Overland Vehicles
The Avalanche blends a full size SUV frame with a short bed and the signature midgate. Early models share the GMT800 bones, while later years move to GMT900 with updated drivetrains and interiors. Most trims use a 5.3 liter V8 with automatic four wheel drive and a transfer case suited for dirt roads and moderate trails. The 2500 variant brought serious payload and an 8.1 liter option in the early years, but most shoppers will find 1500 models on the market. Know your payload rating and subtract passengers, fuel, water, and gear before adding accessories to keep handling predictable and braking safe.
A mild suspension refresh is the best first step. Quality monotube or remote reservoir shocks tame corrugations and washboards, while new upper control arms and a small front leveling kit help clear larger tires without poor alignment. Many owners run 33 inch all terrains with minor trimming; 34s can work but may rub at full lock if wheel offset and backspacing are not ideal. Pair tire size with your axle ratio. Trucks with 3.73 or 4.10 gearing handle added rolling diameter better on grades and at highway speed.
Approach and departure angles are limited by factory overhangs, so protection matters. Skid plates for the front differential, transmission, transfer case, and fuel tank add confidence on rocky tracks. A steel front bumper increases approach clearance and provides rated recovery points and winch mounting. Rock sliders protect the sills and double as high lift points. At minimum, carry soft shackles, a kinetic rope, traction boards, and a full size spare on a quality wheel.
Many Avalanches include a factory G80 style locking rear differential that engages automatically at low speed. It can help, but an aftermarket selectable locker or helical limited slip offers smoother engagement and stronger internals for loaded travel. Add a transmission cooler on older 4 speed automatics and verify transfer case health to prevent pump rub issues. Fresh fluids in axles, gearbox, and steering pay dividends on long trips.
Electrical simplicity is your friend on the trail. A clean auxiliary power system with a smart isolator or DC to DC charger keeps a fridge, lights, and radios running without draining the starting battery. Use proper fusing, marine grade wire, and labeled distribution to make troubleshooting easier. Many travelers add a compact solar panel to maintain charge while parked at camp.
Cargo management defines daily usability. The factory bed cover and side bins are helpful, but a low profile bed rack opens room for a rooftop tent or cargo box while preserving bed volume for totes and a fridge slide. Drawer systems keep tools and recovery gear sorted so you can find what you need in the dark. Focus on weight low and centered to improve ride quality on washboards.
Water and fuel dictate range. The Avalanche’s stock tank offers respectable distance, but plan for a spare can when routes stretch between stations. A 10 to 20 gallon water solution with a simple pump and filter supports cooking and cleanup. Build a habit of pre trip inspections that include belts, hoses, wheel bearings, and brake pads. The platform is durable when maintained, and preventative care prevents roadside surprises.
For lighting, ditch lights and a forward scene bar improve visibility without blinding oncoming traffic when aimed correctly. Add rear work lights for camp setup. Radios like GMRS keep a convoy connected in backcountry valleys where phones fall silent. Satellite internet can also be integrated cleanly for remote work and mapping.
If you prefer a professional plan that balances suspension, armor, racks, power, and communications as a single system, explore our Overland rigs to see how a complete package comes together.
Start with shelter and sleep. A compact rooftop tent on a bed rack keeps bedding off dusty cargo and deploys fast, or combine a truck bed platform with the midgate for an enclosed sleep space. Add an awning for shade and rain. A small galley with a propane stove, cutting surface, and a 12 volt fridge turns trailheads into comfortable basecamps.
Power management ties the cabin together. Mount the battery system in a ventilated enclosure and route protected cabling to a distribution hub. Run dedicated circuits for the fridge, lights, water pump, and accessory outlets to avoid overloading a single socket. Label everything and keep a spare fuse kit handy.
Brakes and steering deserve attention on any loaded truck. Step up to high quality pads and rotors, flush the brake fluid, and consider stainless lines for firmer pedal feel. Refresh inner and outer tie rods and set alignment after any suspension or tire change. The result is a confident rig that tracks straight on freeway drives to distant trailheads.
A few finishing touches lift daily comfort. Sound deadening reduces fatigue on long stretches. All weather floor liners simplify cleanup. Thoughtful storage for first aid, tire repair, and spare parts rounds out a self sufficient kit that can handle surprises with calm.
The right build feels balanced and quiet, not overdone. That is the hallmark of a well planned upfit where parts work together and the final weight lands within safe limits. Our team at OZK Customs designs integrated systems for the Avalanche that cover suspension tuning, armor, racks, electrical power, lighting, radios, and even satellite internet. If you want a single shop to plan and execute with clear timelines, explore a Custom overland upfit for a clean, reliable result.
We build and test in Northwest Arkansas where forest roads, rocky climbs, and wet seasons expose weak links quickly. That environment informs our process, and our handoff experience at Adventure Point helps owners learn their systems before heading home. Curious about how we work, communicate, and deliver at a high standard? See Why choose OZK for the details that matter.
When you are ready to skip trial and error, our team is ready to spec and build your Avalanche into a quiet, capable traveler that holds up mile after mile.
At OZK Customs, we design and build overland trucks and adventure vans with complete systems thinking. We offer complete custom builds and partial upfits across suspension, lifts, racks, lighting, Starlink installation, power systems, storage, bumpers, and fabrication. Explore Overland rigs and then reach out to map your Avalanche from stock to trail proven.
Ready to turn an Avalanche into a road tested overland rig without guesswork? OZK Customs designs and builds complete systems that balance weight, comfort, and capability. From suspension and armor to racks, power, and communications, our team delivers a clean, reliable setup you can trust. Tell us how you travel, and we will engineer the rest.
ADDRESS:
6159 E Huntsville Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72701
PHONE:
(479) 326-9200
EMAIL:
info@ozkvans.com