Back from the dead 2007 Tahoe 2wd LT

[Rocket Man]

So I have been driving this thing around to make sure the bugs are worked out and it was only getting 13.2 mpg. I cleaned the MAF, re-set the fuel trim learning, alcohol content, and did a crank re-learn. I have a diablosport i3 sitting around that we use in my shop when we install new GM engines with DOD delete, so I loaded a basic tune. One of my techs is an experienced tuner but we'll save that for future mods. The factory re-learns and canned tune are now netting 15.6 mpg so I'm very happy. I also have a new MAF and both upstream o2's for it but I'm not sure they'll be needed.

I have all of the lowering stuff. I'm using Belltech 2511 2" spindles, McGaughy's 3180 adjustable struts, Belltech 34324 rear spring kit, and new AC Delco strut mounts. I got the adjustable struts because my front struts are original and I'm going for a 2.5/4 drop so I wanted that extra 1/2" adjustment. I am debating whether this would be a good time to replace the front wheel bearings and brakes all around.

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Looking forward to seeing it lowered. Good choice on the components.

 

[pwtr02ss]

Nice work Leevon! Glad to hear you're doing well. I was wondering why the updates had suddenly stopped.

 

[Leevon]

The rear speakers were shot, so I installed four new door speakers. I found an inexpensive kit on Ebay that included the mounts and harness adapters (I'm lazy) and they're nothing special. They don't sound great, assuming the head unit doesn't have enough juice so I'm upgrading that soon. For now I'm going to try some speaker baffles and see if that gives them any more punch. I cleaned up the door panels while they were off, and will be replacing the outside door handles also.

 

[kbuskill]

The rear speakers were shot, so I installed four new door speakers. I found an inexpensive kit on Ebay that included the mounts and harness adapters (I'm lazy). They're nothing special. They also don't sound great right now, so I'm adding baffles behind the speakers and upgrading the stereo soon. I cleaned up the door panels while they were off, and will be replacing the outside door handles also.

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Does the truck have the Bose system???

 

[Leevon]

Does the truck have the Bose system???

Non-Bose. Here are the speaker specs, thinking the factory unit just doesn't have enough juice? They're tinny and distant sounding, hardly any bass

JBL GT76 6.5 INCH 2 WAY CAR Truck Front & Rear Door Speakers W/Install Kits

6-1/2" 2-way speakers (pair)
polypropylene Plus One™ woofer cone with foam surround
balanced dome PEI tweeter
power range: 2-45 watts RMS (135 watts peak power)
frequency response: 55-20,000 Hz
sensitivity: 93 dB
top-mount depth: 2-3/8"

 

[kbuskill]

Non-Bose. Here are the speaker specs, thinking the factory unit just doesn't have enough juice? They're tinny and distant sounding, hardly any bass

JBL GT76 6.5 INCH 2 WAY CAR Truck Front & Rear Door Speakers W/Install Kits

6-1/2" 2-way speakers (pair)
polypropylene Plus One™ woofer cone with foam surround
balanced dome PEI tweeter
power range: 2-45 watts RMS (135 watts peak power)
frequency response: 55-20,000 Hz
sensitivity: 93 dB
top-mount depth: 2-3/8"

New HU will definitely wake them up.

 

[Rocket Man]

Non-Bose. Here are the speaker specs, thinking the factory unit just doesn't have enough juice? They're tinny and distant sounding, hardly any bass

JBL GT76 6.5 INCH 2 WAY CAR Truck Front & Rear Door Speakers W/Install Kits

6-1/2" 2-way speakers (pair)
polypropylene Plus One™ woofer cone with foam surround
balanced dome PEI tweeter
power range: 2-45 watts RMS (135 watts peak power)
frequency response: 55-20,000 Hz
sensitivity: 93 dB
top-mount depth: 2-3/8"

If you have a dvm, measure the impedance (ohms) of the old ones and compare to the new ones. I know the Bose are 2 ohm and if you put in a 4 ohm they’re quiet. Not sure what impedance your old ones were since they’re not Bose. Those JBL are 4 ohm.

 

[Leevon]

If you have a dvm, measure the impedance (ohms) of the old ones and compare to the new ones. I know the Bose are 2 ohm and if you put in a 4 ohm they’re quiet. Not sure what impedance your old ones were since they’re not Bose. Those JBL are 4 ohm.

I assumed the factory speakers were 2 ohm but research says the non-Bose are 4 ohm so should be good. But I don't think the stock radio has much more than 15 watts per channel or so. New head unit on the way anyways. Ordered one of the Chinese Eonon units. I had second thoughts and tried to cancel but China's not listening so we'll see how well it works lol.

 

[Leevon]

While I had the door panels off I replaced the handles with the NOS ones I found on Ebay. The old handles were really ugly and all four were peeling, scratched, etc. I don't know what was all over these peoples nasty hands but it ate everything they touched. This might sound crazy but depending on how far I go with this thing it may get torn down later for complete paint. My friend has a high end restoration shop about a mile away, it won't be crazy expensive if I do the R&R and prep then have him shoot it.

 

[Leevon]

Had to drop back and take care of one last mechanical issue because I ran out of time last round. The rear main seal, so now zero leaks. Drove her around all weekend, loaded down with people, she's doing great!

 

[Rocket Man]

Had to drop back and take care of one last mechanical issue because I ran out of time last round. The rear main seal, so now zero leaks. Drove her around all weekend, loaded down with people, she's doing great!

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Looks like you have a nice shop with a lift and all the tools you need so that makes it a bit easier but that’s still one of the most difficult maintenance items there is. Nice work. I did mine when I had the trans out for a rebuild so it was just an add-on.

 

[Leevon]

Well I can't take much credit, it is my shop but one of my techs did it. Sometimes it's harder to make time for my own stuff than it is to do it at home myself though! We were almost there with this rear main. He last worked on it 3-4 weeks ago, been trying to get in again for that long. I told my manager I couldn't park in the driveway and my wife was mad that I took her spot in the garage so if we couldn't make time he'd have to talk to her! Works every time lol

 

[Rocket Man]

Nice, I hadn’t heard that you own a shop. Nice perks.

 

[Leevon]

I had to do something about the stereo situation, mainly because the stickers on the worn buttons of the stock unit were killing me lol. I wanted Carplay and a volume knob but a reliable brand and not too expensive. So that narrowed it down to one option; Sony XAV-AX1000. It's simple and easy to use, it boots fast and sounds good. It woke up the new speakers. I prepped it for a backup camera too so later this week I will get that mounted and wired in. My wrap job is showing on the dash pieces now, might have to drop back and paint the stereo surround too.

We loaded up the fam and went to Branson for a high school baseball game, and ye olde Tahoe did exactly what it was supposed to. I don't mind food and drinks in this one and it doesn't matter where we park it, etc. Kind of nice to have a psuedo-beater! I drive to Houston and Dallas each once per year, sometimes I rent and sometimes I take my daily drivers. That really racks up the mileage and there is almost always an "oh shi*" moment of hitting a pothole or cone or something on that trip so this old hag will be my new road tripper. We have a bunch of baseball trips ahead this summer also.

 

[Geoffsfas10]

Branson huh? Thats only a few hours from me. I need to get down to the lake this summer

 

[Leevon]

yessir, lake traffic is already picking up!

 

[Leevon]

Well I haven't been able to lower this thing yet but I picked up some 22" snowflakes. I wasn't really needing new wheels or tires but these popped up on FB Marketplace for $600 and they're OEM and clean. I have tires, TPMS, center caps and lug nuts ready to go just need time to get them all together.

 

[VDV18]

Great job.....awesome transformation so far. Can't wait to see the drop and rims/tire combo next.

 

[Leevon]

Just been driving the wheels off this thing all summer, almost 5,000 miles. I love that I can rely on it to go anywhere and park anywhere without worry about windshield chips, dings, hail, theft, etc. Keeping the miles off my new truck was the main reason I bought this, followed by having an extra ride for the inevitable service on the three dailies in the family. It's doing all that perfectly. I put Kenda Klever S/T 285/45/22 tires on the snowflakes. I really like the value on these. Not expensive but high quality, good wear rating, quiet tread pattern, great in rain and V rated.

 

[Leevon]

Earlier this week I took a trip down to Texas, about 1500 miles round trip. The Tahoe did awesome overall, it averaged 17mpg and gave me zero drivetrain problems, no lights, no hiccups, nothing. That's amazing for a previously neglected 265k rig with original engine and trans. But the rough roads in Oklahoma and high speeds in Texas highlighted my worn front brakes and poor riding original struts. So this weekend I dug in.

It went a little farther than I planned, mainly because of regular old worn out original parts. She ended up with new lower ball joints (Moog), new 2" drop spindles (Belltech), adjustable struts set down 1" (McGaughy's), new wheel bearings (AC Delco), strut mounts (AC Delco), sway bar links, rotors, pads, calipers, and hoses in the front. In the rear just Belltech 34324 spring kit (no spacer for 4") and shock relocators, I ran out of time to do the rear brakes but they're in good shape right now. Still have to do the alignment, but a ride around the block felt much better than before. No rest time for her she's heading to Florida next week!