Dutchman's Tahoe Build

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Dutchman

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I've been on the forum now for a bit and you guys have convinced me that I need to spend money on my Tahoe in order to be happy. :cool: So, I'm going to start myself a build thread, mostly just so I can document and keep up with the things I've done as I go. But also to get the input and expert advice of the members of this board. Not only are you guys good at talking me into spending money, but you usually have some pretty good ideas about what to spend it on.

[BTW, when the wife complains about the money I'm spending on the Tahoe, I blame you guys. Nothing personal. :p]

I purchased my 2003 Tahoe LT 5.3L 4X4 on Oct. 19, 2020. It had 226K miles on it.

This is how it looked when I first when to see it. Very clean inside and out, no apparent issues anywhere. I had to have it!
before5.jpg

I'm going to save a space here for the most up-to-date picture as it sits now. I'll come back to this post and update it as it changes. Hopefully before long, it will be a drastic difference.


PLANS AND PROGRESS (subject to change)
Yellow - In progress | Green - Completed

RENEW FUNCTIONALITY

  • Replace front power windows/locks switches
  • Replace passenger side mirror
  • Replace lift gate and rear glass lift supports
  • Replace power lock actuators for rear doors and liftgate
  • Replace broken OEM fog lights
  • Repair front speakers/wiring

IMPROVE FUNCTIONALTY

  • Install interior LED lights
  • Install LED headlights, DRL, turn signals
  • Replace broken fog lights

IMPROVE PERFORMANCE

  • Install 3" of lift (keys, Z71 springs, new shocks)
  • New wheels and 33's
  • HI-6 headlight mod
  • Install CAI
  • LED tail lights
  • Big 3 mod - part 1 done
  • Install catch can

IMPROVE LOOKS
  • Debadge and remove side moldings
  • Remove rear wiper
  • Paint door handles and liftgate handle black
  • Paint fender flares black
  • Remove factory side steps
  • Install black/smoked headlights
  • Install black/smoked tail lights & third brake light
  • Paint bumpers black
  • Paint grill black
  • Install bull bar or grill guard

ADD FUNCTIONALITY
  • Install ham radio & antenna
  • Install 500W inverter
  • Install dual battery system

I'm sure this list will change several times over the coarse of my build, which honestly may never be fully completed. Opinions and questions are always welcome. I look forward to the adventure and all the help you guys are going to provide.

Long Live the TAHOE!
 
Last edited:

Tonyrodz

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I'm in! Glad to see that you saw it our way:signs6:. Nothing better then having a modded Hoe. I love surprising all those youngsters out there who think their factory hondas are fast. No engine mods I see--that may change :signs8:. Just keep reading some more build threads!
Question--have you thought about some led fogs instead of some ****** oem style replacements? So much better imo.
 
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Dutchman

Dutchman

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Thanks @Tonyrodz, I'm still working out what I want to do enginewise. With 227K miles on it, I'm sure a new engine will be in it's future sooner or later.

As for the fog lights, I did get OE replacements, but I'll be putting LEDs in those. If I don't like them, then a full LED replacement will be next.
 

Joseph Garcia

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Great start!!

Folks here LOVE to help you spend your money.

Suggestion..... Each time that you contemplate a mod, also contemplate on what you give/offer to your wife at the same time. The mod success rate seems to improve using that method.
 

Joseph Garcia

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I'm in! Glad to see that you saw it our way:signs6:. Nothing better then having a modded Hoe. I love surprising all those youngsters out there who think their factory hondas are fast. No engine mods I see--that may change :signs8:. Just keep reading some more build threads!
Question--have you thought about some led fogs instead of some ****** oem style replacements? So much better imo.


Oh yes, surprising those youngsters (and also not so young youngsters...). I live for that!
 
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Dutchman

Dutchman

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Oh yes, surprising those youngsters (and also not so young youngsters...). I live for that!
In my younger days I rode a bike (motorcycle). It was a Honda Valkyrie 1500.

For those that might not know, that’s souped up 6 cylinder Goldwing engine. Mine was built pretty good. It put out right at 180 HP. That’s a lot for a bike. But it’s a very big cruiser (ate Harleys for breakfast).

I could easily outrun most of the kids on crotch rockets and pretty much any sports cars that felt the need to try me. I LOVED it!!
 
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Dutchman

Dutchman

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UPDATE

I got my LEDs installed on the inside. They make a HUGE difference, especially since there weren't any lights on the inside when I got it. :(
Inside-with-LEDs.jpg

I didn't realize just how dark the rear tint was until I tried to see my new LED lights through them...
Back-windows-with-LEDs-on.jpg
This is with the flash on, because the pic without the flash was completely black. I like it!:cool:

All I have left are the puddle lights and the license tag lights.
Also the door lights. I'm going to paint the insides of those black like I saw on here somewhere. They also painted to dome lights, which I might take them back down and do as well.

I also got my fog lights replaced. They're OE style replacements with bulbs for now, but they'll be holding LEDs before long.
Left-front-with-fogs.jpg
Take a close look. The smoked lenses look really good, but my headlight is crooked! I also noticed that my bumper sags on the passenger side.

So, I should have guessed it, one project completed, two more projects added to the list.

OH, I had an idea about the fog lights.... What if I removed the hook and cut out the divider piece between that and the OE fog and put an LED bar behind the whole opening? One thing I noticed is, it would shoot slightly towards the outsides because of the bend, but I might be able to mount it straight. Any thoughts?
 

Tonyrodz

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UPDATE

I got my LEDs installed on the inside. They make a HUGE difference, especially since there weren't any lights on the inside when I got it. :(
Inside-with-LEDs.jpg

I didn't realize just how dark the rear tint was until I tried to see my new LED lights through them...
Back-windows-with-LEDs-on.jpg
This is with the flash on, because the pic without the flash was completely black. I like it!:cool:

All I have left are the puddle lights and the license tag lights.
Also the door lights. I'm going to paint the insides of those black like I saw on here somewhere. They also painted to dome lights, which I might take them back down and do as well.

I also got my fog lights replaced. They're OE style replacements with bulbs for now, but they'll be holding LEDs before long.
Left-front-with-fogs.jpg
Take a close look. The smoked lenses look really good, but my headlight is crooked! I also noticed that my bumper sags on the passenger side.

So, I should have guessed it, one project completed, two more projects added to the list.

OH, I had an idea about the fog lights.... What if I removed the hook and cut out the divider piece between that and the OE fog and put an LED bar behind the whole opening? One thing I noticed is, it would shoot slightly towards the outsides because of the bend, but I might be able to mount it straight. Any thoughts?
You have 2 pins holding your headlight in place. Make sure the pins are lined up in the holes correctly. As for the bumper--very common issue, mine is the same way. You could always loosen the bumper on that side and jack it up with a floor jack, then tighten it up. Might work.
Your led bar might look good. I think there was 1 guy on here that did something like that.
 

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