Growing up doesn't have to suck

[iamdub]

Found some more "before" and "after" pics I meant to post here. They're of it right before and after I un-lifted it. I may have posted them in the "What did you do to your GMT900..." thread. Anyway, for documentation purposes:

Before with 2/1 lift and 1.5" wheel spacers:

After with stock height and width:

Before:

After:

 

[iamdub]

Decided to swap on that rocker cover with the updated PCV baffle I bought a few months ago. It turned out that mine already had the updated one. It wasn't a total waste since I got a chance to see how the insides were looking. I'm satisfied with my findings.

Mine (left) vs. the one I bought (right):

Anybody need an updated rocker cover? I'll post it in the classifieds.

 

[swathdiver]

Valve train and head look good and clean! Truck looks good lifted, stock or level in that color but I always liked it better without the spacers!

 

[BourbonNcigars]

I like it more without the lift.

 

[iamdub]

Valve train and head look good and clean! Truck looks good lifted, stock or level in that color but I always liked it better without the spacers!

I can't speak for the first 146K miles. But, that's that Pennzoil Platinum every 5K for the last 49K!

Unfortunately, I'm one that can't be satisfied driving a stock vehicle. I literally felt embarrassment when I drove into town after I put it back to stock. *facepalm

Ridiculous, I know. Driving around people that don't know me in a vehicle that blends in with 1,000 others just like it and I'm trying to hide my face. lol

I'll have it lowered soon enough... Just so I can regret it and want it lifted again.

 

[iamdub]

I like it more without the lift.

I should probably just 'bag it so I can have it slammed and lifted.

 

[swathdiver]

I should probably just 'bag it so I can have it slammed and lifted.

Nah, lifted on the even years, lowered on the odd years. Just so you'll have something to do every January. Keep the folks in town guessing too. They'll never know how many trucks you have.

 

[iamdub]

Nah, lifted on the even years, lowered on the odd years. Just so you'll have something to do every January. Keep the folks in town guessing too. They'll never know how many trucks you have.

Hmmm... This could actually do a service to my misguided OCD.

 

[BourbonNcigars]

I should probably just 'bag it so I can have it slammed and lifted.

Pimpin' ain't easy.

 

[89Suburban]

I like it more without the lift.

X2.

And I missed the boat on the used one dammit.

 

[iamdub]

I keep posting in the "What did you do to your GMT900 today" thread but not updating this one. There hasn't been a whole lot of mods, but lemme see if I can catch up...

 

[Rocket Man]

Good job so far...

 

[PG01]

Good job so far...

Better than me...

 

[iamdub]

Bought some stock chrome-clad OEM GMC 20s with Goodyear Eagle LS-2s with great tread for $400, factory lug nuts included:

De-cladded and cleaned them with heavy-duty paint stripper:

Smoothed the ridge around the lip using a grinder and the Tahoe idling in gear as a lathe:

Made some rings out of PVC pipe so OEM-style center caps could be snapped in and out just like stock:

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Better than me...

And me.

 

[iamdub]

A local vinyl graphics shop donated some black vinyl for me to cover the gold bow ties on the center caps.

Put a center cap on the copy machine to get a half-assed template. Cut it out with an X-Acto knife and positioned it over the gold part to get an idea of what I was gonna do:

Taped it to the vinyl with clear packaging tape and cut it out, adding about 1/32" to all sides:

They're not perfect, but plenty good enough for freehanding on this budget project:

Mounted up:

 

[iamdub]

Gave the lug nuts a "brushed" finish to better match the de-clads.

Chucked a replacement stud in the drill press upside-down and ground down the head as it spun until it was even and could be chucked in the drill the other way. Then screwed a lug nut onto it and pressed it into a sanding block for about 15-20 seconds. Looks good enough for my purposes.

Before:

During:

After:

 

[iamdub]

After putting on the de-clads, the chrome door handles really clashed. I scored a full set of Graystone OEM take-offs on ebay for $50, so those went on soon after the wheels.


Before:

After:

 

[iamdub]

To further the de-chroming, I sanded some base model black mirror caps to remove the texture then painted them.


When I first started sanding:

320 grit:

1500 grit:

Primed:

First base coat:

 

[iamdub]

Cleared:

Outside for the sun to help harden it:

Compared to the A pillar: