My “new” 05 - updates, upgrades and service plans

[05TahoeinLA]

Going to use this as my daily for a few years, currently at 194,000 miles.

Bought from the original owner, who I know. Used by his wife as a daily driver, no towing (no hitch!).

Happening this week:
Install trailer hitch and wiring
New tires and TPMS sensors
May remove the running boards

Probably soon:
Floor liners - weathertech or similar
Shocks - Bilstein 4600s or 5100s, still deciding
Replace rear springs with Moog 81071 (standard load 1040 lb and height) - has nivomats that don't feel bad though
Front jounce bumpers
Evaluate wear and tear on steering and the rest of the suspension - replace what is needed
Alignment
New stereo with apply car play - probably a Sony XAV 3200 once they are in stock

Hoping to have a very reliable vehicle for years to come and enjoying the forum. She's a little squishy riding, would like to tighten it up a bit.

OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS!!!

Thanks in advance

 

[ratled]

Having just got mine a few months ago, and based on your mileage, might I suggest a 100k service. Looking forward to hearing the progress!

ratled

 

[05TahoeinLA]

The previous owner was fastidious, but I was thinking a 100,000 mile service world be appropriate. Thx!

 

[MassHoe04]

You are right there with me on mileage (I have an 04). I had to replace a shaky inner tie rod to pass my initial RMV safety inspection.

My upper control arms clunk a bit here and there. A little annoying on bumps while taking corners, but my mechanic said I didn't need to panic. I'll be replacing at some point, but not until warmer weather comes.

But just this week, one of the front stabilizer bar connector links snapped.
They don't call New England the rust belt for nothin'!

Just some thoughts on things to hook the peepers on, while you are crawling around doing other work...

 

[05TahoeinLA]

Tires, TPMS sensors and a tie rod today.

Hitch yesterday. New seat foam tomorrow.

Bilsteins and springs next week.

 

[OR VietVet]

Congrats and if you are wanting reliable use, keep on doing what you are doing. I redid mine with Genuine GM parts. If you find a problem, fix it. If you want reliability, replace it, even if not worn out. Maintenance pays and breakdowns cost.

 

[05TahoeinLA]

Installed the hitch wiring connector today. Use a holesaw to mount it in the bumper, instead of letting it hang underneath and look like an add-on.

Put new driver's side seat foam in - what a difference for $70!!!

Also installed the front Bilstein 4600s and all 4 jounce bumpers. Rear shocks and springs will go in sometime in the next week - waiting on the shocks to arrive.

 

[05TahoeinLA]

Agreed, fix it. Dont let it leave you stranded. I tend to use OEM parts too.

There's a check engine light on for the evap system. Will investigate that tomorrow. Hoping for an easy fix.

 

[OR VietVet]

The evap system will give you fits. I have read many threads where members replaced 1 or 2 parts and then they still have an evap code come up. I did my new fuel pump and while was apart, replaced the entire evap system. No problems.

 

[bigdog9191999]

sqiushy may also be tires, a soft sidewall passenger rated tire on a heavy suv will give you that. although should make it ride quite smooth otherwise. if your not used to these then it may just be the nature of the beast that you have to get used to, or do other things like heavier rated tires.

 

[Blk00ss]

I have an '05 also that I just brought out of retirement. She has 171K on it. I've owned it since around 40k. Identical to yours. Just recently I ditched the Nivomat rear shocks and went with the Bilstein ZW7 conversion kit. Huge improvement. Looking at sound system options. Unfortunately the Bose system (which I hate) makes this simple decision difficult. We have the dreaded "slow fueling" issue. I've been trouble shooting this for a few weeks now. I, like many others have found charcoal bits from the broke down evap canister in my tank vent lines. We've slowly but surely been getting those free and out of the lines. Fueling seems to get a little better every time. Yesterday I blew a good amount of them out. Haven't got fuel yet, but I'm hoping it helped. Once I get that solved I guess I'll replace the canister. Also chasing a small oil leak. I replaced the oil pan gasket last week and of course the o ring on the oil pickup tube (an absolute must on these GM vehicles). Truck was starting to show lower than normal oil pressure on cold start. Now that I changed that O ring she's back to 60psi at idle when cold.

I would recommend checking the power steering fluid. I would also get in the habit of sucking out the old and replacing with new every oil change or so. These trucks have hydroboost so basically the steering and brakes receive power from the power steering pump. Just a couple of weeks ago for just a second we lost power steering and brakes. I had no idea at the time what hydroboost even was. After researching it, I sucked all of the fluid out of the reservoir, twice. Both times it was pretty dark. But both time I did it, we noticed the steering and brakes both felt a little better. However, we didn't know it felt "off" to begin with.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I have an '05 also that I just brought out of retirement. She has 171K on it. I've owned it since around 40k. Identical to yours. Just recently I ditched the Nivomat rear shocks and went with the Bilstein ZW7 conversion kit. Huge improvement. Looking at sound system options. Unfortunately the Bose system (which I hate) makes this simple decision difficult. We have the dreaded "slow fueling" issue. I've been trouble shooting this for a few weeks now. I, like many others have found charcoal bits from the broke down evap canister in my tank vent lines. We've slowly but surely been getting those free and out of the lines. Fueling seems to get a little better every time. Yesterday I blew a good amount of them out. Haven't got fuel yet, but I'm hoping it helped. Once I get that solved I guess I'll replace the canister. Also chasing a small oil leak. I replaced the oil pan gasket last week and of course the o ring on the oil pickup tube (an absolute must on these GM vehicles). Truck was starting to show lower than normal oil pressure on cold start. Now that I changed that O ring she's back to 60psi at idle when cold.

I would recommend checking the power steering fluid. I would also get in the habit of sucking out the old and replacing with new every oil change or so. These trucks have hydroboost so basically the steering and brakes receive power from the power steering pump. Just a couple of weeks ago for just a second we lost power steering and brakes. I had no idea at the time what hydroboost even was. After researching it, I sucked all of the fluid out of the reservoir, twice. Both times it was pretty dark. But both time I did it, we noticed the steering and brakes both felt a little better. However, we didn't know it felt "off" to begin with.

What did the Nivomat conversion consist of? Heavier rear springs I'm assuming. Which shocks did you get?

 

[Blk00ss]

What did the Nivomat conversion consist of? Heavier rear springs I'm assuming. Which shocks did you get?

Its the 4600 front/ rear and stiffer spring...

2004-2015 Nissan Armada Rear Air Conversion – ShockWarehouse

Do you own a 2004 - 2015 Nissan Armada and are you tired of the rear air leveling system leaking, sagging or giving your trouble? We have found a way to convert it to a coil spring rear setup. Many Nissan Armada owners over the years have converted their air suspension to a smooth riding coil...

www.shockwarehouse.com

 

[TahoeRestore]

Welcome to the Forum. I have just begun a restoration of my '03 Tahoe. I'm starting with a paint job, but planning to continue with interior next. I will be following yours for updates.

One thing to suggest. Check your roof for rust under the roof rack mounts. If I had not been getting the paint job, one spot would soon have rusted through and I would have water coming inside. See my post on page 2 (link below) for pics and a note of caution when removing the racks. If you have rust starting, you could make a repair to prevent the leak. The repair wouldn't have to be pretty because the spots are hidden under the rook rack mounting feet.

Link - https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/new-to-forum-fixing-up-my-03-tahoe.131033/page-2

 

[Tonyrodz]

Its the 4600 front/ rear and stiffer spring...

2004-2015 Nissan Armada Rear Air Conversion – ShockWarehouse

Do you own a 2004 - 2015 Nissan Armada and are you tired of the rear air leveling system leaking, sagging or giving your trouble? We have found a way to convert it to a coil spring rear setup. Many Nissan Armada owners over the years have converted their air suspension to a smooth riding coil...

www.shockwarehouse.com

Deleted mine also with the 4600's, but used lowering springs in the rear.

 

[29tomt]

Like MO Vietvet said, evap system will give you fits. I had my mechanic replace the entire system after screwing around with it and that includes the GM wiring harness that goes with it. Problem solved.

 

[mountie]

That evap canister..... I "assumed" my entire vent system was serviced last year.. Still, once in a while my fuel filling still stops ..... Hm...... That evap canister.....

Other than that, my '05 Yukon XL has been great...... 160,000 miles.
I did flush transmission & brake fluids last year ( zero issues after)..... Upgraded front brakes to Powerstop & S.S. brake lines.

 

[Fless]

That evap canister..... I "assumed" my entire vent system was serviced last year.. Still, once in a while my fuel filling still stops ..... Hm...... That evap canister.....

Other than that, my '05 Yukon XL has been great...... 160,000 miles.
I did flush transmission & brake fluids last year ( zero issues after)..... Upgraded front brakes to Powerstop & S.S. brake lines.

What kind of "service" was done?

Generally if one doesn't overfill the fuel tank, the canister won't get compromised. The less reliable part of the system is the canister vent valve, due to dirt getting in and clogging the vent's filter, or the valve itself sticking closed. It should be open with the ignition off (like while fuel is being added).

 

[mountie]

What kind of "service" was done?

Generally if one doesn't overfill the fuel tank, the canister won't get compromised. The less reliable part of the system is the canister vent valve, due to dirt getting in and clogging the vent's filter, or the valve itself sticking closed. It should be open with the ignition off (like while fuel is being added).

Where is it located on my '05 ??

 

[Fless]

Where is it located on my '05 ??

Mine is Flex Fuel so if your isn't, the evap system may be somewhat different. Here's a pic of mine, looking from the rear with the fuel tank removed. Vent valve is in the red circle.

Yours is probably the newer, round one with the external filter: