Hey guys I just bought a truck from my buddy for cheap, it’s an 03 LS Z71 extended with a lift kit, aftermarket wheels and tires, aftermarket brakes, K&N intake, it’s cammed and regeared, straight pipes, replaced both wheel bearings, tie rods inner and outer, idler, pitman, u joints, rear axle bearings, the transfer case (does have the pump rub kit in it), upgraded it to Hydroboost brakes instead of vacuum, a new power steering pump, new power steering gearbox, all new brake lines, new fuel pump, upgraded it to HD 5 leaf leaf springs in rear...... think thats it. So with that in mind, what are the biggest things I should watch out for/be concerned about? It is a Midwest truck (I’m in MN). I’m currently replacing the oil pan gasket and rear t-case seal.

 

Nice looking pickup. I'd always recommend all fluids switched to high-quality synthetic, check all seals, hoses for deep water crossing on the axle, transmission, and transfer case. and pack any bearings up good synthetic grease with twin- liped seals..

 

With these types of modifications, regardless if you just cruise with it or take it off roading, the primary things you’ll be needing to repair the most frequently are going to be the steering linkage and driveshaft u-joints.

Even with an all new power steering set up and proper alignment, larger tires have greater contact area with the road, so there’s more drag to overcome and that’s gonna wear out the weak points of the linkage faster.

U-joints are only designed to operate within about 5 or 10 degrees for maximum life. Lifting the truck will create a steeper angle, so the u-joints will wear faster, even if they’re greaseable. You could probably have a 2 piece driveshaft made to decrease the angles and extend u-joint life.

If it has an aluminum driveshaft, make sure nothing is rubbing on it - I once had a customer with a truck similar to yours that had an aluminum driveshaft and he didn’t notice an exhaust bracket had come loose and was rubbing on the shaft. It cut through the driveshaft just like a pipe cutter and all of a sudden my customer had to change his pants.