De-Molded and De-Stepped

[TogaPC]

I was watching Monster Garage re-runs last night and I got to thinking..."Ya know" I said to myself "you haven't screwed anything up in a while, why not tonight". So I went into the garage with a hairdryer, some fishing line, a couple of 150 watt shop lights, and some goo gone. Here are the fruits of my labor.

For comparisons sake, here is the before pic.

 

[nytahoe]

i say put the steps back on.

 

[bkboatnsleds]

I agree - Keep the steps.. Looks too plain w/o them IMO

 

[TogaPC]

I don't know...I kinda like it. I think it kinda looks more like the older suv's...when they were built for more rugged terrain. Besides, the steps and the plastic on the rear bumper are the only 2 places there is any black on my truck. Well, the vent caps too but I'm gonna gloss black them so they match the windows. I don't understand why they didn't paint them. If they were body colored I would keep them.

It's fine for now but once I lower it I think I'll need to get some side skirts to go with the SS front bumper, roll pan, and rims. Besides, if there's one thing I can't stand it's looking like everyone else.

 

[Tahoewhat]

Besides, if there's one thing I can't stand it's looking like everyone else.

Exactly .. Thats why i changed mine all around, i see waaayy to many black tahoes. Had to stand out..

Looks good w/o the mouldings, but it does look like something is missing, i know it is, but... maybe lowering it would fix that. ha ha

And 1 more question, b/c i just demolded mine last weekend?

DO your fingers hurt? i have blisters..

 

[highrollin113]

i am demolding probably thursday, why the blisters, i heard 3m makes an eraser of some sort

 

[TogaPC]

My fingers are a little sore but not too bad. The molding came off much easier than the badges did. I haven't tried the 3M Strip Wheel but I've seem others who used it and they say it works wonders. I didn't use it because it's kinda pricey and my labor is free. Besides, what else am I going to do with my free time.

Just be careful...I read on here that one guy took some paint off his door by being impatient. Take your time. I used a little fishing line to cut the adhesive a few inches so I could get my fingers under the molding then I used my hair dryer and Goo Gone to slowly un-stick the molding. Most of the adhesive stayed on the molding but what stayed on the paint came off pretty easy. I just saturated it with goo gone then heated it up and rolled my fingers across it. The stains on the paint came off with the clay bar.

The steps took more time than the molding. You have to unbolt the step from the braces then un-bolt each brace. The driver side was easy but the heating and cooling lines for the rear A/C made it slightly more difficult on the passenger side. Had to loosen the brackets holding the lines to remove the braces. Most of the bolts have really fine threads and don't really break loose like you'd expect. Had to crank on them till they were almost out. Had a little trouble with the big bolt in front of the passenger door too. It was cross threaded...from the factory I'm guessing.

There seems to be a little less wind noise without the steps and molding although there wasn't much to begin with. It's probably my imagination. All I know is that every time I look at The ***** I like the look more.

 

[TogaPC]

BTW...thanks to Z-56 Hoe who was the first to have the ca-hones to call me a pansy. I wonder what the trade in value of a Big Gas Guzzling SUV is at the Prius dealership. Maybe I should go find out just for kicks. Then, on the way out I'll try not to laugh too hard as I burn half a tank of gas doing donuts in their parking lot while chugging a bottle of Jack. I do work in the oil industry...yet I use E85 in my truck...hmmm.

I'm just kidding...I'd never drink and drive.

 

[jutte73]

I'm just kidding...I'd never drink and drive.

Neither do I! I don’t want to hit a bump and spill my drink, first off that’s alcohol abuse and second don’t want to ruin the interior lol!

 

[Boomer73]

I like it debadged and with the molding gone (since it doesn't have fender flairs). I think it might look better with the steps back on, but you could do Tony's (norcalss) 3/5 drop and it would look better with the steps off. Some bigger wheels wouldn't hurt either. By the way, I like this color. I hated it way back when I first started looking at Hoes/Yuks but it has really grown on me. Looks nice with bright wheels and a little chrome. Also the roof rack delete and LED tails get two thumbs up.

-B

 

[Effeckt]

I like it the way you have it but agree it would look better dropped now especially.

LOL @ the prius choice.

 

[TogaPC]

Thanks guys...

I'm planning on getting the TBSS springs for the back and 3" drop spindles for the front. I even considered getting some side skirts to go with the SS front valance but I don't know.

 

[91RS]

Definately need the steps, these trucks look really goofy without steps there.

 

[chiech233]

imo i like the look with both off

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

imo i like the look with both off

x2

 

[indian mark]

I like it with out the steps. Looks clean. (although may get dirty easier with out 'em.)

 

[Ced]

I like it the way you have it but ill buy da steps if u hv them.

 

[tybardy]

i like steps... the center of these trucks is too high IMO

 

[TogaPC]

I like it the way you have it but ill buy da steps if u hv them.

They are stashed in my attic along with my roof rack and stock air box so I can put them back on if I ever decide to sell the truck.

 

[Ced]

ok togapc............ didnt hurt to ask