Dutchman's Tahoe Build

[Dutchman]

I've been on the forum now for a bit and you guys have convinced me that I need to spend money on my Tahoe in order to be happy. So, I'm going to start myself a build thread, mostly just so I can document and keep up with the things I've done as I go. But also to get the input and expert advice of the members of this board. Not only are you guys good at talking me into spending money, but you usually have some pretty good ideas about what to spend it on.

[BTW, when the wife complains about the money I'm spending on the Tahoe, I blame you guys. Nothing personal. ]

I purchased my 2003 Tahoe LT 5.3L 4X4 on Oct. 19, 2020. It had 226K miles on it.

This is how it looked when I first when to see it. Very clean inside and out, no apparent issues anywhere. I had to have it!

I'm going to save a space here for the most up-to-date picture as it sits now. I'll come back to this post and update it as it changes. Hopefully before long, it will be a drastic difference.


PLANS AND PROGRESS (subject to change)
Yellow - In progress | Green - Completed

RENEW FUNCTIONALITY

• Replace front power windows/locks switches
• Replace passenger side mirror
• Replace lift gate and rear glass lift supports
• Replace power lock actuators for rear doors and liftgate
• Replace broken OEM fog lights
• Repair front speakers/wiring

IMPROVE FUNCTIONALTY

• Install interior LED lights
• Install LED headlights, DRL, turn signals
• Replace broken fog lights

IMPROVE PERFORMANCE

• Install 3" of lift (keys, Z71 springs, new shocks)
• New wheels and 33's
• HI-6 headlight mod
• Install CAI
• LED tail lights
• Big 3 mod - part 1 done
• Install catch can

IMPROVE LOOKS

• Debadge and remove side moldings
• Remove rear wiper
• Paint door handles and liftgate handle black
• Paint fender flares black
• Remove factory side steps
• Install black/smoked headlights
• Install black/smoked tail lights & third brake light
• Paint bumpers black
• Paint grill black
• Install bull bar or grill guard

ADD FUNCTIONALITY

• Install ham radio & antenna
• Install 500W inverter
• Install dual battery system

I'm sure this list will change several times over the coarse of my build, which honestly may never be fully completed. Opinions and questions are always welcome. I look forward to the adventure and all the help you guys are going to provide.

Long Live the TAHOE!

 

[915_Tahoe]

Welcome from Hell Paso,TX

 

[Tonyrodz]

I'm in! Glad to see that you saw it our way. Nothing better then having a modded Hoe. I love surprising all those youngsters out there who think their factory hondas are fast. No engine mods I see--that may change . Just keep reading some more build threads!
Question--have you thought about some led fogs instead of some ****** oem style replacements? So much better imo.

 

[Dutchman]

Thanks @Tonyrodz, I'm still working out what I want to do enginewise. With 227K miles on it, I'm sure a new engine will be in it's future sooner or later.

As for the fog lights, I did get OE replacements, but I'll be putting LEDs in those. If I don't like them, then a full LED replacement will be next.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Great start!!

Folks here LOVE to help you spend your money.

Suggestion..... Each time that you contemplate a mod, also contemplate on what you give/offer to your wife at the same time. The mod success rate seems to improve using that method.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I'm in! Glad to see that you saw it our way. Nothing better then having a modded Hoe. I love surprising all those youngsters out there who think their factory hondas are fast. No engine mods I see--that may change . Just keep reading some more build threads!
Question--have you thought about some led fogs instead of some ****** oem style replacements? So much better imo.

Oh yes, surprising those youngsters (and also not so young youngsters...). I live for that!

 

[Dutchman]

Oh yes, surprising those youngsters (and also not so young youngsters...). I live for that!

In my younger days I rode a bike (motorcycle). It was a Honda Valkyrie 1500.

For those that might not know, that’s souped up 6 cylinder Goldwing engine. Mine was built pretty good. It put out right at 180 HP. That’s a lot for a bike. But it’s a very big cruiser (ate Harleys for breakfast).

I could easily outrun most of the kids on crotch rockets and pretty much any sports cars that felt the need to try me. I LOVED it!!

 

[Dutchman]

UPDATE

I got my LEDs installed on the inside. They make a HUGE difference, especially since there weren't any lights on the inside when I got it.

I didn't realize just how dark the rear tint was until I tried to see my new LED lights through them...

This is with the flash on, because the pic without the flash was completely black. I like it!

All I have left are the puddle lights and the license tag lights.
Also the door lights. I'm going to paint the insides of those black like I saw on here somewhere. They also painted to dome lights, which I might take them back down and do as well.

I also got my fog lights replaced. They're OE style replacements with bulbs for now, but they'll be holding LEDs before long.

Take a close look. The smoked lenses look really good, but my headlight is crooked! I also noticed that my bumper sags on the passenger side.

So, I should have guessed it, one project completed, two more projects added to the list.

OH, I had an idea about the fog lights.... What if I removed the hook and cut out the divider piece between that and the OE fog and put an LED bar behind the whole opening? One thing I noticed is, it would shoot slightly towards the outsides because of the bend, but I might be able to mount it straight. Any thoughts?

 

[Tonyrodz]

UPDATE

I got my LEDs installed on the inside. They make a HUGE difference, especially since there weren't any lights on the inside when I got it.

I didn't realize just how dark the rear tint was until I tried to see my new LED lights through them...

This is with the flash on, because the pic without the flash was completely black. I like it!

All I have left are the puddle lights and the license tag lights.
Also the door lights. I'm going to paint the insides of those black like I saw on here somewhere. They also painted to dome lights, which I might take them back down and do as well.

I also got my fog lights replaced. They're OE style replacements with bulbs for now, but they'll be holding LEDs before long.

Take a close look. The smoked lenses look really good, but my headlight is crooked! I also noticed that my bumper sags on the passenger side.

So, I should have guessed it, one project completed, two more projects added to the list.

OH, I had an idea about the fog lights.... What if I removed the hook and cut out the divider piece between that and the OE fog and put an LED bar behind the whole opening? One thing I noticed is, it would shoot slightly towards the outsides because of the bend, but I might be able to mount it straight. Any thoughts?

You have 2 pins holding your headlight in place. Make sure the pins are lined up in the holes correctly. As for the bumper--very common issue, mine is the same way. You could always loosen the bumper on that side and jack it up with a floor jack, then tighten it up. Might work.
Your led bar might look good. I think there was 1 guy on here that did something like that.

 

[Rocket Man]

Lots of plans so you’re off to a good start. I’m sure we can help you find more!

 

[Dantheman1540]

UPDATE

I got my LEDs installed on the inside. They make a HUGE difference, especially since there weren't any lights on the inside when I got it.


I didn't realize just how dark the rear tint was until I tried to see my new LED lights through them...

This is with the flash on, because the pic without the flash was completely black. I like it!

All I have left are the puddle lights and the license tag lights.
Also the door lights. I'm going to paint the insides of those black like I saw on here somewhere. They also painted to dome lights, which I might take them back down and do as well.

I also got my fog lights replaced. They're OE style replacements with bulbs for now, but they'll be holding LEDs before long.

Take a close look. The smoked lenses look really good, but my headlight is crooked! I also noticed that my bumper sags on the passenger side.

So, I should have guessed it, one project completed, two more projects added to the list.

OH, I had an idea about the fog lights.... What if I removed the hook and cut out the divider piece between that and the OE fog and put an LED bar behind the whole opening? One thing I noticed is, it would shoot slightly towards the outsides because of the bend, but I might be able to mount it straight. Any thoughts?

Personally, I would not do that to the fogs because like you said they will point sideways and look kinda silly. But I don't know of anyone that's come up with a super clean led fog conversion for those lower valences so you should be it!

 

[Dutchman]

I've started planning the LED conversion. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea. Now I just have to come up with a way to make that idea a reality.

One thing that I don't want is to use a flood/spot combo light bar because I think that might spread the light out too much for fog lights. Then again, this might turn out to be another set of auxiliary lights rather than true fogs, in which case the spot/flood combo will be fine.

It's still very much a work in progress, so all opinions and advice are welcome.

 

[Dutchman]

UPDATE

I got some stuff from FedEx this week, so I was going to do some upgrades. But, alas, the universe had different plans for me. Out of nowhere, I got the dreaded Reduced Engine Power message and had to limp home at a blistering top speed of 40MPH (down hill, with the wind at my back).

I got out my scanner and plugged it in ...... NOTHING. Dead as a doornail (what the heck is a doornail anyway?) So I figure my scanner bit the dust and I go to get me another one. Nothing fancy, only $70. I plug it in ..... STILL NOTHING. That's when I get back on my favorite forum and start doing some more research. I found out which fuse provides power to the OBD plug and swap it out. Low and behold, now both my scanners work! Time to return the new one to the store.

Now that I've gotten over that hurdle, I read the codes. It's P0120, which is the throttle position sensor. I thought it was interesting that the connected app on my phone suggested that I replace the whole throttle body assembly. Definitely sponsored by a parts store.

Anyway, I digress. I reset the code and voila!! everything works just fine. I'm guessing this is a symptom of bad grounds? So, this weekend, I'm doing the BIG3. I'll post some pics, since everybody like pics and I want to document the process for posterity.

Other things on the close horizon (that is, I've got all or most of the parts for): torsion keys for the front, Z71 springs for the rear with new longer shocks all round. New headlights and LEDs should be here in a week or so.

OH, a little update on my fog light LED conversion plans.... I've ordered a grill guard, and since it mounts where the tow hooks are, and may change the overall width of the hole, I'm going to hold off on that step until I can determine how much room I have. Then I'll find an LED light bar to fit and figure out how to mount it.

 

[Tonyrodz]

UPDATE

I got some stuff from FedEx this week, so I was going to do some upgrades. But, alas, the universe had different plans for me. Out of nowhere, I got the dreaded Reduced Engine Power message and had to limp home at a blistering top speed of 40MPH (down hill, with the wind at my back).

I got out my scanner and plugged it in ...... NOTHING. Dead as a doornail (what the heck is a doornail anyway?) So I figure my scanner bit the dust and I go to get me another one. Nothing fancy, only $70. I plug it in ..... STILL NOTHING. That's when I get back on my favorite forum and start doing some more research. I found out which fuse provides power to the OBD plug and swap it out. Low and behold, now both my scanners work! Time to return the new one to the store.

Now that I've gotten over that hurdle, I read the codes. It's P0120, which is the throttle position sensor. I thought it was interesting that the connected app on my phone suggested that I replace the whole throttle body assembly. Definitely sponsored by a parts store.

Anyway, I digress. I reset the code and voila!! everything works just fine. I'm guessing this is a symptom of bad grounds? So, this weekend, I'm doing the BIG3. I'll post some pics, since everybody like pics and I want to document the process for posterity.

Other things on the close horizon (that is, I've got all or most of the parts for): torsion keys for the front, Z71 springs for the rear with new longer shocks all round. New headlights and LEDs should be here in a week or so.

OH, a little update on my fog light LED conversion plans.... I've ordered a grill guard, and since it mounts where the tow hooks are, and may change the overall width of the hole, I'm going to hold off on that step until I can determine how much room I have. Then I'll find an LED light bar to fit and figure out how to mount it.

There's a big ground on the ds framerail, under the running board. Clean that one up. That one gets bad. Is the ground strap from the firewall to the hood still there? There's also a ground on the ps--either on the block or the head. I used to get that Reduced Engine Power alot. It was so bad I used to just leave my scanner plugged in as I was driving. It would happen and I'd reset it on the fly. Didn't even pull over. Majority of the time the plug that plugs into the tb is the culprit. Over time the wires would break internally causing your issue. They sell a replacement plug pretty cheap on Amazon. I replaced mine and I haven't had an issue since.

 

[Rocket Man]

There's a big ground on the ds framerail, under the running board. Clean that one up. That one gets bad. Is the ground strap from the firewall to the hood still there? There's also a ground on the ps--either on the block or the head. I used to get that Reduced Engine Power alot. It was so bad I used to just leave my scanner plugged in as I was driving. It would happen and I'd reset it on the fly. Didn't even pull over. Majority of the time the plug that plugs into the tb is the culprit. Over time the wires would break internally causing your issue. They sell a replacement plug pretty cheap on Amazon. I replaced mine and I haven't had an issue since.

Yep I was just gonna mention that plug.

 

[Dutchman]

There's a big ground on the ds framerail, under the running board. Clean that one up. That one gets bad. Is the ground strap from the firewall to the hood still there? There's also a ground on the ps--either on the block or the head. I used to get that Reduced Engine Power alot. It was so bad I used to just leave my scanner plugged in as I was driving. It would happen and I'd reset it on the fly. Didn't even pull over. Majority of the time the plug that plugs into the tb is the culprit. Over time the wires would break internally causing your issue. They sell a replacement plug pretty cheap on Amazon. I replaced mine and I haven't had an issue since.

I did notice that the strap to the hook is broken. I didn't think much of it, because, well, what's on the hood that needs to be grounded?

I saw the plug on Amazon and may go ahead and order it.

Thanks for the info ..... again.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I did notice that the strap to the hook is broken. I didn't think much of it, because, well, what's on the hood that needs to be grounded?

I saw the plug on Amazon and may go ahead and order it.

Thanks for the info ..... again.

That's what we're here for brotha!

 

[Rocket Man]

I did notice that the strap to the hook is broken. I didn't think much of it, because, well, what's on the hood that needs to be grounded?

I saw the plug on Amazon and may go ahead and order it.

Thanks for the info ..... again.

I’m pretty sure all that hood ground strap is for is the hood light if you have one.

 

[Fless]

I did notice that the strap to the hook is broken. I didn't think much of it, because, well, what's on the hood that needs to be grounded?

The hood, to shield the radio and such from engine RF interference. Don't give me any static!

 

[Tonyrodz]

I’m pretty sure all that hood ground strap is for is the hood light if you have one.

My 03 didn't come with a hood light(added it myself), but it has the ground strap.