2000 Chevy Silverado 1500 2WD - Walking The Line

Boxed plate lower control arms can take a pounding. This plate layout style, where the top and bottom plates overlap the skinny connection plate that joins them, is preferable because it creates an inside-corner weld joint. The inside-corner weld joint facilitates the addition of more filler metal compared to most outside-corner joints. Translation: these arms are strong. Check out the grease zerk fittings at the frame-end bushings. The zerks make maintenance easy and keep squeaks in check.

Boxed plate lower control arms can take a pounding. This plate layout style, where the top

Most trucks that boast as much off-road hardware and capability as this one also have something else: an off-road only green sticker. Instead of relegating the 1500 to life as a trailer-only toy, Rex built around the stock smog control systems. This ride's street plate bolts proudly to a tube on the rear 'cage. Rajewski trailers the 1500 to and from his favorite OHV areas most of the time, but if he needed to drive it there and back he could.

Off-road ability versus everyday drivability. Walking such a fine line is never easy. Rex Rajewski and his Chevy pulled it off. Maybe you can, too.

Specs
Vehicle:
'00 Chevy Silverado 1500 2WD

Owner/Hometown:
Rex Rajewski / Sun City, CA

The stock bumper hangs down too low and doesn't match the strength of the rest of this truck. Rex set the stocker aside and built his own bolt-on bumper with a matching skidplate.

The stock bumper hangs down too low and doesn't match the strength of the rest of this tru

Engine:
5.3L Vortec V-8 with K&N intake and filter system, Edelbrock headers, Mac Products muffler, Hypertech power programmer

Transmission:
Stock 4L60-E

Front suspension:
Complete owner-built long-travel system. Six inches wider per side, 18 inches of travel. Lower arms are boxed plate, uppers are round tubing. BMS spindle and hub kit integrated into custom steering knuckle. King coilover and bypass shocks, King bump stops.

Rear suspension:
Owner-built four-link system with 28 inches of travel. Stock rear axle retained, but trussed and tabbed for four-link. Oceanside Driveline two-piece driveshaft. Fox coilovers, King bypass shocks, King bump stops.

The 5.3 Vortec is a great engine, so there was no need to swap it out for something else. The engine cage also captures the radiator core support and continues forward to the front bumper. It can be un-bolted if needed.

The 5.3 Vortec is a great engine, so there was no need to swap it out for something else.

Ring and pinion ratio:
4.11:1

Tires:
BFG Mud Terrain T/A, 35x12.50R17

Chassis:
Stock frame retained, but strengthened with a complete bumper-to-bumper rollcage built by Rex. Both chromoly and DOM tubing were used, 1.5 x .120-wall. Both MIG and TIG welding were used during the build.

Interior:
Stock dash notched for roll cage tubing. Kartek seats, Crow harnesses, CNC brake pedal and dual master cylinders.

Favorite off-roading places:
Ocotillo Wells and Plaster City/Superstition