Blobs' 2014 Tahoe SSV Build & History

[mikez71]

You know, I'm pretty sure they don't have a raised section like you described, thats something I didn't consider. But the brake rotor is flat behind the wheel isn't it?

Yes, good point the rotor is indeed flat!

And I *thought* I was on to something...

 

[JoeBlobs]

Not too much to update as of late. Got all my fluids for the front and rear diffs, t-case, and the trans finally. So just need to find some time to change it all.
Replaced the front rotors and pads yesterday. Installed some leveling blocks while I was in there, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to get the old end link off. I expected to see a nut on the bottom bolt but there was none, just the 12 point(?) washer thing. Anyways, I lost my patience and just sawzall'd her off of there and went to AutoZone to buy incredibly overpriced new ones. Brakes feel way better now, just need an alignment sooner than later.

Also noticed this very unfortunate rip in the piston boot. Both sides were pretty shot, but this was the worst. She's holding strong for now with no leaks, but I'll have to fix it soon. The idea of a four piston upgrade sounds great, but maybe down the line. For now I'll just order a rebuild kit with new boots and pins, remove all the scale off the calipers, and hit them with some high temp black.

 

[JoeBlobs]

Got a lot done on the rig today, just in time before this monsoon hit!

I've felt like the trans has been acting up a little lately. A little laggy on shifts, maybe some slipping between gears... I don't know if its just the horrible shift timing from the factory or what. Theres been a few times where I think it forgot it was a transmission for a few seconds, then violently remembered. Decided to finally get on it today.

Revived 'ol Buck (800) so I could run into town and make a few part runs. Then got a lot done on Chuck (900) I've honestly put off for way too long. Buck was a good truck, and if not for Buck, there'd be no Chuck. Unfortunaly Buck has turned into Shed these days.

Anyways, here's what was on the menu for today:
- Engine oil
- Trans fluid and filter
- Transfer case fluid
- Front and rear diff fluid
Changed the engine oil with Valvoline Restore & Protect. It seems like a lot of people have had GREAT SUCCESS

with this stuff.

Dropped the Trans pan and replaced the filter and fluid. This was definitly the first time it's ever been changed, which made me curse myself for not doing it when I bought the truck. Magnet was just about what you'd expect for 140k miles on the fluid. That fluid though... it didn't look as black on the dipstick as it did in a cup. In 20k - 40k miles I think I'll pump out what I can and refill it with some new juice. Maybe sooner than later.

Transfer case and front and rear diffs were all pretty dark too. All had build up on the magnets, but nothing that really concerned me. Looked like this was the first time these fluids were changed too. A little concerning, but I'm happy its done. I was suprised how dirty the front diff and t-case were considering I'd bet that they never saw action when the truck was in service.

I wish I took some more photos, but it was pretty nasty out.
Either way, feels good to get it done. Here's a celebratory beauty shot:

I really have to install some lights in that push bar already...

 

[PG01]

Buck chuck and shed…. Love it

 

[swathdiver]

Chuck's looking good!

 

[JoeBlobs]

Some shots from today from the bogs near my house. Truck got very dirty after these photos.

 

[JoeBlobs]

Weather is finally starting to brake (heh) and the snow has finally ceased, so the maintenance has commenced.

Chasing some brake issues. In recent months the pedal has gotten softer and softer, to the point now where it'll touch the floor if I boot it. I thought it might have been the ceramic pads and the crusty old calipers.

So last night I replaced the front calipers, rotors, and pads with semi mettalics. All AC Delco. Went ahead and installed some SS Braided lines from Rough Country as well. Flushed all the old fluid out (it was REALLY dirty) and bled every corner.

Pedal is still soft...

A buddy of mind has an Altech we're going to try to bleed the ABS system with. I think thats where my issues lie, but we will see.

 

[Prospect62]

Truck looks great, I like what you've done with it. Is the leveling kit on yet or did you just stuff those big meats on at stock height? Either way it has a great stance.

 

[JoeBlobs]

Truck looks great, I like what you've done with it. Is the leveling kit on yet or did you just stuff those big meats on at stock height? Either way it has a great stance.

Thanks bud! Yup kit is on. Two inch block up front. Tires are only a little wider than stock, 1.5" spacer up front and 2" out back. I'd like some bigger wheels and tires eventually, but I do love the original SSV wheels.

 

[Doubeleive]

Not too much to update as of late. Got all my fluids for the front and rear diffs, t-case, and the trans finally. So just need to find some time to change it all.
Replaced the front rotors and pads yesterday. Installed some leveling blocks while I was in there, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to get the old end link off. I expected to see a nut on the bottom bolt but there was none, just the 12 point(?) washer thing. Anyways, I lost my patience and just sawzall'd her off of there and went to AutoZone to buy incredibly overpriced new ones. Brakes feel way better now, just need an alignment sooner than later.
View attachment 465892

View attachment 465891

Also noticed this very unfortunate rip in the piston boot. Both sides were pretty shot, but this was the worst. She's holding strong for now with no leaks, but I'll have to fix it soon. The idea of a four piston upgrade sounds great, but maybe down the line. For now I'll just order a rebuild kit with new boots and pins, remove all the scale off the calipers, and hit them with some high temp black.


View attachment 465893

just a heads up, NEVERMIND I'M A DUMBTARD THAT HAS NOT HAD HIS COFFEE YET

 

[Fless]

just a heads up the end link bolts are upside down, nut goes on the bottom, probably so that if it happened to break or come loose just the nut falls off rather than a long bolt.....

Charm shows it the other way:

 

[mikez71]

bah, mine are upside down too!

or not!

More ground clearance that way..

 

[SpareParts]

That bolt is installed upside down.
Head down threads up.

 

[LSCALADE]

Couple months ago I was on I75 and driving doing my thing and I kept noticing lug nuts bouncing all over the highway, did not know where they were coming from until the Amazon delivery van in the lane next to me all the sudden started to have massive vibrations in the front left tire and the entire wheel came off the vehicle, destroying the fender and then proceeding to go across 5lane highway hitting other cars in the process. It was like a slow motion movie disaster, I am glad I was alert and on the brakes as soon as I saw what was happening. That could have ended badly for your Tahoe, and Im glad it did not. Yes some of those Amazon spacers sometimes come with very cheaply made studs that should not be trusted.

 

[Fless]

That bolt is installed upside down.
Head down threads up.

The old one was apparently installed upside-down, based on the pics. After the new one was installed, it looks correct to me:

 

[Doubeleive]

Charm show it the other way:

View attachment 481583

YA, i don't know what the hell I was thinking, mine are installed the same way, I blame it on not enough coffee yet this morning and Monday
per the factory manual.....

 

[89Suburban]

It's minutia, really doesn't matter.

 

[Fless]

just a heads up, NEVERMIND I'M A DUMBTARD THAT HAS NOT HAD HIS COFFEE YET

Naw, you're just a heads-up kinda guy!

 

[JoeBlobs]

Thanks for the concern and clarification gents! I didn't even know there was a specific way to install them to be honest, just got lucky.

It's minutia, really doesn't matter.

But ultimately this is how I feel as well haha

Couple months ago I was on I75 and driving doing my thing and I kept noticing lug nuts bouncing all over the highway, did not know where they were coming from until the Amazon delivery van in the lane next to me all the sudden started to have massive vibrations in the front left tire and the entire wheel came off the vehicle, destroying the fender and then proceeding to go across 5lane highway hitting other cars in the process. It was like a slow motion movie disaster, I am glad I was alert and on the brakes as soon as I saw what was happening. That could have ended badly for your Tahoe, and Im glad it did not. Yes some of those Amazon spacers sometimes come with very cheaply made studs that should not be trusted.

I ended up figuring out my issue with this and it was really my fault for not paying attention to things.
Basically, the factory studs were too long for the 1.5" spacer and were actually extended past the face of it, making contact with the back of the wheel. This obviously caused the wheels to never be seated correctly, causing lots of issues. YIKES.

So I replaced the broken studs in the spacer with Dorman replacements, and ended up cutting down the studs on the truck a bit so they wouldn't extend past it. Basically the end of the stud that's rounded and without threads. Cleaned it up and beveled it and all has been good so far. Controversial, I'm sure, but I'll let yall know if I end up like that Amazon van.

 

[LSCALADE]

Thanks for the concern and clarification gents! I didn't even know there was a specific way to install them to be honest, just got lucky.



But ultimately this is how I feel as well haha




I ended up figuring out my issue with this and it was really my fault for not paying attention to things.
Basically, the factory studs were too long for the 1.5" spacer and were actually extended past the face of it, making contact with the back of the wheel. This obviously caused the wheels to never be seated correctly, causing lots of issues. YIKES.

So I replaced the broken studs in the spacer with Dorman replacements, and ended up cutting down the studs on the truck a bit so they wouldn't extend past it. Basically the end of the stud that's rounded and without threads. Cleaned it up and beveled it and all has been good so far. Controversial, I'm sure, but I'll let yall know if I end up like that Amazon van.

Another option around that is to drill holes in the back of the wheel to allow the studs to fit into the wheel usually, 1/4" is required. But also what you did, the cut method works as well. I am using only RAM wheels on mine and all of them have pockets in the back and allow for studs to protrude but given that all RAM wheels run about 10-14mm wider, they fit incely in the fenders without spacers needed.