The Road to UA '08
Tear Down (Aug.)
Bed Bobbing (Sept.)
Protection (Oct.)
Suspension (Nov.)
Drivetrain (Dec.)
Whether we've been wrenching on that rusty K-5 Blazer for decades or that new-school high-zoot buggy that's one rattlecan away from being on the trail, we all share that sweet sensation of accomplishment when it's finally time to set down the tools and get behind the wheel. Over the past few months and five issues we've chronicled the transformation of our '00 GMC Sierra Z71. Starting with the 8-year-old 1/2-ton we set forth converting that everyday pickup into a Super Sleeper wheeling rig built to lead 18 hard-core off-roaders on the wheeling trip of a lifetime known as the Ultimate Adventure.
With the tireless efforts of Mel Wade and his Off Road Evolution crew, we created the Ultimate Z71, a truck capable of more than 14 inches of suspension travel on 40-inch tires that's sleek enough that your hybrid-driving neighbors won't bat an eye, but dynamic enough to command attention when it hits the trail.
Though the 2008 Ultimate Adventure is now a thing of the past (Nov., Dec. '08 issues), there are a few finishing items we want to let you in on as we wrap up our GMC build. From the glossy new wrap from Ape Wraps to the sweet rumble of our tired engine (over 216k and counting), it's those little details and finishing touches that may take a little extra time but are worth it in the end. And for those of you just tuning in (where have you been!?) don't fret, because we have the entire buildup including web-exclusive extras that show the 1/2-ton's transformation from start to finish at 4wheeloffroad.com.
1. Sometimes giving a tired motor a little wake-up is as easy as bolting on one of K&N's cold-air intake kits. The K&N kit installed in roughly one hour, giving the 5.3L a noticeable increase in responsiveness, not to mention the service benefit of being able to inspect and access the intake quickly and easily.
2. Giving our tired V-8 a fresh sound is a single 3-inch Hushpower muffler. Due to the limited space, and with the drivetrain occupying more of the passenger side than ever before, we opted to go with a single exhaust pipe and route it out the driver side.
3. Using an off-the-shelf 3-inch builder's kit from Flowmaster, we cruised down to the exhaust pros at Fantasy Muffler where they picked out all the pieces they need from the box and created our custom exhaust. Filled with a variety of prebent and straight-cut pieces, it's the perfect kit for anybody looking to make their own high-tech exhaust system without ever leaving the driveway. | 
4. A crucial part of any rig and the only part to touch the ground are your tires. Squeezing on 40x14.50 BFG KM2s wasn't the easiest job, but when you need a tire that's built for comfort, performance, and looks, the BFG M-T family is a great choice. They're held on by a set 17x9 Poison Spyder Custom Spyderlocks, so low air pressure on the trail is now a welcomed and worry-free experience. | 
5. Hi-Lift jacks are useful in so many ways. After a little terra collision, we managed to twist the Super Sleeper's front bumper a bit out of shape. Not a problem. We broke out the jack and, with a little precision winching, were able to shape the bumper back into recognition and keep on moving. |
6. One of the biggest time-burglars of the entire build was the bed. With 12 inches chopped off the front, a high-clearance departure angle cut, and the wheel openings trimmed to make room for the tires... | 
...it was a feat that we are very proud of. Putting the finishing touches on the bed to give it that seamless finish was Rene Ildefonzo of Ildefonzo Classic Paint Shop... | 
...From reforming the metal to the finished stage of clear, Rene made our bed look as though it was plucked right from GM's assembly line. |
7. It wouldn't be the Ultimate wrapup without a wrap, now would it? Making our 8-year-old 1/2-ton look sharp was no sweat for the guys at Ape Wraps. Covering our UA Z71 from front to rear, the durable high-quality graphics gave our Sleeper a subtle shine and made it look sharper than a 10k paintjob while costing only a fraction of that. And if you are still curious about the robustness of the wrap, just look at the abuse we put our truck through and how nice it still looks. Simply amazing. | 
8. The ARB fridge freeze is a must-have for anybody who's planning on or thinking about a road or camping trip. With this plug-in cooler capable of sustaining below-freezing temps in a scorching climate, you and your friends can store all the microwave burritos and sweet tea you want for days! | 
9. Finishing off the rear of the truck is a quick and simple rear bumper comprised of 13/4 0.120-wall DOM tubing. Designed to give the truck an increased angle of departure while still maintaining some semblance of bed, our tubed creation slid, slammed, and dragged its way throughout the entire adventure-and has the scars to prove it! |
10. Our Ultimate Z71 is riddled with custom details from front to back. From the laser etching in the rock sliders... | 
...to the paint-matched cage, it's the little stuff that can make a difference. | 
11. Building the Ultimate Z71 or any Ultimate Adventure rig is never a one-man show. We send out a special thanks to everyone at Off Road Evolution for their dedication and hard work. And to everyone else who donated their time, we thank you. |