cooki3mnster's build - The Black Pearl

[cooki3mnster]

Hi all, figured I'd get on the build thread sooner rather than later. I recently picked up this 2005 Yukon XL SLT 4x4 with 197,*** miles. i had been kicking around the idea of selling my 05 Colorado Z71 for a while and finally pulled the trigger on it. As much as I loved my little 355 it was time for something new and a little bigger. I started by looking for an early Suburban with the idea of swapping in a 5.3/6.0 and building a super cool family truck that oozes cool and retro style. After a bit of thinking I decided to get something a newer with "modern safety equipment" like air bags. I had a 2000 Excursion Limited w/ 7.3 PSD on a 6" lift and 37s a few years ago and really missed having a big 4x4 SUV. So I adjusted my search to an 00-06 Suburban/Yukon XL. I found a couple that I liked but nothing that really stood out until i found my 05. The PO was a cool dude and agreed on what I thought was a fair price.

I brought the old girl home and immediately went to work. I have a habit of going through my new to me cars/trucks and performing all the maintenance upfront. This was no different, with the mileage on it I did everything. The plug wires were super brittle and disintegrated when removing them pretty sure they were original. All the fluids have been changed to syntehtic, new plugs, new trans filter, new rear diff cover gasket. Like I said the works. Next was to go and get rid of the "smoked/blacked out" look. Personally I can't stand it, I ordered new headlight housings, turn signals, tail lights, CHMSL and grille.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

AFTER with Grille, and new Fogs:

After the lights and grille I got a CEL for a P0327. So i swapped in some new Knock sensors and harness and some intake gaskets. Found some shells up under the intake which makes me think this thing sat for a while at some point in its life.

continued in next post...

 

[cooki3mnster]

Runs like a top now. I also swapped in some new Bilstein 5100s, jounce stops, and Z71 springs to help out the ride a bit. To disable the Autoride I simply cut the 12VDC feed to the controller and capped it off. That way I have a 30a source for future expansion.

Ride quality is so much better now! I tested it out with a 3 hour one way trip to Fresno to pick up a Z71 rack. I have always loved the way the Z71 rack looks and for $50 i couldn't pass it up, After a fresh coat of paint it looks brand new!

 

[cooki3mnster]

This is how she sits now. I'm so happy with how it looks right now, And I have some big plans for it in the future. I still have somethings I need to install but am waiting on some brackets and a few other odds and ends to show up. I picked up a Tru-Cool 47391 trans cooler and mount from EAD performance, I picked up a spare seat control module from Pick n Pull and had it flashed by GMFlash.com. The seat controls are backwards and one of the lumbar supports is further forward than the other one. Working on a full LED conversion for all interior lights. Have some NNBS style Yukon XL badges coming for the doors and tailgate. And soon to order some new seat covers for the front seats from lseat.com.

Long term plans include a BDS 6.5" lift, some Fox Shocks, and some 35s. I am super stoked on this truck and can't wait to see how it evolves.

 

[Bill 1960]

That’s a nice build! I like the look.

But now you need to either fix the thread title or change your handle, Mr. “cooki3msnter”.

On behalf of OCD people everywhere,

Bill

LOL

 

[cooki3mnster]

That’s a nice build! I like the look.

But now you need to either fix the thread title or change your handle, Mr. “cooki3msnter”.

On behalf of OCD people everywhere,

Bill

LOL

Haha I didn't even notice that until you mentioned it!

 

[Rocket Man]

Nice start. So you don’t have the “service suspension” message in the DIC with the method you used to disable the autoride?

 

[cooki3mnster]

Nice start. So you don’t have the “service suspension” message in the DIC with the method you used to disable the autoride?

Nope, just disconnected the battery and removed the rear cargo area trim to find the controller. I metered out the wire to confirm it was 12VDC and then snipped it. I am planning on going back and removing the autride compressor an replacing it with a Viair one for onboard air.

 

[Sparksalot]

 

[Stonefort]

I think it looks a lot better with NON smoked lamps! Nice work!

 

[cooki3mnster]

I think it looks a lot better with NON smoked lamps! Nice work!

Thanks! I really love the way it looks now. I'm still kicking around the idea of a Morimoto retrofit for the headlights.

 

[Stonefort]

Morimoto retrofit

Found their website, those look high quality! Which ones specifically were you looking at??

 

[adventurenali92]

Thanks! I really love the way it looks now. I'm still kicking around the idea of a Morimoto retrofit for the headlights.

Do it! You won’t regret it!! I went this route a couple months ago and the HID retrofit is awesome! Though it’s much easier with a Denali OEM lookalike projector housing as morimoto carries projector lenses that Mount in just like the OEM ones do.

 

[cooki3mnster]

Mail call! Got some goodies for the Pearl. I picked up a Tru-Cool 47931 Trans Cooler and Vette servo from Oregon Performance Tranmission, brackets from EADPerformance, some LEDs from Superbrightleds, and All On board from Fleece Performance, and I picked up a spare Driver Position module from Pick n Pull and had it flash by the guys at GMFlash.com/Spartan Autowerx. Got everything but the Vette Servo installed today. The Tru-Cool trans cooler looks massive behind the grille, and I am so happy that my seat controls are no longer inverted.

A little before and after. The bracket kit came with all the hardware and fittings to adapt to the OEM trans lines. I did have to cut the splash pan a bit to account for the right hand line being further away from the factory location.

I’m pretty happy the the Fleece board, I’m going to make some adjustments to my headlights tonight when the sun goes down. I still don’t feel like they are quite right.

 

[cooki3mnster]

Do it! You won’t regret it!! I went this route a couple months ago and the HID retrofit is awesome! Though it’s much easier with a Denali OEM lookalike projector housing as morimoto carries projector lenses that Mount in just like the OEM ones do.

I was reading through your build thread! Where did you order your Depo’s from? I think I want to go that route. I probably should have just bought those in the first place

 

[cooki3mnster]

Disassembling the drivers seat went pretty quickly to swap the module out. Took about 40ish min from start to finish. They charged me $17 at PicknPull and $110 from GMFlash. It was a 3day turnaround time to have the module flashed and returned. Now I know the process for when my Lseat.com seat covers show up. The drivers front seat cover is smoked and really needs to be replaced.

 

[cooki3mnster]

Almost forgot! A couple days ago I got the Dorman cabin air filter retrofit kit and installed it. Super easy install, if not a little awkward considering I had to squeeze my fat butt up under the dash with a utility knife. I’ll have to grab a photo of the finished product later. It’s still way too hot to be outside. Currently sitting in front of the AC with a cold adult beverage lol.

 

[adventurenali92]

I was reading through your build thread! Where did you order your Depo’s from? I think I want to go that route. I probably should have just bought those in the first place

I think I got mine from eBay. But I can’t quite remember. I know for sure they don’t make black housing Denali look a likes anymore. I was looking forward a set when I did my retrofit. Not sure about the chrome ones though.

 

[cooki3mnster]

Today I picked up a pair of NNBS front calipers. The brakes on the Pearl are ok but could be improved. Planning on EBC rotors and Green stuff pads, along with some stainless brake lines front and rear. I had Green Stuffs on my Excursion and my old 355, and they were incredible.

 

[Rocket Man]

Today I picked up a pair of NNBS front calipers. The brakes on the Pearl are ok but could be improved. Planning on EBC rotors and Green stuff pads, along with some stainless brake lines front and rear. I had Green Stuffs on my Excursion and my old 355, and they were incredible.

I always got a lot of dust from the green stuff pads. Stopped good though but I just couldn’t deal with the dust on my rims.

 

[cooki3mnster]

I always got a lot of dust from the green stuff pads. Stopped good though but I just couldn’t deal with the dust on my rims.

Really? That’s strange, I’ve never had any issues with dust. I had some chrome Helo Max 8s on the Excursion and they never got dusty. I tried a set of Power Stop Z36 compound on the Chevelle and those are real bad. Definitely going back to EBC when the time comes.