RyanPDX’s 03 Z71 Build

[RyanPDX]

I’ve had the truck for a couple of weeks now and I guess it’s time to start doing stuff.

 

[RyanPDX]

Truck as ~220k miles. Really great shape.

We took it a mechanic to get check s out and the only things he recommended was an oil change, coolant and PS fluid flush, serpentine belt change and ac mode door replacement, so we had him do it all just to have a good starting point.

I bought some led highs, lows, and interior lights, wiper blades, and a new drivers side mirror glass as mine is really yellow and hard to see out of which I will replace this weekend.

 

[bigfootchiro]

Nice lookin Hoe! And welcome from down here in SWFL!

 

[RyanPDX]

Planned upgrades:

Short term:
-New rear tail lights and maybe headlight projectors.
-New head unit with CarPlay and maybe an old sub and amp I have collecting dust
-Airaid MIT and filter


Longer term:
-Tune
-Headers and exhaust
-Corvette Servo and Trans cooler
-Maybe a cam?
-Leveling Keys and wheels and tires
-E-fans

Pie in the sky:
-Built engine
-Turbo or super charger

I’m sure there’s other crap but this is just what’s coming to mind right now.

 

[89Suburban]

NIce rig, she looks like a "Silver Ghost".

 

[OR VietVet]

Planned upgrades:

Short term:
-New rear tail lights and maybe headlight projectors.
-New head unit with CarPlay and maybe an old sub and amp I have collecting dust
-Airaid MIT and filter


Longer term:
-Tune
-Headers and exhaust
-Corvette Servo and Trans cooler
-Maybe a cam?
-Leveling Keys and wheels and tires
-E-fans

Pie in the sky:
-Built engine
-Turbo or super charger

I’m sure there’s other crap but this is just what’s coming to mind right now.

To get to a base: Change the brake fluid and both differentials and transfer case fluid. Do the trans filter and gasket and top off fluid. What does the original trans fluid look like?

The mirror glass can be tricky. There are some you tube videos to watch for the r&r steps. Apply tape to all the old and new glass surfaces.

When you do the belt(s), do the tensioners and the idler too and use AC Delco parts. You can use whatever quality belts you want.

 

[OR VietVet]

Looks like you are missing a center cap at the RF wheel. If you ever come to Eugene, let me know and I can give you one for free. I got all 4 new but have 3 good ones. PM me and I will give you contact info.

 

[RyanPDX]

Looks like you are missing a center cap at the RF wheel. If you ever come to Eugene, let me know and I can give you one for free. I got all 4 new but have 3 good ones. PM me and I will give you contact info.

Thanks for the offer, that’s very kind of you. I appreciate it but I already bought some new ones.

 

[RyanPDX]

So over the weekend I got the headlights swapped for leds and did all the interior lighting as well.

also did a headlight restoration and I think it turned out pretty good. Here’s a comparison before and after.

Still plan on getting some different projectors in the future.

The LEDs make such a difference. Forgot to do a before and still need to do a complete alignment ( not blinding anyone but it needs a ring tune) but I’m super happy. Makes the whole car seem so much more modern.

I fought with the puddle lights the most. Messed with it for too long without getting anything to work including the old bulbs before giving up. Then I found out they only come on when it’s dark out. Live and learn!

 

[RyanPDX]

Stopped by 2 stereo shops today and they both want over $1k to put in a $300 carplay deck and a backup camera. I haven't installed a car stereo in over 20 years but for that price ima figure it out and get something from Crutchfield.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Stopped by 2 stereo shops today and they both want over $1k to put in a $300 carplay deck and a backup camera. I haven't installed a car stereo in over 20 years but for that price ima figure it out and get something from Crutchfield.

It's not hard at all. Just make sure you get the correct harnesses and chime box. Looks like you have Bose too. 1k to install a radio and backup cam is just being greedy imo.

 

[Rocket Man]

Stopped by 2 stereo shops today and they both want over $1k to put in a $300 carplay deck and a backup camera. I haven't installed a car stereo in over 20 years but for that price ima figure it out and get something from Crutchfield.

Hey I missed your intro thread but I saw this one. I’m in SE Portland. I have an 02 Denali with a blower, cam, ARH longtubes, Wilwood brakes, lowered on 22’s. I call it The Beast and my build thread is currently 347 pages long. I’ve done about everything I can do to it with the exception of bagging it. I also have an 08 Silverado that’s bagged and bodied on 26” billets that lays out on its rockers. That build thread is pretty long too. Both are linked at the bottom of my posts in my signature. If you don’t see them, turn your phone sideways into portrait mode and you’ll see the links. Maybe some day we could meet up. If you have questions you can always PM me and I’d be happy to help.

 

[Rocket Man]

Stopped by 2 stereo shops today and they both want over $1k to put in a $300 carplay deck and a backup camera. I haven't installed a car stereo in over 20 years but for that price ima figure it out and get something from Crutchfield.

I can help you with the stereo install, I’ve done a couple in these rigs. One thing to keep in mind with the HU is wireless CarPlay is available now on a few aftermarket units and it’s way more convenient than having to hook up through a cable. My phone stays in my pocket 95% of the time now. It automatically connects as soon as I start the truck and I have full CarPlay functions without even touching my phone.

 

[RyanPDX]

Hey I missed your intro thread but I saw this one. I’m in SE Portland. I have an 02 Denali with a blower, cam, ARH longtubes, Wilwood brakes, lowered on 22’s. I call it The Beast and my build thread is currently 347 pages long. I’ve done about everything I can do to it with the exception of bagging it. I also have an 08 Silverado that’s bagged and bodied on 26” billets that lays out on its rockers. That build thread is pretty long too. Both are linked at the bottom of my posts in my signature. If you don’t see them, turn your phone sideways into portrait mode and you’ll see the links. Maybe some day we could meet up. If you have questions you can always PM me and I’d be happy to help.

Yeah man I've definitely checked out your thread. You've done a lot of stuff I wanna do as well so its quite the inspiration. You will very likely be getting some DMs in the future lol.

Cam and Headers are for sure on the list but it will prolly be a little while till the budget clears up. I would love to do it myself but ive never really done engine work. My pops was an old school hot rodder but i was pretty young when he was into it and sadly he passed a couple years ago.

Also do you have any issues with Oregon DEQ with the mods you've done? do you have to flash the tune back to something stock before taking it in? Just curious because i may or may not have a catless VW GTI that i have to take to the shop and have them do some crap before taking it to DEQ.

 

[RyanPDX]

It's not hard at all. Just make sure you get the correct harnesses and chime box. Looks like you have Bose too. 1k to install a radio and backup cam is just being greedy imo.

Yeah like i said its been a while but i remember it being pretty easy. I had a pretty good system in my old 85 Blazer in high school and did all the work myself with some buddies. I remember when every time I made bagging grocerys at Safeway went into my $5000 stereo that was in my $500 Blazer lol. Don't plan on doing anything crazy but adding CarPlay to my 07 GTI made that car so much more modern. Also on that one my VW mechanic sold it installed for ~$350 so it was a no brainer.

 

[RyanPDX]

This is what im looking at. I would prefer Pioneer but they don't seem to be instock. may skip the ready harnness thing but for $25 its seems worth it.

 

[Rocket Man]

Yeah man I've definitely checked out your thread. You've done a lot of stuff I wanna do as well so its quite the inspiration. You will very likely be getting some DMs in the future lol.

Cam and Headers are for sure on the list but it will prolly be a little while till the budget clears up. I would love to do it myself but ive never really done engine work. My pops was an old school hot rodder but i was pretty young when he was into it and sadly he passed a couple years ago.

Also do you have any issues with Oregon DEQ with the mods you've done? do you have to flash the tune back to something stock before taking it in? Just curious because i may or may not have a catless VW GTI that i have to take to the shop and have them do some crap before taking it to DEQ.

I can walk you through the cam install when the time comes if you want. I hadn’t done any major engine work either since I was young (that’s a long time ago) before I did mine. It’s not bad at all, there’s a way to do a cam swap without pulling the heads. I’ve done it twice now. The hardest part was the dual valve springs, it’s kind of hard to line them up in the center as you compress them so the keepers can go on. It just takes patience.


I have zero problems with DEQ. I have small bullet cats but no post-cat O2 sensors, they’ve been tuned out. They don’t look underneath though so it wouldn’t matter if there were no cats. They just hook it up to the machine and there’s no codes so it passes. Here’s a link to the site I followed when I did my cams, check it out. It’s for an F-body but it doesn’t matter, it’s the same except for some of the accessories. https://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=23

 

[Rocket Man]

This is what im looking at. I would prefer Pioneer but they don't seem to be instock. may skip the ready harnness thing but for $25 its seems worth it.

View attachment 272562

If you haven’t done this in a long time it might be worth having them do the harness so you can just plug it in. I saw Crutchfield is out of every Pioneer. Weird, they’re available other places.

 

[RyanPDX]

I know there’s a world wide chip shortage right now due to COVID. I might work at a chip maker that rhymes with schmintel, and they seem to be working overtime but a lot of the smaller chip makes are struggling right now. Might have something to do with it.

 

[RyanPDX]

I noticed that I get about 10mpg during mostly around town driving. I know its a 5000lb V8 truck so its not gonna be a prius, but it seems a little low. its also just a bit rough at idle at cold start up so because god only knows how long (if ever) its been since my throttle body was cleaned, i think ima pull it apart this weekend and check it out. I will prolly clean the MAF as well. Does anyone know if the TB gasket needs to be replaced whenever pulling the TB off the engine or is it fine as long as there no signs of wear? I may look at spark plugs and wires if the TB cleaning doesn't make any difference but wanna do the easy (read=cheap) stuff first.

I also got some new tail lights i'll be putting on as well.