Let's sift through every square inch of a 2013 Tahoe PPV

[Caddylack]

Probably my biggest overall concern is maintaining stability at high speeds.

Even in stock form, the PPV is a monster on the interstate. I figure the PPV springs are probably pretty well-engineered, and I don't want to sacrafice.

Ugh.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Probably my biggest overall concern is maintaining stability at high speeds.
Even in stock form, the PPV is a monster on the interstate. I figure the PPV springs are probably pretty well-engineered, and I don't want to sacrifice.

Either they are progressive (beehive?), or typical fixed rate springs.
The shocks have as much to do with maintaining stability; they dampen undulations.

 

[Caddylack]

Either they are progressive (beehive?), or typical fixed rate springs.
The shocks have as much to do with maintaining stability; they dampen undulations.

I meant, like, they probably made extra sure to use the right spring specs. It's still just a coiled piece of metal, I get it.

 

[Marky Dissod]

I meant, like, they probably made extra sure to use the right spring specs. It's still just a coiled piece of metal, I get it.

Wouldn't happen to have the specs for those springs?

 

[Caddylack]

Wouldn't happen to have the specs for those springs?

Personally? No.

That's the second time I've been asked in the past few days.

I assume it isn't in the PPV owner's manual.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Then I think we need help from a guy like 91ss.
It'd be REALLY helpful to know a lot more about the pertinent details of GM springs.

 

[Caddylack]

Then I think we need help from a guy like 91ss.
It'd be REALLY helpful to know a lot more about the pertinent details of GM springs.

Good idea. Go convince him to buy a Tahoe and register for the forum.

 

[Caddylack]

SHIT!

The Challenger has been at the dealership, so I've been driving the Tahoe for a few days. I've been beating on it pretty good.

I just noticed I have really low oil pressure, like between 10-20 depending on situation, but never getting up to where it should be.

I popped the hood and the engine doesn't sound right. It's all clattery like a diesel.

Already assuming the AFM crap just fell apart.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Might be time for an Engine Half@$$-ectomy?

 

[Caddylack]

I’m still trying to figure out the best way to diagnose this situation.

It’s possible that I just park it and reclassify it as a project car.

I have too much other stuff to do right now, so if the engine is toast, it will be a minute until I tear it down.

 

[Caddylack]

The other issue is that the Tahoe won’t fit in either of my garages. I’m looking into budget options for carports and such.

 

[Caddylack]

Wow... uh...

Since I just recently changed my oil and there were no oil spots in my parking lot or driveway, I wasn't in a rush to check the dipstick. I "knew" the engine was full of nice healthy oil. When I did pull the dipstick out, I was more so checking for metal debris, etc.

IT WAS BONE DRY!!!

I put around 4 quarts in, and still can't get a reading on the dipstick. Are you kidding me? Where did it go? I know these engines can consume some oil, but not to this extent. There hasn't been any smoke coming from the exhaust or anywhere else.

I get down under the truck and notice that the oil filter is soaked. WTF?

Then I see it, and I'm suddenly stunned: There are fresh wrench marks on the filter. I always screw my filters on by hand. I never use a wrench.

If I'm doing my math correctly here, somebody literally stole my oil as an act of vandalism. It's the only explanation I can come up with for there being wrench marks on the filter and no oil on the ground.

There are definitely a handful of people who really don't like me at the moment, and I've had some issues with burglaries and attempted burglaries. The police have been useless, and at this point they don't like me, either.

I have more cameras than anybody should ever have, but in this case I don't know when it happened or even what address it occurred at. I'd have to watch hours of video.

The good news here is that after topping off the oil, everything seems fine. Oil pressure is back to normal and the engine sounds nice and smooth. Looks like I got super lucky.

Now it's time to get back to business!!! Let's lower a police truck and try to make it handle like a UFO.

 

[Sparksalot]

Wow... uh...

Since I just recently changed my oil and there were no oil spots in my parking lot or driveway, I wasn't in a rush to check the dipstick. I "knew" the engine was full of nice healthy oil. When I did pull the dipstick out, I was more so checking for metal debris, etc.

IT WAS BONE DRY!!!

I put around 4 quarts in, and still can't get a reading on the dipstick. Are you kidding me? Where did it go? I know these engines can consume some oil, but not to this extent. There hasn't been any smoke coming from the exhaust or anywhere else.

I get down under the truck and notice that the oil filter is soaked. WTF?

Then I see it, and I'm suddenly stunned: There are fresh wrench marks on the filter. I always screw my filters on by hand. I never use a wrench.

If I'm doing my math correctly here, somebody literally stole my oil as an act of vandalism. It's the only explanation I can come up with for there being wrench marks on the filter and no oil on the ground.

There are definitely a handful of people who really don't like me at the moment, and I've had some issues with burglaries and attempted burglaries. The police have been useless, and at this point they don't like me, either.

I have more cameras than anybody should ever have, but in this case I don't know when it happened or even what address it occurred at. I'd have to watch hours of video.

The good news here is that after topping off the oil, everything seems fine. Oil pressure is back to normal and the engine sounds nice and smooth. Looks like I got super lucky.

Now it's time to get back to business!!! Let's lower a police truck and try to make it handle like a UFO.

I was about to suggest you needed to find a longer dipstick, but damn.

 

[Caddylack]

I never thought of lowering as a security measure, but it might prevent people from crawling under the car and ******* with stuff.

 

[Marky Dissod]

I never thought of lowering as a security measure, but it might prevent people from crawling under the car and ******* with stuff.

The vehicles most likely to lose their catalytic converters are the easiest to get under.
OK, that's not 100% true - catalytic converter thieves will find their way under extremely popular cars.
But GMTs are not that hard to get under (especially for half-elves dwarves sylphs etc),
AND they're very popular.

In NYC it's actually 'illegal' for vehicles to 'lay frame' - they wanna be able to boot vehicles easily.

 

[Caddylack]

I’ve been spending most of my time Audiing lately, but the Tahoe suspension project is still alive and well. Any day now. Probably at some random moment when I get motivated spontaneously.

 

[89Suburban]

Wow... uh...

Since I just recently changed my oil and there were no oil spots in my parking lot or driveway, I wasn't in a rush to check the dipstick. I "knew" the engine was full of nice healthy oil. When I did pull the dipstick out, I was more so checking for metal debris, etc.

IT WAS BONE DRY!!!

I put around 4 quarts in, and still can't get a reading on the dipstick. Are you kidding me? Where did it go? I know these engines can consume some oil, but not to this extent. There hasn't been any smoke coming from the exhaust or anywhere else.

I get down under the truck and notice that the oil filter is soaked. WTF?

Then I see it, and I'm suddenly stunned: There are fresh wrench marks on the filter. I always screw my filters on by hand. I never use a wrench.

If I'm doing my math correctly here, somebody literally stole my oil as an act of vandalism. It's the only explanation I can come up with for there being wrench marks on the filter and no oil on the ground.

There are definitely a handful of people who really don't like me at the moment, and I've had some issues with burglaries and attempted burglaries. The police have been useless, and at this point they don't like me, either.

I have more cameras than anybody should ever have, but in this case I don't know when it happened or even what address it occurred at. I'd have to watch hours of video.

The good news here is that after topping off the oil, everything seems fine. Oil pressure is back to normal and the engine sounds nice and smooth. Looks like I got super lucky.

Now it's time to get back to business!!! Let's lower a police truck and try to make it handle like a UFO.

That's fkd up!

 

[Caddylack]

Finally pulled myself away from other stuff to get the Tahoe suspension upgrades done.

I’ve had a few moments of extreme frustration during the install, but everything is coming together.

Call me crazy, but with the rear axle sitting on jack stands, the sway bar isn’t touching anything. The factory bolt holes appear to work fine for the bushings. Wtf?

Also why can’t I post pictures?

 

[Caddylack]

Call me crazy, but with the rear axle sitting on jack stands, the sway bar isn’t touching anything. The factory bolt holes appear to work fine for the bushings. Wtf?

I spoke too soon.

After tightening all of the bolts, the sway bar does touch the edge of the panhard mount on the passenger side, just slightly.

Instead of drilling new holes in the axle, I just used a grinder to shave down the edge of the frame where it was touching. As is, the bushing mount on the driver's side is right up against the bend in the sway bar, but I think it is probably okay. Some folks may wish to drill new holes and move the bushing over, and that's fine, I just didn't do it. We will see how it works out.

I'm a little bit skeptical about the trailing arm relocation brackets from DJM, as they don't really seem like they are mounting properly. Pics of that coming soon.

Unfortunately, the rear coil springs from DJM are already starting to rust before even being installed. That's unacceptable, to say the least.

 

[Caddylack]

The other issue wth the DJM stuff is that the frame mounts for the shocks are much wider than bushings on the shocks... Kinda strange...