Best way to create a two door Tahoe/Yukon with new components?

[Jiggasaki]

Hi,

I'm looking to create a 2 door tahoe/yukon but in a more recent body style, with newer components/comfort. What is the best/easiest way to go about this?

Should I:

A. Buy a 99' Tahoe/Yukon - Swap out the engine for a 5.3L, upgrade with newer interior, backup camera, heated seats etc. Then do some body work to upgrade the grill and rear to look like a newer model.

OR

B. Buy a newer (around a 2012 model) and have a custom shop cut it down into a 2 door version?


I want a full size SUV, but do not need the length of a four door Tahoe or Suburban. A 99' Tahoe or Yukon would be perfect size, but I'd like today's comforts and to use it as a daily driver.

Are there any shops nationwide that specialize in doing A and/or B?

Ultimately, I want to end up with something like the below rendering, except with the 99 fender flares and in the color black.

 

[2010gmcyukon]

Personally, I think option A would be the better choice. Aside from the engine swap, the work would be more cosmetic. Chopping a full length SUV down seems like a lot more involved and likely much more expensive.

 

[ivin74]

Hi,

I'm looking to create a 2 door tahoe/yukon but in a more recent body style, with newer components/comfort. What is the best/easiest way to go about this?

Should I:

A. Buy a 99' Tahoe/Yukon - Swap out the engine for a 5.3L, upgrade with newer interior, backup camera, heated seats etc. Then do some body work to upgrade the grill and rear to look like a newer model.

OR

B. Buy a newer (around a 2012 model) and have a custom shop cut it down into a 2 door version?


I want a full size SUV, but do not need the length of a four door Tahoe or Suburban. A 99' Tahoe or Yukon would be perfect size, but I'd like today's comforts and to use it as a daily driver.

Are there any shops nationwide that specialize in doing A and/or B?

Ultimately, I want to end up with something like the below rendering, except with the 99 fender flares and in the color black.


View attachment 266506

Option A is probably the best option. If you have the money anything is possible. Ekstensive Metal works out of Houston has done several 2dr Tahoes.


https://www.ekstensive.com/ekstensive-main-projects

 

[tom3]

I don't know but I really like that two door, as rendered!

 

[OR VietVet]

Whatever you decide I hope it does come close to the 2 door rendering you show. Welcome to the forum from Oregon.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

 

[Jiggasaki]

Thanks! I'll call Ekstensive Metal Works this week and see what they would charge to convert a 99' body style into a 2012ish body style. If isnt cost prohibitive I plan to move forward and will definitely update these forums.

 

[Big Mama]

Love to see how this goes.

 

[Philpug]

You can solve almost any problem by throwing enough money at it. Start looking at the custom chopped car forums for suggestions on where to have it done. With so much Hot August Nights stuff happening in Reno, I bet there is a place in Sparks that is qualified to do this work. IMO you would be better off finding an older 2 door and doing a rest mod with a more modern drive train and the features you want but I do like the way you think, rendering is sharp.

 

[ivin74]

Thanks! I'll call Ekstensive Metal Works this week and see what they would charge to convert a 99' body style into a 2012ish body style. If isnt cost prohibitive I plan to move forward and will definitely update these forums.

Let us know what ekstensive says.

 

[Jiggasaki]

Ekstensive was out of my price range. We didn't get into hard numbers, but the ballpark estimates we discussed were more than I could spend. Interestingly, they said that chopping a surburban (25k-30k) would be relatively a lot cheaper than buying a 2 door and doing all the custom metal fabrication work needed to make new parts fit (estimated 80k!).

Called some other shops and they were pretty expensive too (alot of them work on Ferraris, etc, so cater to that market). I'll try some cheaper shops, but its looking like the body work just wouldn't be worth it. May still buy a 2-door and do the engine swap + add some after market comforts.

 

[OR VietVet]

Realistically there would be a bunch of materials but the labor costs would be astronomical. Not saying you did but I hope you didn't base some money assumptions off of watching 1 hour shows like "Iron Resurrection". Custom work will require custom prices. Yes, do a search for a no rust 2 door and then go to town on it. You can also change to newer looks a little at a time over a 5-7 year period.

 

[Ben Gatewood]

I'm still waiting for GM to build a 2DR Tahoe reboot like FORD did with the Bronco this year. That would be sick.

 

[ivin74]

Custom work will require custom prices.

You hit the nail on the head.

 

[George B]

I'm still waiting for GM to build a 2DR Tahoe reboot like FORD did with the Bronco this year. That would be sick.

I have a feeling you will be waiting a while.

 

[NorthernYukon97]

I’m surprised they could do it for $25-30k.