogger.

If you can't find LTB's, Boggers would be my next choice. iroks would be behind other brands

The TSL's did great on the rocks, but just ok in the mud. I would destroy a set of Irocks, so not an option. I see people running Boggers in the rear, and TSL's in the front. Anyone here ever tried that? I wish I could fit 42's in, but I would have to link the front and push the axle forward to get them to fit.

[underpowered]

Originally Posted by 93 Krawler

The TSL's did great on the rocks, but just ok in the mud. I would destroy a set of Irocks, so not an option. I see people running Boggers in the rear, and TSL's in the front. Anyone here ever tried that? I wish I could fit 42's in, but I would have to link the front and push the axle forward to get them to fit.

I ran cut boggers rear/ TSL's front for a while on my old XJ and loved it. great combo IMO. TSL's helped greatly with steering issues many complain about with boggers.

Currently running TN/Aetna cut TSL's and IMO are almost as good but i am afraid of cutting a rear with how Open they are in the middle. would require a TON of time to cut them however.


Hopefully i can make a run with you all this year, i would be another Fullsize in the mix.

[twiztedzuki]

if ur 39.5s aint wore out buy good groover and put aetna cut on'm so you get to that hook dirt sense it gets trailerd

[93 Krawler]

Originally Posted by twiztedzuki

if ur 39.5s aint wore out buy good groover and put aetna cut on'm so you get to that hook dirt sense it gets trailerd

These tires are about 4 years old. I grooved them last summer, but just kept with the same tread pattern. It made a big improvement, but the outer lugs are rounded off.

I found a place that shows the LTB's are backordered till mid April. http://interco.factoryoutletstore.co...8,80633&page=1

I was doing some measuring to see if I could fit 42's up front, and the leaf springs pins aren't centered. They are offset about 3". If I flipped them around I could probably fit 42's in. That would give me a 120" wheelbase, which I really don't want. So I'm back to 40's. An 18" bogger in the rear is freakishly large to me. Sure wish they were 15" like the TSL. It looks like I either go down to a 38.5 SX, stay the 39.5 TSL, or use the 40" LTB.
I would like to know why Interco's tire sizes are all over the place...

[93 Krawler]

Site says these are on national backorder, but will be ready for mid March shipment. I'm not so sure I believe them. Super Swamper TSL SX - 15/42-15LT - If they are, they'll be on by the Harlan trip in May.

[93 Krawler]

I'm not sure what to get. Most of the tires I want they don't sell right now. Who knows how long it will be before Interco makes the tires I want.

I might have to go with the TSL and Bogger combo. If I do the 42" TSL up front, and the 42.5 Bogger out back, what will that extra 1/2" do to the drivetrain if anything? Thinking about going back with the 39.5s, but I hate the Bogger being 18" wide. Anyone know if you can put an 18" tire on a 10" rim?

[underpowered]

i run a 16" wide on 10" wheels. i don't see 18" as a big issue on 10" either

your truck is offroad only right? if so, you will never notice 1/2". general Rule of thumb is to keep your gear ratios/tire sizes within 2 %. keep it under a 2% difference, and the difference is negligible. that is about a 1.2% difference in height, and since circumference is a direct relationship to diameter, same applies.

[blazerbrad]

I don't see any issue with mounting an 18" wide tire on an 10" wheel. I run the 39.5x15.5 and a buddy runs 42x15.5 TSL's on 8" wide rims with no issues for several years...so if you can run 15.5 on 8 you can run 18 on 10.

In pictures those 42" Boggers look really skinny and the 42" TSL look wide, would think it might look a little weird if that is true if you put TSL front and Bogger rear (of course I'm talking looks so it might not do as well at a car show). The slight difference in tire height should not be an issue.

[93 Krawler]

Originally Posted by underpowered

i run a 16" wide on 10" wheels. i don't see 18" as a big issue on 10" either

your truck is offroad only right? if so, you will never notice 1/2". general Rule of thumb is to keep your gear ratios/tire sizes within 2 %. keep it under a 2% difference, and the difference is negligible. that is about a 1.2% difference in height, and since circumference is a direct relationship to diameter, same applies.

Yeah, dedicated off-road rig. That's what I was thinking, but wanted more input.

Originally Posted by coachholland

If there's anyone in the country that has them outside of that guy down in TN, its going to be 4wheelparts. All the other places you mentions aren't even direct with Interco. 4wheelonline is some little office in Florida that never lays their hands on an actual part, that factoryoutletstore is the same thing. Some guy on the 20th floor of a building in NYC. NTB is direct and carry actual product, but don't carry much of Interco's stuff since the Denman fiasco several years back. Pretty much the same with everyone else outside 4WheelParts.

4wheelparts Swamper inventory never evens sees the Interco warehouse in Louisiana. They bypass that and have them shipped in direct from Mexico. I'd give them a call and see what they've got.

Called 4wheelparts and no deal. Said there is no ETA on them either. They have plenty of boggers, TSLs and Iroks.

Originally Posted by blazerbrad

I don't see any issue with mounting an 18" wide tire on an 10" wheel. I run the 39.5x15.5 and a buddy runs 42x15.5 TSL's on 8" wide rims with no issues for several years...so if you can run 15.5 on 8 you can run 18 on 10.

In pictures those 42" Boggers look really skinny and the 42" TSL look wide, would think it might look a little weird if that is true if you put TSL front and Bogger rear (of course I'm talking looks so it might not do as well at a car show). The slight difference in tire height should not be an issue.

The 42.5" Bogger is only 13.5" wide, so you're right.

Originally Posted by Flint

93Krawler, I looked back a couple of pages to see if you have a bead lock setup but didn't see that you did. Did I miss it? I only ask because lack of bead locks had impact on my tire setup.

Yes I have bead locks. Look back to page 1.



For $138 more than the 39.5's, I can get the 42's. If I go 42's, I'll have to move the front axle forward and increase my wheelbase by 2-3". I'd like to have 42's, but not a 120" wheelbase... Unless down the road I link the rear and shorten the wheelbase. Then I could remove 2' of the back that I needed for the shackles. Think I just talked myself into it...