268 replies to this topic

[Zoomad]

Not much going on with the camper since the engine/trans swap is in full swing.  Engine and trans are in, wiring is done and front sheet metal is back on.  It's within a week of first fire up with the 8.1.  

 

[Zoomad]

Sorry for the glare..

[CougarCouple]

Looks nice happy for you, now you will really have to respect the skinny pedal when off roading.
Russ

[Zoomad]

Between the big block and more gear reduction in granny low, I'll be using my big toe on the throttle pedal.

[Vic Harder]

Which intake manifold is that?  I had the 8.1/Alison combo in my previous Sierra 3/4 ton.  It moved nicely when asked to.  

[Zoomad]

Which intake manifold is that?  I had the 8.1/Alison combo in my previous Sierra 3/4 ton.  It moved nicely when asked to.  

It's the stock one.  It's just not under the normal 8.1 engine cover.  Not many know what they look like without it.  

 

I've got a lot of experience with the 8.1 platform and agree they move out well when asked.  Don't matter if it's a 24,000 pound RV or my soon to be 7,000 pound off roadster. I'm betting it's going to move out a little better than the Class A rv's I was dealing with or most of the trucks that came with an 8.1.  Having my buddy Larry pass me going up Monarch or Wolf Creek Passes without downshifting out of 5th gear also demonstrates what the 8.1 can do when not stuck with a Class A house on it's back.  The little tune it's got will help with that. 

[Vic Harder]

I had an HP Tuners tune done on mine.  That got me better drivability and about 15% better fuel economy.  Zoomad indeed!

[ntsqd]

Can't recall, axles already upgraded? 14bff's & D60's aren't the lightest things, but it's sure nice to know that you probably can't break them until you do something extremely stupid.

 

For a fledgling project we're thinking coil sprung Dodge D60 front, for the LHD t/c that will come with the "LS" power-train, and an RDB vintage 14bff for the rear.

Edited by ntsqd, 11 October 2020 - 02:54 PM.

[Zoomad]

Can't recall, axles already upgraded? 14bff's & D60's aren't the lightest things, but it's sure nice to know that you probably can't break them until you do something extremely stupid.

 

For a fledgling project we're thinking coil sprung Dodge D60 front, for the LHD t/c that will come with the "LS" power-train, and an RDB vintage 14bff for the rear.

14b full floater already out back. D44 up front still.  Next planned upgrade once my wallet recovers is the chrome-moly shafts for the D44.  In the meantime I'll be careful off road. 

 

But, that being said the truck is a runner again.  We got it fired up today.  Drove it down to the end of Larry's street and back.  Needs exhaust but it runs, turns, shifts and stops great.  

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[Zoomad]

Boy it's been a while since I've updated this thread.   Lots have happened, but not a lot of changes to the truck or camper since the 8.1/5-speed went in. But I have completed a couple of long runs with it.   

 

I missed out on our annual desert trip last year yet again.  Work was part of it, but the main issue was my Mom having ALS and all the complications that come with it.   I didn't want to leave and have anything happen.   As the year progressed, things in my life were changing between my wife and I and not for the better.   I needed a break.  I needed to hang out with my son and get some one on one time.  Mom gave her blessing even though she was in worse shape than earlier but even she recognized I needed some time out.  

 

So the boy (funny I refer him as that, he's 25!) and I made another run for Moab and the Blazer Bash event.   We took off a couple of days early to hit some dirt solo.   

 

We stopped to check out the Dewey bridge before hitting the Top of the World trail.  

 

Let this be known, the trail itself is no joke.  While it could be done in a stock 4wd truck with good spotting, it will probably take some hits to the bumpers, frame/skidplates and rockers.  I wouldn't take the average truck on this trail.  It is ledge city.  Relentless, one after another after another.  

 

This was an easy spot.   The lack of pics after this kind of relates as to the challenges that came after it.  

 

 

Quick rant here.   We ran into an "overland group" wearing matching camp shirts with logos and instagram handles wasting time at the overlook of the trail.  It's one of the iconic spots to get your truck on the ledge and take a pic.  However these clowns were taking a half hour per truck to set up the shot, take pics and fly a drone around and then the next guy goes through it again.  One even set up a dang roof top tent, another one actually donned a climbing harness and spooled some winch cable to hang over the edge.   They were not friendly at all.  By the time I got up there I parked and my son scrambled over to the side to get the shot.  It might have taken 5 minutes but we still got the stink eye from one of the women because she had the climbing gear in hand and she wanted her turn to hang over the side.  Bottom line, don't do this.   

 

 

We got our shot and got the hell out of there.  

 

 

We helped some fellow Colorado wheelers on our way down and found a flat spot to set up camp and cook some dinner.

 

 

 

We got into Moab and ended up taking a quick run down Steelbender with a badass Suburban and doing our best to keep up with it.  

 

 

 

 

On Blazer Bash we took on Backwards Bill with a good sized group.   

 

 

This is probably the hardest section on the trail and proved it by me pulling 3 wheelies trying to get up the last ledge.  

 

 

The next day I got to lead a small group of guys on an easier but scenic trail down Potash road and up the Schaffer switchbacks and back.  That other Blazer camper is a bone stock truck with a Hallmark Blazer camper.  It's a time capsule.  

 

 

 

Made it back from Moab and proceeded to handle life stuff again...