02 Base for my son

[Snowbound]

Purchased an 02 Escalade locally that I’m going to use so I can get some work done on my dirtymax. My son Jack gets his license next year and this will be his first whip.
I started out looking for a Yukon or Tahoe but everything I looked at was garbage. High mileage, beat to death or needed a lot of work. Then I searched for another Denali like I had but couldn’t find anything local. That’s when I came across this 02 escalade base AWD with the 6.0. Had some new front end parts, newer tires, tune up and coolant flush.

A few issues it had were the front passenger window didn’t work. Guy said it was slow for a while but then just stopped altogether. In gear at idle the engine wanted to die. Guy said he wasn’t sure what that was about. Thought maybe he had a vacuum leak or something but I knew what it was but didn’t say anything. The left front tire has a small leak and needs to be filled every couple days. The ac didn’t work and guy said he never used it anyway. The center console lid had a broken release lever so it wouldn’t stay closed.
He was asking $5000 and I threw out an offer of $3800. He said no way he can go that low but said he would work with me. He threw out 46 as his number so I threw $4300 in hundred dollar bills out on the hood and he took it.

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[swathdiver]

...so I threw $4300 in hundred dollar bills out on the hood and he took it.

Great score! Now junior will need $4300 every six months to that lizard so he can drive it!

 

[OR VietVet]

Yea, I think you did great on that deal. Good luck and make sure the son gets completely involved in the repairs that you two can do.

 

[95escahoe]

Nice score, can’t beat a NBS Esky, this was mine

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[Tonyrodz]

Purchased an 02 Escalade locally that I’m going to use so I can get some work done on my dirtymax. My son Jack gets his license next year and this will be his first whip.
I started out looking for a Yukon or Tahoe but everything I looked at was garbage. High mileage, beat to death or needed a lot of work. Then I searched for another Denali like I had but couldn’t find anything local. That’s when I came across this 02 escalade base AWD with the 6.0. Had some new front end parts, newer tires, tune up and coolant flush.

A few issues it had were the front passenger window didn’t work. Guy said it was slow for a while but then just stopped altogether. In gear at idle the engine wanted to die. Guy said he wasn’t sure what that was about. Thought maybe he had a vacuum leak or something but I knew what it was but didn’t say anything. The left front tire has a small leak and needs to be filled every couple days. The ac didn’t work and guy said he never used it anyway. The center console lid had a broken release lever so it wouldn’t stay closed.
He was asking $5000 and I threw out an offer of $3800. He said no way he can go that low but said he would work with me. He threw out 46 as his number so I threw $4300 in hundred dollar bills out on the hood and he took it.

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Nice, safe 1st vehicle for your son. So what's the issue that causes it to die once it's in gear?

 

[Snowbound]

I wanted to put this on its own thread because I’ve done some work and still more to do.
First thing was to fix the issues that I know about. The stalling in gear was only a dirty throttle body. I removed the throttle body, bypassed the coolant that goes through the TB with a barbed fitting and also cleaned the MAF sensor.
Replaced the passenger window motor and track. That was only $42 from Amazon and an easy swap. While I had the window out I removed the tint and put on some 5% ceramic tint. Then I also did the drivers side with the same. I’ll address the rear windows soon. The tint job was terrible thats why I had to change it.

The center console lid was just a $12 part off eBay. I pulled that apart and put in the new latch.

The tire was a leaking valve stem at the rim. Took the tire off and dropped it off at Firestone and had them swap that out for me. $30.
The ac was only a leaky high pressure fitting. $3 part and some time evacuating the system, pulled 28” vacuum on it for 40 minutes then added some pag oil and 3lbs of freon. Blow cold and haven’t had an issue since.

I also replaced the fog lights because the lenses were yellow and one had a crack in it.

There’s also a broken exhaust manifold bolt and it ticks when it’s cold. Drives me crazy. So I ordered the parts but have yet to dig into it. These are the best manifold gaskets and I won’t use anything but these.

Then I addressed the dim yellow headlights. The lenses could use a good cleaning too but I needed more lighting so I ordered these LEDs.

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[Tonyrodz]

I wanted to put this on its own thread because I’ve done some work and still more to do.
First thing was to fix the issues that I know about. The stalling in gear was only a dirty throttle body. I removed the throttle body, bypassed the coolant that goes through the TB with a barbed fitting and also cleaned the MAF sensor.
Replaced the passenger window motor and track. That was only $42 from Amazon and an easy swap. While I had the window out I removed the tint and put on some 5% ceramic tint. Then I also did the drivers side with the same. I’ll address the rear windows soon. The tint job was terrible thats why I had to change it.

The center console lid was just a $12 part off eBay. I pulled that apart and put in the new latch.

The tire was a leaking valve stem at the rim. Took the tire off and dropped it off at Firestone and had them swap that out for me. $30.
The ac was only a leaky high pressure fitting. $3 part and some time evacuating the system, pulled 28” vacuum on it for 40 minutes then added some pag oil and 3lbs of freon. Blow cold and haven’t had an issue since.

I also replaced the fog lights because the lenses were yellow and one had a crack in it.

There’s also a broken exhaust manifold bolt and it ticks when it’s cold. Drives me crazy. So I ordered the parts but have yet to dig into it. These are the best manifold gaskets and I won’t use anything but these.

Then I addressed the dim yellow headlights. The lenses could use a good cleaning too but I needed more lighting so I ordered these LEDs.

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Everything figured out! Good work
Hopefully your son will help you with the repairs. Never too young or old to learn.

 

[Snowbound]

I also changed the grille just because of the conversations I had with the wife about the grille for her Esky. It looks better than it did for sure but I only did it to get a rile out of her. Lol

Then I noticed this on the front inner drivers side fender. The leak was where the master and booster connect.

I was able to move the master enough without having to remove brake lines.

Then I removed the lines from the booster once I determined that’s what was leaking and not the seal in master.

Remove the clip from the brake pedal and the brake light switch slides off with the push rod for booster.

Then it’s just the 4 studs that come thru the firewall to hold the booster on.

After that, the booster comes right off. Got my new booster and usually when I change hydro boost units, you have to take the push rod from the original and put in the replacement. This one came with the push rod and it measured out the same so i didn’t replace it. But be aware if you do have to swap it, that clip holds a spring in and it will fly out and take out an eye or at least fly across the garage or driveway and can disappear on you easily. Ask me how I know.

And I’m sure there’s probably a few o-ring nazis around here so yes, I did swap the o-rings on the lines with new. I don’t always, usually they are good and it’s up to you to use your discretion. But I did only because I knew I was gonna share this and didn’t want to get any crap.

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[Tonyrodz]

You can take the haze out of the headlights with some 3M plastic compound/polish. I usually sand 1st, go down in grits, polish them out, then use a 2 step UV liquid protectant that dries.

 

[Snowbound]

After our trip up north for the 4th, I noticed the rear brakes making a noise. Pads look thin so I went ahead and ordered some PowerStop pads and rotors from Rockauto.
They came in on Wednesday so I took the rotors to work and wire wheeled the hats so I could slap on some POR15.

Must not have taken pic of rotors when I finished painting them. Oh well, they’re in the next few pics.

Today I pulled the wheels and got started.

Drivers side pads and rotors. This was the noisy side.

Passenger side

The passenger side only had one bolt holding caliper on. The bottom bolt was missing!! I drove 730 miles with my kids and dog in the car like this!!

The bottom pin was seized in the bracket. Had to order new pins and bolts. Cleaned out the bores for the pins and lubed the shit out of them.

So now I don’t feel confident with any of the work the previous owner did. So I’m gonna have to go over the front end with a fine tooth comb to make sure everything is good and not gonna fall off!


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[Snowbound]

You can take the haze out of the headlights with some 3M plastic compound/polish. I usually sand 1st, go down in grits, polish them out, then use a 2 step UV liquid protectant that dries.

I’m gonna have to do that. It’s actually not bad at all at night now but it would look better in the daylight if they were more clear.


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[Snowbound]

Forgot one more part I put on. Mirror adjuster switch. Tested it first and it wouldn’t move either mirror in any direction. Simple and cheap. I can’t stand when things don’t function as intended. Hell, most of the time I can’t stand when things function as intended, they can always be better!

And the dust boots on the driver side caliper pistons were shot. I almost couldn’t get them to push in. So now I have 2 new calipers coming. I couldn’t leave it knowing they were like that.


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[iamdub]

I want a primo Escalade! Will you be my daddy?

 

[adventurenali92]

Damn! I saw your post in your other esky build about this esky for your son! But wow you’ve cleaned this truck up nice for him! So much work done to it and f course w elbow you do things the right way! I’m jealous! All my dad ever did for me was teach em how to spend money. Never taught me about the value of taking care of a vehicle. Never the guy me how to work on them or even wash them! Your son is one lucky kid to have a da d so involved as you are! And he’s got a damn nice ride for a first car! Way better than my first car! Lol

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Yeah.... Your son is very lucky, and I hope that he truly recognizes and appreciates that.

My first ride was a $200 ************* that I had to fix/replace just about everything on it, just to get it to run and keep running. But, then again, that is how I learned how to work on cars and fix problems and keep them running.

 

[915_Tahoe]

I want a primo Escalade! Will you be my daddy?

 

[swathdiver]

Did you replace the parking brake shoes too?

 

[Tonyrodz]

Did you replace the parking brake shoes too?

You know he did if it needed it. Man is on his "A" game!

 

[swathdiver]

You know he did if it needed it. Man is on his "A" game!

And there would have been a picture! LOL

 

[Rocket Man]

Nice ride for your boy and good catch on that caliper.