2002 Z71 Restoration

[JoeliusZ28]

I?m not fully on board with that argument. The bedsides on this 2002 are already thin enough that they dent/deform/stretch by simply by leaning heavy against it. I also put three dents/stretch marks in my fusion before i realized i was the one doing it, by simply gently leaning my dirt bike handlebar against it. Thats unacceptable to me, i used to do it all the time with my 98 GMC and it never once left a mark. And strength isn't the only issue with thin panels, its also corrosion. Once thin metal starts to go it goes really fast.

[MP81]

Yes, but look at it - it doesn't have shape. It's pretty flat. So downgaged panels that are also flat are going to be inherently weaker. Flat panels are also subject to oil-canning due to the lack of strength to hold the form required.

They're not higher strength steel, so that portion of what I said was meant to be informative, not meaning this truck has them.

[JoeliusZ28]

I understand ribbed/stamped panels are stronger but thats not what were talking about here as the majority of body panels on anything are in fact flat.

The fact is, while the EPA and average joe love their flimsy efficient vehicles, id be furious if i had to take my 50k truck to the body shop because i gently leaned my dirt bike against it.

[MP81]

Right, which is what I said.

The feature lines and what not were related moreso to the even-thinner metal we use now.

I can't say I'd ever lean a dirt bike against a $50k vehicle, no matter what it is, or how old it is.

[JoeliusZ28]

Oh i fully understand thats the reason theyre throwing those feature lines in there these days, they would get too many complaints from people like me if they weren?t.

The point is a full size truck, especially one at that price point, should not have an issue with a dirt bike leaned against it. At all. You know how fussy i am and that i didn't dent my car by carelessly tossing a bike against it.

[JoeliusZ28]

Been a while since i updated here. Truck went in to Curt's shop for paint yesterday... light is at the end of the tunnel.

I also made some suspension improvements. Installed aftermarket upper control arms which let me raise the ride height up another inch without it riding like a lumber wagon. Going to make a video about that eventually.

[MP81]

So now you can jump it, right?

[JoeliusZ28]

I'm sure the half ton suspension wouldn't appreciate that much with these heavy ass mud tires its carrying now, lol.

[JoeliusZ28]

Pretty sure its been a full year since i started working on this Its finally done and 'm happy with how everything turned out. Time for some mods next! Cant forget a shoutout to Curt_irocz for his work on this!

[MP81]

Wow, that looks insanely good! Great work!

[farmington]

Nice job.

[TSTONE]

Incredible - it's like a brand new truck!

[DynoDave]

Man, that turned out sweet!!!

[JoeliusZ28]

Thanks guys! Now time to address some mechanical stuff.

[MP81]

Like the fact it doesn't have a supercharger?