Well I finally found the time to get everything installed that I have had laying around for nearly a month now. I'm still working on it little by little to perfect everything, but I do have it done for the most part. Here is what I have installed:

- Carli Starter System
- DT ProFab Control Arms
- Thuren Track bar
- Defiant Dual Stabilizer with Diff Guard
- 35x12.50x18 Cooper Discoverer STT's
- 18x9 Black Rockstars (5" backspacing)

Overall I am very pleased with everything and best of all........ I have NO rub with 9" wide wheels that have 5" backspacing (0 offset). The ride is great; firmer than stock, but in good way. Ride quality was not sacrificed at all and that is one of the big things I look for in a kit. Handling is much improved over stock; I find myself taking some turns harder and faster than I did before. This is definately not a race car by any means, but I am ecstatic about the handling. I haven't had a chance to take it off road yet, but I plan to soon. I want to see what the kit done for the off-road capabilities. At this point, I am pleased with the truck but still plan on getting a complete replacement leaf pack and some King shocks from Thuren. He is a great guy and willing to help always.

You guys may also notice the 5" exhaust I just installed. I must say, it looks and sounds sweet for sure.

Sorry for the dirty truck in the pics. I need to wash it bad.

As for the center caps, I'm seriously thinking about leaving them off. I like the way the Rockstars look without the center caps. I just need to buff and polish the hubs and then paint them with some matte black paint and then clear coat them to keep them looking decent. Let me know what you guys think about everything. I'm gonna try and get some better pics (and action shots..... ) soon.

The last pic is the night before the install. I still had my old lift and tires still on. I had to install the stabilizer kit. I just couldn't wait any longer and stare at the parts sitting in my garage.

 

Looks good I want one of those grilles!!!

 

Looks awesome, nice work.

 

looks tough, real tough!

 

Really like that wheel and tire combo!!!

 

Wow, that did turn out good!

 

Thanks for the comments guys. I'm really pleased with the way everything turned out.

This is like an addiction. I'm thinking about taking the bull bar off and putting on a Defiant light bar with 4 lights; the two KC's I have now on the outside and two 8" rally KC's on the inside. I think it would look pretty good and complete the all black look.

 

Looks great!

I agree, ditch the bull bar! and go with the Defiant light bar.

 

X2 ^^^

 

Looks awesome, I like the tires, how do they ride, are they E rated?

 

Yes they are "E" rated. That is one of the reasons I went with them. As for the ride, between 0-5 mph they have that minor "speed bump" feel that all mud-terrains have. After that they are smooth and vibration free. I've only run up to about 75 with them on and everything seems to be perfectly fine. They are not loud at all for a mud-terrain. With the windows up and the radio on I don't even notice the extra hum.

 

Nice truck. Tell me more about you DT ProFab Control Arms. Pictures? Thanks.

 

I'll try to get some pics of them soon. I've got them on and they work great. Granted, they are not like the KORE, Carli, etc. that use the spherical joints that supposedly increase the ride quality, etc. The DT arms just use hard bushings (like Thuren's track bar). However they do push the front axle forward to eleminate all rubbing on the rear of the front fenders, they are much stronger than stock, and they look great; all at a good price. So they fit the bill and done the job good enough for me.

 

Very nice lookin truck. What kind of flares are those?

 

Bushwacker Extend-A-Fender's painted to match......