96 Z71 "MILD Factory was mostly OK" build

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Project400

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So I'm new here but I've owned several of these trucks..
Fast forward some years of SUV's and Planning to buy an 400 and I purchased this stone stock 96 Z-71.

Honestly I like these trucks and for how I'll use it they don't need much IMO.


First thing will be fixing the rear axle seals by swapping in a 6 lug 14 bolt semi floating axle. The 10 bolts are junk IMO.
This axle will be getting 99+ 1/2 ton rear disk brakes, new seals, new axle bearings, some sort of diff cover, a u-bolt flip and a suburban rear anti roll bar with new links etc.

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Project400

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Will I be ok at stock height? ORU says something about 1 ton trucks shouldn't do it at stock height but nothing about 1/2

I have to buy the parts so why not I figured
 

Bob L

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Just my opinion but I think the 99 1/2 ton disc setup is junk. Parking brake is nothing but trouble. Rear brakes do 30% of braking the drums are more than adaquate and work fine unless you are road racing.
 

Project400

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I've always felt the brakes needed work especially if pulling any kind of a load.
Too much bias to the front, warped front rotors, rear adjusters that always quit working or don't adjust very little braking contributed by the rear even when working properly

I'm going to wait a few months and decide an upgrade path for the front brakes too. Probably 99+ knuckles with 06 13" rotors and calipers
 

98BlackSierra

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Sure looks to be in great shape for a Michigan truck. What park you live in? Is there any rust at all?

As for the disc brake swap, I'd leave the drums. Why go through all the trouble?
 

drewcrew

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So I'm new here but I've owned several of these trucks..
Fast forward some years of SUV's and Planning to buy an 400 and I purchased this stone stock 96 Z-71.

Honestly I like these trucks and for how I'll use it they don't need much IMO.


First thing will be fixing the rear axle seals by swapping in a 6 lug 14 bolt semi floating axle. The 10 bolts are junk IMO.
This axle will be getting 99+ 1/2 ton rear disk brakes, new seals, new axle bearings, some sort of diff cover, a u-bolt flip and a suburban rear anti roll bar with new links etc.

You must be registered for see images attach
I was hoping somebody else would ask this. What is a u-bolt flip ? Sorry if it sounds stupid to ask this. Thanks
 
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