1998 2 Door LT Resto

Hello All,

We are a chevy truck family. My wife drives a 2015 Suburban that we ordered custom. I drive our 2004 Tahoe that we ordered custom. It has 190,000 on it and runs great although its starting to rust, which is a different topic. Before that, I had a '97 green and gray 2 door LT that I never should have gotten rid of but that's life.

I just picked up a rust free 1998 2 door LT with 190K miles that I plan to restore into a semi-daily driver. Plan is a repaint including underside, interior replacement and total mechanical refresh. I want it to be pretty stock in appearance, but if it was raised an inch when I am done that's fine. I am looking for an upgraded ride and breaking but it will be driven on the road and I am going for a smooth ride on road. Some details of my plans and questions that I looking for help with are as follow:

-Drivetrain - It seems I can get a new long block for the same cost as rebuild. Any reason I would rebuild it instead? I plan to go with a larger throttle body, the spider injector system, and maybe some shorty headers with Flow Masters. I will do the customary K & N and chip it too I suppose. Nothing too nuts. Stage 1 trans rebuild and a rebuild of the transfer case. Probably rebuild the rear and replace driveshaft as well.

-Underneath - I would like to go with a rear disk conversion, and a 4 link rear suspension with coil-overs all around. New brake lines too.

-Inside - I am thinking pretty stock. Will get new carpet and headliner and maybe some seats out of an extended cab Silverado. Anyone has experience with leather seat covers that are a good product?

-Wheels - I will likely go with 18's that are take offs from a new chevy. I did this on my 2004 and they are great.

That's about it. Please critique my ideas and let me know what you think. I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks

In for pics and progress. Never seen a 2 door tahoe I didn't like, love those things .

It looks like you and I are going down the same path of redoing a 2 Dr Tahoe,except mine is a 99 2 wheel drive. I have owned mine for 7yr now and never drove it a lot but, have decide to move forward and redo it. Your plan looks good to me.

My cousin was going to rebuilt the engine in his 96 Tahoe and decided to go the new route with one from Jeg's. He is very pleased he went that route,plus it has 36k warranty from GM.

Thanks very much. I will not have the truck for probably at least a week, but I will post pics as-is and every step of the way.

Nash how far down the line are you on this project? I think we are going to see more and more people on this path soon. At 20 years young, they are classics now.

Drivetrain - building it yourself will be much more rewarding (if you have the time and/or the mechanical inclination). And you can go as wild as you want. Don't bother with a chip. I'd probably go with a TB from a 454, and if you're doing headers, DEFINITELY go long tubes, with an EGR delete and rear O2 delete - there is quite a bit more power to be had than with shortys. Blackbear can hook you up with the headers, AND more specifically, a custom tune, including reprogramming the shift points and torque management of your transmission. And since you'll be flowing more air down the throat of the beast, I'd suggest upgrading your fuel delivery (injector sizes and fuel pump) - Blackbear would also know what would work best for that.

Underneath - simply swap in a rear end from a 00-06 GM, all you'll need to do is cut and reweld the spring perches, going from leaf springs to coils (4-link not really necessary). I'd probably add rear air-bags, to help stiffen the ride a bit - or, you could go with custom wound coils. For the front, ask about Atomic's coil-over conversion kit (he's a member on here). Dial in the ride height on the adjustable coil-overs, get an alignment, and you're done.

Interior - I always liked the older gen interiors. Good choice on keeping it stock (or close to it). Me, I've always upgraded the tunes. I cut out the rear inner quarter panels on my '96 Tahoe, and fiberglassed enclosures into each side, enough to fit a 15" Celestion in each. You don't have to go that route tho, you can always make or find an enclosure for under the rear seats, and stuff a pair of 10's in there. I'd also made an amp rack for between the seats, and had a custom center console housing two 10" subs. As mild or wild as you want.

Wheels - ALWAYS looks sharp seeing newer wheels on an older body style. 18's will give you the "second glance" look from most truck guys, while 20's and 22's would get them to stare at first sight. 24's (and up) would most likely have them stepping on their tongues, drooling....

Definately need pics... have a 96 im going to be restoring using her for a temp daily but shes a northeast girl she needs some tlc in the body departmwnt rockers are gone and noticed a hole in the frame that im gonna repair interior needs work new carpet headliner i replaced front seats for a bench

Ide love to find a nice 2 door with a good frame and body but needed a engine or tranny and swap mine in ...save alot of time and some money also

I have been fixing all the problems that came with it. It came out of South Carolina so no rust. I have fixed leaks from the heater/air intake and leak at back hatch. New headlights, Led taillights, replace broken door handle inside and outside.. Now that the leak is fixed, new carpet is being ordered. I am going to do the double din touch screen radio also. The front windshield will be replaced along with new bumpers and grille. I have a set of 18" 304 Boss wheels that I was going to put on my 92 Silverado ,but it looks like I am going to go with 20" on it since I am doing a big brake kit on it. I bought the 92 Silverado truck new. I have a 05 LQ4(20K) and T56 with 14 bolt rear sitting in the garage to go in it. I plan on a lower gear for the Tahoe rear(3:73) and plan to look into the disc brake rear you speak of. I am looking at some front consoles also like the escalade has. I am just going with a stock engine,(I would do the 6.0 LS swap if I wanted a built engine) but will probably do the 411 ecm and have the transmission rebuilt also (corvette servo and the other upgrades). If mine was a 4wh dr I would use the LTZ wheels.. the Tahoe is just going to be a daily driver. I decided to do this when I sold my 02 Sierra 5.7L turbo truck.

1999hoe I know of a 96( can't remember the exact year)Tahoe 2dr that was for sale for $1400 around Roanoke,Va.

Any chance you can get me some more info on it ?