1997 GMC Yukon Build Thread

[97YukonNZ]

Your transfer case is making noise? They offered you a used one for $1000? I wonder what that is in USD.

I looked on Rock Auto or maybe LCM for a complete replacement transfer new and it was like over $1000 u.s.d I think + shipping.

I can source replacement bearings and chain here if it's running chain and then do the the speciality bits from Rock or LCM.
It goes okay in 2wd with a wee bit of niose but when in 4wd it gets a bit squeally so I think it is to do with the forward conversion.
Wont know until I get it apart. Is possible that its $1000 for trans with transfer so will need to make sure I get the right one ayy

 

[Tonyrodz]

I looked on Rock Auto or maybe LCM for a complete replacement transfer new and it was like over $1000 u.s.d I think + shipping.

I can source replacement bearings and chain here if it's running chain and then do the the speciality bits from Rock or LCM.
It goes okay in 2wd with a wee bit of niose but when in 4wd it gets a bit squeally so I think it is to do with the forward conversion.
Wont know until I get it apart. Is possible that its $1000 for trans with transfer so will need to make sure I get the right one ayy

I don't know anything about transfer cases, but I've heard the older cases are pretty basic with the internals. Have you tried YouTube? Hopefully the internal pieces can be sourced locally.

 

[97YukonNZ]

I don't know anything about transfer cases, but I've heard the older cases are pretty basic with the internals. Have you tried YouTube? Hopefully the internal pieces can be sourced locally.

Yes I have! Y.t is a great source of info. Have seen that there is an issue in earlier cases with wear in the housing where 2wd - 4 wd selector is in the transfer causing a leak so I got a good look inside then.
The big hassle is lying under it while changing it out. Looks like I'll have to back off the trans cross member while load supporting to get at the top bolts and it looks like a heavy lump!
No rush tho,will be well sussed when it comes time to do.

 

[97YukonNZ]

Hey,has been a while since I've done anything to the Yukon.
It goes so well I haven't had to do anything since replacing the shocks & adding the the lowered shackles in the rear.
So today I planned to wash her. Didn't get there. While it was level I decided to lift the bonnet and check fluids.
She hasnt used any coolant since getting the intake gasket replaced! So that means that she was probably leaking from when I bought her,as I was always needing to check & refill fortnightly. LbL(lite bladder leakage) lol
While under the bonnet I checked the oil, hasnt used any since oil change so I thought I'd finally pull the plugs to see firstly what it is running and secondly what shape they were in.

Not bad shape I thought. A bit of rust on 2 & 4 cylinder plugs, probably from intake leak but overall all 8 plugs were very similar.

pulled n cleaned the plug wires as well,then gave the rest of the engine a look over,cleaned or fixed a couple of things & put it all back together

I noticed while putting the wires back in that the distributor was loose! ***** Phuka!! The mechanic who did the work on it fixing the intake leak cant have tightened it after reassembly and setting the timing! How the phuck do you not lock the dizzy down after setting the timing?!!

Almost back together and happy enough. Looks like I'll have to buy a timing light and see how my my ear tuning is. She drove okay around the block but I'll need to take it somewhere I can put the boot up her. Bloody mechanics ayy?
Still,was good to check this stuff out. Plugs came out easy so when I do new ones n wires it'll be an easy job.

 

[pwtr02ss]

Hey,has been a while since I've done anything to the Yukon.
It goes so well I haven't had to do anything since replacing the shocks & adding the the lowered shackles in the rear.
So today I planned to wash her. Didn't get there. While it was level I decided to lift the bonnet and check fluids.
She hasnt used any coolant since getting the intake gasket replaced! So that means that she was probably leaking from when I bought her,as I was always needing to check & refill fortnightly. LbL(lite bladder leakage) lol
While under the bonnet I checked the oil, hasnt used any since oil change so I thought I'd finally pull the plugs to see firstly what it is running and secondly what shape they were in.
View attachment 351837
Not bad shape I thought. A bit of rust on 2 & 4 cylinder plugs, probably from intake leak but overall all 8 plugs were very similar. View attachment 351838pulled n cleaned the plug wires as well,then gave the rest of the engine a look over,cleaned or fixed a couple of things & put it all back togetherView attachment 351839I noticed while putting the wires back in that the distributor was loose! ***** Phuka!! The mechanic who did the work on it fixing the intake leak cant have tightened it after reassembly and setting the timing! How the phuck do you not lock the dizzy down after setting the timing?!!View attachment 351840Almost back together and happy enough. Looks like I'll have to buy a timing light and see how my my ear tuning is. She drove okay around the block but I'll need to take it somewhere I can put the boot up her. Bloody mechanics ayy?
Still,was good to check this stuff out. Plugs came out easy so when I do new ones n wires it'll be an easy job.

Looks nice and clean under there

 

[97YukonNZ]

Looks nice and clean under there

Thanks
Shes not to bad for an old girl hey!
I like to keep her tidy,did a degrease after last operation and have started treating the plastics with some CRC 808 silicone spray.
Lol you can always find something to do when you start poking around them.

 

[97YukonNZ]

Hey Fella's
Thought I'd i have an update on in recent tinkerings on the Yukon.
Did door pins and new door handles.

Many thanks to @Tonyrfor getting those organised and over here to me in New Zealand.
Much appreciated Brotha!!

Door pins were a bit of a pita to do without roof support to hang the dior from.
Just as well the wifee was willing to help.

My old door handles had been broken on an attempted break in.
Was lucky they still operated!!

They were remarkably easy to change!
Probably the easiest job i had done on her yet!

 

[97YukonNZ]

So today i am changing a pitman arm that has worn.

Pretty straight forward job.
Yeah nah!!!

Ive hit a snag here.
While undoing the powersteer lines so i can take the box out I've found the lines are seized into the locking nuts and now the lines are trying to twist as i undo the nut.

Any ideas on how i can un seize them?
I have sprayed penetrant on them.
Heat? Risk of fire?!

The rest is coming off okay. I'd really hate to split the lines and make more work for myself if I can help it.

Thsnks to you all
Tony

 

[97YukonNZ]

Okay so i just backed myself and the penitrant worked. Only ended out being 1 tight line so thats all goods.

Just putting the new arm on and give the pump a wipe over.

Man these things are heavey!
Lol easy part now!!
Gittin her back together

 

[Tonyrodz]

Okay so i just backed myself and the penitrant worked. Only ended out being 1 tight line so thats all goods. View attachment 375116Just putting the new arm on and give the pump a wipe over.

Man these things are heavey!
Lol easy part now!!
Gittin her back together

You def lucked out brotha man, could've been a nightmare. Glad you got 'er done.

 

[97YukonNZ]

You def lucked out brotha man, could've been a nightmare. Glad you got 'er done.

Lol
Almost!!
The powersteer line i had trouble getting off was twisted a bit and i cross threaded it on reassembly.
After all the other tricks the last bolt has me at a stand still!!
Now i gotta finds me a replacement.
So close!
Shiiiittt!!!!

 

[97YukonNZ]

So here we have round 2
Let down at the last piece i had to do. Connect the powersteer lines.
Last 1 crossed up on the thread and i didn't have enough room to get a decent rotation with the spanner.

What can you do? I took the line out,put my glasses on got a fine file and cleaned the thread up.
Still no good.
So again! Still no good! Very frustrated!

Got on the phone and called like 6 places looking to replace or build another.
Ended up cycling 10 miles to a hydraulic specialist. He took a good look at my work and said this thread is fine" maybe the thread is bad in the box!

You know what that means don't you. After cycling back home i took it all back out and benched it. Managaed to get the line in after some careful manipulation with the spanner and decided to try and fit the box back in to the truck with the line still mounted.

It worked! No hassle! Relief! Everthing hooked back up sweet as. Filled the powersteer pump back up and started her. No power steering!! Oh Shit!
Am i supposed to bleed an air lock out?
I didnt know so i just got in and drove down the the street. Did a couple of left/right turns and boom! Powersteer burst into life! Dunno if that was bad for me to do but it worked.

There was only a small amount of play in the pitman arm when i found it and decided to change it out but i tell ya!
What a change it has made to the steering and feel of the drive! Little things ayyy!

Always a good feeling to take on a job and work it out!

 

[Fosscore]

View attachment 375267So here we have round 2
Let down at the last piece i had to do. Connect the powersteer lines.
Last 1 crossed up on the thread and i didn't have enough room to get a decent rotation with the spanner.

What can you do? I took the line out,put my glasses on got a fine file and cleaned the thread up.
Still no good.
So again! Still no good! Very frustrated!

Got on the phone and called like 6 places looking to replace or build another.
Ended up cycling 10 miles to a hydraulic specialist. He took a good look at my work and said this thread is fine" maybe the thread is bad in the box!

You know what that means don't you. After cycling back home i took it all back out and benched it. Managaed to get the line in after some careful manipulation with the spanner and decided to try and fit the box back in to the truck with the line still mounted.

It worked! No hassle! Relief! Everthing hooked back up sweet as. Filled the powersteer pump back up and started her. No power steering!! Oh Shit!
Am i supposed to bleed an air lock out?
I didnt know so i just got in and drove down the the street. Did a couple of left/right turns and boom! Powersteer burst into life! Dunno if that was bad for me to do but it worked.

There was only a small amount of play in the pitman arm when i found it and decided to change it out but i tell ya!
What a change it has made to the steering and feel of the drive! Little things ayyy!

Always a good feeling to take on a job and work it out!

Nice work!

 

[97YukonNZ]

I have a few unexpected days off work so i thought i would finally get around to thie grill swap out.
I fished it down yesterday and had a loo at it.

Gave it a bit of a clean. While doing so i found a crack broken through the bottom left side.
Went to the hardware store and got a firbeglass patch kit and made a repair.

I reckon its come up pretty good!
For a first time glass repair anyway.

While the resin was going off i started to block back the original paintwork.

Looking at a blackout. Satin grille centre,matt black bezel and gloss black body.

 

[97YukonNZ]

Okay
So i just sanded back the chrome on this grille badge with some 1500 wet n dry.
Turns out it wasn't delamination of the chrome but a tarnish!

Polished up i just cant black the chrome out now
That has made this job heaps easier now.

Love it when shit comes together

 

[97YukonNZ]

Pretty good day all round! Got this prepared and sprayed.
Tested clear for covid so back to work tomorrow.

She is gonna look a bit different than this!
I may have to black the bumpers out too!

Maybe the wheels too?
Matt black?
What do you think?
Stealth?

 

[97YukonNZ]

Yeh Boiiiii!!!
Very Happy
Looking forward to getting this on.

 

[Tonyrodz]

View attachment 377712Pretty good day all round! Got this prepared and sprayed.
Tested clear for covid so back to work tomorrow.View attachment 377713
She is gonna look a bit different than this!
I may have to black the bumpers out too!View attachment 377714Maybe the wheels too?
Matt black?
What do you think?
Stealth?

I think black rims would be too much--just my opinion tho.

 

[Sparksalot]

Those wheels are cool as they are.

 

[97YukonNZ]

Those wheels are cool as they are.

Thanks for the feed back.
I may pull them off , clean the backs up and just paint the backs in black.That will give them some protection from brake dust n stuff.
I did think about coming as far out as the inserts but they are a pita to mask off evenly and the finish always looks Bundy.
Lets see what its like with the grille swap 1st
Cheers