Tonyrodz's Tahoe Build Thread

[Tonyrodz]

I'm still messing with the suspension. I'm not totally happy with it right now. Bought some front and rear bump stops/jounce stops. Rears we're just old, but the fronts we're pretty mangle/squashed.

Fronts

Rear. Just old. Replaced them anyway.

Still having the issue. This was after cranking it up 1/2". Seems to ride a little better, but shouldn't be squashed like that. Best way to lower the fronts is to use spindles instead of keys. Spindles are on the wish list.

Destroyed.

 

[BADRIDES]

This is what I'm gonna put on the front of mine for jounce stops. Cut the metal part off and your set. Alot shorter and should fit better.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/282399887706?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Tonyrodz]

This is what I'm gonna put on the front of mine for jounce stops. Cut the metal part off and your set. Alot shorter and should fit better.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/282399887706?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Are you lowered? Let me know how they work out for you. Mine is a little better since I cranked them up 1/2". Not as harsh, and I don't hear and feel metal on metal banging when I hit a dip or pothole, which is great.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I grabbed an Escalade corner cowl piece and did the antenna delete mod. I tried laying the antenna down on the fender, under the Hood, but I lost all radio reception. So I grabbed a few feet of wire, removed the antenna mast and tied it around the mast that's studded, ran it up behind the door weather stripping, all the way to the rear door. Reception is way better now. I think I'll leave it that way for now, unless I have an issue. I'm hoping I don't as it looks pretty sweet!

 

[Tonyrodz]

I also did a roof rack delete. I always hated the look of it, and I never needed it, nor will I ever. I think the torx screws holding it down are either t-25 or t-30. Super simple. Just loosen the torx and take the rack off--done. I just screwed the bolts back in the holes, so water and debris won't collect in them, but you don't have to. The holes don't go through the roof, so water won't get inside.

So much cleaner looking.

Once they're off you'll most likely have some marks left on the roof from the factory rails. You can buff those out. I just left them. I'm not that ocd about it. It didn't rub through the paint, so I'm good with it.

 

[BADRIDES]

Are you lowered? Let me know how they work out for you. Mine is a little better since I cranked them up 1/2". Not as harsh, and I don't hear and feel metal on metal banging when I hit a dip or pothole, which is great.

I'm lowered 2/3 with Belltech spindles in front and McGaughy springs in rear.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I'm lowered 2/3 with Belltech spindles in front and McGaughy springs in rear.

Nice! I regret not doing spindles.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Now with the Hoe looking so good I'm getting a little paranoid. I haven't had a chance to put an alarm on and all it has is the factory alarm. So I get a set of these.

Front and rear doors. I still need to get the one for the rear hatch. Hopefully nothing will ever happen, but you never know. These are steel plates that go behind your door handles, from inside the doors.

Super simple, but a real pita to install. Worth it tho, if it'll slow some scumbag down.

I did all 4 doors in about 2 hrs. I did take my time tho and took a few breaks. Be careful if you do this mod, there's some sharp edges and I cut myself a few times.

 

[Tonyrodz]

So after getting the stall convertor, I'd like to monitor the trans temp. I don't want to add an external gauge and to add the trans temp to your stock cluster is like $80-$100. Too much I think. So I start looking around on cl--again! If you have enough patience, you will be rewarded. I found an Escalade cluster, from an 04-05. Guy says everything works, but he lives in NYC. No offense, but I refuse to drive in NYC! So we meet up on the nj turnpike. very Soprano-ish, lol. Tells me everything works. I believe him and pay for it. Was cheap at $80. That should've told me something. I get home and a few days later I plug it in--nothing, completely dead. I'm not mad, just a little angry, there's a difference. I called him right away. He swears everything worked when he had it. I actually laughed at him. I wasn't sweating it. I bought it cheap enough. It still had the trans gauge that I needed. I had it rebuilt, cost me $89. I'm still ahead of the game, and I put blue leds in! Everything works now, even the prndl.

I found out my stock cluster was a reman too. Of course that prndl didn't work.

Only thing I'm not crazy about are those round gray rings in the Esky cluster. I'm used to them now tho.

 

[iamdub]

You can put some blue window tint over the PRND321 and odometer screens to make them more closely match the blue LEDs. I bought a roll from WalMart just for a couple of 1"x3" pieces for my S10 cluster. One layer made them blue enough for mine and may be enough for yours.

This is the only pic I have of the tinted screens. I don't know how well this pic will contrast on your computer as it was taken a long time ago when phone cameras were still new. But you'll get the idea:

 

[Tonyrodz]

You can put some blue window tint over the PRND321 and odometer screens to make them more closely match the blue LEDs. I bought a roll from WalMart just for a couple of 1"x3" pieces for my S10 cluster. One layer made them blue enough for mine and may be enough for yours.

This is the only pic I have of the tinted screens. I don't know how well this pic will contrast on your computer as it was taken a long time ago when phone cameras were still new. But you'll get the idea:

That looks really good. I've got to look for that tint. What section did they have it in?

 

[iamdub]

Automotive. I still see tint in the accessories section at the WalMarts in my area, but I haven't looked for blue. I'm pretty sure I still have the rest of that roll somewhere. I don't know if it "ages" and would still be good or not. It's been rolled up in the box for at least 12 years. If you can't find any new, I'll see if I can find mine and test a piece on some glass. It's probably fine, especially for such a purpose. If it's still good, I can mail you some. A few envelope-sized pieces would give you plenty to play with. It would make a huge difference and look great on your gauges.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I've never wanted bigger then 20" rims but I saw an ad for 22's that was close to me and a good price. Needed two tires and the chrome was peeling, but again, price was right so I grabbed them.

This was the best one. In this situation, plastidip is your friend. I picked up a few cans, along with some glossifier for some shine.

So much nicer. Plus I hate chrome. I had to pick up some splines lugs to fit the small lug holes and I was set.

Has the right look. I just have to figure out what I can use for center caps. The rears are 305 45 22, which are a hair wider then the fronts, which are 305 40 22. Has a nice look to it and a nice stance.

I like it, and that's all that matters!

 

[Tonyrodz]

Automotive. I still see tint in the accessories section at the WalMarts in my area, but I haven't looked for blue. I'm pretty sure I still have the rest of that roll somewhere. I don't know if it "ages" and would still be good or not. It's been rolled up in the box for at least 12 years. If you can't find any new, I'll see if I can find mine and test a piece on some glass. It's probably fine, especially for such a purpose. If it's still good, I can mail you some. A few envelope-sized pieces would give you plenty to play with. It would make a huge difference and look great on your gauges.

Awesome! Sounds good. I'd appreciate that. Years ago I used blue plastic wrap, like Saran wrap for food, and put it under a bulb for my fish tank. Looked good, and blue! Lol

 

[Rocket Man]

I've never wanted bigger then 20" rims but I saw an ad for 22's that was close to me and a good price. Needed two tires and the chrome was peeling, but again, price was right so I grabbed them. View attachment 80158This was the best one. In this situation, plastidip is your friend. I picked up a few cans, along with some glossifier for some shine. View attachment 80159So much nicer. Plus I hate chrome. I had to pick up some splines lugs to fit the small lug holes and I was set. View attachment 80160Has the right look. I just have to figure out what I can use for center caps. The rears are 305 45 22, which are a hair wider then the fronts, which are 305 40 22. Has a nice look to it and a nice stance.View attachment 80161 View attachment 80162
I like it, and that's all that matters!

I'm liking the wheels more , can't wait to see them with center caps. Dip them black like the rims and they should look great.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I'm liking the wheels more , can't wait to see them with center caps. Dip them black like the rims and they should look great.

There's no name on the rims, so I guess I should measure the center hole and go from there.

 

[Fosscore]

Awesome thread man!! Glad to see you put all that cool stuff down for others to see and enjoy. Nice work.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Awesome thread man!! Glad to see you put all that cool stuff down for others to see and enjoy. Nice work.

Thx. I tried. There's a few small things I might've forgotten but the bulk of it is here. I've been waiting for you to find it! Lol

 

[Fosscore]

Haha I know. I was surprised for sure, but excited to see it finally come to fruition. Nicely done man.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Haha I know. I was surprised for sure, but excited to see it finally come to fruition. Nicely done man.

Thx again.