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Intro, my new to me 2500, and details on my boat hatch to saddlebags install

maker2280

New Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2018
Messages
1
Hello All,
Long time lurker and gatherer of info and first time poster. Here is my recently acquired Chevy Avalanche.  It's a 2006 2500 and came with everything you see in the pic and only 125k miles. I found it on EBAY a few months ago and couldn't click the buy now fast enough? it was exactly what I was looking for. This will not be my DD, I plan on using it as a truck to haul stuff as well as a road trip and camping vehicle. I've started a build thread over on Expedition Portal, user makemuchoftime.

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This is my second Avy. I had an '06 1500 Z71 that I used as a DD with no mods. I had to sell it when I got my travel trailer as it didn't have the towing power. That was 6 years ago and I've missed it ever since. I was happy to find this 2500 so hopefully I will never have a reason to sell.

I've done a few mods so far, drawer/sleeping platform, side step, and an aux battery. I've just completed the cut through to the saddlebag storage and posted the details below. I will be putting in some power outlets in the back and decided to use the passenger side saddlebag storage area for a power panel.

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Boat hatch into saddlebag storage mod
I picked up some boat hatches on EBAY and attached with #8, 1.25" black machine screws with acorn nuts on the back. I purposely choose panels that came out completely as opposed to hinged because I didn't want to worry about clearance for a door swinging open when I wanted to get in there, and also I wanted to be able to easily keep it open when using the power panel.

The job itself wasn't too bad. I was terrified of cutting the holes too big so I ended up cutting them too small, then lots of gradual trimming. It took longer than expected, but I don?t have a ton of experience with the angle grinder so that was part of it. In the end, I measured everything out well and the bevel hides all the poor cutting.

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My next mod will be to run the wire from the aux battery back to the passenger side storage box and build and install the power panel. The power panel will have a fuse box, solar charge controller, outlets for 12v round, USB, and anderson power pole. I will also have an inverter for some AC.

Links for Reference - Thanks to those that came before me and posted, I couldn?t have done it this well without your guidance.

Hatches I bought
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Boat-RV-Motohome-Access-Inspection-Deck-Hatch-Black-L-16-5-W12-4-0553/152500192170

Other threads that talk about this mod
http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?topic=62968.25
http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?topic=48012.msg749320#msg749320
(mentions the mod, but not instructional)
http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?topic=139850.msg2030274#msg2030274
http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?topic=87745.msg1372479#msg1372479
Other thread with some pics.
http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/threads/installing-a-bedrug-in-a-chevy-avalanche.137017/


Maker
 
  maker2280  :welcome:

  I myself just purchased a 2500 stepping up form a 1500.
What a grate find. I'll watch your build. Keep it coming.

 
lookin good, keep the pics coming and thanks for sharing and welcome to the club, enjoy the wealth of information you will find here.

Didit
 
Truck looks great, I like the pass through mod. Few questions: What lift do you have? What size wheels/tires? And which bumper bars are those? Thanks!
 
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