Its Cheaper to Keep Her

[Marshall2002]

So I was recently faced with the decision most of us have faced. To trade in your beloved vehicle for the latest, or commit to the potential aggregation of a high mileage ride. My 2002 Yukon Denali tripped 320,000, and was leaking/burning more oil than I was comfortable with. The black paint was also fading on the flat areas, and starting to look every tired.

I found myself cruising through car lots checking their wares, and although very nice, I felt guilty...kinda like cheating. I bought my Denali new in 2002, and it has been a great one. Outside of the normal stuff, it has held up better than most would expect.

I decided to take a leap of faith. She has been good to me and it was time to return the favor. I had my mechanic drop in a new 6.0 crate engine, and it is currently off getting a new paint job (back to black). I've also decided occasionally get her something special to keep things current, which is where I could use some help and ideas. I am looking for suggestions and links that would add to the appearance or anything that would bring it up to current technology. Lighting, performance adders, wheels, vent caps, running boards, audio/video, Bluetooth...everything is fair game.

It is still stock, the seats are showing wear front and rear (bench). Still the same Bose radio /6 disk changer.

I know some would frown on spending a significant amount of $$$ on something so old, but you don't trade in family.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dantheman1540]

This is what I love to hear!

To bring it into the current times my first upgrade would be a blue tooth radio with a backup camera. I cant tell you which one because I'm still looking to find one but I'm sure others will chime in.

 

[89Suburban]

Good save!!!!

 

[OR VietVet]

Yea, great save. I have my 02 Tahoe and it is getting ready to roll at 161k miles. I thought I needed something newer and went on a search, like you did. The newer rigs front seats are uncomfortable to me. Too much plastic. I decided to stay with my NBS and am still looking for a NBS Z71. I have sunk $$$ in to my Tahoe and it just keeps taking care of me. Plus, as a barn door model, it is among a smaller amount of those on the road. If need be the engine will get replaced and the trans too.

Like yours does, my NBS meets my needs, is reliable, is paid for and easier to work on and has not let me down.

 

[Dshell]

I put a radio in my 2002 Yukon from 1 factory radio. They take old gm radios and retrofit them with bluetooth. My 02 has 240,000 I guess it's just getting broken in.

 

[drakon543]

i like my pioneer avh 211ex. its in my civic but it has alot of nice features i can utilize to bring any older vehicle up to the times. reverse signal wire for automatic av input switching for an installed backup camera. bunch of nice features but that would be a definite ticket for adding a new style function to an older vehicle. new crate engine a nice set of coated headers and a stainless exhaust to go along with that.

 

[massivespl]

Awesome. Post pics when u can

care to share how much all this cost you for people thinking of doing same thing?

 

[Tonyrodz]

Supercharger, or at least an upgraded cam with supporting mods. Also a nice exhaust to free up a few more horses, along with a tune. You can always get some decent stock--ish seat covers from ebay. Just to freshen up the interior look.

 

[tom3]

You guys must live out of the rust belt. 300K miles up here and the cab is sitting on the frame no matter how much you wash it out underneath.

 

[massivespl]

You guys must live out of the rust belt. 300K miles up here and the cab is sitting on the frame no matter how much you wash it out underneath.

lol sounds like Michigan. They put salt on the roads even when it’s like .25” of snow. It’s soooo dumb.

 

[Dantheman1540]

I also vote for a basic magnusson tvs1900 kit. Simple install, super reliable and an extra 120-200hp on tap. I beat the crap out of my bone stock 140k miles 4.8 with a magnusson on 16-19psi for over 2 years never skipped a beat. Only pulled for a bigger motor.

Best thing is if you don't want it loud leave the factory exhaust on it will still make good power.

 

[OR VietVet]

You guys must live out of the rust belt. 300K miles up here and the cab is sitting on the frame no matter how much you wash it out underneath.

I lived in the rust belt for years and dealt with the repairs in my shops. PITA. That is one of the reasons I live in the PNW now.

 

[adventurenali92]

I have a 2006 Denali and absolutely love it! It’s such a reliable rig! Easy to work on, pretty easy to add performance mods, plenty of build threads on here to check out on GMT800 suvs. A new set of wheels will liven up your exterior with a set of escalade racks and vent covers! That mod is a fan favorite here! I have a Bluetooth nav unit with a backup camera installed in mine and it’s an awesome
Upgrade! I should have gone with an Apple CarPlay enabled headunit though.

 

[89Suburban]

Yea, great save. I have my 02 Tahoe and it is getting ready to roll at 161k miles. I thought I needed something newer and went on a search, like you did. The newer rigs front seats are uncomfortable to me. Too much plastic.

I still miss my bench seat from my '90 Burby. So roomy and comfy.

 

[Rocket Man]

Oh man... my 02 Denali is going on 170k and I’ve done so much to it that my build thread on it is up to 264 pages. If you reeaaally want some ideas, settle in and read. Pretty much you could ever think of doing to yours is in there, from steering and suspension to supercharger, cam, headers, body, lighting, sound system, interior, etc, you name it. The link is in my sig or here it is in case you don’t see it. https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/rocket-mans-02-denali-build-thread-aka-the-beast.83457/

 

[wjburken]

I still miss my bench seat from my '90 Burby. So roomy and comfy.

They sure open up possibilities, that’s for sure.

Loved the one in my 1976 Impala when I was in high school and first couple years of college.

 

[OR VietVet]

I once went to a St. Patrick's Day parade and bar hop after, in downtown KC, Mo. in a 73 El Camino and had 4 other people in the front and only seat, with me driving. It allowed a girl I had a crush on, Debbie Peacher, to sit almost in my lap. I loved that night.

 

[Tonyrodz]

They sure open up possibilities, that’s for sure.

Loved the one in my 1976 Impala when I was in high school and first couple years of college.

Only bad thing about a bench seat--especially if it's vinyl--no high speed turns! You slide right to the passenger side lol!

 

[Rocket Man]

Only bad thing about a bench seat--especially if it's vinyl--no high speed turns! You slide right to the passenger side lol!

Cars that had bench seats couldn’t even make high speed turns so no worry. They pretty much wallowed through any attempt at turning fast lmao.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Cars that had bench seats couldn’t even make high speed turns so no worry. They pretty much wallowed through any attempt at turning fast lmao.

Lol, so true.