OR VietVet Is Still Throwing $$$ at 2005 Z71

[OR VietVet]

I have been reminded that I should do all this here so I guess I should start a thread about it. I am not going to be doing anything radical but will get this rig to a baseline maintenance wise and repair ANYTHING that is needed over time and get the body back to primo shape. This is what it looked like when I purchased it. My main body concerns were the scrapes at the corners of the front bumper and scrapes and scratches in various places and some paint chips. No body damage or dents but the front bumper scrapes were down in to the primer.

 

[OR VietVet]

One more body pic and then pics of the new Husky floor mats that I installed. The carpet will eventually get a thorough cleaning as well.

 

[OR VietVet]

The interior leather is all in great shape and all controls and switches and whatever all works. I am going to remove the aftermarket radio and put a factory OE unit in the dash with the radio and cd player. I have that radio already that is set up for my VIN and is unlocked, just haven't installed yet. The rear wiper arm looked like crap and I got an AC Delco new arm and installed.

I can't find the new arm pic but it is the same but new and all black with no coating peeled off. I can take a pic when I get rig back from body shop.

 

[OR VietVet]

I was just going to replace the driver's side outside mirror because of vibrating glass at highway speed but the attaching clips broke when tried to swap the mirror caps. I bought new mirrors, both sides and the caps are painted and here is also pics of the fixed and painted bumper. The rig is getting all chips and scratches and touched up and then the whole rig will be buffed out. I will post pics of the finished product when I get it back Friday.

 

[Jason in DLH]

Looking good!

 

[OR VietVet]

Now let's talk about the mechanical and maintenance items. This is a complete list of what has been done so far:

1. ALL fluids changed. Brake fluid, trans fluid and filter, coolant, power steering, front axle, rear axle, transfer case, oil and filter....etc.

2. New brake rotors, front and rear and new pads front and rear. New parking brake shoes and all adjusting assembly.

3. All 4 oxygen sensors.

4. Trans Corvette servo.

5. All 4 KYB shocks for Auto Ride Suspension.

6. All cooling system hoses and new tees at the firewall and new reservoir and cap.

7. Both belts and tensioners and idler.

8. New MAF and MAP sensor.

9. New Cam and Crank sensors.

10. New plugs, wires, air filter and clean throttle bore.

11. New rear upper and lower control arms.

12. New high mounted third brake light.

13. New transmission cooling lines.

14. New thermostat.

 

[OR VietVet]

Next round of mechanical work: New performance front and rear Hellwig sway bars and bushing and link kits.

New oil pan gasket, rear main seal and housing gasket, new oil pump pickup tube with new o-ring.

Soon after will be new tires and am going to paint the wheels matte black.

Again, pics when done.

 

[Sparksalot]

I’ve seen the corvette servo mentioned before. What is that?

 

[OR VietVet]

Read all about it here, Lots of details at this link: https://www.oregonperformancetransmission.com/

Click on "More" for the different info sections and then click on "servo pistons"

 

[Bill 1960]

Nice work. I’d like to lend you my Tahoe for a while.

 

[Sparksalot]

Read all about it here, Lots of details at this link: https://www.oregonperformancetransmission.com/

Click on "More" for the different info sections and then click on "servo pistons"

Looks like works for the 4L60 and cousins. Not for the 6L80?

 

[George B]

Nice work @PNW VietVet

 

[OR VietVet]

Looks like works for the 4L60 and cousins. Not for the 6L80?

You would need to contact them to see what they have.

 

[ivin74]

I have been reminded that I should do all this here so I guess I should start a thread about it. I am not going to be doing anything radical but will get this rig to a baseline maintenance wise and repair ANYTHING that is needed over time and get the body back to primo shape. This is what it looked like when I purchased it. My main body concerns were the scrapes at the corners of the front bumper and scrapes and scratches in various places and some paint chips. No body damage or dents but the front bumper scrapes were down in to the primer.

View attachment 266996 View attachment 266997 View attachment 266998 View attachment 266999 View attachment 267000

Love the title of the build!!

 

[ivin74]

Now let's talk about the mechanical and maintenance items. This is a complete list of what has been done so far:

1. ALL fluids changed. Brake fluid, trans fluid and filter, coolant, power steering, front axle, rear axle, transfer case, oil and filter....etc.

2. New brake rotors, front and rear and new pads front and rear. New parking brake shoes and all adjusting assembly.

3. All 4 oxygen sensors.

4. Trans Corvette servo.

5. All 4 KYB shocks for Auto Ride Suspension.

6. All cooling system hoses and new tees at the firewall and new reservoir and cap.

7. Both belts and tensioners and idler.

8. New MAF and MAP sensor.

9. New Cam and Crank sensors.

10. New plugs, wires, air filter and clean throttle bore.

11. New rear upper and lower control arms.

12. New high mounted third brake light.

13. New transmission cooling lines.

14. New thermostat.

Wow, can't believe you've done all that work in the little time you have owned it. Great job

You weren't kidding about taking to primo shape.

 

[OR VietVet]

I mean everything I said about getting it to a baseline. I will be doing a thorough inspection of the rest of the steering and suspension. If any one thing is failing, then it all gets replaced. I only want to do it all once and then be done with it. Except for oil changes and anything that pops up as a surprise, I want to get to where I can plan on 4-5 years of driving without a care. Because I live where I work, at most I would put 5K-6K miles on it a year. Sometime within the next year I want to get with BBP and meet at their headquarters for a tune. I stuttered and thought real hard when I was buying this and now I am all in on what I want to do. Even all this is way less than buying a new 2021 model and from what I hear, a lot less headaches.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Great work and detail @PNW VietVet !

I look forward to following this thread.

 

[OR VietVet]

Picking the Z71 up tomorrow after work. I will get some pics of all the body work all bolted back on. I received my new transmission mount yesterday that will be installed when I reinstall the transmission/transfer case after the rear main seal and oil pan gasket are replaced. Will be inspecting the driveshaft u-joints when removed. The Hellwig sway bar kits don't get here till first of February.

 

[iamdub]

...new oil pump pickup tube with new o-ring.

I get the O-ring, but why the pickup tube? I've seen others mention replacing it but I never understood why. It's not a wear item.

 

[pwtr02ss]

I get the O-ring, but why the pickup tube? I've seen others mention replacing it but I never understood why. It's not a wear item.

I bought a new one, just because it was like $30 and I didn't want to clean it....lol