Advice on rust + install found on 2010 Tahoe underside

[kalig]

Hello everyone. First time poster here and also a noob about lifts.

I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2010 Z71 Tahoe with an already installed 6" procomp lift.

This will be my 3rd Tahoe but my first lifted one and I know very little about lifts.

It's located almost 4 hours away from where I live so I had the dealer send me some videos of the lift/underside.

It's located near the gulf coast so it has some rust on it.

I'm aware ProComp isn't the first choice for lift kits, but what I'm hoping to get here is:

• Given that it's near the gulf, it looks like surface rust to me, what do you think?
• Any details you can tell from the pictures as to if the previous owner cut any corners on the lift install?
  
• Any tips if I do get this how to go about getting that rust off and sealing it to prevent further corrosion?
• In the top picture, on the right behind the tire tred is what looks like a super dry-rotted boot of some sort. WTF is that?

Thanks so much in advance!

Here's some screenshots I took:
https://imgur.com/a/ZUeeg


Again, I'm a complete noob about lifts and suspensions in general so any technical details please ELI5.

 

[swathdiver]

Howdy J! The rust I can see in those photos would not bother me at all, surface rust. But if it was used to tow a boat and dunked at the ramp, check more closely and inspect the brakes and rotors.

 

[95escahoe]

That’s pretty clean imo, you could always clean it up and paint it if you wanted too but being as your not in the rust belt I’d just wash it often and call it a day, that dry rotted thing is a bump stop for the rear end


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[PG01]

Shit, you want to see rust... I’ll post my frame rails... thats clean as hell.

 

[kalig]

Thank you so much everyone!

Now I have to go google 'bump stop'.

 

[kalig]

Oh sorry, any info on how the lift was installed? I know there's many ways to cut corners. Does it look like it was done as cheap as possible or does it look like it was done 'right'?

 

[95escahoe]

Oh sorry, any info on how the lift was installed? I know there's many ways to cut corners. Does it look like it was done as cheap as possible or does it look like it was done 'right'?

I’m not a lift expert but based on those pics it looks to be done correctly from what you can see, maybe look on the manufacturers website and see if you can see everything that comes in the kit installed


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[kalig]

I’m not a lift expert but based on those pics it looks to be done correctly from what you can see, maybe look on the manufacturers website and see if you can see everything that comes in the kit installed

Thanks, it looked right to me for the kit I found online. I'll go review again.

It sucks b/c I am having to talk about this sight unseen right now since it's almost 4 hours from me. Looks like I'm gonna take Saturday and go possibly get it.

You guys are already putting my mind at ease here.

 

[scottbrew92]

judging from the looks it seems the lift was most likely installed very close to when it was new. I have two 07's and both have bumpstops that look bad. From the looks of the back shocks I would think as someone else stated that it most likely was involved in some saltwater boat launching as well. Not at all a big deal and I always like to see an undercarriage untouched and not flashed over with a rattle can. The most important thing I check for is front tire wear as it can tell you a lot. Also shake it and make sure the bushings are ok and not a big deal if they're due for replacement. The only issue I would address is the ABS wire going to the hub is on the wrong side of the control arm. Probably due to length with the lift but should have stayed behind the wheel and in place with drop brackets. Otherwise looks good....just drive it and listen up for anything..!!

 

[kalig]

judging from the looks it seems the lift was most likely installed very close to when it was new. I have two 07's and both have bumpstops that look bad. From the looks of the back shocks I would think as someone else stated that it most likely was involved in some saltwater boat launching as well. Not at all a big deal and I always like to see an undercarriage untouched and not flashed over with a rattle can. The most important thing I check for is front tire wear as it can tell you a lot. Also shake it and make sure the bushings are ok and not a big deal if they're due for replacement. The only issue I would address is the ABS wire going to the hub is on the wrong side of the control arm. Probably due to length with the lift but should have stayed behind the wheel and in place with drop brackets. Otherwise looks good....just drive it and listen up for anything..!!

AWESOME! That's the kind of details I was hoping to get! Thank you SOOO much!!!

Anything else anyone else can spot?

 

[PG01]

Shocks look like normal rust for an 8 year old truck near salt water.... again, im in the northeast and mine look worse... never been in ‘the water’. Looks all good. Drive it and listen...no talking, radio etc. check all that while sitting still. When you drive it just listen to the truck... hard turns, hard braking , soft turns, hit bumps and just keep your ears open.

 

[kalig]

Shocks look like normal rust for an 8 year old truck near salt water.... again, im in the northeast and mine look worse... never been in ‘the water’. Looks all good. Drive it and listen...no talking, radio etc. check all that while sitting still. When you drive it just listen to the truck... hard turns, hard braking , soft turns, hit bumps and just keep your ears open.

Will do.

Thank you!

 

[01Konvict]

It's not terrible condition. Pro comp is a good lift just increases track width up front so you need rear wheel spacers to even it up. It reduces some turn radius because of the knuckle lift. The rear shocks can be replaced and I would tear down the front coilovers for a rebuild. Put some fresh powder on the coils and wire brush polish the threads. Paint the frame and powder a bunch of suspension parts then it will be good to hold up for a long time. Got any pics of the entire hoe?

 

[kalig]

It's not terrible condition. Pro comp is a good lift just increases track width up front so you need rear wheel spacers to even it up. It reduces some turn radius because of the knuckle lift. The rear shocks can be replaced and I would tear down the front coilovers for a rebuild. Put some fresh powder on the coils and wire brush polish the threads. Paint the frame and powder a bunch of suspension parts then it will be good to hold up for a long time. Got any pics of the entire hoe?

Thank you! This is great info.

Here's a pic I have of it. All the chrome has got to go!

I just need to figure out if I just want to swap out the wheels or go with a 33 tire and maybe a 17 wheel.

 

[95escahoe]

Thank you! This is great info.

Here's a pic I have of it. All the chrome has got to go!

I just need to figure out if I just want to swap out the wheels or go with a 33 tire and maybe a 17 wheel.

Not a bad looking truck I’d say swap out the front bumper for a non Z71 bumper & color match it, ditch the grille guard and switch to some black rims & it would look great imo


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[kalig]

Not a bad looking truck I’d say swap out the front bumper for a non Z71 bumper & color match it, ditch the grille guard and switch to some black rims & it would look great imo

We think alike!

The absolute first order of business is new wheels and grill guard. I like grill guards though, so I just want a black one.

I haven't even bought it yet (going Saturday) and I'm already shopping for wheels. O.O

 

[95escahoe]

We think alike!

The absolute first order of business is new wheels and grill guard. I like grill guards though, so I just want a black one.

I haven't even bought it yet (going Saturday) and I'm already shopping for wheels. O.O

Are you dead set on 17” rims? Cause there’s someone on a some GM truck page on FB that has a lifted Tahoe with the current generation Escalade rims in black wrapped in some A/T tires that look pretty good on there, forget how big the lift was


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[kalig]

Are you dead set on 17” rims? Cause there’s someone on a some GM truck page on FB that has a lifted Tahoe with the current generation Escalade rims in black wrapped in some A/T tires that look pretty good on there, forget how big the lift was

I'm not dead set on anything yet.

My thoughts (and based on opinions of some friends who do some off road playtimes) is that I need a bit more tire. The lift is 6". I've gotta do some testing when I get there to see if there's any rubbing.

I want it to look good (black or charcoal wheels are a must) but also want it to be pretty usable for any off-road fun. I don't plan on doing anything too crazy in it so no climbing rock walls or racing. Just want to have a fully capable rig.

The truck isn't cheap so keeping the tires and just swapping wheels is a big draw. It currently has 35x12.50R20 Nitto Trail Grapplers that seem to have near full tread life left.

My initial thought was to keep the tires and get new wheels but I've been advised against that.

Thoughts?

 

[95escahoe]

If you get the truck, I’d say take it off-road nothing really crazy so you don’t damage the rims so you can see how the tires perform I’ve heard good things about Nitto’s and if you like them find a rim you like and swap them over and sell the current rims might even end up on the plus side money wise with that


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[01Konvict]

I would sell wheels and tires for 20x12/33 or 22x12/33. Ditch bull bar, remove window vents, steps, and door moldings. I think the silver bumper center could pull off with some black machined wheels. Could swap chrome grille for a black one. Get 1.25" wheel spacers to even track width. Then retrofit the headlights and get xb led fogs. It will definitely pull the look off then!