Decided to keep and now want info/recommendations

[OR VietVet]

Because I don't do my own work anymore I had a heck of a time finding a shop I trust to install my new chrome front bumper. Wanted me to buy their bumper. I finally had a brain fart and remembered a shop I used to run that I knew the owner really well and is a great guy. Talked to him yesterday. Dropping off next Monday.

He is going to have a tech I know personally replace the bumper, drain and fill both diffs, drain and fill transfer case, change the trans filter and flush the trans, oil change and replace the oil filter adapter seal. Is also going to install the Corvette trans servo too. Oh yea, brake fluid flush as well.

I supply all parts and fluids and get a discount on the labor price. He does do senior citizen and military discount but not on top of the labor discount in this case.

Then, what will I do with myself after doing all that I set out to do? I know, plan my trip to Idaho for a Black Bear visit.

 

[Rocket Man]

Because I don't do my own work anymore I had a heck of a time finding a shop I trust to install my new chrome front bumper. Wanted me to buy their bumper. I finally had a brain fart and remembered a shop I used to run that I knew the owner really well and is a great guy. Talked to him yesterday. Dropping off next Monday.

He is going to have a tech I know personally replace the bumper, drain and fill both diffs, drain and fill transfer case, change the trans filter and flush the trans, oil change and replace the oil filter adapter seal. Is also going to install the Corvette trans servo too. Oh yea, brake fluid flush as well.

I supply all parts and fluids and get a discount on the labor price. He does do senior citizen and military discount but not on top of the labor discount in this case.

Then, what will I do with myself after doing all that I set out to do? I know, plan my trip to Idaho for a Black Bear visit.

The front bumpers are simple to install- 6 bolts total. I removed mine in my Denali and modified the mounts in order to raise it and reduce the grill to bumper gap. It was easy.

 

[Tonyrodz]

The front bumpers are simple to install- 6 bolts total. I removed mine in my Denali and modified the mounts in order to raise it and reduce the grill to bumper gap. It was easy.

Unless you live in a salty state like NJ

 

[OR VietVet]

The rest of the fasteners are 3 different types of squeeze to release or 1/4 turn to release to swap the painted section and the lower fog light housing and grill removal.

The you tube I saw looks very easy.

 

[Rocket Man]

The rest of the fasteners are 3 different types of squeeze to release or 1/4 turn to release to swap the painted section and the lower fog light housing and grill removal.

The you tube I saw looks very easy.

Oh yeah, a Phillips head screwdriver and a flat head screwdriver for the grill and top plastic cover.

 

[OR VietVet]

Had all work done yesterday: New front chrome section of the bumper, brake fluid flush, LOF, changed fluids in the transfer case, front diff and rear diff, trans service and installed the Corvette servo. Besides the obvious dent at the chrome bumper being gone, the biggest difference I noticed right away was that trans 2-3 shift. Big difference.

This rig now runs and sounds like a "stripped ass ape". Making plans for a 3 day weekend for a trip to Black Bear in April or May.

Now if I can just pry that pristine 2003 Suburban out of my tenant's hands I will have something else to start all over with.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Had all work done yesterday: New front chrome section of the bumper, brake fluid flush, LOF, changed fluids in the transfer case, front diff and rear diff, trans service and installed the Corvette servo. Besides the obvious dent at the chrome bumper being gone, the biggest difference I noticed right away was that trans 2-3 shift. Big difference.

This rig now runs and sounds like a "stripped ass ape". Making plans for a 3 day weekend for a trip to Black Bear in April or May.

Now if I can just pry that pristine 2003 Suburban out of my tenant's hands I will have something else to start all over with.

Nice work. What's LOF?

 

[OR VietVet]

Lube, oil and filter.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Lube, oil and filter.

Lol. Duh.

 

[OR VietVet]

Lol. Duh.

Not to worry, at almost 67 I get brain farts every now and then.

 

[OR VietVet]

Just got some news I did not want to hear. I took my 02 Tahoe to the shop I have been using and they were going to do the driver's door upper and lower hinge pins. They just called me and told me that both front door hinge weld attachments at the body side are starting to crack and will need to be welded. I switched to this shop from a shop I used to be the service manager at because the tech's at the old shop were not being as thorough as this new shop. Plus, as it turns out, the owner of my new shop is a tech that I used to have at a shop I ran. I knew him to be very thorough and did not have comebacks. I was recommended to his shop and was surprised to see him, in a good way.

Anyway, back to the story, He caught the cracking welds and I am glad about that. He also told me my rear axle seals are leaking fluid and the pads are very thin. He took pics and sent to me on my cell. The old shop had just drained the rear diff fluid and installed new. I am the kind of guy, and so is the new shop, that would have looked for rear axle seal leaks when I am servicing a diff. Same on the front diff. He found as he was taking the rear calipers off to do a park brake adjustment. The thin pads found at same time. I ordered in the new AC Delco ceramic pads and hardware and the AC Delco seals. He measured the rotors and said they must have been replaced before I bought the Tahoe because they are very thick with plenty of meat to machine when he does the work.

My problem is that I don't weld and don't know of a good weld shop or body shop to do the hinge work. I am eventually going to paint this rig so after welding I am just going to have the person who does it just shoot some rattle can paint on them to keep from rusting.

Oh well, back to the drawing board.

 

[Rocket Man]

Well shit. You can look for metal fab shops in your area and ask them if they can do the welding. It should be a fairly easy job. Any place that does a lot of welding should be able to fix you up. And www.automotivetouchup.com can mix you up a rattle can of matching paint and set you up with a can of clear so the repair won’t even be noticeable. Just mask off everything so you don’t get any overspray. The rest just sounds like normal maintenance but I’m sure it’s not news you wanted to hear.

 

[OR VietVet]

The rear brakes were on the horizon and I knew that was coming but the axle seals were a surprise. I ASSUMED, should never do that, the old shop checked before the rear diff service.

I just got off the phone with a fab shop, close to the American Legion that I frequent all the time, and they said to bring it by for a look see and quote after I pick up at the new repair shop. The guy I talked to had done these before but likes to see when he gives a quote.

Does anyone know the RPO for my body color of dark olive green? I am talking about what code to look for as to what letters and numbers to expect so I can call the dealer to see if they have a rattle can or touch up paint and some clear like Mark suggested.

 

[Fless]

This help?

 

[Rocket Man]

The rear brakes were on the horizon and I knew that was coming but the axle seals were a surprise. I ASSUMED, should never do that, the old shop checked before the rear diff service.

I just got off the phone with a fab shop, close to the American Legion that I frequent all the time, and they said to bring it by for a look see and quote after I pick up at the new repair shop. The guy I talked to had done these before but likes to see when he gives a quote.

Does anyone know the RPO for my body color of dark olive green? I am talking about what code to look for as to what letters and numbers to expect so I can call the dealer to see if they have a rattle can or touch up paint and some clear like Mark suggested.

Should be this according to automotive touch up. Look on your RPO sticker to confirm though.

45, 47, 9539, WA9539 Medium Green Metallic

 

[OR VietVet]

Perfect. Thanks to the both of you.


Something else I ran in to while looking up the rear brakes and seals. It has an RPO code of GT4 and that is for a 3.73 gear.

 

[OR VietVet]

I had the hinges on the drivers door done this past Monday. I dropped at 7:30 and the fabricator did the welding and the hinge pins at the same time. He removed the entire door assembly, went in on the upper and lower hinges and scraped out on paint and gunk buildup and then proceeded to put nice beads on both of them. He then installed the new hinge pin kits I supplied and adjusted as he should so that when the door is swung open or close the bushing stays stationary instead of moving with the door, as it will if it is over tightened. He then painted the areas with some black rattle can paint for protection. I have the new rattle can of the factory color coming tomorrow and will then coat again with the proper color. Rocket Man/Mark and Fless/Steve were right on the RPO code for that color. My original quote at the shop I use was just for the pins replacement, upper and lower, for $300. The Fab/welding shop did it all for $350.The door is rock solid and looks good. The striker hits square with the latch and is nice and smooth. Now to continue with the other work of rear pads, machine rotors and rear axle seals. I just did the rear diff fluid change at another shop but they did not see the axle seals leaking or they did not look. Don't know. The new shop says they have a way to catch what I have in there and can reinstall back in the rear diff. They said the amount to top off after that would be miniscule and therefore would be no charge. Me having ran shops before and having the owner of this new shop as a tech for me at one time is great because I know I can trust him.

 

[iamdub]

You, just like many of us DIY'ers here know how difficult it is to let someone else put their hands on your baby, not to mention PAYING them to ****** it! It's such a great feeling to have someone do quality work that actually makes you happy to slap that payment in their hand.

 

[OR VietVet]

You, just like many of us DIY'ers here know how difficult it is to let someone else put their hands on your baby, not to mention PAYING them to ****** it! It's such a great feeling to have someone do quality work that actually makes you happy to slap that payment in their hand.

I couldn't get the money out of my hand and in to his fast enough. This was all after I saw the work done and checked it myself. For $50 more than the original hinge pin replacement, they allow me to supply parts, and to do so much more work, well hell, I was really giddy!!!!!

I got several business cards and will be handing hem out.


By the way Chris, I have a full set of work at home on my own tools coming and will hopefully only farm out what I can't handle here without a full shop like I used to always have. Or when this 67 year old wants a break.

 

[iamdub]

I couldn't get the money out of my hand and in to his fast enough. This was all after I saw the work done and checked it myself. For $50 more than the original hinge pin replacement, they allow me to supply parts, and to do so much more work, well hell, I was really giddy!!!!!

I got several business cards and will be handing hem out.


By the way Chris, I have a full set of work at home on my own tools coming and will hopefully only farm out what I can't handle here without a full shop like I used to always have. Or when this 67 year old wants a break.

Farming it out isn't so bad when you can trust the others!