BOV/zombie slayer ideas for my truck

by **fitbmxseries1** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 3:47 pm

Well im out of ideas for this truck i got its a 95 gmc k1500 with 120k on it, freshly rebuilt engine, trans, rear end and everything that can go bad has been replaced int he last 6 months. So its should be reliable enough after all this work i did to it, whats left is the body and the lift, i currently have new cab corners new front fender for driver side, and new fender flares. I work at a shop and it has a paint booth and i am capable of doing all the work my self, issue is im out of money just having a kid and all! I need ideas to make this thing tough and look tough on the outside, ideas for paint, bumpers, armor lights.. keep the wheels? that sort of thing. I kinda lost intrest in the truck but been looking at some of the BOV trucks on some other forums and am getting pumped but i have no ideas what to do. As you can see I have body rot and the paint is peeling off thanks to GMs great primer for their white paint. The torsion bars are cranked up in front giving it an awful ride so ill be putting the body lift on it and a 1 inch block in the rear. Please point me into a good direction.

Our EveryTrail page · by **eugene** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 4:18 pm

The primer thing happened to more than just GM, the EPA changed the rules in the early 90's and new paint processes had to be made and everyone had issues.
I would personally put the torsion bars back down, it looks like the truck is squatting in the rear. I keep the factory rake (rear about 1" higher) so when I am loaded down its then level.
Do you have a a matching spare wheel/tire, I start there. Do you have a tool kit/spare parts kit, fuses, bulbs, hose clamps, U-joint, etc.
I personally would sand off the chrome and paint black the brush guard and bumpers (powder coat if you have the $).
I then put a second battery in mine to keep all the electronics going (comms and entertainment).

by **Doctorr Fabulous** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 4:39 pm

Two spare wheels and tires, exactly matching the ones you currently use. Get an exhaust bag jack (see video) rather than a hi-lift, since they fare better in bad/soft/uneven terrain. A winch would help if you see off-road use in your future. Throw a couple of J-cans in the bed and/or grab a larger fuel cell to increase your range. Definitely grab the tool kit, small spare parts kit, and perhaps an E-tool or shovel as well. I'd keep at least one change of clothes in there, so you can just change them out as the weather dictates, as well as a few day's worth of food and water. Some road flares, a machete, and a CB or ham set up and you're all ready for your zombie killer paint job.

[YouTube]http://www.youtube.com/embed/aILTlKPu3Zs[/YouTube]

by **Tater Raider** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 4:39 pm

Decals are cheap, look good when done almost right, and you can add as you go and stop whenever you like.

You need range, so exrtra fuel/transfer tank. Coms, so CB/Ham rig. Self-support so winch, air compressor, and inverter for personal electronics... the sky is the limit.

by **fitbmxseries1** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 4:44 pm

I have the tool kit and all the tow straps and recovery stuff I took out of my wrangler, but I am lacking in spare parts. that reminds me that i need to invest in a hilift jack. but storage is tight on this thing, I have a same size spare but on a differnt rim. The truck came with these rims and unfortuantly the tires rub on the front when the tortion bar is let down so its gotta sit like that till the body lift is put on. I do hate how it rides now super stiff in front and squishy in the rear even though it has 2500 springs in the rear with load springs. I have some 12" C channel laying around, enough to build a front and rear bumper but i plan on putting the brush guard onto the new bumper once it gets built. I have a 8x8 blast cabinet i can use to get rid of all the pesky chrome. Battery is a great idea that i should also adress so i can run some power converters in the cab for laptops and such.

by **fitbmxseries1** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 4:46 pm

Doc Torr wrote:Two spare wheels and tires, exactly matching the ones you currently use. Get an exhaust bag jack (see video) rather than a hi-lift, since they fare better in bad/soft/uneven terrain. A winch would help if you see off-road use in your future. Throw a couple of J-cans in the bed and/or grab a larger fuel cell to increase your range. Definitely grab the tool kit, small spare parts kit, and perhaps an E-tool or shovel as well. I'd keep at least one change of clothes in there, so you can just change them out as the weather dictates, as well as a few day's worth of food and water. Some road flares, a machete, and a CB or ham set up and you're all ready for your zombie killer paint job.

[YouTube]http://www.youtube.com/embed/aILTlKPu3Zs[/YouTube]

exhaust bag looks cool but i often find i destroy my exhaust systems every time i take it off road, im assuming it wouldnt work if i get a major leak, I will have to find a second tire for a spare. but looks like i need to save up to get the other goodies like the winch and a good CB

by **Doctorr Fabulous** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 4:53 pm

That reminds me, I forgot the skid plates.

Take another look at the exhaust bag. One of our members watched (IIRC) an F650 get lifted by the exhaust from a Kia motor, and the consensus from the off-road community seems to be that they're safer and take up less room that a hi-lift jack.

by **fitbmxseries1** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 4:55 pm

I'll check it out. Know what they cost offhand?

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by **fitbmxseries1** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:14 pm

Doc Torr wrote:That reminds me, I forgot the skid plates.

Ill probably pull out the plasma cutter and make my own, It has a few of the factory ones but they are just sheet metal.

a big thing is gunna be storage, i cant use a cap or cover for the bed because for work i usualy fill the bed up pretty high and i did have a diamond plate tool box but some one stole the whole thing right of fthe back of my truck... yeah it was bolted down and everything...Luckily i didnt have anything in there but jumper cables and some sawblades and a random cowboyhat.

by **BlueSilkRibbon** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:16 pm

Doc Torr wrote:That reminds me, I forgot the skid plates.

Take another look at the exhaust bag. One of our members watched (IIRC) an F650 get lifted by the exhaust from a Kia motor, and the consensus from the off-road community seems to be that they're safer and take up less room that a hi-lift jack.

But a hi-lift jack looks WAY cooler. I would get both, one for show and one for go. lol

by **fitbmxseries1** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:52 pm

BlueSilkRibbon wrote:
Doc Torr wrote:That reminds me, I forgot the skid plates.

Take another look at the exhaust bag. One of our members watched (IIRC) an F650 get lifted by the exhaust from a Kia motor, and the consensus from the off-road community seems to be that they're safer and take up less room that a hi-lift jack.

But a hi-lift jack looks WAY cooler. I would get both, one for show and one for go. lol

ha i had one mounted on the hood of my jeep, i used it once when i broke a axle shaft knuckle on the trail... and i owned that thing for 5 years....i guess it was worth the one time use lol

by **Paladin1** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 6:18 pm

Here's link to a gear list that may serve as a guide. It's tailored towards expeditions, but if the hordes ever rise this would be exactly what you would want to have set up in your truck.

http://pangaea-expeditions.com/overlanding-gear-list/

by **fitbmxseries1** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 9:08 pm

Paladin1 wrote:Here's link to a gear list that may serve as a guide. It's tailored towards expeditions, but if the hordes ever rise this would be exactly what you would want to have set up in your truck.

http://pangaea-expeditions.com/overlanding-gear-list/

nice link thanks!

thinking about building a roof rack like this with lights mounted on the front.... and maybe after i build it this hot chick will come.

by **Tonyt79** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 9:49 pm

I'm about to do the same to my 95 f150. Mines already lifted but gonna go zombie on it

by **We'reWolf** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 11:33 pm

cool truck, maybe replace the tail gate with a spare tire/fuel holder? maybe a skid plate up front and a custom front bumper? i like the bumper you have it might just need another color or a little bit more added to it?
maybe military tires?

by **fitbmxseries1** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 8:00 am

Yeah my tailgate right now is shot. I need to get a tubing bender so I can make a tire carrier on the rear.

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by **88sport** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:20 am

what you could do is also go over to expoportal.com and take a look through the vehicles that some of those guys have and what they've done to them. you may find some ideas from some of the rigs that are under the full-size domestic section. warning to the wise, get a drool catcher before going over there.

by **john917v** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:28 am

I like the idea of this project. I'd add a home made heavy-duty front bumper with reinforced head light cages and tow loops, a hi-lift jack (they can be used as a simple winch I hear, cheaper than a winch while I save up for one) a roof rack with 360 degree spot light mounts, an axe and shovel, a machete, a headache rack/cab and rear window protector, if your truck has a 350sbc, what about a set of compatible Corvette heads? My dad did that to his Z71 block, these 'Vette heads are aluminum and offer more power while weighing less.

Extra points for having a very common truck=easy to find parts for it.

by **fitbmxseries1** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 7:35 pm

Its a sbc 350 basicly it has headers and a good exhaust. I was planning on buying vortec heads and the intake that converts them to the non vortec engine. Should add 30hp. But that might be a waist of money. I may just start adding armor then worry about performance later

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by **skruface** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 1:32 am

Screw paint. You want tough-looking? Cover everything (except windshield and window and mirrors and lights, obviously) in a layer of flat-black or OD DIY bedliner. Add a front 2" receiver hitch (Curt makes them) and a winch, or get a custom tube bumper with winch mount fabbed up. Put a cage on the back, and a roof basket with lights. Rear tube bumper with tire carrier and 2X gas can carriers. Don't forget comms (CB with 100"+ whip antenna plumbed to the rear bumper).

by **JesterODX** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 7:30 am

fitbmxseries1 wrote:a big thing is gunna be storage, i cant use a cap or cover for the bed because for work i usualy fill the bed up pretty high

My pops always kept a camper shell for his truck. We put it on and took it off when needed. He just used clamps to hold it on there. Takes two people, to toss it on. You use the double sided foam tape on the bottom of the shell, just dont peel the bottom tape off where it will stick to the truck. They are handy to have. I need to find one for mine.

Then I have to agree with Skruface. Flat black or bedliner it.

by **Tater Raider** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 7:44 am

For color I'd go earthtones. Originally I wanted my Jeep in silver and the sahara tan was the only color on my list that I'd accept which the dealer could locate. It took a couple weeks but I absolutely love the color it is now.

by **Gixxer1237** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 7:15 pm

I bolted my Highlift to my rollbar in the bed of my 77 chevy. Welded a tab to the bar and ran a big masterlock thru the highlift. Wrap the bracket with a bike innertube to keep it from rattling. Also put a fire extingusher back there with plumbing strap.(I once watched my Z/28 burn to the ground in a parkinglot because no extingusher)

by **MaconCJ7** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 8:06 pm

Can you weld? Do you have a torch? 6" channel iron for a bumper up front, 10" channel iron for a bumper in the back. For the front, us the torch and notch the metal a couple of times to angle around the front. It'll look good and aggressive. Make the back a straight piece, just angle up the bottom corners. Nothing but a quick cut with a torch and a plate welded. Build a receiver into the bumper.

Build a roof rack. When you mount lights, mount one facing the rear, but on a separate switch.

Build a couple of frame mount rocker guards with pipe, they'll double as nerf bars, but stronger, and cooler looking.

Build a Baja style spare tire carrier. Takes up bed room, but looks cool. Put the other spare where your spare goes.

If you can procure cheap steel wheels, get them. Otherwise stick with what you have. I like steel because you can pound it back into shape after you bend it off road. Aluminum doesn't like being beat on.

Winch. If you put a front receiver on there, you only need one winch. Just move it where you need it.

Either an auxiliary tank, or a few jerry cans. If you get an auxiliary tank, you can use the jerry can mounts for water jugs.

Get a York compressor and turn it into on-board air. Plenty of articles on how to do that.

Check to see if the paint is still covered by recall. My Dad had the same problem on his '93. GM paid for it, but that was back in '96 or '97. I doubt if it's covered, but it doesn't hurt to check. If it's not covered, bed line that thing. Fix rust spots with sand paper and primer first, but throw some bed liner on it. You can find it for relatively cheap. You won't win a show, but it will look mean.

Skip the body lift. I only promote 1" body lifts, and only then for maintenance purposes. I also suggest hockey pucks for that purpose. They're cheap, and made of the same stuff as body lift kits. The reason I don't promote body lifts larger than 1" is for safety. Go with a suspension lift. You'll be much happier in the end, even if it takes a while to get one.

You mentioned busting your exhaust every time you leave the pavement. A couple of options here. One, don't go to the corners of the bed. Another, have the exhaust stop before it becomes visible, but in a downward angle. Or, have it come out in front of the rear tires. Heck, you could have it stop at the mufflers, but the noise would resonate inside the cab more than you would enjoy. I personally don't like exhaust coming out at the corners of my bed due to an issue I had when I came down off of a line and a rock bent one corner into a tire. Metal beats rubber every time.