RGA’s 2001 Tahoe LT Build Thread

[Tonyrodz]

Lol mine have been shot since I’ve had this vehicle. I just avoided using the liftgate (thanks for reminding it’s liftgate not trunk also) and put stuff in the back seat, but stuff always flew off the leather seats because they’re so slippery . In the past week that I’ve had the new struts on the liftgate I’ve been putting stuff in the back, and now nothing moves around and it’s much nicer. Also I only got one fog light because I replaced both about a year ago because the lenses fell off the OEM ones, but the replacement passenger is still crystal clear so I just left it. But now that you mention it I am going to silicone them because I don’t want water getting in again. I siliconed my DRL/Turn Signal housings when I got those, so I better do the same with these.

I also silicone the plug that goes into the housing(receptacle). Sometimes water can get in that way too.

 

[05Single]

I also silicone the plug that goes into the housing(receptacle). Sometimes water can get in that way too.

I use a foam sheet with adhesive backing on the sockets. Cut to fit. Works great.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I use a foam sheet with adhesive backing on the sockets. Cut to fit. Works great.

Much better idea, I just used silicone in a pinch.

 

[05Single]

Much better idea, I just used silicone in a pinch.

I bought a 2 12"x12" sheets at Michaels craft store for like $2 and I've used it on several lights with a sheet still left over lol.

 

[RGA1215]

I bought a 2 12"x12" sheets at Michaels craft store for like $2 and I've used it on several lights with a sheet still left over lol.

That is a really good idea. The LED bulbs I have in there kind of fit goofy, so I proabably do actually need to do something about the socket.

 

[Fosscore]

Great looking truck and good mods so far. Having the build thread for a reflection is great too.

You are starting with a fresh palette which can get you into trouble on this forum with so many good ideas and examples to pull from. Mine was bone stock when I started spending too much time on here and well it went sideways and deep into a thick 3 ring binder later. Enjoy it man. Keep up the good work.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Great looking truck and good mods so far. Having the build thread for a reflection is great too.

You are starting with a fresh palette which can get you into trouble on this forum with so many good ideas and examples to pull from. Mine was bone stock when I started spending too much time on here and well it went sideways and deep into a thick 3 ring binder later. Enjoy it man. Keep up the good work.

So true, so true.

 

[RGA1215]

Great looking truck and good mods so far. Having the build thread for a reflection is great too.

You are starting with a fresh palette which can get you into trouble on this forum with so many good ideas and examples to pull from. Mine was bone stock when I started spending too much time on here and well it went sideways and deep into a thick 3 ring binder later. Enjoy it man. Keep up the good work.

Thanks so much! I am always so appreciative of all the kind words that everybody gives on the forum! I see so many clean rides on here that I am constantly wanting to do more, but I don’t want to go broke . I figure I am going to daily drive this truck for a long time because I enjoy it and I think I can get a lot more miles out of it even though it has 137,*** miles. So I may as well customize it to make it perfect to my liking. Your vehicle was actually one of my inspirations to start modifying my vehicle even though I am taking mine in a different direction, @Fosscore. I absolutely love the “Dark Blue Ming” color that your Tahoe has, I really wish mine had it! I will say that I have been considering color matching the grille and adding the Street Scene inserts like your vehicle has though (except I want the chrome inserts)!

 

[Fosscore]

Thx man. I had no idea what to do when I joined here. I just kept picking away, taking advice, reading up and borrowing ideas. I still see cool ideas all the time on here.

I do love my blue. Color matching was a smart move and transformed my exterior a lot as it was all the black plastic.

The SS grille is the polished version. Between the grille, wheel center caps, Esky rack and exhaust tip, that is the only chrome on the truck. Subtle but enough to contrast. Good luck man. Interested to see your progress.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Thanks so much! I am always so appreciative of all the kind words that everybody gives on the forum! I see so many clean rides on here that I am constantly wanting to do more, but I don’t want to go broke . I figure I am going to daily drive this truck for a long time because I enjoy it and I think I can get a lot more miles out of it even though it has 137,*** miles. So I may as well customize it to make it perfect to my liking. Your vehicle was actually one of my inspirations to start modifying my vehicle even though I am taking mine in a different direction, @Fosscore. I absolutely love the “Dark Blue Ming” color that your Tahoe has, I really wish mine had it! I will say that I have been considering color matching the grille and adding the Street Scene inserts like your vehicle has though (except I want the chrome inserts)!

I'm going on 300,000 miles, so your 137,000 is nothing. With regular maintenance, these trucks can go a very long time. She's gonna give you years of faithful service. Just take care of her.

 

[05Single]

I too started bare bone stock. Fosscore's truck is inspiration to many on here including myself , and probably many not on here that are just Google pic searching

His is so simple and tastefully done.... I just don't like blue

 

[Fosscore]

I too started bare bone stock. Fosscore's truck is inspiration to many on here including myself , and probably many not on here that are just Google pic searching

His is so simple and tastefully done.... I just don't like blue

Thx man. I appreciate that.

Don’t let that blue comment sway you. We are 4000 mile forum BFFs and his love/hate for my blue Tahoe creeps up often. @05Single

 

[RGA1215]

I too started bare bone stock. Fosscore's truck is inspiration to many on here including myself , and probably many not on here that are just Google pic searching

His is so simple and tastefully done.... I just don't like blue

Thx man. I appreciate that.

Don’t let that blue comment sway you. We are 4000 mile forum BFFs and his love/hate for my blue Tahoe creeps up often. @05Single

Lol! Your truck was my inspiration for my lighting upgrades, even though mine aren’t as fancy/extensive as yours, @05Single! All my inspiration comes from this forum, so many unique tricks it’s unreal. I hope my envisioned Z71/LTZ look will come out looking well one day!

 

[05Single]

Lol! Your truck was my inspiration for my lighting upgrades, even though mine aren’t as fancy/extensive as yours, @05Single! All my inspiration comes from this forum, so many unique tricks it’s unreal. I hope my envisioned Z71/LTZ look will come out looking well one day!

I'm happy I can contribute to all your lighting needs . I only have a few more ideas left but I think I'm mostly done on the lighting. I need to focus on getting low.

 

[RGA1215]

I'm happy I can contribute to all your lighting needs . I only have a few more ideas left but I think I'm mostly done on the lighting. I need to focus on getting low.

Yeah same all I have left PLANNED for lighting is blue rear footwell lights to match the front, and I still need to install my LED bulbs in the gauges. This summer (or maybe even a little before) I am going to focus on getting new shocks and springs for this thing. It’s starting to ride rough in town, which is where I do almost all my driving, and as far as I can tell they’re still the original shocks/springs (and my records indicate they’ve never been replaced as well). I’m thinking I’m probably going to do Bilstein 5100’s all around with Z71 springs. I like the 5100’s because they leave some room for a small lift, which I have been thinking ahout leveling the front of the truck with the rear sometime later down the road.

 

[05Single]

Yea I have all original shocks on mine, only one air shock in the rear was replaced. After driving my dad's truck (the two tone silverado) with half the miles as mine I really see how bad mine rides.

 

[RGA1215]

Yea I have all original shocks on mine, only one air shock in the rear was replaced. After driving my dad's truck (the two tone silverado) with half the miles as mine I really see how bad mine rides.

I am so glad I don’t have Autoride, just the “Premium Ride” Nivomat shocks (although it would be nice to have 4WD). About a month ago my Dad had a new Silverado loaner and it was soooo much smoother than my Tahoe. My brother and I are also the only ones with old cars in our family, and whenever we ride in anyone else’s car we notice how much smoother they are (even my brothers car is a little smoother than mine, but his shocks were replaced a while ago).

 

[RGA1215]

Well guys some sort of bad news. I just tried removing my door moldings and I lifted it about an inch and I could already see black under there rather than pewter. So I won’t be taking off the door moldings.

 

[Fosscore]

Had a similar scenario on my Suburban. Paint work on the side and they painted with the moldings and letters on so it had to stay.

Can’t make it worse to make it better if you will. It’s alright. At least you know now. Move on to the next project. All good

 

[Tonyrodz]

Had a similar scenario on my Suburban. Paint work on the side and they painted with the moldings and letters on so it had to stay.

Can’t make it worse to make it better if you will. It’s alright. At least you know now. Move on to the next project. All good

That's why mine are still on too, plus there's lots of inconsiderate "people" out there that just whip their door open and bang yours, leaving dings.