Darkman's 1995 Chevy Silverado Z/71

[Darkman]

I just got a 1995 Chevrolet Silverado Z/71 1500 with the TBI 5.7L V8, automatic.

Anyone got any suggestions for this truck or experience with weak points of it?

I'm having issues with my photobucket account but should be able to get some pics up soon.

[Darkman]

So here's a few pictures I took today...

[Darkman]

It needs tires BAD! The ones that are on it are junk. It came with a set of dry cracked 33x12.50R15 B.F. Goodrich Mud Terrains mounted on 15x10 chrome wheels, they fit the truck but it cant turn them without hitting the bumper wicked bad.

Here's a picture of them...

[betterbeaters]

great trucks!! I have had a few love them!

[Bigdaddy]

x2 nice rig

great trucks!! I have had a few love them!

[Darkman]

I took the ladder racks off today. The truck looks SO much better now!

[OHEARN.2012]

yes very strong reliable trucks u take care of them theyll last forever ive had two of them both had over 200k and only one needed a new trans

[RIP_K52007]

i dont know about full size but s10's had a few 95' only parts... other than that good trucks

[94chevy_4x4]

lift it!  lol

[Darkman]

Lifting it unfortunately cannot be my first priority.   I gotta make it pass State Inspection first. I got a sweet deal on a set of tires for it the other day! A set of 4 LT-245/75R16 Firestone Transforce H/T's for $50!

Here's some more pictures of it:

[ProGrade]

cool!

[BIG TODD]

cool!

[Darkman]

O.k. Now that I have the truck and it runs, stops, and steers as it should I find myself wondering what should I do to it first? I am working on a non-existent budget so things like lift kit or big tires are not within reach for me at this time. (believe me I'd love to) But I'd still like to make it more capable off road yet retain its road worthiness. I use the truck as a daily commuter vehicle for work so its gotta be street-able. I am sad to admit that I have not even had this truck off road yet. So I'm trying to come up with ideas that are either free or cheap like:

Should I weld the rear diff?

Should I crank the torsion bars?

Should I _________? 

Any suggestions would be helpful, thanks.

   

[Ghetto Fab]

if its a DD  dont weld the rear  youll regret that.... just start buyin up parts and when you get enough lift it up...... thats how i built my bogger....  took me quite a while to get it all together

[Darkman]

if its a DD  dont weld the rear  youll regret that.... just start buyin up parts and when you get enough lift it up...... thats how i built my bogger....  took me quite a while to get it all together

Good advice.

I think I might go for a body lift first, they're cheap enough (about $100) and I should be able to clear 33's with that and maybe a little trimming.

I really want to wheel this truck! Right now its the muddy season here in NH and I'm jonesing to get it dirty. However I am nervious that it will just sink "Like a Rock" and I don't know anyone who would be able to pull me out.

[OHEARN.2012]

just go to a mud bog where there are recovery vehicles never go wheeling alone

[Jjay78]

just go to a mud bog where there are recovery vehicles never go wheeling alone

wheeling alone always ends up in a long walk,... or  a long time with a chain and comealong.....

[OHEARN.2012]

could also injure yourself and be stuck out there alone might make for a really really long night

[cnoswalt78]

thats right, save money get 4x4 buddys and use a buddys welder and heavy pipe and make a body lift, but i did get one at a yard sale today for $20.00 compleat, crank the torsion bars a little, my buddy had 36'' ground hawgs and 3'' body lift with just the torsion bars cranked. but you can always get torsion keys later (just remember makes for bad angles)

[OHEARN.2012]

yea i found a body lift on a online auction i shoulda grabbed it but didnt it went for 35 bucks originally like 100+ and it was barely used