Truck Off-Road/Overland parts websites, brands, etc

JRHorne

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Ok folks, while I currently do technically own a pickup truck (the Mazda B3000 that will be traded this weekend), I have never had a REAL pickup truck before. I have been kicking around the idea of ordering a 2020/2021 Raptor in the summer or fall, but the 2021 F-150 redesign is scheduled to be shown around that time. Plus my Raptor build on the Ford website is $73,000!

So talking to my neighbor yesterday, his dad just passed at Christmas and in addition to the completely restored and cherry 1957 Belair he had, he had a 2008 Chevy Silverado. It was passed down to my neighbor and he doesn't want it. He's got to drive it back from Michigan next week, then I'll get to see it and discuss price. He thinks it is an LT, 4WD, and extended cab, although his wife thought it was the quadcab/super crew, so who knows. Other great part: only 50K miles on it, it's silver (a respectable color I can live with) and already has a bed liner and tonneau cover. He said he'd give me a good deal on it, and I know him well, so it's very likely it would be an AMAZING deal, like maybe half of NADA value.

Now, here's where I need everyone's help: what brands of aftermarket parts do you like? I have no intentions of going crazy with this truck, but I am sure I would like a nice suspension kit that raises the truck SLIGHTLY (a couple of inches) and levels it, likely aftermarket wheels (nothing crazy), and maybe some parts to make it easier to tow the boat like a back up camera, a brake box, and maybe some nicer rotors and pads for the brakes.

What brands and retailers do you all like and make good truck/4x4/overland parts? I want to start learning and vetting companies/products because if I do decide to get this truck and like being a truck driver, I'll likely move on the Raptor late summer or fall. And I am sure if I get the Raptor I'm going to modify the hell out of it!
 
Onr thing to look into is the front brakes.
GM made the front rotors larger starting in 2009.
So you can do a swap with the 09 and later rotors, calipers and caliper brackets and have a "Big Brake" update.
I keep thinking if I keep my 05 Yukon I'll do this.
 
Onr thing to look into is the front brakes.
GM made the front rotors larger starting in 2009.
So you can do a swap with the 09 and later rotors, calipers and caliper brackets and have a "Big Brake" update.
I keep thinking if I keep my 05 Yukon I'll do this.
I can't find any verification of this. It seems the upgrade was from the GMT800 having 12" to the GMT900 having 13", and the GMT900 started in 2005.
 
I'd be more worried about it coming from Michigan and full of rust.
Trust me, this will be the main thing I look at/for when I look the vehicle over. I figure a 12 year old truck is either going to be rusty as hell or not at all, probably not much in between. Either the owner took care of it, or they didn't.

I got my V from Pittsburgh (granted it was only 3 years old and had 11K miles on it) but it was spotless.
 
Thats a great year for the Z71. I finally sold my 2006 a few months ago. Great ride. I too have been kicking around getting another one that is newer but have not run across one yet.
 
Thats a great year for the Z71. I finally sold my 2006 a few months ago. Great ride. I too have been kicking around getting another one that is newer but have not run across one yet.
I'm really hoping it's a loaded LTZ Z71.
 
Update. Extended cab, dark gray, looks like it is in great condition from the pics. Not a Z71. Only bad thing is it has the plastic bed liner, I'd want to add a spray in. A few pics.

IMG_0501.jpg IMG_0504.jpg
 
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If it's a 5.3l do your diligence on the engine. they have a bad reputation (well justified) if it has the cylinder deactivation of the cam and lifters being bad .
 
If it's a 5.3l do your diligence on the engine. they have a bad reputation (well justified) if it has the cylinder deactivation of the cam and lifters being bad .
Thanks Lee. I was shocked at the number of different engines offered. I saw there were like 4 or 5 eight cylinders offered over like 4 years of production

Honestly, the truck looks to be in such good shape I'm worried it's more than I want to spend even at s good discount!

Having seen pics of it, I don't think I'd change the wheels or anything aesthetically. Tint the front windows, spray in bed liner, and maybe address the brakes. I read there is a hydroboost conversion where you basically add the OEM hydrobooster from the later models and it greatly improves the performance.
 
Update. Extended cab, dark gray, looks like it is in great condition from the pics. Not a Z71. Only bad thing is it has the plastic bed liner, I'd want to add a spray in. A few pics.

View attachment 194875 View attachment 194876
Looks like a solid truck in pretty nice condition. I’m a Toyota guy but that looks like a good base for a nice build. If you’re really wanting to off road and/or get that aggressive off road style, you can do so with some simple mods like wheels/tires, ditch the running boards, small lift, lose the air dam or go for a high clearance bumper.

Either way, good luck with it, hope it works out for you!
 
Looks like a solid truck in pretty nice condition. I’m a Toyota guy but that looks like a good base for a nice build. If you’re really wanting to off road and/or get that aggressive off road style, you can do so with some simple mods like wheels/tires, ditch the running boards, small lift, lose the air dam or go for a high clearance bumper.

Either way, good luck with it, hope it works out for you!
I wouldn't throw the book at this truck. There's no point and unless I wanted to try to find use parts in excellent condition (unlikely given the nature of what the parts for and the age of trucks they fit).

I was hoping there were some recommendations though in general about retailers and brands for things like suspension (I know OME, Icon, and a few others) and front/rear bumpers, skip plates, racks (rhino and ARE maybe?) and such.

The advice so far on the brakes and 5.3L though have been tremendous and I appreciate it!
 
Found out some more. Truck does have the 5.3L but he doesn't think it has the cylinder deactivation feature (not sure if it was or wasn't optional, I doubt it was optional so I bet it has it). He sent me a snapshot of the VIN and from the decoder, it says it is the 4WD Ext Cab 143.5" LT w/ 1LT. Made in Oshawa Ontario Canada. Nothing else as far as options I can decode, but the pics he sent show black leather (in excellent condition).
 
20200307_155707.jpg
Found out some more. Truck does have the 5.3L but he doesn't think it has the cylinder deactivation feature (not sure if it was or wasn't optional, I doubt it was optional so I bet it has it). He sent me a snapshot of the VIN and from the decoder, it says it is the 4WD Ext Cab 143.5" LT w/ 1LT. Made in Oshawa Ontario Canada. Nothing else as far as options I can decode, but the pics he sent show black leather (in excellent condition).
Made In canada may hurt you on value depends on how it was imported. I bought a 2011 f250 used in 2011. Had 5600. I bought it for 15% less because of this. My credit union had alot condo with finding out about tha .

I went to trade it late last year and the valued it 20% less because of it.


Eta: not trying to talk you out of it or talk it down. just trying to give you info for an informed decision.

This is the camshaft out of an 07 with 42k on the odometer. I did the job last fall
 
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Just read that all the 5.3Ls had the active fuel management. People say to buy a hand held tuner and turn them off. Apparently there is also a TSB about replacing one of the valve covers that helps with the oiling issue.

The truck was in Michigan so I think it was just made their and brought into the US to sell, so never sold or titled in Canada. My neighbors father was the only owner, he bought it new.
 
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115k on my 2010 with AFM and no issued except for a quart of oil between oil changes. I end up going about 8k on an oil change when following the oil life monitor.

Did Bilstein struts and shocks which really improved truck ride. Check the upper ball joints, they are weak but you replace them yourself.

I plan to drive mine until the wheels fall off.
 
I can't find any verification of this. It seems the upgrade was from the GMT800 having 12" to the GMT900 having 13", and the GMT900 started in 2005.

This is partially true, the GMT900 starts in 2007, with a GMT800 Classic made to 2007.5. The GMT900 brakes is an upgrade to the GMT800 (planning this on my 2004 ECSB Z71. I have the parts, powerstop setup, for it, just need to either get the gumption to do it, or wait until needed.

The DOD, displacement on demand cylinder deactivation stuff, can be turned off with a tuner, but the best way is to replace the parts, as the parts do go bad even when turned off. Cam, lifters, pushrods, valleys, and a tune afterwards (great reason to upgrade the cam, though).

Depending on what your ultimate goals are, small lifts can be had for pretty cheap, like a level kit, and some are a lot more, like a full bracket kit are in the $1500+ range, depending on manufacturer.

For overland parts, ExpeditionPortal.com has a good classified section, and a TON of cool sponsors, plus their trip reports are epic!

Front axles leak from the seals, not a big deal but they all do it, rear main seals leak on all LS cars (it seems) and hubs can be an issue.

Performance parts at TexasSpeed and SpeedEngineering, though you probably know this from your CTSV research.
 
https://www.rangetechnology.com/

I bought one of these after recommendation from @BillWild and it made a huge difference. I got a leveling kit off eBay for less than $100 and installed it myself and it turned out pretty good
 
https://www.rangetechnology.com/

I bought one of these after recommendation from @BillWild and it made a huge difference. I got a leveling kit off eBay for less than $100 and installed it myself and it turned out pretty good
I've seen the Range recommended if you don't want a hand held tuner, but at $189 I think I'd rather pay the extra $100 to unlock a little more power.

@Cameronswmp9 thanks, I've read most of what you said over the last day on Sierra Silverado. Still wondering if I am even going to get the truck at all! The deciding factor is going to be the car seats in the back seats. If I put my 15 month old's seat in the center it may have the clearance to not require the front passenger seat to be moved all the way into the damn dash!
 
I've seen the Range recommended if you don't want a hand held tuner, but at $189 I think I'd rather pay the extra $100 to unlock a little more power.

@Cameronswmp9 thanks, I've read most of what you said over the last day on Sierra Silverado. Still wondering if I am even going to get the truck at all! The deciding factor is going to be the car seats in the back seats. If I put my 15 month old's seat in the center it may have the clearance to not require the front passenger seat to be moved all the way into the damn dash!

My little dude has his car set in the middle, and we can have the front seats in a comfortable position, but he is forward facing (5 years old now, somehow, seems like just yesterday and all....) and its a more "compact" style seat. Wife has the bigger seat in her Suburban. I have a lot of other junk in the truck, so it does make a smaller truck feel even smaller.
 
My little dude has his car set in the middle, and we can have the front seats in a comfortable position, but he is forward facing (5 years old now, somehow, seems like just yesterday and all....) and its a more "compact" style seat. Wife has the bigger seat in her Suburban. I have a lot of other junk in the truck, so it does make a smaller truck feel even smaller.
Yea our oldest is 5 but the youngest is 15 months. So if I put the 15 month old in the center, the 5 year old will be in a booster on the side. he currently still fits in the full seat in my car but I don't think the full seat would fit next to the 15month olds seat being in the center.
 
Thats a clean Silverado, but with a couple kids under 5, I would go with a crew cab truck.

You mentioned the Raptor sticker price, have you considered a lower trim F150 and modify it to how you like?
 
Thats a clean Silverado, but with a couple kids under 5, I would go with a crew cab truck.

You mentioned the Raptor sticker price, have you considered a lower trim F150 and modify it to how you like?

I honestly haven't considered another truck other than maybe a 2500 series GMC. The Raptor just has everything I want in terms of look, power, towing capacity, and features. If I'm going to buy a cheaper truck and modify it, I might as well spend the money on the Raptor and get what I want!
 
I honestly haven't considered another truck other than maybe a 2500 series GMC. The Raptor just has everything I want in terms of look, power, towing capacity, and features. If I'm going to buy a cheaper truck and modify it, I might as well spend the money on the Raptor and get what I want!

I gotcha, go for the Raptor!

Personally, I always liked the idea of a STX, XLT, or Lariat with the 5.0 coyote and a blower. Then Fox, Icon, or King suspension.
 
I gotcha, go for the Raptor!

Personally, I always liked the idea of a STX, XLT, or Lariat with the 5.0 coyote and a blower. Then Fox, Icon, or King suspension.
I dont remember the name of the dealer off the top of my head (Lebanon Ford, perhaps?) but they do a F150 with your choice of blower tuned and all, ready to modify to your hearts content! Base truck is $40K, adding crew cab, 4x4, etc will add to cost, of course.
 
I dont remember the name of the dealer off the top of my head (Lebanon Ford, perhaps?) but they do a F150 with your choice of blower tuned and all, ready to modify to your hearts content! Base truck is $40K, adding crew cab, 4x4, etc will add to cost, of course.
Yep, I believe that's the one. More and more dealers are becoming Roush certified and installing supercharger kits, etc.
 
For me, the Raptor is the combo of the look and the suspension. My car has 650 HP. If I need to get fast I can get in it. But the Raptor being peppy and having the Fox suspension plus looking amazing is where it's at.

I actually went and looked at a 2020 Lead Foot Gray Raptor yesterday. It was fantastic. Almost makes me want to trade my car in for it!
 
That Silverado with a G80 rear axle and some decent tires will get you most anywhere you want to go!
 
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