Gray Man build thread ver 2.0

[Gymkata]

I think I've narrowed my tire next selection down to Toyo Open Country R/Ts in 285/75R18 (34.8x11.3). I really like the dimensions and they are a relatively light 63 lbs per tire considering the height.

Now I just need to finally decide on a wheel. What do you guys think would look the best with my Mineral Grey?

I like the Fuel Anza (1st two), especially because they are lighter than the other two by at least 5 lbs per wheel. I do like the black with the tasteful use of machined area on the second two as well though. All 4 styles are about the same price (around $250 each), and I can get any of them in 18x9, 5x5.5, +1 offset/5" backspacing, 110.3 bore, 2500 lb load rating.

That is the correct bolt pattern correct? I would just need hub centric rings if they wheels don't come with them. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

 

[Gymkata]

I got a little present on the doorstep today. Hopefully I have time to install all this next weekend...we'll see.

 

[Gymkata]

The rock sliders came in today. Now I have to find time to install rock sliders, 2 skid plates and tow hooks.

 

[Gymkata]

I just got another present in the mail yesterday.

I recently got 4 Maxtrax, a high lift jack, and now a powerful portable air compressor...I already have all the ropes, chains, d-rings, go bags, etc I need so short of getting a winch I think I'm set now on supplementary parts/mods.

I'm excited to see how fast this thing can work.

 

[Thor09]

Lookin good man, nice toys. Your bolt pattern is 5x5.5 and bore is about 78.1 if I remember correctly. I like the anzas myself

 

[Gymkata]

I had a little time today to install parts.

I installed the front skid plate as well as the front tow hooks. I don't think I will be able to use the transfer case skid plate I purchased with the rock rails without significant modification, but I will comment on that when I get to installing those parts.

I still need to cut the plastic front bumper insert and put the center section back in between the tow hooks. I should never have bought the Sport...what a PIA with the poor approach angle of the front bumper and no tow hooks or skid plates.

EDIT: The transfer case skid plates work fine with the rock rails. Pics of the transfer case skid plate install in a later post.

 

[Gymkata]

Rockslide Engineering rock slider install

I got a chance to tackle the job of installing the Rockslide Engineering rock sliders today. It is definitely a big job and I only did the driver's side. It would have been easier if I had the proper nutsert crimping tool, and installing the 16 nutserts per side was tiring and took a little longer than I anticipated.

I will have to take a look at the rock slider in the light tomorrow to give a final opinion, but so far the fitment seems good and the slider seems to be mounted very solidly. Each rock slider comes in three 1/4" thick steel sections: a top section that bolts to the body under the doors in 10 places, a back section that bolts to the body in 6 places under the truck, and a main outer section that bolts to the two other sections. In addition to the 16 body mount points per rock slider, there is a heavy duty bracket between the rock slider and a frame/body mount to give it extra strength.

I will give everybody an update after I finish the other side and get a chance to test the sliders. I will try high lift jacking the truck at different point on the rock sliders to verify strength.

EDIT: I haven't had a chance to test the strength yet, but I will say fit and finish is great so far. They feel extremely solid and there isn't the slightest movement other than the suspension if you jump up and down on them. They stick out just far enough to work well as a step and to take the brunt of any careless car doors that come its way.

 

[Gymkata]

Just installed this today...Tuffy Security Products - RAM In-floor Storage Security Lid

 

[Gymkata]

I just pulled the trigger and ordered wheels and tires. The truck should be mostly complete once they are mounted. I ended up going with Fuel Anzas 18x9 +1 (5" BS) and 295/70R18 (34.5x12) Cooper Discoverer STT Pros. I can't wait to get these mounted. Unfortunately the estimated delivery is 2 1/2 weeks...BOOOO. I'll be sure to post good pics once everything is on.

 

[Gymkata]

So if you've read through this whole build thread, some of you may remember that the ARH long tube headers I purchased a year or so ago hung way too low below the transmission (4 inches below the crossmember) and were killing my ground clearance. I finally contacted ARH directly last week and they over-nighted me a new cross section. I guess I was either shipped the wrong piece originally or they modified the original design. Either way, I am happy. The new section still sits about 2" below the crossmember, but doesn't seem to pose nearly the same risk to damage off road as the first section I had. Good on ARH for quickly responding once I finally contacted them.

 

[Gymkata]

We have at least 20" just SW of Baltimore so far. I figured this would be a good opportunity to test out my MaxTrax. If I had backed into the garage last night I could have made it to the road with some judicious throttle, but since I had to back out I knew it would be futile with the sharp turns, mild A/T tires, and the snow depth.

It took all 4 MaxTrax and a little digging to pull forward into the garage again. Just a disclaimer...I got stuck on purpose (for product testing...lol). I stopped and let the truck sink. I'm pretty sure I couldn't have made it to the road backing up though.

Too bad my Cooper STT Pros won't show up for 2 weeks or so.

 

[huff2462]

Hey man... What are MaxTrax products you're speaking about? I did a quick Google search, but all I could find were body lifts.

Your truck doesn't strike me as the body-lifted type...

 

[Gymkata]

Hey man... What are MaxTrax products you're speaking about? I did a quick Google search, but all I could find were body lifts.

Your truck doesn't strike me as the body-lifted type...

The USA site seems to be down at the moment so...

http://maxtrax.com.au/

 

[Gymkata]

I finally got a little time to install the passenger side rock slider yesterday, and the transfer case skid plate today.

Neither the front skid plate nor the transfer case skid plate were listed as fitting a 2014 model year 1500. The front skid plate bolted right in place no issues.

The cross brace for the transfer case skid plate bolted right in, but I had to drill two holes in the skid plate to bolt it onto the cross brace. I simply bolted the front of the skid plate onto the front cross member, then took a marker and marked the location of the cross brace holes onto the skid plate then drilled them out...easy day.

 

[Gymkata]

Despite the snow today, my final present just showed up. I'll try to mount these today and get some good pics.

 

[Gymkata]

I'm annoyed to say the least. I was ready to use the high lift jack on the rock sliders to lift the truck to mount the new wheels/tires. I checked and saw the hub rings I ordered weren't included. I called and found they won't be delivered until Wednesday. This wait is killing me.

 

[PassivAggressor]

Are the hub rings really that necessary? I've heard that they don't really do anything.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[CMil527]

beautiful rig!

 

[Gymkata]

Are the hub rings really that necessary? I've heard that they don't really do anything.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

No they aren't required as the studs, not the hub is load bearing. They do make proper wheel installation easier though. They eliminate the chance of the studs not being perfectly centered in the holes thereby causing a vibration while driving.

 

[Gymkata]

Teaser photo of me installing the new wheels/tires using the hi lift jack on the rock sliders.