2007 Yukon Denali Build (This got outta hand really quick...)

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Speck

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I just went through the whole thread and wow that is a lot of work! I am curious about the blue 71 Chevelle that was hiding in the background of a few pictures with the Yukon on the lift! I can't wait to see the progress and the truck back down on the ground!

Joe
 
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67RS427

67RS427

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I just went through the whole thread and wow that is a lot of work! I am curious about the blue 71 Chevelle that was hiding in the background of a few pictures with the Yukon on the lift! I can't wait to see the progress and the truck back down on the ground!

Joe
The Blue Chevelle belongs to my chassis builder/fabricator. I can get some more pictures of it tomorrow when we finally get back to work and get this transmission in. It's got a pretty strong 454 in it with a TH400 but he has the same plans as I did with my Camaro and is going fuel injection and twin turbos. His power goals a slightly less than mine (800hp or so) and I believe he is doing an LS build. I will post some pics of his ride tomorrow...

I FINALLY got my transmission back last Friday but I've been waiting for my friend to get back from up north so we can get this damn thing back in my truck lol. I lost 2.5 weeks on this project to rebuild the transmission :-( I can't really complain because labor was free and as I stated in my previous posts, my transmission builder had two deaths in his family. It was a ****** situation all around. This truck was supposed to be a 4 or 5 day project with suspension, brakes and blower installed. It's been a month now which is pretty disappointing to say the least.

Anyways, I have the transmission, thats the important part lol. I picked up a transfer case gasket today and we plan to pull an all nighter if needed tomorrow to get the transmission back in and get the blower installed in time for my birthday which is Wednesday. I will keep you all updated and hopefully get some new pictures posted.
 
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67RS427

67RS427

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Hello all... I have an update. Not exactly the update I wanted but it's still progress. I was planning on driving my truck home on Wed but ran into some issues with the Kooks Y Pipe I received... I got a great deal on it which was my fault but the reason for the "deal" was that is was the wrong damn part! Kooks must have screwed up because the part # on the box was correct but the Y Pipe was for a different application.

Monday we only worked for 4hrs but we got the Transmission in, Transfer Case in, replaced all 4 U Joints and reinstalled driveshafts. Can't really even remember what else we did but it was a good productive day.

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Originally I was going to get the new transmission in and break it in and enjoy the new suspension this week and add the LSA next Monday. Due to the exhaust issues, we decided to get the Power Stop calipers on and get the truck on the ground. This was a huge accomplishment for me since the suspension had been done for 2.5 weeks and I still hadn't seen it on the ground lol... I'd like to add that I DO NOT suggest Power Stop calipers, only the rotors and pads. The only reason I put these on are because they were FREE. I complained to Power Stop about the crappy finish so they took the entire kit back and I got a refund. I then bought just the rotors and pads separately and much to my surprise, Power Stop accidentally sent me the replacement calipers from before. I decided to hold on to them for a few weeks to see if they asked for them back and I haven't heard from AutoAnything or Power Stop so I figured it was a nice birthday present lol. Still not happy with the quality of the powder coating but I couldn't pass up on brand new free calipers :)

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So, the brakes went on and that meant I could get Wheels/Tires on and the truck dropped...

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67RS427

67RS427

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This is how she sits now... I think the rear is perfect but I want to adjust the front struts and add another spacer ring or two, maybe drop it another .5" - 1". Thoughts???

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67RS427

67RS427

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So... Since I wasn't able to drive the truck on my birthday and we were delayed due to the Y Pipe, I decided NOT to wait for the LSA install. We started getting things ready for that and looked over everything on the motor. I had one exhaust bolt broken off on the drivers side head so I decided to pull it and take a closer look at the motor. After removing the head, the torque on the bolts was simple too loose. Clearly they were losing torque and upon further inspection, I noticed that the MLS head gasket was about to start leaking. Good thing I pulled the head. Anyways, I decided to be safe and pull both heads and clean up the deck surface. I'm going to add two new Cometic MLS head gaskets ($100 EACH!!!) and a set of ARP bolts. The rest of the motor looks great so I'm not gonna mess with it.

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67RS427

67RS427

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Here is a pic or two for those asking about the Chevelle... Both my Camaro and his Chevelle are covered in dust right now from a boat he built. Everything needs to be blown off and power washed next week. That's what you get when you build 22' fishing boats and cars at the same time lol.

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67RS427

67RS427

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One more thing and then I gotta get to bed lol (4am here)... These Kooks headers are bad ass. See pic below and look at the extra mile they go for performance. I was surprised. It's hard to tell from this pic but that point is a good 4" long and merges the pipes nice and smooth. Never seen that on any of my BBC headers before.

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67RS427

67RS427

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Another note I want to add and want to ask other lowered people with AirRide... I did NOT do the Free Travel mod (cut off the bump stop bracket). I have the rear NorcalSS 4" kit but I think it drops less on Air Ride trucks. I didn't wanna cut that off unless absolutely necessary but after getting it on the ground, I don't think I need to. I dropped the rear tire on a 4 x 4 and compress the spring and still have almost an 1" before it would hit the factory bracket. Is that mod only needed on trucks that are 4" or more in the rear? Can @NORCAL SS chime in here?

Thanks!
 

Rocket Man

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Another note I want to add and want to ask other lowered people with AirRide... I did NOT do the Free Travel mod (cut off the bump stop bracket). I have the rear NorcalSS 4" kit but I think it drops less on Air Ride trucks. I didn't wanna cut that off unless absolutely necessary but after getting it on the ground, I don't think I need to. I dropped the rear tire on a 4 x 4 and compress the spring and still have almost an 1" before it would hit the factory bracket. Is that mod only needed on trucks that are 4" or more in the rear? Can @NORCAL SS chime in here?

Thanks!
Did you use shortened ride height links? If not then yes the air ride will raise the rear up. You can use threaded rod and cut your own. I forget the exact length I ended up making mine but I dialed it in until it sat just right. Your rear looks high to me but maybe it's because I'm running 26's. At that point you'll probably need the free travel mod.
 

juan84

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I'm at 3 inches in the rear and got about an inch to bump stop . I'll end up doing the free travel mod eventually bc I bottom out on big dips on the roads. Oh and it will settle after a few weeks

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