05Single's virgin build thread. 03 tahoe

[05Single]

So I've been doing a couple of write ups and how-to's with a bunch more to show and tell so I guess the smart thing to do will be a build thread. Not crazy turbo systems or bagged suspension or anything but some simple easy mods anybody can do at home with basic tools.

It's my first build thread so take it easy and slow on me guys

Some of you make it look easy so feel free to add opinions, hard to hurt my feelings since I don't have any lol

Anyway here it is in all its glory, 2003 tahoe LT with autoride. 4wd. I bought it from a old geezer who was the original owner. Been very well taken care of with a folder of every thing it's ever been into the shop for including a full tune up before the guy sold it. Garaged it's whole life, never wrecked or even in a fender bender. Every button and nob works in this thing. Paint is near flawless except the hatch has the famous corrosion spots around the wiper arm and handle. Interior is near flawless except only the famous rip area on the drivers side bottom seat.

Day I brought it home (100% stock)

After year one

2 years

3 years

4 years

So remember kids - some have builds "finished" within a few months , others a few years. So I encourage you to not be shy and make your own build thread. It's always a good time

 

[tgui]

We're almost twins. I did a ton of work on mine. My paint is not nearly as nice as yours. Wow, great find.

 

[05Single]

Haha you're the evil twin with gmc

 

[05Single]

Ok it was pretty brutal taking off factory fender flares, mud flaps, and badges from 03 lol, but it's doable

After a deep hand wash and quick spray wax

Notice the swirl marks and outline of the flares
Waited to do multi stage detail on paint till the side moldings are removed

 

[05Single]

We're almost twins. I did a ton of work on mine. My paint is not nearly as nice as yours. Wow, great find.

Yours looks pretty damn clean. My paint is perfect as in no dents or deep scratches. I had to really buff it out and bring back the life to the paint.

 

[05Single]

Some of the products

Me puttin in work

And I dreaded the moldings for good reason. That was a full day job on its own.

Luckily I have this. It's a lifesaver and a great investment for only $20 has lasted me 7 years and dozens of trucks and cars, snowmobiles and motorcycles.

It's messy tho

Then it was time for the buffing, polishing, and waxing...for now.
Before....

After....

Looking pretty good. Also got the titan/armada 18s on it.

Not bad for an 03. Will do a more thorough detail this summer, still not up to my standards

Dont forget to detail the lights the same time when you do the paint to keep them fresh looking.

 

[05Single]

Upgraded from factory 16" LT wheels to factory nissan 18" titan/armada wheels

Then made my own center caps

 

[05Single]

Went ahead and applied chrome tape (already had) on top along with custom made body color matched bowties from a local sticker shop $5.

 

[05Single]

I had to candy my turns in the rear. Can't stand amber

Gonna redo them this spring and spray the whole light instead of just the blinker for a even blend. But for now it came out good.

 

[05Single]

Not a fan of chrome either so for now I platidipped my grille and bumpers.

Color matching this summer.

Said screw it and did the bumpers and lower valance too

 

[Fosscore]

Nice work on the thread. Pictures and write ups looking good and I know you have a bunch of other stuff to add.

 

[05Single]

Also put a white reflective tape over the amber in the front

Sheet of reflective vinyl from local construction and road sign shop was $6 for 12"x"36.

Pic without and with flash

Got some reflective blue vinyl, from the same shop as where I got the white from, to cover my bowtie.

I dont know why but one of my favorite mods lol

 

[05Single]

I added switchbacks and yellow coated bulbs to the fogs.

I later got plugs from a salvage yard and deleted the drls and in place wired in another set for parking lights and turn signals for a whole row of switchbacks.

 

[05Single]

Nice work on the thread. Pictures and write ups looking good and I know you have a bunch of other stuff to add.

Thanks. I'm done for today but more to come

 

[OHSIXX]

Nicely done...you are pretty handy and have come up with some cool stuff so far.

 

[NeverSatisfied]

Really digging how this is coming out

 

[yukondoit]

Damn I'm liking this thread. I like the reflective vinyl, might have to look into some this weekend and think of ways to add/use it. Might just buy and keep around for a future project.

 

[05Single]

Thanks guys.

So i plastidipped my dome and door lights black. With the leds I didnt need a bright white or chrome background. so I wanted a dark smoke look without tinting the actual lens and it worked.

What gave me the idea is i went to take the door lights off to put in leds the damn lens broke off of all four of them. So I decided to paint them and seal them back together.

Took the covers off the lens and painted those black for an even darker look.

Make sure you scrape off the contacts for the light bulbs.

Put a small piece of aluminum tape on the red side so its still reflective for other passing drivers

 

[05Single]

After
Vs
Before

 

[05Single]

Map lights white. (Turned on individually these are dim, will be replacing them with error free bulbs)

Dome lights blue

Yeah yeah I know she's dirty. Getting ready for a spring cleaning. Also did the footwell light mod (worth it)