Fosscore's 2006 Tahoe Build Thread

[OHSIXX]

Looks good. Color match the chrome parts of your grill next.....color matched front ends look killer

 

[Fosscore]

Looks good. Color match the chrome parts of your grill next.....color matched front ends look killer

Thought about that as the plastic chrome is slowly giving way to the sun. And another project on the list...

 

[Fosscore]

Here are some nighttime pics of the LED front parking lights. Not enough detail, but plenty bright.

 

[OHSIXX]

Thought about that as the plastic chrome is slowly giving way to the sun. And another project on the list...

Just another idea to drain your pocket book lol
This one has a HD front conversion but you get the color match idea.....

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=744831&postcount=52

 

[Fosscore]

Just another idea to drain your pocket book lol
This one has a HD front conversion but you get the color match idea.....

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=744831&postcount=52

Dammit Ohsixx you're killing me...haha. But I like the ideas. Keep em coming. Yep have seen that nice rig. Love the HD hood too.

Wheels are my next big one. Stuck in a decision making holding pattern at the moment.

 

[Fosscore]

My 2006 Tahoe Build Thread

Wanted to share some of the pics and mods that I have done to my 2006 Tahoe LS 2WD 4.8L. Dark Ming Blue Metallic.

I bought if from a previous employer with 65K miles back in February 2013. I drove it at work for 3.5 years before I bought it from him so I already knew what I was getting into. We used it as a daily driver work truck, to haul people and supplies. There is a bit of rust and oxidation on underneath and in the engine bay as it lived and still lives near the beach. It would sit for long periods of time without any care and exposed to the elements. Nobody bothered to spray off the frame or wax it either for the first 3 years. A couple small dings and hairline scratches, oxidized paint, a dented bumper and some wear and tear in the interior, but pretty good shape for an 06 that lived/lives near the ocean.

I took ownership of the bone stock Tahoe with 16" rims and tires, no tint, all the speakers were blown, the carpet had seen better days and the leather was pretty dirty with a small tear in the drivers seat from so many ins and outs. She had a small leak in the rusty brake lines near the master cylinder. Other than some interior cosmetics and minor exterior blemishes, she ran strong with everything else operational to become my daily driver. Fast forward to
December 2014 and she is still reliable, dependable and running strong.

February 2013 (65K) to December 2014 (72K) mods...thus far...more pics to follow.

5% tint all the way around.
Flowmaster 50 series muffler.
K&N CAI.
Bridgestone Dueler Alenza HL 275/55/20 on 20" matte black LTZ reps.
JVC Double Din head unit.
Replaced all door speakers with Phoenix Golds.
JLAudio Stealthbox.
JL Audio 5 channel amp.
Replaced all interior lights with Superbright LEDs.
Spyder LED tails with LED reverse lights.
LED front parking/DRLs replacements for stock.
Replaced dented front bumper.
Replaced broken fog lights x 2.
Blacked bow tie.
Antenna delete.
Lower air dam removed.
Color matched front top bumper cap.
Color matched Esky rear appliques.
Esky roof rack with color matched end caps.
Norcal SS 3/5 drop kit with Belltech Performance shocks and helper bags.
Spohn panhard bar.
No free travel modification at this time, but rides excellent.
Black Bear Tune, 93 Octane.

 

[Fosscore]

A few more pics and info about the drop before and after the 3/5 Norcal SS drop.

NORCAL SS CUSTOM 3/5-6 Tahoe Yukon lowering kit

Front DJM 3 Inch A Arms.
Front Belltech Street Performance Shocks.
Rear NORCAL SS Custom 6" Springs.
Rear Belltech 1 inch spacers.
Rear DJM hardware kit with trailing arms, end links and shock extenders.
Rear Belltech Street Performance Shocks.
Helper bags 60742.
Spohn adjustable panhard bar.

The truck rides pretty sweet. I do have the spacers still in there and the bags with less than 5 psi. Measurements after the first 500 miles were:

Right front 33 3/4
Left front 33 1/2

Right rear 34"
Left rear 33 7/8 full tank of gas

I've got to measure again to see where the truck is sitting now after a few more miles. The shop did not do the free travel modification and only cut the OEM bump stops down compensate for for the travel. I have only bottomed out a few times on the same pot hole, but other than that it is awesome. I asked Tony about pulling the spacer and he said if the truck is riding good then leave it. Another inch down would be cool, but we will see.

 

[Fosscore]

A quick look progression from stock February 2013 to February 2015.

 

[MrBalll]

Looks real clean, especially with the drop. Got any photos of the inside?

 

[OHSIXX]

Night and day difference...love that blue! Looking good! Still think chrome wheels will do your truck more justice than black though-the ones on there currently look good too...

 

[Fosscore]

Night and day difference...love that blue! Looking good! Still think chrome wheels will do your truck more justice than black though-the ones on there currently look good too...

Thx OHSIXX. Been debating, just haven't pulled the trigger. TYF says ditch the black, family and friends like the black look. Decisions. Did a poll here, got some good input, just not sure on whether chrome of perhaps polished like some TBSS or even Texas reps? There's been a few good sets come up for sale on the TYF. Just not sure...

 

[OHSIXX]

Thx OHSIXX. Been debating, just haven't pulled the trigger. TYF says ditch the black, family and friends like the black look. Decisions. Did a poll here, got some good input, just not sure on whether chrome of perhaps polished like some TBSS or even Texas reps? There's been a few good sets come up for sale on the TYF. Just not sure...

I think TBSS Reps look killer on a dropped Hoe'. 22's for sure and I read Tony is gonna them in 4's too. 4's may be too much but the 2's would prolly give the best ride. There is alot to choose from as I am in that same debating spot over some new wheels come spring.

You could always buy Nathan's 375s

 

[Fosscore]

I think TBSS Reps look killer on a dropped Hoe'. 22's for sure and I read Tony is gonna them in 4's too. 4's may be too much but the 2's would prolly give the best ride. There is alot to choose from as I am in that same debating spot over some new wheels come spring.

You could always buy Nathan's 375s

24s might be a bit too much for me. 22s for sure. The 375s have been top of my list, as are the TBSS. Neither very common around me. Thx again input. Got no worries for spring down south...year round.

 

[Fosscore]

One of the first changes I made was to swap out LEDs in the interior from superbrightleds.com

-map lights
-dome lights
-door courtesy lights

 

[Fosscore]

I put a K&N CAI and Flowmaster 50 series muffler on.

 

[Fosscore]

Put the Esky roof rack and rear applique's on.

 

[Fosscore]

The rear applique's and Spyder LED tail lights.

 

[Fosscore]

October 2014.

Black Bear Tune.

Here is the write up I did in a separate thread, however I wanted to post it directly in my build thread.

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65755

Black Bear Tune
In Person with Justin
Orlando, Florida
5 October 2014

2006 Tahoe LS 4.8L
70600 miles
K&N CAI
Flowmaster 50 Series

I drove the Tahoe with the family riding shotgun to Universal Studios Orlando and slipped away early Sunday morning to meet Justin for my in person tune.

I arrived early at 0830 and met him as he jumped out of the truck he had just completed tuning and right into my truck. We plugged in the computer, had a chat to get a game plan for the tune, did some quick diagnostic checks and went for a drive.

The whole tune took about 45 minutes with a couple stops to turn off the motor and then go again. Most of the tune was driven at normal speeds around 30mph on the side streets of Orlando. A few times he asked me step into it to see how the motor sounded and responded to the adjustments he was making on the fly. Mostly for the shift points and to see the feedback on the computer.

The major tune adjustments that were performed:

1. Tow/Haul switched to Sport Mode.

2. Tuned for 93 octane.

3. Tightened up all the shift points.

4. Tightened up the full throttle shift point.

5. Adjusted the efans to run more efficiently.

A few smaller adjustments to note;, he adjusted the top end speed limit from 98MPH to 120MPH and calibrated the speedometer to the correct tire size. Currently running 20s and upgrading to 22s, with only 1/4" difference it wouldn't be noticeable.

One issue that was found during the tune was a vacuum leak. Justin figured it might be an intake manifold gasket which he said is common with the NBS and due to the ethanol in the fuel. No decline in performance and nothing to be concerned about at the moment, but something to keep a lookout for when the CEL illuminates.

After the tune, I loaded up the family and drove 200 miles home. I could feel the shift points, it was easier to stomp down for passing the slowpokes on the turnpike and then around town keeping the truck in gear longer and ready to go definitely makes her feel a bit more responsive. No monumental gains in the lower power band up until about 4600RPMs, but from that point until the high end shift point at 5900RPMs, I am really impressed with how she tends to rocket off feeding off the K&N, while growling past the cars with open windows with the 50 series. For me it is rewarding and fun, playing around in a big SUV.

As far as MPG goes, going forward will tell the tale and of course my foot on the pedal. The following numbers reflect to and from Orlando over the weekend. All fuel used was 93 Octane.

To Orlando
308.7 Miles
(extra miles for driving to and from Universal Studios and the BBP tune)
19.93 gallons
15.48 MPG

Return home
190.7 miles
10.3 gallons
18.51 MPG

Highway speeds set on cruise control between 70-75 MPH and stop and go traffic around town. No extra load other than family. The instant MPG on the display reflected these numbers as well, but the calculations speak directly for themselves.

Pretty impressed with the pre-tune and post-tune numbers for the long trip up the turnpike either way. Especially since around town I can easily drag those numbers down into the 11/12 MPG range with my foot on the pedal.

Justin was very easy to talk to and accommodating. He asked questions to determine what direction or any specifics I wanted to gain from the tune and we continued the conversation on and off topic during the entire tuning process. I can't end without mentioning Julie Barrow. She answered all my emails and numerous questions (with a few inputs from Justin) about the in person tune and specifics, so that I was already informed when the tune happened. I did some research on the forums to see what other guys had gotten done and the positive feedback speaks for itself.

My overall impressions of the tune? Awesome!! and well worth the time and money spent to make it happen. If you are contemplating it, don't. Just do it. If BBP is coming to your local area, and you can make it, get on the list. I don't think you will be disappointed. To have someone professionally analyze live data feeds while you are driving and making corrections and adjustments on the fly to maximize the performance that your motor can produce was great. Justin found that one issue noted above, said the motor sounded good and tightened up some broad parameters to make the truck more enjoyable for me to drive. It is not meant for the general masses who really don't care to get that extra percentage of performance and enjoyment out of their daily driver.

Hope this helps out some of you on the fence or to reinforce and thumbs up a good vendor putting out a good service for our vehicles. Thanks BBP!!

 

[Fosscore]

February 2015.

I waited 2 weeks for the color matched parts to come back from the painters. And it was worth the wait as they look sweet!! During that wait, I parked my truck and did a few other small projects. Thankfully my company rental was a 2015 Tahoe LTZ. Not too bad. Like a kid at Christmas, it still feels good to jump in my NBS! The wife just rolls her eyes...

1. I replaced the rear dented bumper with an OEM junkyard one I pulled off a 2002 Suburban a few months ago. I had already replaced the front dented bumper from that same junkyard run when I color matched the top bumper cap.

2. I painted the rear bumper pads, spare tire cover plate and lift gate hatch handle with gloss black Krylon and clear coated them for a good shine. They look new again.

3. While pulling the rear bumper off, I noticed that the license plate light housings were about to fall apart and the plastic lenses were no longer clear, so I replaced those with a quick order from eBay. Brand new shipped for $14.

4. The front passenger Esky roof rack cap blew off just before I parked the truck for the painted parts wait. Turns out the metal ring that is actually attached to the inside of the Esky cap and makes a positive seat on the base post, had come off the cap and seated itself on the base post, thus not allowing the cap to sit secure and snug when I clipped it in. Probably had been taken off too many times over the years since it was first installed OEM. I searched eBay, but could not find that particular side. Finally after a more detailed search, I came across newgmparts.com. I called them up and had a brand new, paint-to-match Esky roof rack cap in my hands a few days later. $42.31 shipped. I had some left over OEM paint and clear coat from automotivetouchup.com and a few coats later, it was installed.

5. I took my dash bezel off and hit it with black Plasti Dip to see how it looked to get a more mononchromatic look as the charcoal/black/light grey color combination of the dash was kind of bothering me. So far it looks good.

6. I repainted my door speaker grills gloss black Krylon.

7. I decided to make a change to my wheels just to see how it would look. I went to the Dip Your Car store out in Coral Springs and picked up a couple cans of Anthracite and Glossifier. I did the deck of cards trick to protect the tires, put some newspaper behind the wheels to protect the brakes and after 4 coats of color and 3 coats of Glossifier I changed the look of the wheels. Gave them some color and gloss for less than $50. Still growing on me, but kind of like it for now. May not be everyone's choice, but I wanted something different just to see. If I want to change it, I can just peel it back off.

8. I hit the front grill bow tie in the same Anthracite color to offset the color matched grill. It was black before and I thought it might have gotten lost in the dark blue. Might go with more of a silver rather than the grey up front after looking it more in the pictures.

9. Color matched parts.
-All 4 door handles.
-Lift gate handle.
-Lift gate applique'.
-Front grill.
-Both side mirrors.
-Lift gate push button ring. (I did this myself on the truck.)

The painters did not disappoint with the final results. I supplied the paint, they took care of everything else.

10. Installed all the parts this weekend, while watching the kids play out front, gave her a good wash and hit her with another coat of wax for good measure. Went for a blast down the road and took some pictures to share. I've got a few other things in the works, but need some more time.

What do you guys think?

 

[Fosscore]

A few more before color match pictures.