I read a BUNCH of threads here ....

Eman85 said:

They just had common sense and enough initiative to learn how to do it right, and they did it. I always looked at repairing something as a man designed and put it together and they were no better than me. Patience and perseverance goes a long way when added to common sense and ambition.

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Things I unfortunately no longer have.

I get by. That's about it.

Is it so wrong to just want to keep it more or less original and not do a bunch of weird stuff to it?

Mean_Green said:

Is it so wrong to just want to keep it more or less original and not do a bunch of weird stuff to it?

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I like mine original too. The only things not factory on mine are a K&N air filter, and BFG KO2 tires.

Mean_Green said:

Is it so wrong to just want to keep it more or less original and not do a bunch of weird stuff to it?

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My 2005 Z71 is bone stock except for the Hellwig Performance sway bar kits, front and rear. Love it that way.

Mean_Green said:

Y'all talk about swapping major internal parts like cams and lifters or rebuilding transmissions or transfers cases as if it's as simple as changing a headlight.

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You said 'y'all', but in reality, there are two types here (oversimplifying for clarification).
Some think that bone stock OE is just fine, and are content to settle for whatever the roll of the dice landed on.
Some see their vehicle as a hand of cards, and would like to try to improve the cards in their hand.

Before my '02 Tahoe Z71, I owned 3 Caprice 9C1-LT1s, a Fleetwood, and a Caprice wagon.
The pcm tunes significantly improved the 3 9C1-LT1s, and drastically improved the Fleetwood.
The wagon originally came with 2.56. That pcm tune took it from 'sell it?', to 'thanks to the tune, I'll keep it'.
Going from 2.56 to 3.42 - and ALSO adding a limited slip diff - made that wagon a nightmare I inflicted upon anyone who pissed me off, including lighter vehicles that were supposed to be quicker than my wagon.

I sincerely doubt the enthusiasm anyone has for their vehicle if they have not yet gotten the pcm tuned.
(GMT900s are a wee lil bit more involved, but still ...)

3.73 is barely tolerable in my Z71 as is (I've matured SOME), even though I'd need BOTH 4.10 axles (still hunting for bargains ...).
Cannot fathom how anyone would accept a Tahoe or 'bubba with lesser gearing, apart from not understanding what CAFE inflicted upon us all.

Yet for all the above, I still remember my x's 9C1-LT1. Mine had the 9C1-7B3 suspension, hers had the 9C1-8X3.
As the road got worse, she could either catch up to me, or pull away from me, even though my pcm was tuned before hers.
After getting her pcm tuned, I simply had to improve my 7B3 suspension to 8X3 spec.
We broke up, but a few years later, she gave me a ride in her BMW 530i with an M5-spec suspension. It was very sexy ...

Mean_Green said:

Is it so wrong to just want to keep it more or less original and not do a bunch of weird stuff to it?

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Yes, it is. Only sort of kidding.
Why not see how far you can expand your definition of 'original' with OE parts from a GMT400 Suburban, or a 2500?
My x would say, 'better tires, brakes, steering, suspension, and in that order'. When I suggested better headlights, she agreed.
Don't go weird, but don't settle either. Start simple and small, and work your way up.

I grew up in the 80s/90s with a dad who only owned a screwdriver in his box of tools...but I started tearing mechanical things apart as a kid (to find out how they worked) and ended up going to school to major in Mechanical Engineering. Now I wrench on fun cars (classics, race cars) on the weekend for relaxation AND I also work on my daily drivers because I don't trust most mechanics to do it right. Plus, I don't mind getting my hands greasy. Just did motor mounts on my Yukon last week.

If you want my advice -- get a project car (or better yet, a motorcycle - I restored a motorcycle once even though I don't ride or have the right license...but man they are easy to store and work on compared to cars) that you don't need to use as transportation and start restoring it. Sell it a year later - don't worry about making profit. Most hobbies are at a loss. Rinse and repeat.

Protip: I used to spend hours with Bentley Manuals and Factory Service books...now I just watch a youtube video.

^^^I got bits and pieces of two stroke stuff scattered all over the place because I could never figure out how they went back together.

Mean_Green said:

Guess I'm trying to learn about the vehicles in general and what problems I might expect someday. But one thing jumps out. Y'all talk about swapping major internal parts like cams and lifters or rebuilding transmissions or transfers cases as if it's as simple as changing a headlight.

I guess it's practice, but not something I'd ever have considered. We didn't have that kind of shop class in school and I don't know if high schools do it these days or not. Maybe the biggest thing I ever did was a tune up or changing shocks. And last time I changed a shock I cam too close to losing an arm to consider ever doing it again.

I have tools and things that resemble tools, but not the specialized stuff. I wouldn't even try to open a lawn mower engine.

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I know this is an old thread but it made me laugh. I call it -- 'Dao of the shade-tree' You need to be shown the way.

My neighbor had never worked on a car or engine much less replace one when I met him 7 years ago. Now he's doing engine swaps with me and taking on project's he'd have never attempted before. If you have the right tools and information, all of this is reasonably easy.

Checkout alldata.com it's $20 a month for a subscription for your truck.. You'll learn a lot just reading the white papers.

C

2021 Yukon Denali - Battery Replacement today went well except...

1) Screeeeching when I disconnected the battery negative - an alarm system?!? Was horrendous!!! I touched the negative to the battery while clicking my Fob and it stopped. Continued the disconnect and it was silent. WOW. Good thing I'm old and deaf.

2) New battery installed and all was OK except TPMS showing "--". I read about waiting 20mins and then driving >12mph for auto-reset and that seemed to work.

3) Oh yea - $209 for a higher end one from Auto-Zone.

If I can replace a battery then likely anyone with basic socket wrench skills can to - at least it's a starting place

vinbart said:

I grew up in the 80s/90s with a dad who only owned a screwdriver in his box of tools...but I started tearing mechanical things apart as a kid (to find out how they worked) and ended up going to school to major in Mechanical Engineering. Now I wrench on fun cars (classics, race cars) on the weekend for relaxation AND I also work on my daily drivers because I don't trust most mechanics to do it right. Plus, I don't mind getting my hands greasy. Just did motor mounts on my Yukon last week.

If you want my advice -- get a project car (or better yet, a motorcycle - I restored a motorcycle once even though I don't ride or have the right license...but man they are easy to store and work on compared to cars) that you don't need to use as transportation and start restoring it. Sell it a year later - don't worry about making profit. Most hobbies are at a loss. Rinse and repeat.

Protip: I used to spend hours with Bentley Manuals and Factory Service books...now I just watch a youtube video.

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The buy a beater and fix it up was going to be my suggestion as well.