My 2001 Tahoe makeover

[mijohnst]

I've been a member of this board for about a year after I bought a 2005 Tahoe LS. It had a lot wrong with it but thanks to people on this board, I was able to figure out how to fix almost all of it. It was a fun project. I also learned through all of this that I liked the looks and the options that came with the z71 model and I really wanted barn doors. I ended up finding one that I bought from someone that just wanted to unload it and not deal with the issues. So, here is my update on that project that I started in about April.

New tires, breaks, shocks, level kit, hood, seat covers, WeatherTech mats, lights enclosures, speakers, 1300 watt amp, new subwoofer, double din dash conversion, truck mirrors, and a very, very thorough cleaning. I still want to replace the stock rims with some kind of black rims, but that'll have to be later down the road. Anyway, as always, thank you all for the support!

 

[mijohnst]

A few more pics

 

[Tonyrodz]

A few more pics

View attachment 261811 View attachment 261812 View attachment 261813 View attachment 261814 View attachment 261815

Looks like you did a nice job.

 

[AJ Lerway]

Mike, looks like a great job! I love the hood. My hood is staring to show some wear and would love one like that. Where did you get it? At some point I will probably need to replace my seats, they are not as bad as the ones you replaced but lots of cracking. Mine are the light grey leather.

Agreed, new wheels (maybe with some 2" spacers for a more aggressive look) are needed on mine too.

 

[Dutchman]

That looks amazing. I'm starting to wonder if I could do a build thread for my truck. I didn't know I'd be doing so much stuff to it. Is it the forum that makes us do it? Not completely, but there are things I'm going to do to my truck because of the forum. Thanks to everyone for showing us such great ideas!

 

[OR VietVet]

My spider web Z71 wheels are growing on me. I was going to get the black wheels that looked like my last ones on my 2002 but now I think I am going to keep what I got.

 

[mijohnst]

AJ, I bought this from Summit. Here is a link. They had to send me 2 because the first one was really bent up. The second one was bent too but my body guy just straightened it out. Summit was actually really helpful in getting it all take care of. I'm sure they lost money on me. Also, it should come with a plastic insert. Mine didn't come with one so they had to send it to me. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the hood. Good luck! I'd love to see it if you go that route.

OH, and I forgot to put on my completed list that I put on 2" Rough Country Spacers. They don't make as big a difference as I thought they would but they do a little.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/AMD-300-4099-3

Mike, looks like a great job! I love the hood. My hood is staring to show some wear and would love one like that. Where did you get it? At some point I will probably need to replace my seats, they are not as bad as the ones you replaced but lots of cracking. Mine are the light grey leather.

Agreed, new wheels (maybe with some 2" spacers for a more aggressive look) are needed on mine too.

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[mijohnst]

I agree with you. After I used oven cleaner to shine the rims up, I actually kind of like the shiny look on black look of it. That's why I'm not in a big hurry to replace them yet. I need to replace the center caps on them because they are all scratched up and those seem to be expensive. I did find a set of 4 on this site, but I'm not sure I can trust it. Anyone else buy from here?

https://www.saeparts.com/factory-set-of-4-center-caps-tahoe-01-08-brushed-aluminum-15766002

My spider web Z71 wheels are growing on me. I was going to get the black wheels that looked like my last ones on my 2002 but now I think I am going to keep what I got.

 

[mijohnst]

I think the forum really helps. When you share a love for something that others completely understand it makes it less work and more joy I think. This forum has no doubt made me want to do things on my Tahoes that I wouldn't have done without it.

That looks amazing. I'm starting to wonder if I could do a build thread for my truck. I didn't know I'd be doing so much stuff to it. Is it the forum that makes us do it? Not completely, but there are things I'm going to do to my truck because of the forum. Thanks to everyone for showing us such great ideas!

 

[OR VietVet]

I agree with you. After I used oven cleaner to shine the rims up, I actually kind of like the shiny look on black look of it. That's why I'm not in a big hurry to replace them yet. I need to replace the center caps on them because they are all scratched up and those seem to be expensive. I did find a set of 4 on this site, but I'm not sure I can trust it. Anyone else buy from here?

https://www.saeparts.com/factory-set-of-4-center-caps-tahoe-01-08-brushed-aluminum-15766002

I had a center cap that the tension spring was gone on and I bought a set from ebay and they were only about $30.00 for the set. I was surprised at the cost and the quality of them.

 

[mijohnst]

Would you mind linking what you bought? $30 sounds reasonable!

I had a center cap that the tension spring was gone on and I bought a set from ebay and they were only about $30.00 for the set. I was surprised at the cost and the quality of them.

 

[OR VietVet]

I may look into cleaning up my existing wheels and have them coated matte black. I do like the look of the black with my silver paint on my rig. I am having a body shop friend of mine address the two scrapes on the front bumper corners and will ask if he can do the wheels.

I just really like the spider web design.

 

[OR VietVet]

Would you mind linking what you bought? $30 sounds reasonable!

Let me find the link and I will send to you.

Here it is: https://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Center-Cap-Tahoe-01-08-Brushed-Aluminum-15766002/143726959127?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

The link makes it sound like just one cap but I received 4 caps. They were like new. It may have been a mistake but I paid the $30.00 and got 4 of them. How many do you need?

 

[OR VietVet]

Another link at ebay for just the general look up of what is offered.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...w=2001+to+2006+Z71+tahoe+center+caps&_sacat=0

 

[AJ Lerway]

Mike, can you add a shot down the side of your Tahoe so I can see what kind of effect the 2" spacers provided? Also, did you notice any turn-radius or other driving differences?

 

[Miami-Dade]

I think the forum really helps. When you share a love for something that others completely understand it makes it less work and more joy I think. This forum has no doubt made me want to do things on my Tahoes that I wouldn't have done without it.

Excellent job Mike!!

Yes this is one forum that everyone is willing and more then happy to help 24/7.

 

[S33k3r]

I agree with you. After I used oven cleaner to shine the rims up, I actually kind of like the shiny look on black look of it. That's why I'm not in a big hurry to replace them yet. I need to replace the center caps on them because they are all scratched up and those seem to be expensive. I did find a set of 4 on this site, but I'm not sure I can trust it. Anyone else buy from here?

https://www.saeparts.com/factory-set-of-4-center-caps-tahoe-01-08-brushed-aluminum-15766002

You are better off watching for partouts. Those don't sell for a lot in those situations, and those caps have never looked bad from the pictures I've seen. If you see any in my area (Dallas, Texas), let me know and I can check on pricing for you and ship them (if you are paying for everything I'll be happy to facilitate).

 

[S33k3r]

I think the forum really helps. When you share a love for something that others completely understand it makes it less work and more joy I think. This forum has no doubt made me want to do things on my Tahoes that I wouldn't have done without it.

This forum has some of the nicest and most knowledgeable people on the Internet. I picked out an electrical meter with their help, and I have used it a bunch. Someone else suggested a bluetooth OBDII reader, and I bought the one suggested. It has been helpful as well.

 

[Ilikemtb999]

Tahoe looks great! Wish I would of held out for something with barn doors.

 

[mijohnst]

Mike, can you add a shot down the side of your Tahoe so I can see what kind of effect the 2" spacers provided? Also, did you notice any turn-radius or other driving differences?

Sure thing! here you go. The turning hasn't seemed to change that I can tell, but I do have a little rub that I'm going to need to fix that I didn't have before. It's not on the fender flare like I would have thought. It was the plastic wheel well insert. I'm going to have to trim it about 1/2 and inch and it should be fine with my 285/70/17 tires.