Tale of Two Escalades plus others

[outcast99]

After having lifted diesels my whole life, I finally almost got something I kinda have always wanted, an Escalade. Only got it out of necessity because my fiancé and I are about to have a baby.

Wanted a 3rd gen but found a clean 2nd gen. The paint was trashed and the interior needed some cleaning too.

Took the steps off after those pics were taken. Haven’t done a whole lot since taking steps off and debadging it.

Last weekend, It started having some cluster issues. Gauges flip on and off, needles never face right direction, so it got parked until I can figure it out.

 

[outcast99]

While it was parked, I drove my lifted GMC and she couldn’t do it, 36 weeks and trying to jump in a 9” lift with no steps wasn’t working. Friend of mine wanted me to help her sell her Escalade I said I’d look at it. Checked it out and other than someone cutting the cats off, oxidized and scratched paint, kid proven interior, and needing brakes and oil changed… I couldn’t pass it up.

Brought home this beaut, ‘08 Escalade ESV fully loaded (not a platinum tho). Instantly fell in love and restored it a ways so far.

First couple days, I shampooed all carpet except between front seats and console (shhh I’m being lazy), cleaned and conditioned seats, and fixed the scratches in the rear panels (used a torch to heat them in stages and mend the plastic back together).

Next couple days were compound, polish, wax and ceramic spray (not an actual ceramic but has some hardness to it)

Yesterday was some repairs and oil change. Welded a “Rumble 44” muffler on to quiet it down some. Catless with no muffler or resonator is annoying.

 

[outcast99]

After studying all morning and finding dead ends on parts to do the 14” 2020 brake swap, I got a full set of rotors and pads today. Planned on doing it today but I remembered my other project was still on the slab. Snagged a couple pics of what’s holding up progress.



Got a bastardized drop kit coming with spindles, keys, new upper and lower arms, tie rods, flip kit, c-notch, and shocks.

I’ll get back to the Escalade tomorrow, if my wheels for the diesel don’t show up.

 

[Trey Hardy]

Ahh man you seem like my kind of people! Got some good looking projects there man what do you plan on doing with the Escalade if the wife’s driving it? Lowered or leveled? I think when we got my wife’s car on wensday I had the entire front end out lifting it by Friday because she wouldn’t let me lift it as long as she was driving it

 

[outcast99]

On her Escalade, she hasn’t decided yet. She likes lifted 6” on 22x14, but she also likes lowered 4/6 on 22s. It’s up to her honestly, we’ve had both.

My old ones are both on this forum I think





Found a front clip for my GMC to Chevy conversion today and started swapping it over but was interrupted by the UPS guy.



Naturally that derailed me. But look!!

 

[Trey Hardy]

On her Escalade, she hasn’t decided yet. She likes lifted 6” on 22x14, but she also likes lowered 4/6 on 22s. It’s up to her honestly, we’ve had both.

My old ones are both on this forum I think

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Found a front clip for my GMC to Chevy conversion today and started swapping it over but was interrupted by the UPS guy.

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Naturally that derailed me. But look!!

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Nice! Yea I’m a offset junkie too 14 wides or nothing..

 

[outcast99]

Yea these are 26x16 custom forged with my truck build name on lips

 

[outcast99]

In other news, I got the gmc on the ground at ride height I want, I need spindles, rear flip kit and c-notch, 2” shackles to set final height.





The block is a paid actor, used to set tire height.