My Resto-Mod Odyssey - '08 Tahoe LT3

[08HoeCD]

It begins...

 

[08HoeCD]

 

[08HoeCD]

Took the ol' girl to a spa day Friday, having her power steering, trans, front & rear differentials and transfer case fluids exchanged for new. That oughta help keep her performing well for a good while.

Tahoe is very comfortable to drive and ride in, and I love all the features. Only 155k miles, so not panicking about making a move anytime real soon. But, fact is, I'm actually thinking of moving up in size to a Suburban. Tahoe is a good size for many things, but after driving her a few years I admit that it's kind of a shame to have a full size truck but still can't store much behind the third row. And that long body look has definitely grown on me---looks better than the short wheel base. It won't be like I'm giving up a lot in fuel economy, and a Suburban will even fit in my garage, so I'm leaning that way...

I guess the funny thing is, I'm gonna be an empty-nester soon and I'll probably look like a nut in my neighbors' eyes if I come rolling home in a Suburban at this point. lol

 

[09 L9H]

I'll probably look like a nut in my neighbors' eyes if I come rolling home in a Suburban at this point. lol

Screw what the neighbors think, buy what you want to drive.

 

[07Burb]

Took the ol' girl to a spa day Friday, having her power steering, trans, front & rear differentials and transfer case fluids exchanged for new. That oughta help keep her performing well for a good while.

Tahoe is very comfortable to drive and ride in, and I love all the features. Only 155k miles, so not panicking about making a move anytime real soon. But, fact is, I'm actually thinking of moving up in size to a Suburban. Tahoe is a good size for many things, but after driving her a few years I admit that it's kind of a shame to have a full size truck but still can't store much behind the third row. And that long body look has definitely grown on me---looks better than the short wheel base. It won't be like I'm giving up a lot in fuel economy, and a Suburban will even fit in my garage, so I'm leaning that way...

I guess the funny thing is, I'm gonna be an empty-nester soon and I'll probably look like a nut in my neighbors' eyes if I come rolling home in a Suburban at this point. lol

what you're saying in this post is exactly why we love our burb. We gotta have that storage behind the 3rd row. We wouldn't have it any other way for the vehicle my wife drives daily and the one we take on vacations.

 

[Fosscore]

Get that Suburban. Who cares what the neighbor thinks. Renters next to me thought I had a detailing business. Lol.

The long body rides very nice. It just kind of floats over the bumps. The extra room is noticeable and always appreciated.

Anybody with or without kids I’m sure would echo any of the above posted comments.

 

[swathdiver]

...I'm actually thinking of moving up in size to a Suburban. Tahoe is a good size for many things, but after driving her a few years I admit that it's kind of a shame to have a full size truck but still can't store much behind the third row. And that long body look has definitely grown on me---looks better than the short wheel base. It won't be like I'm giving up a lot in fuel economy, and a Suburban will even fit in my garage, so I'm leaning that way...

A few months ago I went on GasBuddy and recorded the average mpgs of all Suburbans, Tahoes, Yukons, Yukon XLs and Avalanches with the 5.3 motor in the GMT900 body style.

The average fuel economy for all models and all years was 14.38 mpg. The short wheelbase trucks average 14.51 mpg and the regular 14.28 mpg. Hardly noticeable. I love the space, coming from 3 Pontiac Montanas I didn't lose any interior space save for the 3rd row and gained a V8, 4x4, a much more capable and versatile and FUN vehicle.

 

[08HoeCD]

what you're saying in this post is exactly why we love our burb. We gotta have that storage behind the 3rd row. We wouldn't have it any other way for the vehicle my wife drives daily and the one we take on vacations.

And I’m guessing that the straight rear passenger doors of the LWB, versus the SWB’s clipped ones, make ingress and egress easier for those in the back, which doesn’t hurt.

 

[Fosscore]

And I’m guessing that the straight rear passenger doors of the LWB, versus the SWB’s clipped ones, make ingress and egress easier for those in the back, which doesn’t hurt.

Yes for the kids or the oldies.

My kids are nimble enough to negotiate the wheel hump in the Tahoe, but the full door entry on the Suburban makes it a straight shot in and out.

 

[08HoeCD]

Yes for the kids or the oldies.

My kids are nimble enough to negotiate the wheel hump in the Tahoe, but the full door entry on the Suburban makes it a straight shot in and out.

SOLD

 

[Fosscore]

06 Tahoe

13 Suburban

19 Suburban

 

[08HoeCD]

Got a nicer-than-expected year-end bonus. Haven't dropped any real money on my Tahoe in quite a while other than maintenance items. Maybe it's time to add LED taillights assemblies and/or level her with a 1.5" level kit.

What are pros & cons of an upper-strut level spacer vs an under-the-strut spacer other than cost?

 

[PG01]

Got a nicer-than-expected year-end bonus. Haven't dropped any real money on my Tahoe in quite a while other than maintenance items. Maybe it's time to add LED taillights assemblies and/or level her with a 1.5" level kit.

What are pros & cons of an upper-strut level spacer vs an under-the-strut spacer other than cost?

Under is easier and that’s about it.

 

[iamdub]

^^^ Basically. You can go bigger with an upper strut spacer. I wouldn't feel safe going over a 2" lift with a lower strut spacer. But that's my opinion.

 

[PatDTN]

I just read through this entire thread and have enjoyed some of the mods. I just went out and ordered a center console replacement cover. Looked really hard at the LED headlight thread. May keep looking at that. Don't really want to delete AFM as I see those fuel economy averages posted and look at my truck getting close to 20 mpg (on the onboard computer) for each fillup. I'm driving mostly longer drives here in East TN (near Knoxville) because I chose a place away from the masses. I40 here is nice most of the time with speeds running to about 80. I tend to run about 77 because... okay I don't have a real reason. I've noticed that a bunch of short trips kills the average.

I don't have a need to upgrade exhaust or a lot of other things as I'm about to turn over 200k miles.

I was enjoying reading about inspection problems in NOVA. I grew up in Vienna and had lots of dealings with those. Back when they were special I had a '91 BMW M5 that came without any kind of front tag mount. I kept the tag under the rear floor mats and for inspections just taped it on with double sided tape. I forgot to hang it on there one time and the inspector stood looking at it for a minute then said he had to look at the taillights (again). I took the cue and got my tape and tag on. passed.

I built a '72 MGB with many mods and bigger carbs. I could almost light the exhaust with a match. After asking around some I got a recommendation near where I was working. Took it there and the inspector looked a little concerned. Then he laid the sniffer wand on the floor below my exhaust pipe and hit calibrate on his machine. Then he put the probe in the exhaust and I passed with flying colors. ;-)

There is no inspection here and I kind of miss it. They caught some things I missed and wanted fixed a couple of times but more importantly kept the rednecks and crazy headlight schemes in check. Driving around here I get blinded regularly by oncoming headlights. I hate it. Also you never know when the guy behind you doesn't actually have working brakes. Walking through a Walmart parking lot you can see plenty of corded tires still being run.

 

[08HoeCD]

I just read through this entire thread and have enjoyed some of the mods. I just went out and ordered a center console replacement cover. Looked really hard at the LED headlight thread. May keep looking at that. Don't really want to delete AFM as I see those fuel economy averages posted and look at my truck getting close to 20 mpg (on the onboard computer) for each fillup. I'm driving mostly longer drives here in East TN (near Knoxville) because I chose a place away from the masses. I40 here is nice most of the time with speeds running to about 80. I tend to run about 77 because... okay I don't have a real reason. I've noticed that a bunch of short trips kills the average.

I don't have a need to upgrade exhaust or a lot of other things as I'm about to turn over 200k miles.

I was enjoying reading about inspection problems in NOVA. I grew up in Vienna and had lots of dealings with those. Back when they were special I had a '91 BMW M5 that came without any kind of front tag mount. I kept the tag under the rear floor mats and for inspections just taped it on with double sided tape. I forgot to hang it on there one time and the inspector stood looking at it for a minute then said he had to look at the taillights (again). I took the cue and got my tape and tag on. passed.

I built a '72 MGB with many mods and bigger carbs. I could almost light the exhaust with a match. After asking around some I got a recommendation near where I was working. Took it there and the inspector looked a little concerned. Then he laid the sniffer wand on the floor below my exhaust pipe and hit calibrate on his machine. Then he put the probe in the exhaust and I passed with flying colors. ;-)

There is no inspection here and I kind of miss it. They caught some things I missed and wanted fixed a couple of times but more importantly kept the rednecks and crazy headlight schemes in check. Driving around here I get blinded regularly by oncoming headlights. I hate it. Also you never know when the guy behind you doesn't actually have working brakes. Walking through a Walmart parking lot you can see plenty of corded tires still being run.

Thanks for chiming-in.

I believe in regular safety inspections, and you site several reasons why they are a good idea!

 

[14rcsbOH]

Got a nicer-than-expected year-end bonus. Haven't dropped any real money on my Tahoe in quite a while other than maintenance items. Maybe it's time to add LED taillights assemblies and/or level her with a 1.5" level kit.

What are pros & cons of an upper-strut level spacer vs an under-the-strut spacer other than cost?

Sounds like a plan [emoji106]

 

[iamdub]

I thought you were setting this thing up to sell it. Or are you gonna mod it 'til the day you sign the title?

 

[08HoeCD]

I thought you were setting this thing up to sell it. Or are you gonna mod it 'til the day you sign the title?

Who the hell knows. Lol
Every time I drive wifey's new ride I think it's soon time to trade up.....but then again it's great having no car payment and having fun customizing an old truck that also carries just about anything and anybody with comfort & ease.

 

[iamdub]

No car note FTW!