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[Progress Log] ATMINSIDE's 2005 Z85 4x4

11235 Views 65 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  ATMINSIDE, 
ATMINSIDE
This thread has been a long time in the making, but here goes! As promised in my intro thread :)
https://www.355nation.net/forum/new-member-introductions/182698-new-guy-2005-z71-4wd-5mt.html

Back in March of 2016, I finally got a truck. It came up after buying the house, and I got a deal.
The truck itself is a 2005 Chevy Colorado Standard Cab Z85 4x4 with the 5 speed manual transmission. It had 194K on the clock at the time, almost 199K now.
Completely bare bones, the only features it had were auto headlights, Z85, and 4WD.

Issues with the truck at the time I bought it:
- Headlights and tail lights needed replacing
- Fuel cap message (P0455)
- Front/rear bumper were a bit banged up
- Seat was halfway worn out, was the fixed bench (no arm rest)
- Tint is crap
- Toolbox had no key, so I couldn't lock it

Mods I have done so far:
- Replaced the clock spring to add cruise, unknowingly the turn signal was almost worn out as well.
--- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010GNC5I
- Replaced the 3rd brake light with an LED one
--- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019JBNOUI
- Swapped all accessory bulbs with LED (interior, plate, etc)
--- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I2I03DG
- Added fog lights which run any time the headlights are on (byproduct of replacing bumper/headlights)
--- Lights https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GJ5KJYQ
--- Relay https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KEKYWQ
--- Relay Harness https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VU9D0C
--- Bulbs https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C9PCPM
--- Bulb Harnesses https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HFDC8EQ
--- Fuse Holder https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ZIUA62
- Swapped the seats for H3 buckets with a Colorado center console, thread below
--- https://www.355nation.net/forum/interior/182786-atms-interior-mod-log-questions.html
- Added OSH's
--- Grip Handle | Genuine GM | 15134376 : GM Parts Direct: Your direct source for Genuine GM Parts
- Changed window visors to ones that weren't falling apart (bought the in-channel kind)
--- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CFAV7A
- New tail lights, post #10.
- New front shocks, post #13.
-- Skyjacker Black Max B8540
- New rear shocks
-- Skyjacker Black Max B8584
- Removed toolbox and put on a roll-up tonneau cover, post #21.
-- Tonno Pro Lo-Roll LR-1025
- Cooper Discoverer ATP in 31x10.5R15, post #32.
- New rear leafs, post #39.
- Driver's side SwingCase, post #44.
- Kenwood KDC-HD262U Radio and JVC Club 6520 Speakers.
- Supermod SFAN4500 Electric Fan Kit, post #51.
- OBX Stainless Header, post #58.
- OEM Mud Flaps, post #61.

Fixes I have done so far:
- Replaced parking brake cable, the clip was broken off
--- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JEAIQ2
- Replaced front bumper (added fog light cutouts at the same time)
--- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013SBKYYY
- Chased P0455 error... see thread below
--- https://www.355nation.net/forum/i4-...82746-p0455-issues-not-cap-evap-solenoid.html
- Bought a key for the toolbox, still wouldn't work. Fixed the locking mechanism!
- Replaced catback with a Walker OEM kit due to a hatchet job muffler rusting out at the welds.
- Replaced fuel filter, looked like it hadn't ever been done.
- Replaced MAP sensor.
- Replaced PCV vent hose.
- Blower motor resistor and harness fix.
-- https://www.355nation.net/forum/how...fan-motor-resistor-connector-replacement.html
- Changed fluids for AMSoil; front/rear diff, transfer case, and transmission.
- New Moog U-Joints for rear driveshaft, post #65.

Adventures:
Had it out wheeling a couple of times.
- The best (early) trip was out to the beach at Freeman Park in NC, June 2016. Sand was soft enough on the first day I was sinking an easy 4" down.
- Freeman Park (again), post #43.
- Linville Gorge Hiking, post #57.


Planning a trip to Uwharrie later this month, we'll see how that goes!!

I'll continue to update this thread with more info as I progress, there's some nice LED tail lights here ready for install along side my SuperSparkz :bestest:

Other planned (future to way future) mods include a mild lift to fit some 31" AT's, maybe a new radio to get HD.

Edits:
2/23/2017 - Changing references of Z71 to Z85.
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ATMINSIDE
Re: [Progress Log] ATMINSIDE's 2005 Z71 4x4

A few updates today, we'll start with the small stuff.

SuperSparkz were put in a few nights ago, along with new coil packs. It made all the difference in the world with how the truck runs! Noticeably peppier and smoother (even to the GF).

The truck also has a bed full of a bradford pear I just took down right now.
Plan was to go camping in Uwharrie this weekend and have firewood, but unfortunately that isn't happening now.


More notably, I've learned the Z71 stickers on the truck are, in fact, fake.
Saw a few things odd as I've dug into more mod research, and it is indeed a Z85. Updating the first post and such to reflect this.
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S
A set of Z71 flares will fit a Z85 and I believe about 1" of lift (maybe not even needed?) will fit 31s.
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ATMINSIDE
Sync said:
A set of Z71 flares will fit a Z85 and I believe about 1" of lift (maybe not even needed?) will fit 31s.
Click to expand...
Lift shouldn't be needed at all to fit 31's. The height difference from Z85 -> Z71 came from the difference in tires.

I was already working on a lift anyway, then getting bigger tires. Now I've changed to planning for wheels as well due to the difference in width of the wheels from Z71 -> Z85.
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ATMINSIDE
2
Alright, so I know I have this for future reference I'm dropping all my RPO codes here.


Also, some goodies showed up last night!! Just need to get the lift parts in-house and it'll all get installed at once.
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Boldly
In for updates, and more importantly, good choice of beer! :drinking28:
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ATMINSIDE
Boldly said:
In for updates, and more importantly, good choice of beer! :drinking28:
Click to expand...
I'll be sure to include more beers in the pics of wheeling and work then!!
:drunk:

Don't have pics of them, but the Tuff Country AAL's showed up yesterday. Thanks @RednecKevin for the deal :)
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RednecKevin
They showed up yesterday?! Holy shit that's 3 days ahead of tracking. Good deal! Damn shipping was insane on those and I only made 10$ on them in the end but I'm happy to get them out of the garage and glad to see them put to use finally! Can't wait to follow the build. Thanks again
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ATMINSIDE
RednecKevin said:
They showed up yesterday?! Holy shit that's 3 days ahead of tracking. Good deal! Damn shipping was insane on those and I only made 10$ on them in the end but I'm happy to get them out of the garage and glad to see them put to use finally! Can't wait to follow the build. Thanks again
Click to expand...
Yeah, yesterday! The shipping was super fast :) I figured after how long you'd been sitting on them you'd be ready to just get them gone.

As soon as I can get three things I'll be starting the work; a taller jack (hopefully tomorrow, there's a sale at Northern Tool for one that goes up to over 21"), the front key kit from SuspensionMaxx, and TIME.
Last one is the tough part... computer part reviews have me super busy right now.

Considering wheel/tire packages, really liking the 16x8 Mickey Thompson Classic III 4.5" BS with a solid 265/75-16 AT wrapping them.
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ATMINSIDE
2
Got the new tail lights in tonight!!


Old vs new, just to show how bad they were.
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ATMINSIDE
Got some snow this morning!

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RednecKevin
Supposed to get 18+ here tuesday. Can't wait!
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ATMINSIDE
5
Finally got around to doing some work on the truck this weekend. Front shocks are done, had to stop and work on the girlfriend's car before I could get to the rears.

Driver's side came off nice and easy, passenger's side not so much.
Basically 199,440 miles on it as of this work :)

Front of the truck feels amazing now, the old shocks were SHOT for sure.

Used the Skyjacker Black Max Shocks, part number B8540. Grabbed the set for the whole truck for right at $160!

Driver's side installed:


Shielding the brake line on the passenger's side:


Removing the stud from the passenger's side:


And the victim (passenger's side shock):

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ATMINSIDE
Also, while I had the truck in the garage, I took the hub to fender measurements.

RF - 22"
LF - 21.75"
RR - 21"
LR - 21"

Do those look normal to you guys or is it sagged out?
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ATMINSIDE
Okay, finally got to do more searching while I'm recovering from surgery to remove my wisdom teeth. Looks like stock should be 21" front and 22" rear so it isn't sagged THAT bad in the back.
Doing the AAL and SMaxx kit for the front should be perfect.
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ATMINSIDE
Quick update, no pictures from this weekend unfortunately.

First, the bad. Rear leafs are definitely sagged beyond saving.

The good! Got the catback exhaust on (Walker OEM replacement), swapped the rear shocks, changed the fuel filter, replaced the MAP sensor, and replaced the PCV vent hose.

Also, I think I found where I was getting water ingress into the cab. Got the passenger floorboard dried out, left the seat out and propped up the carpet with a fan blowing under it for a night, and sealed up a floorboard hole (someone had drilled it).

The fuel filter was comically dirty... Literally looked like mud instead of gas pouring out. Guess it hadn't ever been changed in the 199,7xx miles on the truck.
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ATMINSIDE
6
Update time!!

We got about 5" of rain in three nights (two days), drove the truck both of those days, and no moisture in the floorboard!!

Also, last night was absolutely gorgeous out. So, what else would I do besides put on the Z71 flares I bought??
Definitely pleased with the look, they'll be a perfect fit once I get tires on that aren't 235 wide.

Before:




After:


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1BADI5
I stall can't get over how much fun your truck must be

4 banger, 4wd, 5 spd and 4.10s

Looks like you've done some solid maintenance..... BTW, we love all the pics :thumbup:
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ATMINSIDE
1BADI5 said:
I stall can't get over how much fun your truck must be

4 banger, 4wd, 5 spd and 4.10s

Looks like you've done some solid maintenance..... BTW, we love all the pics :thumbup:
Click to expand...
It's an absolute blast! Need to get it back out wheeling again, its been longer than it should have.
City/highway mix it gets about 20mpg right now too, with the price of 93 it's honestly cheaper to drive than my WRX... LOL!

Lots of maintenance has been needed, but I fully expected that I'd need to "play catch up" on a truck that was pushing 200K miles.

Next up, I need to get those C10 rear leafs and do a crank... then tires.
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ATMINSIDE
Took the toolbox off last night, should be putting on a roll-up tonneau tonight.

Will likely build a box for the bed unless I can snag a deal on something pre-built.
Need to figure out the tailgate lock though... the mechanism in it is missing.
Not sure if I need a new tailgate handle or a new lock assembly and then just reuse my cylinder.
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