2002 Yukon, 140k miles, Fixing up over time

[tgui]

What did you use on your appliques? They look darn good.

Thanks! They're not perfect, but much better and good enough. I was actually really surprised how well it turned out. The 105 pads were black with buildup.

I was thinking about using the Rustoleum trim paint I did the roof rack with. That stuff came out damned nice.

I did a couple rounds of Meguiars 105, wiping off with a damp towel. Then a final pass of Klasse. Its some of the stuff I used on my black Lexus.

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Those caps look shiny.

I was surprised at how they turned out

Now I just have to get off my ass and finalize my tran parts list for the hundredth time. Money is money and I'm scared I'll mess things up. eek!

 

[tgui]

I'm guessing people expect me to post the next time I fart in the Yukon. I swear the trans will happen and more interesting posts will follow.


I decided to remove ALL the trim and paint it. I mean, the roof rack turned out great.

I also undercoated the wheel wells. Those were full of faded gray plastic and really helped to show how old the Yukon really is.

Faded wheel well:

Undercoated wheel well:

Rear trim removed. Remove the spare tire to do this and be patient. What a ******* pain the ass. I took my time and didn't break any of the plastic clips. On the portion below the license plate wedge a thin screw driver between the plastic and chrome and push down on the tap to clear the upper tab lip. Try to pinch from behind with pliers. Be slow.

Remove the step trim. Stupid me, you don't have to remove the entire step. You only have to remove the cover. I found out 1/2 the way through the first side. What you do is remove about 8 screws under the step that bolt into the trim. Be prepared for a metric shit ton of rust to fall out. I ended up spray painting the screws to help slow future rust.

When removing the rear trim I found that the prev owner had a hidden key box! Its off now.

For the paint I used this. To apply I washed, degreased, scrubbed and then rubbed down the parts with 1000 grit sand paper. Then a wipe down with a rag with some time in the sun to dry.

Step trim removed and painted, baking in the sun.

Rear trim being painted.

Finished trim. Like the roof rack, the gloss will fade a bit with time and will have a really rough and tough touch.

Rear:

Side:

Angle:

My truck doesn't look 13 years old now!

 

[aaron1977]

Looks good dude! I did the same thing on mine. I have a Z71 though.

 

[tgui]

Looks good dude! I did the same thing on mine. I have a Z71 though.

Where is your build thread then?!

 

[aaron1977]

I'm way too lazy & stupid to make one. Plus mine doesn't look nearly as good as the other trucks on this forum!

 

[TheAutumnWind]

I'm guessing people expect me to post the next time I fart in the Yukon. I swear the trans will happen and more interesting posts will follow.


I decided to remove ALL the trim and paint it. I mean, the roof rack turned out great.

I also undercoated the wheel wells. Those were full of faded gray plastic and really helped to show how old the Yukon really is.

Faded wheel well:

Undercoated wheel well:

Rear trim removed. Remove the spare tire to do this and be patient. What a ******* pain the ass. I took my time and didn't break any of the plastic clips. On the portion below the license plate wedge a thin screw driver between the plastic and chrome and push down on the tap to clear the upper tab lip. Try to pinch from behind with pliers. Be slow.

Remove the step trim. Stupid me, you don't have to remove the entire step. You only have to remove the cover. I found out 1/2 the way through the first side. What you do is remove about 8 screws under the step that bolt into the trim. Be prepared for a metric shit ton of rust to fall out. I ended up spray painting the screws to help slow future rust.

When removing the rear trim I found that the prev owner had a hidden key box! Its off now.

For the paint I used this. To apply I washed, degreased, scrubbed and then rubbed down the parts with 1000 grit sand paper. Then a wipe down with a rag with some time in the sun to dry.


Finished trim. Like the roof rack, the gloss will fade a bit with time and will have a really rough and tough touch.


My truck doesn't look 13 years old now!

Huge improvement! I need to do this once I'm done with the suspension/ tune up stuff.

 

[ccreddell]

Im just wondering when he's going to fart in his truck again.....

 

[tgui]

Im just wondering when he's going to fart in his truck again.....

Its better to measure the opposite. When is Tgui NOT farting in his truck. I like my beer ****** and hoppy....... farts are life. Any other peeps here brew their own beer?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJFyWBLeM7Q

 

[JesusArTorres]

When removing the rear trim I found that the prev owner had a hidden key box! Its off now.

My Yukon came with a key box too. I even think it's the same brand...

 

[tgui]

My Yukon came with a key box too. I even think it's the same brand...

Its crazy to think a previous owner could just drive off with your car!

 

[Countryboy07]

Very nice progress. Makes me feel really lazy on some of the projects I've been putting off on the Wifes Yukon. Keep it up!

 

[tgui]

Very nice progress. Makes me feel really lazy on some of the projects I've been putting off on the Wifes Yukon. Keep it up!

I have no kids and plenty of time. ;-)

I did however change the oil. I love my try truck but she gets what's on sale. I've also been battling lifter tick thats bad when cold. I added lucas oil treatment. Oil pressure went up a bit and so far no more tick!

I know I could run thicker oil but cheap oil plus Lucas seems to do pretty good. 146k miles on the engine BTW.

 

[tgui]

Got a 90 amp harbor freight flux core welder, flat iron, angle iron and did my best to make ****** welds. I think it will hold. I whacked it with a hammer a couple times and it held. I know the basics in my head but man, respect to pro welders.

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[/COLOR]

 

[tgui]

I redid, created new and filled in the gap. OK, so I was looking for excuses to weld.

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OK I still suck at welding. I'm pretty sure this will hold together.

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Its been hot and humid here. I had some drips from under the dash and thought I had a partially plugged ac line. I smelled mildew today, removed the floor mat and the carpet was soaked! I sucked up about 3 cups of water. I found the ac drain while under the truck, stuck a wire in it and took a goddamn shower. Soooo much water came out.

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[tgui]

Sanding, grinding and chemicals later, I have the 4l80e cross member almost done. What a ton of dirt and rust. This thing was in a junk yard for ages.

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First coat of paint

 

[tgui]

I got two new mods. First was $20. The other $650, and wifey doesn't know!

I've been wanting to clean up the shifts for a while on the 4l60e, even though its getting ripped out.

Today I installed a corvette servo. There are a ton of howtos out there. It took me a couple hours because I was stupid. I did however bend the heat shield out of the way over the passenger CAT to help get things in and out.

The shifts feel quite a bit firmer. I did suspect that the ECU mandated torque pulling on shifts caused part of the new firm/jerk on shift since while the new servo was making the shifts faster, the same timing delta applied. So remember physics? First derivative of velocity is acceleration, second derivative of velocity is impulse, or rate of change in acceleration. This faster shift (delta T) with the same total loss of power/speed from torque management caused a higher impulse (also known as jerk), or what I sound like now!

For $20 I recommend this upgrade!!!
Pics of parts.

Looks like a metal hamburger....

$650, full tuning suite. I wrote my own tuning suite, but don't have time to hack communications, maps and other shit with the Delco ECU. I gots real work to worry about!

I found a reputable 87 octane map, reduced shift torque loss, upped timing and leaned out the fuel a tad. I still need a wide band sensor.

WOW!

She ain't super fast, but she moves a ton better than before!! Power doesn't fall off on shifts, shifts are smooth and firm, and the power just grows with RPM! I'll have to log a ton to verify but so far I'm happy

I converted my old Macbook to a Windows 7 machine (removing Linux). Mac OSX is ok, not my fav, Linux first.

So when is someone else going to post in this forum? Its sooo quiet around here!

 

[JesusArTorres]

I think we're all just trying to keep up with what you're doing or jotting stuff down.

 

[tgui]

I think we're all just trying to keep up with what you're doing or jotting stuff down.

Yeah... Wednesday hits, I get bored at work sometimes and in down time see what I can work on for the weekend.

My wife and I work at the same place (she is 50 feet from me) so that buys me a ton of weekend alone time... ??

 

[aaron1977]

Must be nice! I wish I had that. Keep up the good work!

 

[TheAutumnWind]

I recently did the vette servo. Excellent use of $20

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No hptuners for me though

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