Hello from Massachusetts!

[MassHoe04]

New to the forum in the last two weeks or so...

Hey, from Mass.!

I restored a Model A Ford with my dad, when I was 10 years old. We finished when I graduated high school.

I did basic things on other vehicles over the years. Then, I got an 05 Jeep TJ Rubicon as my daily driver just over three years ago. I got the TJ, specifically so I could do my own repairs and not pay someone else to keep it on the road.

The Jeep had a sudden unravelling in several areas, that were going to take me off the road too long or cost too much out of pocket. I had to find a replacement daily driver; and fast!

I always loved C/K pickups, Blazers and Suburbans. The square bodies and older models are getting crazy money, so that was out for me.

I just happened to see an 04 Tahoe for sale locally on Craigslist. I was the first to go see it and I made the deal right away. It needs the outer rockers replaced from the edge just below the doors and the rear corners have previously been repaired (they look good from 5 feet - good for now), but the frame and underside of the body looked good for a New England truck.

It has 194k miles, but the engine and transmission are so quiet and smooth! Love the sound of the 5.3 with the after market exhaust! Sounds better than some lower mileage trucks I have seen.

Pluses for me: Z71 package with G80 axle locker, leather interior was mint, stainless steel brake lines already installed, full exhaust system with throaty stainless cat-back installed. It seems to have every option, except heated seats and the electric seat back recline button. Entertainment center, everything...

Somebody did take the Z71 roof rack (with kayak roller) at some point. I am bummed about that! Maybe the had a low garage door or just wanted to go for more of a street look with the low-profile 20's.

Priority repairs include rotors and pads, addressing ABS sensors making light/chime come on at 55+ MPH. I'll do the fronts (pull and clean the sensors and where they attach to the hub) first and see what happens.

I absolutely love driving this truck!
I look forward to learning all the Chevy quirks, tips and tricks from the experts here on the forum.

P.S.: I traded the 20 inch rims for some stock rims. I needed better tires than the low profile 285/50 R20 that was there and wanted to move into some 265/75 R16 all-terrains. There are way more tire options on the 16 inch rims, than on the 20's. At least on 16's, I can get some great Cooper AT tires for less than $120 each!

 

[ratled]

Welcome to the forum....... I just put some Cooper AT3S on mine a couple of weeks ago. Very nice ride, look great and I'm looking forward to see how they handle in the snow

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

More pics of the truck, please.

 

[MassHoe04]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

More pics of the truck, please.

Thanks! It is not the most glamorous or pristine Tahoe on the road but, in time, she'll come around...

 

[OR VietVet]

Thanks! It is not the most glamorous or pristine Tahoe on the road but, in time, she'll come around...

Keep working at it. I bought my 05 and immediately went to work on it. I can say, with no problems, that it is now worth over $30k and is as dependable as anything out there and surely more dependable than the 2021 on GM products. You will count your lucky stars that you own it.

 

[MassHoe04]

Keep working at it. I bought my 05 and immediately went to work on it. I can say, with no problems, that it is now worth over $30k and is as dependable as anything out there and surely more dependable than the 2021 on GM products. You will count your lucky stars that you own it.

Better late than never, I suppose, but... Thank you for your service!
Sincere thanks to all veterans living and lost, as well as active and retired members of the military for serving!

 

[Miami-Dade]

Welcome from NYC!

Nice find! Craigslist is the last place I would look for anything [due to all the sketchy sellers] but glad it worked out for you.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Welcome from NJ. FYI--The Z71 came with 17's when new. The non Z71's came with the 16's. Lower sills--below the doors--is a very common area to rust, along with the dog leg area in salty states. My 03 is starting to rust now.

 

[MassHoe04]

Welcome from NYC!

Nice find! Craigslist is the last place I would look for anything [due to all the sketchy sellers] but glad it worked out for you. Nice find!

I didn't know until I got there, but I had worked with and knew two of the guy's cousins! He held on a handshake, with no deposit, for two days. After our handshake for $6,500... He had someone from NY call to offer $7,200 ($500 more), but he kept his agreement with me instead of taking the higher offer. Needs some minor work, like I said, but I am happy with it overall.

$6,500 might be high compared to a lot in the south, but I did not have time to wait or travel. In New England, once you dip get close to $5k, they would not be anything you want to daily drive...

 

[MassHoe04]

Welcome from NJ. FYI--The Z71 came with 17's when new. The non Z71's came with the 16's. Lower sills--below the doors--is a very common area to rust, along with the dog leg area in salty states. My 03 is starting to rust now.

It was a tough choice getting back into stock rims before the snow flew...
1) Keep the 285/50 R20 Yokohama sport tread tires, that were not expected to do well in the snow/slush even if they were new...
2) Buy some better-looking 17" or 18" stock take-offs... Looking at approx. $500-$800 around my way.
3) Trade for 16 inch stock rims that were even-Steven free trade...

I came across a guy with a 2000 1500 Silverado Stepside being sold for $800 (another Craigslist find). It had stock Silverado 16 inch rims with some budget street tires. Tires looked decent, although they were small (only 245/75/16). I did want something a little more grippy in snow that the low profiles that came with mine. These fit that bill for now. I mainly wanted the smaller rims to be able to get into some 265/75 series AT tires in the spring. I traded straight-up for the 20's I had. My first goal was met.

The rims are fair, but I think they will clean up a little. If not, I'll paint or Plasti-dip after winter.

So, until I hit the lottery... This $0 out of pocket option for 16's works for me.

I would love some Nittos or Goodyear KO2. But, it looks like I will go with Cooper Discoverer AT from Walmart. 265/75 R16 for less than $120 each.

 

[swathdiver]

$6,500 might be high compared to a lot in the south, but I did not have time to wait or travel. In New England, once you dip get close to $5k, they would not be anything you want to daily drive...

Not in this current market and if the bones are good, the cosmetic stuff is cheap. Don't sweat it, you did great!

 

[Tonyrodz]

It was a tough choice getting back into stock rims before the snow flew...
1) Keep the 285/50 R20 Yokohama sport tread tires, that were not expected to do well in the snow/slush even if they were new...
2) Buy some better-looking 17" or 18" stock take-offs... Looking at approx. $500-$800 around my way.
3) Trade for 16 inch stock rims that were even-Steven free trade...

I came across a guy with a 2000 1500 Silverado Stepside being sold for $800 (another Craigslist find). It had stock Silverado 16 inch rims with some budget street tires. Tires looked decent, although they were small (only 245/75/16). I did want something a little more grippy in snow that the low profiles that came with mine. These fit that bill for now. I mainly wanted the smaller rims to be able to get into some 265/75 series AT tires in the spring. I traded straight-up for the 20's I had. My first goal was met.

The rims are fair, but I think they will clean up a little. If not, I'll paint or Plasti-dip after winter.

So, until I hit the lottery... This $0 out of pocket option for 16's works for me.

I would love some Nittos or Goodyear KO2. But, it looks like I will go with Cooper Discoverer AT from Walmart. 265/75 R16 for less than $120 each.

I wasn't criticizing. I don't blame you a bit! You did good. Back when I had the stock 16's it had Cooper Discoverer HT's, 265 70 16. Loved those tires. Used to go through snow great, plus they looked good too.

 

[MassHoe04]

Welcome from NYC!

Nice find! Craigslist is the last place I would look for anything [due to all the sketchy sellers] but glad it worked out for you. Nice find!

I wasn't criticizing. I don't blame you a bit! You did good. Back when I had the stick 16's it had Cooper Discoverer HT's, 265 70 16. Loved those tires. Used to go through snow great, plus they looked good too.

No worries! Was not taken as criticism. I just came from an 05 Jeep Rubicon. I had 33x12.5x15 on those. A bit fatter and a lot more aggressive than the AT tires I hope to get this spring for the Tahoe.

In new England, the roads are just total crap! Sometimes the roads are really just giant potholes with random bits of pavement scattered in between. The extra half inch on 16 vs. 17 sidewall is greatly appreciated in this neck of the woods! Even the 245/75 tires make for a much better ride than the 285/50 series I traded away. I do like the look of a fat sidewall on smaller rim. Got used to that look on the Jeep.

Also, I have a feeling good Karma will come back my way... Hold on, this is a riot!!!

The guy with the Silverado Stepside was originally listing for $800. The night before I was to swap my wheels for his, a couple of shady people came over insisting on an offer of $450. He told them to beat it!

The next day, I swapped over the Torque Thrust 20's with Yokohama 285/50 R20 Parada sport-tread tires and took the Silverado alloy 16s with 245/75 basic all-season road-tread tires. I told him I honestly thought he could get more than $800 in this market, just having a good motor and transmission. I told him anything more than the engine and tranny could be considered bonus for whoever buys it.

Two days later, he texted me. He sold the truck to an older guy with another Silverado. He wanted to use the best from both to make one good one. Guy selling ended up getting $1,200 for it!!!

The guy with the Silverado increased the sale of his truck by 50% and I got tires better suited for winter and OK rims that will allow me to buy better AT tires for a lot less money than 20 inch tires cost. I have no complaints on how it all went down.

 

[Tonyrodz]

No worries! Was not taken as criticism. I just came from an 05 Jeep Rubicon. I had 33x12.5x15 on those. A bit fatter and a lot more aggressive than the AT tires I hope to get this spring for the Tahoe.

In new England, the roads are just total crap! Sometimes the roads are really just giant potholes with random bits of pavement scattered in between. The extra half inch on 16 vs. 17 sidewall is greatly appreciated in this neck of the woods! Even the 245/75 tires make for a much better ride than the 285/50 series I traded away. I do like the look of a fat sidewall on smaller rim. Got used to that look on the Jeep.

Also, I have a feeling good Karma will come back my way... Hold on, this is a riot!!!

The guy with the Silverado Stepside was originally listing for $800. The night before I was to swap my wheels for his, a couple of shady people came over insisting on an offer of $450. He told them to beat it!

The next day, I swapped over the Torque Thrust 20's with Yokohama 285/50 R20 Parada sport-tread tires and took the Silverado alloy 16s with 245/75 basic all-season road-tread tires. I told him I honestly thought he could get more than $800 in this market, just having a good motor and transmission. I told him anything more than the engine and tranny could be considered bonus for whoever buys it.

Two days later, he texted me. He sold the truck to an older guy with another Silverado. He wanted to use the best from both to make one good one. Guy selling ended up getting $1,200 for it!!!

The guy with the Silverado increased the sale of his truck by 50% and I got tires better suited for winter and OK rims that will allow me to buy better AT tires for a lot less money than 20 inch tires cost. I have no complaints on how it all went down.

The older I get, the more I believe in karma. Good for you! I got rid of my 16's, went to 22's for summer wheels--hated them, then went to steelies 17's--Silverado rims--for the summer. Has 265 70 17's. Going with the ppv look.
Steelie 17's with PPV caps.



22's. Looked good sitting still, but I grew to hate them. They did look good tho.
Gonna run these for the winter. 265 65 17's. I got a good deal on them(tires).

 

[06 Taco]

Welcome from CT
I have a Z71 roof rack I took of my 06, it's been hanging around my garage for three years and it needs a home.

 

[89Suburban]

The older I get, the more I believe in karma. Good for you! I got rid of my 16's, went to 22's for summer wheels--hated them, then went to steelies 17's--Silverado rims--for the summer. Has 265 70 17's. Going with the ppv look.
Steelie 17's with PPV caps.


View attachment 355513
22's. Looked good sitting still, but I grew to hate them. They did look good tho.View attachment 355511View attachment 355510
Gonna run these for the winter. 265 65 17's. I got a good deal on them(tires).View attachment 355509View attachment 355512

Love your PPV's. Some day I hope to have some. I had a shot at a set over the summer but I blew it.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Love your PPV's. Some day I hope to have some. I had a shot at a set over the summer but I blew it.

They're regular Silverado steel 17's that I painted and drilled/tapped holes for the PPV center caps. Easy.

 

[Cliff-Yukon]

Welcome to the forum....... I just put some Cooper AT3S on mine a couple of weeks ago. Very nice ride, look great and I'm looking forward to see how they handle in the snow

@ratled How are you liking the Coopers. Any reviews on snow yet? Thinking of going with these vs factory Continentals….

 

[Teamiez]

It was a tough choice getting back into stock rims before the snow flew...
1) Keep the 285/50 R20 Yokohama sport tread tires, that were not expected to do well in the snow/slush even if they were new...
2) Buy some better-looking 17" or 18" stock take-offs... Looking at approx. $500-$800 around my way.
3) Trade for 16 inch stock rims that were even-Steven free trade...

I came across a guy with a 2000 1500 Silverado Stepside being sold for $800 (another Craigslist find). It had stock Silverado 16 inch rims with some budget street tires. Tires looked decent, although they were small (only 245/75/16). I did want something a little more grippy in snow that the low profiles that came with mine. These fit that bill for now. I mainly wanted the smaller rims to be able to get into some 265/75 series AT tires in the spring. I traded straight-up for the 20's I had. My first goal was met.

The rims are fair, but I think they will clean up a little. If not, I'll paint or Plasti-dip after winter.

So, until I hit the lottery... This $0 out of pocket option for 16's works for me.

I would love some Nittos or Goodyear KO2. But, it looks like I will go with Cooper Discoverer AT from Walmart. 265/75 R16 for less than $120 each.

The BF good rich ko2’s are more expensive, but they have never let me down. On set #3 I don’t feel the aggressiveness at all & they go through everything! 3 year 50,000 tire easy.