'97 Tahoe - oh god what have I gotten into lol....

[jeffjcalweb]

Well I did it - I kept hitting "Bid" on ebay and I won ... a '97 Tahoe LS 2-DR 4x4, 5.7L and 3.73, 147K miles... this is very much a "i'm bored, over 50 and i know nothing about fixing anything" project lol.

Anyway first stop was local mechanic who will tell me if I was incredibly stupid or incredibly lucky. My winning bid was $10.500 for a 2 owner and all services documented truck. I've been doing a ton of reading and creating wish list of parts/upgrades. This is not remotely needing to be anything other than a "well that was cool!" project. I have owned GMC Yukon and other GM products, so part of the decision was knowing how interchangeable between GMC/Chevy/Cadillac things can be.

All that said - my first question is - why is it so damn hard to find actual replacement seats online? I am constantly finding just "Seat cover" replacements - especially E-Bay. Is the best approach to just find a local pick 'n pull yard and get something there? I want to replace the front bucket seats with capt chair seats - which at that point I don't care about the leather quality because I can find seat cover replacements. Or is there some other source/approach that I've just not stumbled on?

Thanks and I'm sure this is just post #1 of who knows how many "oh god I have no idea what I'm doing maybe someone else does"

 

[Bill 1960]

Welcome, I’m in the same situation. Three words: “endless money pit” LOL.

Two doors are highly sought after. Post up some pics.

Seats you’ll do better on eBay. And there’s a seat restoration business in California that has anything you want but $$$$. Seats in pick and pull yards are always in terrible shape the ones I have seen.

 

[jeffjcalweb]

If this link works, it is to the seller's album from the Ebay auction. I didn't take any pics when it was delivered yesterday. These pics are a bit too "optimistic" compared to what it actually looks like, but overall, it is pretty clean for a 24 year old, 147K+ mileage truck. I'll get some pics going when I've had time to really get into it.

1997 Chevy Tahoe 2-Door 149k Miles by...

Discover the 168 photos in web Album '1997 Chevy Tahoe 2-Door 149k Miles' by NWClassicsInvestments.

robertgeorge.slickpic.com

 

[OR VietVet]

I see that one of the owners was in Wa. and that would help make it rust free if it spent it's time in the PNW. Nice get on that truck.

 

[97YukonNZ]

Good looking truck ! Like that it has all the trim and the frame looks real tidy and rust free. Have fun making it your own 97

 

[Sparksalot]

 

[OR VietVet]

View attachment 304745

Click on the link in post #3 and there is gobs of pics.

 

[3Dog]

Other than the funk of the carpets, that is MINTY! Nice find.

 

[BourbonNcigars]

You hit the jackpot. Who cares how much it takes.

 

[homesick]

If this link works, it is to the seller's album from the Ebay auction. I didn't take any pics when it was delivered yesterday. These pics are a bit too "optimistic" compared to what it actually looks like, but overall, it is pretty clean for a 24 year old, 147K+ mileage truck. I'll get some pics going when I've had time to really get into it.

1997 Chevy Tahoe 2-Door 149k Miles by...

Discover the 168 photos in web Album '1997 Chevy Tahoe 2-Door 149k Miles' by NWClassicsInvestments.

robertgeorge.slickpic.com

In today's market for these trucks, I think you did well. I paid more for my '95, about 3 years ago.

And if you decide to sell your running boards, I want 1st dibs.

joe

 

[jeffjcalweb]

Thank you all! So far, so good. Report card from shop came back at an "A" with the only real issue being steering box and some related components. Less than $1K to get resolved. Clean bill of health all around. Off to a good start!!

 

[jeffjcalweb]

Picked up from mechanic today. No other items/issues - so now for first time since it showed up, I was able to start with the basics. For what its worth, I did some auto detailing as a side hobby for a few years - so started with a power wash (no leaks!) then a hand wash. These pics are just after doing clay bar work after hand wash. There's no wax, paint work done. Overall its really promising. Some minor scratches, but no real paint issues. Someone at least kept wax on it regulary as I've been cleaning out all the dried wax from the panel edges, hood area etc.

I did manage a good find off of craiglist - wheels & tires (brand new, right off a new Silverado) - 275/65/18 fits great!

 

[east302]

I want to replace the front bucket seats with capt chair seats - which at that point I don't care about the leather quality because I can find seat cover replacements. Or is there some other source/approach that I've just not stumbled on?

Looks like a good one!

I always thought that bucket and captain chairs were the same…What kind of seats were you looking for? Something aftermarket?

On those factory buckets the cloth is glued to the foam. Removal is probably feasible, but the leather versions used Velcro underneath which makes replacing the covers much easier. You get what you pay for on the leather covers. I’d skip the $100 eBay covers; the factory ones were slightly pleated. I bought some maybe five or ten years ago that were made by Katzkin and they’ve held up well. TheSeatShop.com looks to be selling quality versions.

 

[Macks2DrTahoe]

I know I'm late but very nice 2 dr. Congrads!!

 

[Eddy20]

Very nice two door, still have her?

 

[Fless]

Very nice two door, still have her?

The OP hasn't been on here in over a year.