Hello all, been reading the site for a while now, gained some good insight and really helped me choose the 06 model vs some < 04.
I found a very clean 06, 130k miles all service records done at the original dealer and sold to me from same!!
Only issue I have is some modest corrosion on suspension parts, mounts and frame welds, but clearly my truck was driven in the salted snow roads of the Tennessee mountains, overall, I'm very happy with the truck and really proud of the recent improvements.
I studied hard on what route to go for bigger tires, decided on the Bilstein 5100 option, went with max height setting (as I sometimes use a winch mounted fwd) I'm now gonna do 1" rough country blocks on the rear to help with even ride while towing.
Some lessons learned on my stock shock change out:
- use lots of PB blaster days ahead of the install, I had to cut/grind off 3 of 4 shocks.
- disconnect the lower A-arm sway bar links to aid in installing the front shocks.....oh man I wish I would have seen that bit of info early into my job!!
- use jack stands further back for supporting the front axles, I moved mine to the frame, just near the transfer case and it allowed me to use a floor jack to control the A-arms better (to allow you to pass the head of the bottom shock bolt under the drive axle and boot come together)
I actually gained 3-1/4" with my front shock Bilstein install (springs and shocks were all stock), I used the top ring notch on the new 5100's and added a new strut insulator bushing at the the top of the spring cap (0only 1/4" thick, so i cant imagine it really affecting the height that much), but the ride is great, so no complaints here.
Today I finally got the tires I wanted, BFG-K/O 2's 275/70/17's, no rubbing at all, love the look, need to try it out in some slop to see how it does.
Now I want a rear locker, some well placed LED lighting and a chance to use that 4WD!!
Hope my before and after pics show up.
