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  • CHEVY 1500

    BACK TO CHEVY

    CHEVY 1500

    The Chevy 1500 is a versatile option for those looking for a dependable daily driver that can also handle light-duty work. Looking to take that versatility to the next level? Big Dog Builds can bring your dream Chevy to life with tailored, expert customisations from the American truck specialists.

    Big Dog Builds Rating System
    • Manufacturer
    • Big Dog Builds
    build type

    Build Type

    Weekend warrior

    Towing

    7/10

    Looks

    8/10

    Interior

    8/10

    Driveline / Performance

    7/10

    Off Road Capability

    5/10

    Modification Ability

    8/10

    Towing Class

    NIL

    Light

    Heavy

    build type

    Build Type

    Weekend warrior

    Towing

    8/10

    Looks

    10/10

    Interior

    8/10

    Driveline / Performance

    9/10

    Off Road Capability

    6/10

    Modification Ability

    8/10

    Towing Class

    NIL

    Light

    Heavy

    CHEVY 1500 BUILDS
    Discover why Norweld trays and canopies remain the benchmark in Australia after 50+ years. In this detailed walk-around, we compare an Elite Tray on a RAM 2500 with an Elite Tray + Canopy combo on a Chevy 2500 — including strength, durability, design updates, tie-down systems, toolbox layout, water systems, camera relocation, and real-world usability.

Whether you’re building a touring setup, a work rig, or a hybrid tray/canopy combo, this video shows exactly how Norweld's Elite Series fits into both RAM and Chevy platforms — and which setup might suit your needs best.

What you'll see in this video
✅ Full Norweld Elite Tray walk-around on a RAM 2500
✅ Full Norweld Elite Tray + Canopy walk-around on a Chevy 2500
✅ Tray length & width measurements (RAM vs Chevy)
✅ Drop-side design, strength and quick-release system
✅ Headboard configurations and spare wheel mounting options
✅ Water tanks, taps, fuel filler solutions & storage
✅ Toolboxes, hinges, seals and dustproofing
✅ Trundle drawer comparison & usability
✅ Camera relocations, sensors and factory integration
✅ Battery systems, inverter layout & wiring access
✅ Lift-off canopy setup and how fast it swaps back to a tray
✅ Suspension considerations (coil vs leaf, airbags, load support)
✅ Practical advice for touring, towing and canopy weights

Build highlights
✅ Norweld Elite Tray on both RAM 2500 & Chevy 2500
✅ 4mm one-piece aluminium tray base
✅ Full-length, extruded one-piece drop sides
✅ Lift-off canopy system with 6 mounting bolts
✅ Water tank + tap integrated into tray
✅ Heavy-duty trundle drawer with locking runners
✅ Colour-coded toolboxes with sealed hinges
✅ Headboard tie-down + multiple spare wheel configs
✅ Camera + sensor relocation to factory-correct angles
✅ Full power integration: inverter, DC-DC, Anderson plugs

Safety & setup notes
✅ Confirm rear camera relocation is calibrated before towing.
✅ Check drop-side latches are fully locked before loading.
✅ Verify water tank straps and fittings before long trips.
✅ Ensure spare wheel mounts are torqued to spec.
✅ Re-check canopy mounting bolts after first 200km.
✅ Confirm rear suspension load support before towing heavy vans.
✅ Inspect Anderson plug wiring for strain or rubbing.
✅ Test all lighting after any tray/canopy removal.

📍Work with Big Dog Builds

If you have a RAM, a chevy, a Ford or a Tundra, get in touch now.

Facebook: 👉 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083162745725
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/big.dog.builds/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@big.dog.builds
Website: 👉 https://bigdogbuilds.com/

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction: Why Norweld dominates the tray/canopy space
00:58 – RAM 2500 Elite Tray overview
01:46 – Drop-side strength & quick-release design
02:38 – Converting tray → canopy in minutes
03:25 – Norweld build quality, materials & lifetime warranty
04:11 – Headboard setups & spare wheel options
05:00 – Toolboxes, hinges & dust sealing
06:41 – Tray length & width comparison (RAM vs Chevy)
08:27 – Re-installing sides & user-friendly hardware
09:24 – Rear sensors, cameras & relocation kits
10:52 – Trundle drawer design & load capability
12:31 – Power options on trays & canopy integration
13:15 – Lift-off canopy system & mounting points
14:49 – Rear power: Anderson plugs, charging & cameras
16:13 – Suspension differences (leaf vs coil) & load considerations
18:16 – Chevy 2500 canopy interior layout
19:53 – Power system overview: inverter, DC-DC, lighting
20:42 – Water, taps, tank placement & access
21:34 – Multi-use canopy space & modular upgrades
22:59 – Mud guards, flares & lift considerations
23:45 – Weight ratings, GVM & HD truck advice
26:00 – Final thoughts: RAM vs Chevy tray/canopy applications
26:45 – If you want a build like this, get in touch

#ram2500 #chevy2500 #bigdogbuilds
    RAM 2500 vs Chevy 2500: The Norweld Tray Showdown
    YouTube Video UEwwYmFlRDROVWFkNWJyeVdmck1RbjVVVUE4bzN0VVRqbS4zRjM0MkVCRTg0MkYyQTM0
    How to Design Your Dream HD Truck Build (Chevy 2500/3500, Ford F‑250/F‑350, Ram 2500/3500) | Big Dog Builds

From wheels & tyres and suspension tuning to under‑bonnet power, roof racks, bar work, towing electrics, ADAS recal, and off‑grid power—this video is your end‑to‑end plan for a reliable, compliant, long‑distance HD build in Australia. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or planning a lap of the map, we’ll show the exact choices to make (and in what order) so your truck rides right, tows right, and lasts.

We also run Australia‑wide transport: ship your vehicle to us, we build it, you fly in for handover and drive home—or we can freight it back.

00:00 Start Here: What “dream HD build” really means & how we plan your spec
00:43 Who You Are: Weekend warrior, full‑time lap, business + “gap year”, retired
01:27 Step 1—Wheels & Tyres: Style, offset, 18″ vs 20″, road‑force balance
02:06 Factory vs Aftermarket: Why OE wheels/tyres struggle on AU roads
02:58 Spare Strategy: 4 vs 5 wheels, where the spare fits (and when it won’t)
03:42 Pre‑fit Workflow: Pre‑mount & balance to cut workshop time
04:28 Step 2—Suspension: BDS + FOX 2.5 DSC overview; what adjusters do
05:19 Prep First: Kitting, checking, and why bench prep avoids delays
06:17 Rear Support: Triple‑bellow airbags: assist vs overload & getting the mix right
07:03 On‑the‑Fly Control: Air IQ compressor + presets for multiple trailers
08:07 Alignment: Hunter setup—why correct geometry = safety + tyre life
08:51 Flares or No Flares: Track width, offsets, and legality/look trade‑offs
09:32 Electrics Overview: Under‑bonnet powerboard & tidy, serviceable looms
10:14 Tow Wiring Done Right: Grey (ignition‑switched) & Red (direct/solar) Andersons
10:53 Roof Rack: Big Dog Builds accessory rack: lighting, Starlink, solar, MaxTrax
11:38 Bar Work: Outback Kitters pre‑runner, winch cradle, camera/sensor relocation
12:31 Wiring Standards: Deutsch plugs, routed looms, neat service points
13:12 ADAS Recalibration: Why you must recal after bars/lifts/wheels
14:09 Off‑Grid Power: Under‑seat 200Ah + 2000W inverter—what it can run
14:50 Registration Paths: NB1 vs NB2—payload/towing & state differences
15:32 Extra Options: Hitches, weather shields, paint protection & more
16:23 Transport & Turnaround: Why our pre‑stage prep speeds delivery
17:19 Aftercare: What happens after handover & how to book Stage 2
18:01 Your Brief: What to tell us (fitment, flare preference, use‑case)
18:40 Wrap: Book a build design call & recommended next videos


⚙️ Build Workflow (what we cover in the video)
✅ Wheels & Tyres: Road‑force balanced, offset chosen for flare/no‑flare plan; spare‑wheel strategy.
✅ Suspension: BDS lift + FOX 2.5 DSC tuning (low/high‑speed); practical heights; alignment.
✅ Rear Support: Triple‑bellow airbags + Air IQ (remote/app) for ball‑weight changes.
✅ Electrical Backbone: Under‑bonnet powerboard + labeled looms; service access.
✅ Towing & Charging: Grey Anderson (ignition‑switched) for charging on the move; Red Anderson (direct) for solar blankets to maintain crank batteries.
✅ Roof Rack: Big Dog Builds accessory rack (lighting, solar, Starlink mount, MaxTrax).
✅ Front Protection: Outback Kitters pre‑runner bar + 15K winch + camera/sensor reloc.
✅ ADAS: Recalibration after bars/lifts/wheels as standard shop practice.
✅ Off‑Grid Power: Under‑seat 200Ah lithium + 2000W inverter (induction, coffee machine, etc.).
✅ Compliance & Setup: NB1 vs NB2, weight planning, weighbridge checks, hitch height.

📍 Work with Big Dog Builds

If you have a RAM, a Chevy, a Ford or a Tundra, get in touch now.

Facebook: 👉  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083162745725
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/big.dog.builds/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@big.dog.builds
Website: 👉  https://bigdogbuilds.com/

Book a phone consultation today 👉  https://shorturl.at/ctDF6

Compliance note: Weight/tow rules (NB1/NB2, GVM/GCM) vary by state and change over time. Always confirm current requirements and verify on a weighbridge after fit‑out.

#HDTruck #Chevy2500 #F250 #Ram3500 #BigDogBuilds
    How to Plan Your Dream Truck Build
    YouTube Video UEwwYmFlRDROVWFkNWJyeVdmck1RbjVVVUE4bzN0VVRqbS5GM0Q3M0MzMzY5NTJFNTdE
    Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2: BDS 3.5" + FOX 2.5 = the ride these trucks deserve.

We replaced a “budget kit” with a BDS 3.5" suspension and FOX 2.5 remote‑res (DSC), added Black Rhino Rapid (Bronze) wheels on Yokohama Geolandar G016 265/70R18 (LI 129 ≈ 1,850 kg each), and dialled the fitment (front mud‑flap area trim, optional bumper spacing). Result: better control on‑road and off‑road, and a setup that tows smarter when you pair it with airbags and correct hitch height/ball weight.

New to ZR2? If you’re pre‑registration in Australia, talk to us about GVM upgrades to retain tow capacity per local regs.

Interstate? We can arrange transport, complete the build, then you fly in for handover and drive home in your new setup.

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 ZR2 owners: is wheels/tyres/suspension all you need?
00:52 Pre‑reg GVM note & who the ZR2 suits
01:32 What we changed vs a “cheap kit”
02:30 Suspension deep dive — BDS 3.5", FOX 2.5 (DSC) tuning
03:22 Wheels & tyres — Black Rhino Rapid (Bronze) + Geolandar G016 265/70R18 (LI 129)
04:06 Fitment tips — mud‑flap area trim, optional bumper spacing, rock‑slider reality
05:29 Rear setup — upgraded leafs (retained), airbags + FOX tuning for towing
06:16 Tow smart — hitch height, ball weight, one‑hole difference on the hitch
07:12 Next mods — under‑seat power, roof‑rack options, booking your ZR2 build

⚙️ Build Sheet (this ZR2)
✅ Platform: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 (AUS)
✅ Lift & damping: BDS 3.5"; FOX 2.5 remote‑reservoir (DSC: high/low‑speed adjust)
✅ Wheels/Tyres: Black Rhino Rapid (Bronze) 18s; Yokohama Geolandar G016 265/70R18 LI 129 (~1,850 kg)
✅ Fitment notes: Minor trim at front mud‑flap area, optional bumper spacing for extra clearance
✅ Rear: Upgraded leaf springs (retained), airbags (retained)
✅ Towing: Set hitch height correctly; verify ball weight; fine‑tune with airbag pressure

Why this combo: Bigger‑bore 2.5" shocks + remote reservoirs = heat capacity & tuning headroom; modest 265/70R18 A/T boosts sidewall & load rating while keeping trimming manageable; bronze wheels give contrast without pushing width too far.

Work with Big Dog Builds

If you have a RAM, a Chevy,  Ford and Tundra get in touch now.

Facebook: 👉  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083162745725
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/big.dog.builds/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@big.dog.builds
Website: 👉  https://bigdogbuilds.com/

Book a phone consultation today 👉  https://shorturl.at/ctDF6

#ChevyZR2 #Silverado1500 #BDSsuspension #FOXshocks #BigDogBuilds
    The ZR2 is Better Than Your Mums Land Cruiser
    YouTube Video UEwwYmFlRDROVWFkNWJyeVdmck1RbjVVVUE4bzN0VVRqbS4yMDhBMkNBNjRDMjQxQTg1
    WATCH MORE VIDEOS

info@bigdogbuilds.com


+61 7 3487 1351


7 Alta Road, Caboolture, QLD, 4510, AUSTRALIA

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