I'm baaaaaack!

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TheFuzz

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Back w/ an 02 Suburban - update w/ pics

Whats up everyone! Been about 6 months since I sold my Yukon, which I still miss...but the current economy sort of provided an interesting opportunity for some car-swapping amongst my wife's family, and I wound up with my in-laws 02 Suburban. Sold my wife's fusion to the inlaws, and they gave us the Suburban for free. Its a grey 2002 LT 4x4, leather w/ third row, fender flares and all of the standard stuff, plus some aftermarket audio and video which is nice for the kids, although a little dated. All that being said, it looks like a POS right now. It belonged to my father in law for 8 years (he bought it new), then he gave it to my sister in law who did a royal trash and bash number on the thing. Although it's rough cosmetically, it has 228K on it right now and is still going strong! Original engine and trans, too. What it needs:

1. Brakes! Holy sh*t they are bad. Probably all 4 corners which will be expensive. They are so warped that the whole truck shakes when stopping. Not good.

2. A new front bumper. Multiple low-speed hits on various items have the front end looking pretty ragged. Luckily no fender, light or hood involvement, but the bumper is crunched up bad. The right rear fender by the exhaust pipe is smashed in too from my father in law running over a huge boulder. He never got it fixed, and I probably won't either. It would probably be expensive.

3. No brake lights at all, which I just noticed yesterday. Not even the CHMSL (third brake light) is working. My experience tells me to try the simple things first, so I checked all the fuses, which were good, and replaced all of the chinese cheapass bulbs with Sylvania LL 3157s. No dice. Since the third brake light isn't working either, I'm guessing it's either a bad brake light switch on the pedal, or the multi-function switch is going out. I did notice that the multi-function switch's backlight is burned out and the dome override isn't working, so I'm afraid that's it. I don't have a testor so I might just replace both switches and call it a day. Bleh.

4. Drivers side front window motor is fried, the window won't roll down and once again, the fuse is ok.

5. Detail job inside and out, interior is gross. Nuff said.

6. My sister in law said she was averaging 9mpg in the thing. WHAT?? Something is wrong there, even for a pig like a 'Burb. New plugs, wires, air filter and a throttle body clean out/coolant bypass and a thorough seafoam treatment is on the way. Oil/filter was done 2 weeks ago but I'll probably do it again myself just for peace of mind. AEM intake and a BBP tune eventually. I'll try to get the diffs, t-case and trans serviced soon too.

I think thats about it for the needed items. If any of you guys can think of stuff that I'm missing, please chime in. A co-worker of mine owns a police vehicle upfitting company nearby, so he's hooking me up with a used push bumper, and some other goodies. It will also be getting the usual Ford keys/spacers/Bilstein 5100/ 33" tire treatment once I get all of the important stuff done. No pics yet but I'll try to get some over the weekend...although it isn't much to look at right now lol.

Anyway, it's good to be back. I missed you guys! :Handshake:

Update 04/22/11 - here are a few crappy cell phone shots. I didn't give the front end much love due to the damage. More to come.

IMG_20110419_175141.jpg

IMG_20110419_175105.jpg

IMG_20110419_175042.jpg


I'm getting the driver's side front re-tinted soon to match the rest of the truck - this vehicle was one of the ones that was broken into last year the same night my Yukon was hit - sis never bothered re-tinting the window. Those bumper stickers are coming off too...got one done earlier today, the other one will be gone by tomorrow.
 
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07Burb

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I don't know you but welcome back :D Pics of new acquisition? :D
 

My01yuk

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Welcome back bro. Man that sounds like a lot to do, but you have the knowledge to get it done. Enjoy and post pics soon.
 
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TheFuzz

TheFuzz

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Thanks guys. It's amazing how fast the forum blew up, there are a ton of new people that have joined in the last six months! Thats great to see, I'm sure Shaggy is happy.

It's cool to see that so many people are using the 4-hi mod write up that I did way back when. Speaking of which, I need to add that to my to-do list. Yuk, I'll try to get a few pictures within the next couple of days...although I'm not sure I want to showcase the thing until it's been washed at the very least. It's disgusting right now. 20 year old chicks are gross, lol. She really did a number on it.
 
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TheFuzz

TheFuzz

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Pics added today to the original post. Not much to look at yet but after cleaning out the interior and giving it a good wash, it's actually pretty clean for a truck w/ 229K on it.
 

07Burb

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The paint at least looks to shine pretty good and appears to be dent free :)
 

swtz71

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for a truck with 229k it does look real good..
 
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TheFuzz

TheFuzz

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The paint at least looks to shine pretty good and appears to be dent free :)

Thanks. :) It has a few dents and dings, but overall its not bad. After washing the built up layer of grime off I was surprised at how much life the paint seems to have left in it. After a coat or two of wax its going to look great.
 

Tahoewhat

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When i got mine, it looked worse than that. Not many miles, but a hard life i would say for it.

looks good though. Few things and you got a good burban.

(are you the one that hit a pole due to ice at a park or somethign i think.) taht was a a nice yuk. just wondered.

welcome back.
 
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TheFuzz

TheFuzz

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Mike, ironically the damage to the suburban was caused by a pole (not by me), but I sold my Yukon to get a "less expensive" vehicle - I never crashed it. I wanted something more capable off road so I got a 100 series Toyota Land Cruiser. I love it, the thing is a beast but it runs on 91 and averages about 13mpg mixed. The payments are lower but it certainly isn't cheap lol.

Off road I'll take the 'hundy, but around town the suburban is great. Its a lot quicker and gets better mileage. Once the brakes are fixed I will be driving it the majority of the time. Now I need to look into building up that LQ4 motor I have laying around...

---------- Post added at 01:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:25 AM ----------

Welcome back, nice ride :)

Hey man! Nice to be back, how are things?
 
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TheFuzz

TheFuzz

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No, she's not. Ugly duckling sounds mean....but...what can you do?

So settle this for me, Max. AEM or K&N? Out of the box, what do you prefer? I refuse to run an oiled filter so if I got the K&N I'd have to add a dry flow AEM filter to it. Is it worth the extra coin to do that, just to have the plastic tube instead of the aluminum one?

I'll be hitting you up for one soon.
 

Max

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I prefer the k&n, quieter and seems to transition power a bit smoother. My truck has an aem filter on it right now lol. If business stays the way it has been this year I may have mine up for sale in a few months :secret:
 

My01yuk

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Why are some people opposed to the oiled filters? Are there been reports of them doing damange to the MAF or something or like so many other things is it just a personal preference thing? Just curious.
 

07Burb

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I prefer the k&n, quieter and seems to transition power a bit smoother. My truck has an aem filter on it right now lol. If business stays the way it has been this year I may have mine up for sale in a few months :secret:

As in selling the vehicle?? :think:

Why are some people opposed to the oiled filters? Are there been reports of them doing damange to the MAF or something or like so many other things is it just a personal preference thing? Just curious.

Personal preference....
 

Max

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Why are some people opposed to the oiled filters? Are there been reports of them doing damange to the MAF or something or like so many other things is it just a personal preference thing? Just curious.

I think there is a stigma associated with oiled filters due to people's inability to rear directions on the recharge kits. K&N has done extensive testing, there is no way filter oil can get through to the maf unless you use the whole goddamn can of filter oil in one application but even then they have yet to see a failure in the maf. Engineers have submerged gm mafs in filter oil for extended periods of time and they still function properly when placed on a flow bench, I have never had an issue with oiled filters on dozens of vehicles I've owned or worked upon. I simply prefer the ease of maintenance on the aem filters specifically, all the other dry synthetic filters pale in comparison :imo:

As in selling the vehicle?? :think:

Never. Front mount turbo + 4L80 seems to be the next step so I'll start with the trans first + the plate kit that has been sitting in my garage for 6 months :crazy:
 

07Burb

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PHEW!!! good to hear Max!!! :D
 

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