Handy additions to your 4x4 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fun in dirt · 12-13-2019, 02:14 PM

Rolling around the ideas of building a '72 4wd pickup ... what are some useful mods & custom fabs you have?
For example, there is one thing on my Blazer that will definitely do again - center, rear shackle mount that is tied to both frame rails; makes for a confident, easy recovery point.

Matt Man · 12-13-2019, 02:31 PM

Bracing the frame by the steering box.

**Zoomad75** · 12-13-2019, 11:21 PM

My rear bumper with swing out tire carrier has been totally handy. Since I used a 10bolt hub/spindle/lockout it has the ability to lock the swingout in any position. It has proven to be most effective when camping and not worrying about the tire flopping closed at the wrong time.

underliner6 · 12-16-2019, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoomad75

My rear bumper with swing out tire carrier has been totally handy. Since I used a 10bolt hub/spindle/lockout it has the ability to lock the swingout in any position. It has proven to be most effective when camping and not worrying about the tire flopping closed at the wrong time.

The locking hub is an excellent idea!

mikelom · 01-23-2020, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoomad75

My rear bumper with swing out tire carrier has been totally handy. Since I used a 10bolt hub/spindle/lockout it has the ability to lock the swingout in any position. It has proven to be most effective when camping and not worrying about the tire flopping closed at the wrong time.

Is it custom made or an aftermarket one?

**Zoomad75** · 01-24-2020, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikelom

Is it custom made or an aftermarket one?

Custom built by my buddy and I. It's going to get another swing arm soon on the other side with a basket for fuel/water scepter cans. I'll use another hub for the pivot.

Getting back to the handy modifications, at least for me with camping in remote locations an ARB 12v fridge for food and beverages and 12v onboard air compressor for getting the tires back up to spec for the ride back on pavement.

Having done one week living out of the K5 in June out in the Utah desert with two 70L coolers flat sucked. We had to buy ice at every stop to keep our food from going bad and the beers getting warm. I picked up a better yeti knockoff cooler for the next Desert trip but it only slowed down the use of ice. The fridge was a gamechanger. I can load a weeks worth of perishable food and put a supply of water/gatorade and adult beverages in to be frosty when it comes time to setup camp for the night. With my 2nd battery setup I'm not killing the main battery to start on. Still the ARB has so small of power consumption the 2nd battery still has pleanty of juice before starting to take off for the next day. Not being stuck buying ice is the bonus.

franken · 12-13-2019, 11:49 PM

An NV4500, planetary doubler, and NP205...

DWilbur · 12-18-2019, 05:46 PM

High steer with cross over steering for sure.

1976gmc20 · 01-23-2020, 01:15 PM

Shovel, tow strap, hi-lift jack

Killer Bee · 01-23-2020, 01:39 PM

^ yank a pioneer kit from a hmmwv or cucv

**jeffahart** · 01-23-2020, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1976gmc20

Shovel, tow strap, hi-lift jack

It think the shovel is the number one recovery tool. But I don't always have on in my truck. So for years I've been keeping a military entrenching tool behind the seat, I actually have two... no watchers, everybody works! They're small for a shovel, but where the excel is when you lock them in at ninety degrees they work great as one handed picks and mud rakes, can also be used as an axe. If I lived in Montana, I'd carry a long shovel full time too.

j

1976gmc20 · 01-23-2020, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffahart

It think the shovel is the number one recovery tool. But I don't always have on in my truck. So for years I've been keeping a military entrenching tool behind the seat, I actually have two... no watchers, everybody works! They're small for a shovel, but where the excel is when you lock them in at ninety degrees they work great as one handed picks and mud rakes, can also be used as an axe. If I lived in Montana, I'd carry a long shovel full time too.

j

I've got a couple of those folding shovels now and I carry one in the Jeep and one in the Suburban. I used to carry a long shovel in the Suburban but we don't drive it that much anymore and need the shovels elsewhere. A long shovel doesn't fit very well in the Jeep.

My pickup is still loaded up as if I was going to go cut timber again. I don't have to use a shovel for an axe because I also carry an axe and a chainsaw.

Anyway, basic self recovery gear is a first before doo-dads no matter how useful they may be.

12-13-2019, 02:14 PM	#1
fun in dirt Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,122	Handy additions to your 4x4 Rolling around the ideas of building a '72 4wd pickup ... what are some useful mods & custom fabs you have? For example, there is one thing on my Blazer that will definitely do again - center, rear shackle mount that is tied to both frame rails; makes for a confident, easy recovery point. Attached Images __________________ '72 C to K20 "Cannibalizer" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...32#post8653432 '85 K30 "Big Nassy" [B]'85 C10 [B] "Corpse" '01 2500 Suburban ...party wagon & tow truck '06 Silverado SS...DD '06 C1500 WT...DD '07 Classic C1500 WT...DD Built & sold cause can't keep 'em all: '72 Blazer "The Bucket" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=433190 '55 Chevy straight axle gasser https://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173938 '69 Pro Street Chevelle http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332541 '86 M1031 CUCV http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=553619

12-13-2019, 02:31 PM	#2
Matt Man Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buhl, Idaho Posts: 1,438	Re: Handy additions to your 4x4 Bracing the frame by the steering box. __________________ 86 c30 crew cab dually 454/400 4/6 drop SOLD 1-8-11 1981 chevy K10 short Bed Scottsdale SOLD 10-26-2020 67 GMC Stepside Straight six/3 on the tree "The Peach" 2020 Silverado Double Cab LT Z71 5.3 8 speed Daily Driver K10 build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=671934 The Peach build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=733903

12-13-2019, 11:21 PM	#3
Zoomad75 K5Camper Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 1,513	Re: Handy additions to your 4x4 My rear bumper with swing out tire carrier has been totally handy. Since I used a 10bolt hub/spindle/lockout it has the ability to lock the swingout in any position. It has proven to be most effective when camping and not worrying about the tire flopping closed at the wrong time. __________________ Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper

12-13-2019, 11:49 PM	#7
franken Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,130	Re: Handy additions to your 4x4 An NV4500, planetary doubler, and NP205...

12-18-2019, 05:46 PM	#8
DWilbur Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: San Jose Ca Posts: 965	Re: Handy additions to your 4x4 High steer with cross over steering for sure.

01-23-2020, 01:15 PM	#9
1976gmc20 Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Montana Posts: 3,696	Re: Handy additions to your 4x4 Shovel, tow strap, hi-lift jack __________________ Current/past Chevy/GMC trucks: 1958 Chevy C-60; 1965 GMC C-50; 1965 Chevy C-10; 1971 Chevy K-10; 1973 Chevy K-20; 1976 GMC C-20; 1977 Chevy C-10 Suburban; 1980 Chevy K-10; 1989 Chevy K1500; 1991 GMC V1500 Suburban; 2016 Chevy K2500 HD Other vehicles: 1988 Jeep XJ; 2011 Toyota 4Runner

01-23-2020, 01:39 PM	#10
Killer Bee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Barber City, CA Posts: 4,817	Re: Handy additions to your 4x4 ^ yank a pioneer kit from a hmmwv or cucv __________________ *I started out with nothing - and I still have most of it*



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