Fosscore's 2013 Suburban LTZ Build Thread

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Fosscore

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I just wanted to share the new addition to my driveway. She's a 2013 Suburban LTZ 2WD, White Diamond Tricoat, Light/Dark Cashmere leather interior with captain's chairs. Fully loaded with only 17500 miles.

I have been driving the truck full time since June 2016, off and on since June 2013 and have put 2/3 of the miles on it myself as it belonged to my boss. This week she officially became mine.

After 10 years of driving a Honda CR-V and 3 Honda Odysseys, my wife wanted something different. I can't blame her one bit for wanting a change, especially since the kids and her thrashed those Odysseys from newborn to 10 years old.

She wanted 3 rows, cargo space and all the latest bells and whistles, however I was unwilling to compromise on a mid-size SUV. I knew the smaller SUV would not serve the immediate and future needs with our 2 active kids, friends, visiting family members, cargo space and road trips. And selfishly I wanted the long body, full cargo space behind the 3rd row and V8 power.

As expected with the low miles, the truck is in excellent condition. I cleaned the leather and spot treated the carpet from the toddlers that used to ride in there. I gave the paint a full clay bar, compound, polish, seal, glaze and two coats of Collinite's 845 Insulator Wax. I also compounded, polished and Rain X'd the windows.

There are 2 of the dreaded dash cracks by the passenger air bag already, the A/C fan speed buttons are already wearing thin on the white coating and there are couple of minor exterior blemishes, but nothing to be worried about.

The undercarriage and engine compartment looks like it just rolled off the dealership lot. The bumper-to-bumper warranty expired in June 2016, however the engine and powertrain warranty is still good until June 2018. I had my mechanic give her a once over and the dealership run the VIN. Nothing came up from the mechanic and no recalls.

As far as modifications are concerned, I have decided to leave her mostly stock for the time being (subject to change) as my wife does not really want me messing around with it too much.

I have only done a few little things that will make it more enjoyable when I drive it. I am sure more will come as it is highly unlikely that I can leave such a nice truck alone without any mods.


2013 Suburban LTZ 2WD 5.3L


Exterior Modifications

  • Cadillac Escalade ESV/XL Chrome Roof Luggage Rack with color matched end caps (page 5)
  • Tint
    • 15% over OEM on the back windows
    • 15% on the front windows
    • 45% on the windshield (page 29)
  • Replaced Exterior Lights with LEDs (pages 4, 5, 7, 9, 19)
    • Puddle Lights
    • License Plate Lights (page 5)
    • Reverse Lights (page 19)
    • Fog lights (page 9)
  • Removed rear lift gate glass plastic handle
  • Chrome Tow Hooks (page 10)
    • Interchange Part Numbers: 19158571, 19243784, 22858898
  • Color Matched Parts
    • White Diamond Tricoat Color Code: WA800J/98/GBN
    • Front and Rear Bow Tie Emblems (page 6)
    • OnStar Antenna (page 7)
  • Cadillac Escalade 3rd Brake Light Full LED Mod (page 21)
  • G4 LED Tail Lights (page 21)
  • CK375 22" chrome wheels
  • 285/45/22 General GMAX UHP tires

Interior Modifications
  • Replaced ALL Interior Lights with "Cool White" LEDs (page 4, 5)
  • GM OEM Console Organizer 19166288 (page 19)
  • Husky Weatherbeater floor liners
    • 1st, 2nd and 3rd rows (page 3,4, 108)
  • Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX w/wireless CarPlay (page 108)
  • GM Wireless Phone Charging Kit for GM Trucks & SUV's (page 108)
  • Illuminated Door Sills GM Accessories #338-19171554 (page 108)

Performance Modifications
  • Range Technology AFM Disabler Device (page 2) SOLD
  • Resonator Deleted (page 13)
  • AIRAID 200-996 MIT (page 39) SOLD
  • Black Bear Performance 89 Octane Tune (page 48)
  • Airaid 851-135 Premium Dry Air Filter (page 48)
  • Black Widow Race Venom 250 Muffler
  • Dual slant tip stainless exhaust tip (page 109)
  • AC DELCO heavy duty rotors
    • (18A1705SD front/18A2332SD rear)

Suspension Modifications
  • Cognito Sway Bars 210-90265 (front) and 210-90266 (rear)
  • Spohn adjustable panhard bar GMSUV-07-104
  • Belltech 1-3"front lowering coilovers Part no. 5403-001 621 (page 112)
  • Belltech 2” front spindles Part No. 2509
  • Belltech Wheel Alignment Kit 4951
  • Belltech Pro Coil Lowering Spring Kits Part No. 34324
  • Belltech Rear Street Performance Shocks x 2 Part No. 2410FF
  • Energy Suspension 9.9132R Bump Stops mounted on rear axle pads
  • Hellwig 7960 Adjustable End Link 6-8"
  • M&P USA GM MagneRide Shock & Ride Height Bypass Delete Kit Compatible with 2005-2012 Cadillac, Chevrolet & GMC
  • M&P USA Magneride Universal Adapter set for M&P USA Active Electronic Suspension Strut Bypass Kit
  • Autoride fuse pulled and non-operational
  • Moog sway bar end links Part Number K700538 (page 112) (Removed)
  • McGaughy’s rear springs (Part no. 0307) with shock relocation Kit 30014 (page 112) (Removed)

Old square body Blue Suburban pics from when I was a kid. (page 3)

Build Sheet. (page 21)


Here are some exterior pictures after I detailed her.

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IMG_0857.JPG


IMG_0860.JPG
 
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05Single

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Classy lookin ride ya got there, unfortunately doesn't sound like it will be as much of a in depth build thread as your tahoe :( . I wanna see you do another full overhaul on a new ride. but still the nnbs' look so damn good from the factory already, just need a subtle and small touches from the almighty Fosscore ;)

Do I spot power folding steps :rolleyes:, and debadged on passage side only :confused:

Had no idea about the afm disabler.

I know you said no mods atm but you're still gonna ...
*debadge/demold
*ptm handles/mirrors
*ptm grille with black inserts
*hids + retrofit


*pink neon underglow :D
 

Tonyrodz

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Finally got it!! Congratulations. Let's see how long it takes before you start tweaking things a little bit, you know "If I change this, it'll run much more efficient, but then I also should change this while I'm in there ". Just a matter of time my friend! Lol. Good luck with the new acquisition. :waytogo:
 

07Burb

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Nice!!!!!
 
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Fosscore

Fosscore

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Classy lookin ride ya got there, unfortunately doesn't sound like it will be as much of a in depth build thread as your tahoe :( . I wanna see you do another full overhaul on a new ride. but still the nnbs' look so damn good from the factory already, just need a subtle and small touches from the almighty Fosscore ;)

Do I spot power folding steps :rolleyes:, and debadged on passage side only :confused:

Had no idea about the afm disabler.

I know you said no mods atm but you're still gonna ...
*debadge/demold
*ptm handles/mirrors
*ptm grille with black inserts
*hids + retrofit


*pink neon underglow :D

@05Single
No this won't go as in depth as the Tahoe, but that's okay. It is still a sweet truck. The wife and the kids love it. Power folding steps indeed. Major selling point for the wife. Your mod list is a good start and I have considered all the above, but we shall see how we go. I have a few ideas...

No pink underglow, lol...that is for sure!
 
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Fosscore

Fosscore

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Finally got it!! Congratulations. Let's see how long it takes before you start tweaking things a little bit, you know "If I change this, it'll run much more efficient, but then I also should change this while I'm in there ". Just a matter of time my friend! Lol. Good luck with the new acquisition. :waytogo:

Thanks man. Keys already handed over to the wife. :eek:
 
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Fosscore

Fosscore

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EXCELLENT!!! I wish i had a nbs & a nnbs ;):D lol. Whats this AFM u speak of, do i need it lol? Badass burb man! :boobs:

Thanks man.

@kwOH

Go here for more info.
http://www.rangetechnology.com/pages/v8

It is pretty straight forward. Buy the device for under $200 depending on who you order it from and if there are any promotions (Range occasionally has a $10 off and free shipping. I ordered mine Amazon Prime at the time.), plug it into your ODB-II port under the steering column and that's it.

It automatically deactivates the AFM, gives you 100% V8 power, runs on all 8 cylinders all the time and when I mash the pedal there is no shuddering that I have noticed. Has a blue LED that tells you it is on and shines down on your feet. I watched my DIC for a week and it never switched back into V4 mode. Noted that it will probably affect your MPG. :)

The one thing you need to keep in mind is that it is always active and if you do not drive your truck for a few days, they recommend unplugging it so as to not run the battery down. There is no footprint on your ECU either. Simple plug and play device. Not as detailed as my BlackBear tune on the Tahoe, but it is an immediate solution to an issue that has been well documented with the NNBS trucks.

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Fosscore

Fosscore

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I will explain the (de)badge issue below. Nothing gets by this crowd. lol

I had a thread on this subject, but I will transfer over the details from that thread here, so that it is part of my build thread.
http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thre...e-what-would-you-do.86531/page-2#post-1039672

I did debadge the passenger's side SUBURBAN and LTZ letters a few weeks ago, but ran into a roadblock with the driver's side and lift gate letters.

When I started to debadge the driver's side and lift gate letters, I noticed that behind the letters it was not flat and there was some broken paint with double-sided tape under the paint. There is a backstory that explains this issue and why I cannot debadge the driver's side and lift gate. :(

My boss (whom I actually bought the truck from) had hit the truck twice with a golf cart and put two small dents/deep scratches all the way to the metal on the lift gate and the driver's side rear quarter panel just in front of the wheel and behind the rear door. I was interested in buying the truck at this point, but they were too high on their asking price at the time, so I let it go for a few months and since he was paying for the damage repair on his dime, I had it taken care of.

The Suburban went to the body shop and they did a pretty good job. Now after really looking at it more in detail as I was buying it, I noticed that the tape lines were not as tight as they should have been, I found some overspray and some under spray. The body shop owner (different shop than I have had my Tahoe parts painted at) said he had a helluva time blending the WDT and swore off ever painting that color again.

So the point of the story is that they must have pulled the letters off and left the tape, probably as average Joe would never debadge and that way they could line up the letters perfectly after painting. Easy for them and a no-win situation for me. So I just put the letters back on and called it a day rather than start picking at the covered tape and causing a bigger problem than leaving those letters on. One side is lettered and one side is debadged. You cannot see both sides at once and nobody but TYF will notice.

The moldings will stay as well. I think they did the same thing on the driver's side and having 1/2 a truck with moldings will not satisfy my desire for perfection. Plus I am hopeful that the wife and kids will learn quick to use normal doors and not take out every car they park next to.



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05Single

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:rage:
As an previous body man that was my first thought but was hoping I was wrong :(
In the end if that's all you have to worry about that's not too bad as you know the trucks history and the previous owner as he probably drove it like an old man, I'm guessing your boss is an old man lol

That still sucks man, I guess they're staying on, maybe go black with them or cm white for a ghost badge look :D

Curious as far as the range AFM, does that void warranties ?
 

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