2003 z71 tahoe

[Tonyrodz]

Pics of the finished conversion. All bolts are in, I could have done something different than spacers in the center but they are acceptable to me like they are. Foglights are in.
Next up having a shop replace my exhaust manifolds and engine mounts next week with my parts, I have two broken bolts.
View attachment 400274
View attachment 400275
View attachment 400276
View attachment 400277

Looks great .

 

[Scott in AZ]

Looks fantastic. Great workmanship and aesthetics. Really good mix of black paint, black trim and coordinating OG chrome.

Question on the bumper - did you texture coat the black paint on your bumper? I’ve seen this on a few trucks and SUVs lately. My bumper upper trim panel is OEM paint and needs a refresh so I am considering options.

What’s your thoughts and learning on this?

 

[ncalvo]

Looks fantastic. Great workmanship and aesthetics. Really good mix of black paint, black trim and coordinating OG chrome.

Question on the bumper - did you texture coat the black paint on your bumper? I’ve seen this on a few trucks and SUVs lately. My bumper upper trim panel is OEM paint and needs a refresh so I am considering options.

What’s your thoughts and learning on this?

Thanks.
My plastic on the front and rear bumpers is new. No paint or texture coating.

My other plastics I used cerakote trim wipes a couple years ago they work great

I saw a friend's avalanche a few years back painted with the texture on his plastics it looked great, rugged and unique

 

[Sam Harris]

Pics of the finished conversion. All bolts are in, I could have done something different than spacers in the center but they are acceptable to me like they are. Foglights are in.
Next up having a shop replace my exhaust manifolds and engine mounts next week with my parts, I have two broken bolts.
View attachment 400274
View attachment 400275
View attachment 400276
View attachment 400277

Very nice! OEM plus

 

[ncalvo]

New manifolds and engine mounts today. Next tinting the windshield and hatch... should be done with projects for a bit, atleast the major ones.

 

[Tonyrodz]

New manifolds and engine mounts today. Next tinting the windshield and hatch... should be done with projects for a bit, atleast the major ones.
View attachment 401224View attachment 401225

Were the old manifolds cracked or warped?

 

[ncalvo]

Were the old manifolds cracked or warped?

No cracks but definitely warped especially where the bolts were broken there was one on each side with a snapped head

 

[ncalvo]

Oil change a little early as I'm getting ready for a long road trip with the family.
Also threw a catch can in, fabbed a little bracket for it. I wish the hose coming from the valve cover was 2 inches longer but it works just not as much play as I'd like.
Also new tints done front and back. Ordered a new delphi MAF to replace my original. I am very happy with this old girl lately.

 

[ncalvo]

Thanks for reading.
Last few major projects I have planned are new fuel pump, nylon fuel lines, finish replacing the remaining brake lines from the kit I have, and patching the small holes and painting the passenger rocker, oil pan gasket, pickup tube o-ring, crankshaft sensor, new starter

 

[06JET]

Very nice work. The changes are subtle but really make a difference in the overall look. Great job.

 

[BigDogYJ]

@ncalvo Nice build! I noticed you installed the s&b silicone body mounts. How do you like them? Stiffer than OEM rubber or about the same? I tried polyurethane mounts years ago and they were terrible. Felt every imperfection in the road practically rattled the truck apart. Ripped them out 3 days later. The silicone ones seem interesting but I’d really like them to be softer like the OEM rubber ones. Let me know. Thanks. Keep that thing running. Best full size platform so far.

 

[ncalvo]

@ncalvo Nice build! I noticed you installed the s&b silicone body mounts. How do you like them? Stiffer than OEM rubber or about the same? I tried polyurethane mounts years ago and they were terrible. Felt every imperfection in the road practically rattled the truck apart. Ripped them out 3 days later. The silicone ones seem interesting but I’d really like them to be softer like the OEM rubber ones. Let me know. Thanks. Keep that thing running. Best full size platform so far.

Thanks
The s&b were pricey but I am very happy with them, no complaints at all, body is perfectly level and ride is smooth and responsive

 

[ZEUS1]

@ncalvo How do you like the 3.73 gear set? I ask as i think that is what i want to go with in my Tahoe. What RPM do you run down the freeway, just curious.

 

[Marky Dissod]

@ncalvo How do you like the 3.73 gear set?
I ask as i think that is what i want to go with in my Tahoe. What RPM do you run down the freeway? just curious.

I know, I'm not ncalvo. My Tahoe Z71 came with 3.73. Every time I floor it, I die a lil inside.
I'll upgrade from 3.73 to 4.10 at my first convenient opportunity.
The pcmperformance tune was very helpful, the 4L60E is now much more enthusiastic about downshifting QUICKLY.
Still, 3.73 seems like the bare minimum axle gear for impatient leadfoots like myself.
If you are more of a laid back driver, 3.73 might suit you - I just disagree.
4.10 would actually improve metro / urban MpG by spending more time in 3rd than 3.73.

As for the highway, in 4th with the TCC locked up, 3.73 yields the following (255/70R18):
2250RpM = 82MpH
1750RpM = 64MpH
1250RpM = 46MpH
Since I don't spend much time cruising over 75MpH, 4.10 would suit me better on the highway too.
Hope this helps.

 

[ZEUS1]

I know, I'm not ncalvo. My Tahoe Z71 came with 3.73. Every time I floor it, I die a lil inside.
I'll upgrade from 3.73 to 4.10 at my first convenient opportunity.
The pcmperformance tune was very helpful, the 4L60E is now much more enthusiastic about downshifting QUICKLY.
Still, 3.73 seems like the bare minimum axle gear for impatient leadfoots like myself.
If you are more of a laid back driver, 3.73 might suit you - I just disagree.
4.10 would actually improve metro / urban MpG by spending more time in 3rd than 3.73.

As for the highway, in 4th with the TCC locked up, 3.73 yields the following (255/70R18):
2250RpM = 82MpH
1750RpM = 64MpH
1250RpM = 46MpH
Since I don't spend much time cruising over 75MpH, 4.10 would suit me better on the highway too.
Hope this helps.

Great to know, i may now go with 4.10's. The Cam i put in my motor will like the extra RPM's, I have a post in this thread section on my build, appologies for the quick hijacking

 

[ncalvo]

@ncalvo How do you like the 3.73 gear set? I ask as i think that is what i want to go with in my Tahoe. What RPM do you run down the freeway, just curious.

I am happy with it for my daily driver, I also am tuned my shift points are stretched out.
I used to be at about 2250 rpm @ 80mph
Now it is 2250 rpm @ 85mph

 

[ncalvo]

Did a complete restoration on my first boat, a 1983 glasstream 1550 probass powered by a 75 hp evinrude 2 smoker
Got it from a family friend who had it in their family since his grandfather got it new back in 83
Love seeing my 40 yr old boat behind my 20 yr old truck

 

[ncalvo]

Had a brake line leaking. Fortunately I had a complete brake line kit on standby from when I had a line blow a few years ago. Should of done all the lines at once while I was in there the first AND second time but third time was the charm I knocked the rest of them out. The flex lines from the master probably didn't need to be replaced but I did them anyway.

 

[ncalvo]

Got a delphi fuel pump off rockauto and a nylon fuel line kit off ebay, planning on replacing everything next week.
In the next month or so I will also be replacing the oil pan gasket, pickup tube o ring, and crank sensor.
Then she earned another buff and waxing, my powder coated bumpers are starting to oxidize

 

[ncalvo]