Giddy Up Build/Refresh for my 2011 GMC Yukon Denali

[Denaliz]

Just putting a starting point for my upcoming build.

I bought my 2011 GMC Yukon Denali new in late 2010. I started upgrading things in 2015 and it’s been thru several high end audio setups. Removed/converted the e brake to an actuator to make room for Custom built kick panels, console that houses a 10” Raven xl subwoofer firing up into the dash (no rattles) amp rack, speaker pods and bunch of custom wiring.I still compete in sound quality car audio and enjoy the hobby.

Performance wise I’ve added the well known magnaflow 12909 muffler only since we have 3.5” pipes oem. Airaid JR CAI, K&N filter, catch can, Blackbear performance tune, and Eibach Sway bars.

I’ve always replaced any molding/trim pieces that got worn out or needed replaced down to the clips. So she’s in pretty good shape to begin the build.


Finally started putting together a plan for the performance upgrades I’ve wanted and spent many hours researching, asking forum questions and meeting with multiple vendors for the install and parts selection.

The build will consist of the following:

Vossen HF6-1 24” wheels with a gunmetal grey finish.

Belltech 753 kit for a 2/3 drop/ keeping the z55 suspension

TSP Cam Swap Package- AFM/DOD and VVT Delete. I asked for a cam that would play nice with the supercharger that’s going to be installed at the same time.

-TSP L92 Truck Cam 216/228, .600/600,
113 LSA (25-TSP216228-113)
7.400" (25-7400-1)
TSP.660" Dual Spring Kit w/ Integrated

One-Piece Seat & Seal, Titanium Retainers, PAC Springs #199-TSPPACPOL660SPRINGKIT.

Supercharger- I had all but decided on a Maggy TVS1900 but the shop handling the install wanted to look into a whipple. Choice is mine wt the end of the day and they have no issues with whatever I want.

I did close to a full z55 suspension refresh in the last 24 months replacing the rear shocks, front struts including the entire coilover assembling and springs. Tie rods, LCA and ball joints.

For reasons unknown both of the front struts locked up so I have 2x new oem ACDelco airside struts going in on a warranty replacement.

I’m also having the Denali repainted staying with the oem Onyx Black just making her perfect as I can.

I’ll update as I get the remaining parts in and start the install.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I'm in for the refre$h! I can't wait to see the numbers it'll put down once everything is dialed in.

 

[swathdiver]

Are you going to baseline the truck before you start this latest round of mods? Like take her to your local drag strip or dyno?

 

[Denaliz]

Are you going to baseline the truck before you start this latest round of mods? Like take her to your local drag strip or dyno?

Yes/ good call. I plan on having it dyno’d at a local shop pre work.

FYI- I am far from an expert on this stuff. Now audio and wiring I’ve got down cold in my sleep so this is a somewhat new world for me to

 

[Denaliz]

So a good buddy of mine does automotive interior, fab and has a high end car audio store. He’s going to help me design the new interior fab. Not sure what all we will end up doing but I’ve seen 1st hand his custom interiors and hand stitched leather work. I’m in good hands.

Below is a pic of one of the trucks he just knocked out

 

[Denaliz]

A lil closer- just need a missing awol wheel to make a set

 

[pwtr02ss]

Interior looks great! Good luck with the future mods.

 

[Denaliz]

 

[Denaliz]

The missing/AWOL wheel showed up today along with my center caps thankfully. Now I’m waiting on TSP.

 

[Denaliz]

Project finally started.

Dropped off my Denali to have the Belltech 2/3 drop kit 753 and some oem GM Z55 suspension parts replaced.
2x acdelco 580-434 struts along with new GM strut mounts (entire front coilover assemblies were done about 18 months ago) front & rear upper control arms and trailing arms using all oem GM products.

The plan is to have this done and the Vossens mounted up with the TSP cam package and SC arrive.

 

[CMoore711]

This is going to be a whole different truck when you're done!

How many miles on the drivetrain at this point before the power mods?
Still original stock 6 speed transmission?

 

[Geotrash]

Project finally started.

Dropped off my Denali to have the Belltech 2/3 drop kit 753 and some oem GM Z55 suspension parts replaced.
2x acdelco 580-434 struts along with new GM strut mounts (entire front coilover assemblies were done about 18 months ago) front & rear upper control arms and trailing arms using all oem GM products.

The plan is to have this done and the Vossens mounted up with the TSP cam package and SC arrive.

What's the latest? Any updates?

 

[5StarCustmSolutns]

Project finally started.

Dropped off my Denali to have the Belltech 2/3 drop kit 753 and some oem GM Z55 suspension parts replaced.
2x acdelco 580-434 struts along with new GM strut mounts (entire front coilover assemblies were done about 18 months ago) front & rear upper control arms and trailing arms using all oem GM products.

The plan is to have this done and the Vossens mounted up with the TSP cam package and SC arrive.

We would love to see some pics of the drop shackles and (I'm assuming) the brackets fabricated to satisfy the Z55 ride height sensors. Actually we would love to see some new innovative way to satisfy those sensors even more ... And by we I mostly mean me, but Im sure somebody else on here would like it too. Hope it's going well

 

[Denaliz]

Just an update as it’s taken a lil longer than I expected.

So I got the Belltech 2/3 suspension drop kit installed along with replacement oem Z55 struts, GM upper control arms and rear GM upper and lower control arms along with the 24” Vossen HF6-1’s installed with a set of Nexen 295/35/24’s.

During this I noticed one of my rear air shocks (z55) had a leaky bladder so have a warranty replacement in route from Arnott/Rock Auto. I had replaced them both in 2020. So I’m having to pause while I wait on the new one. (always freaking something I swear)

Once I get this installed and the confirm all the suspension is dialed in and correctly working I’ll get the Cam swap and sc fun part going.
I did find a way to spend more money on something I totally wasn’t going to do..

When I took a look at the new Vossen’s and how much the rotors and brakes show thru now, Im thinking how good red calipers would look and decided to look for any deals on the Brembo GM Big Brake Kit by chance. Well be careful what you ask for right?

Found a killer deal on a brand new Brembo GM 6 piston/16” rotors upgrade kit (front end) that I’m pulling the trigger on today.

It’s branded Cadillac so I’ll need to have the logo removed or changed to GMC but for what I paid.. I’m good with that.

 

[Geotrash]

Just an update as it’s taken a lil longer than I expected.

So I got the Belltech 2/3 suspension drop kit installed along with replacement oem Z55 struts, GM upper control arms and rear GM upper and lower control arms along with the 24” Vossen HF6-1’s installed with a set of Nexen 295/35/24’s.

During this I noticed one of my rear air shocks (z55) had a leaky bladder so have a warranty replacement in route from Arnott/Rock Auto. I had replaced them both in 2020. So I’m having to pause while I wait on the new one. (always freaking something I swear)

Once I get this installed and the confirm all the suspension is dialed in and correctly working I’ll get the Cam swap and sc fun part going.
I did find a way to spend more money on something I totally wasn’t going to do..

When I took a look at the new Vossen’s and how much the rotors and brakes show thru now, Im thinking how good red calipers would look and decided to look for any deals on the Brembo GM Big Brake Kit by chance. Well be careful what you ask for right?

Found a killer deal on a brand new Brembo GM 6 piston/16” rotors upgrade kit (front end) that I’m pulling the trigger on today.

It’s branded Cadillac so I’ll need to have the logo removed or changed to GMC but for what I paid.. I’m good with that.

Yeah those Vossens look great! Congrats on the progress.

 

[alpha_omega]

The missing/AWOL wheel showed up today along with my center caps thankfully. Now I’m waiting on TSP.

View attachment 387806

What color lug nuts did you go with? Did they actually have gunmetal or were they either black or chrome?

I couldn’t find anyone who made a center cap for my wheels or gunmetal lug nuts for the size/style I needed.

 

[Denaliz]

I apologize about the long pause. I ended up doing some more research as well as the shop I had planned on doing the cam and other work kind of flaked out on me. (Prob for the best before I spent a bunch of money and wasn’t happy with the result)

Updates below

 

[Denaliz]

I haven’t been good about updating progress .. that’s on me sorry.

So here’s a bit of an update post on the suspension drop package, wheels, tires and a why the pause ramble.

Belltech 753 2/3 drop kit installed along with a few replacement suspension parts, completing my total z55 refresh I started in 2021. Goal was keeping the best ride quality possible.



24” Vossen HF6-1 Wheels:

(139.7x6)

I had these wrapped in Nexen Roadian HP 295/35/r24 tires. I’m very happy with the ride quality of the Nexens and feel no loss of ride quality coming from my 20 oem Bridgestone tires I’ve always run and been happy with.

(Discount Tire price match @$229.94 from Walmart per tire for me.)



I went back and forth over between Toyo Proxies (which to me are the best option out there for a 295/35/r24 tire on our SUV’s)to something of a better quality than the the basic cheapo Chinese Lexani etc tires and I’m good with the result and ride quality. (No hate just a personal preference, I can’t skimp and settle for a rough riding tire)


Big Brake Kit- Pause for now


I had actually scored a crazy good deal on the GM Brembo big brake kit new for under 1500.00 but I decided against it at the last second knowing what all else I have on my list.

I just painted all 4 rotors red for now using VHT caliper primer, paint and clear. I’m really happy with the looks and how it turned out but Will absolutely revisit and complete some type of big brake kit upgrade in the future I believe.



That’s it for now and I’ll do my best to add better pics soon. Just wanted to circle back and update while I was thinking about it.

 

[Jdod23]

What's the latest? Any

I haven’t been good about updating progress .. that’s on me sorry.

So here’s a bit of an update post on the suspension drop package, wheels, tires and a why the pause ramble.

Belltech 753 2/3 drop kit installed along with a few replacement suspension parts, completing my total z55 refresh I started in 2021. Goal was keeping the best ride quality possible.



24” Vossen HF6-1 Wheels:

(139.7x6)

I had these wrapped in Nexen Roadian HP 295/35/r24 tires. I’m very happy with the ride quality of the Nexens and feel no loss of ride quality coming from my 20 oem Bridgestone tires I’ve always run and been happy with.

(Discount Tire price match @$229.94 from Walmart per tire for me.)



I went back and forth over between Toyo Proxies (which to me are the best option out there for a 295/35/r24 tire on our SUV’s)to something of a better quality than the the basic cheapo Chinese Lexani etc tires and I’m good with the result and ride quality. (No hate just a personal preference, I can’t skimp and settle for a rough riding tire)


Big Brake Kit- Pause for now


I had actually scored a crazy good deal on the GM Brembo big brake kit new for under 1500.00 but I decided against it at the last second knowing what all else I have on my list.

I just painted all 4 rotors red for now using VHT caliper primer, paint and clear. I’m really happy with the looks and how it turned out but Will absolutely revisit and complete some type of big brake kit upgrade in the future I believe.



That’s it for now and I’ll do my best to add better pics soon. Just wanted to circle back and update while I was thinking about it.

I haven’t been good about updating progress .. that’s on me sorry.

So here’s a bit of an update post on the suspension drop package, wheels, tires and a why the pause ramble.

Belltech 753 2/3 drop kit installed along with a few replacement suspension parts, completing my total z55 refresh I started in 2021. Goal was keeping the best ride quality possible.



24” Vossen HF6-1 Wheels:

(139.7x6)

I had these wrapped in Nexen Roadian HP 295/35/r24 tires. I’m very happy with the ride quality of the Nexens and feel no loss of ride quality coming from my 20 oem Bridgestone tires I’ve always run and been happy with.

(Discount Tire price match @$229.94 from Walmart per tire for me.)



I went back and forth over between Toyo Proxies (which to me are the best option out there for a 295/35/r24 tire on our SUV’s)to something of a better quality than the the basic cheapo Chinese Lexani etc tires and I’m good with the result and ride quality. (No hate just a personal preference, I can’t skimp and settle for a rough riding tire)


Big Brake Kit- Pause for now


I had actually scored a crazy good deal on the GM Brembo big brake kit new for under 1500.00 but I decided against it at the last second knowing what all else I have on my list.

I just painted all 4 rotors red for now using VHT caliper primer, paint and clear. I’m really happy with the looks and how it turned out but Will absolutely revisit and complete some type of big brake kit upgrade in the future I believe.



That’s it for now and I’ll do my best to add better pics soon. Just wanted to circle back and update while I was thinking about it.