Greetings all:
I've been stalking and reading for a while. This is probably longer than your average welcome post...
Wife (DD)
2012 Tahoe LT
Needs CAI, resonator delete, needs leveled or up to 2.5/1.5" lift
Basically hands off and nothing that would make the warranty folks give it a second thought.
I should say that I'm a bit of a tinkerer. Eons ago I had been ASE certified in Brakes, Electrical, and Suspension systems. I love trying new things, and I'm cheap as hell.. I'd rather sit on a project until I can find parts cheap rather than spend money to get it done. And I make stuff as needed...
For 20 years I drove a 1994 K2500 GMC 5.7L/4L60E/4wd, put on 250k miles, and would still be driving it if I hadn't gotten t-***** by a semi (everybody is OK, the truck took all the beating -- but totaled it) I still have it, but the truck has sentimental value to my wife, I am not allowed to part it out, still runs and drives, it just never leaves the yard. And some day I'll have to fix it back to stock.
Which brings us to Mine
Bought as a cheap project (not my Daily Driver -- yet)
Goals: I'm looking at 33" tall tires (max) and it needs to fit into my single car garage door, and I will take it through auto car washes occasionally. So 7ft height max including roof rack. I don't require a lot of articulation, Fargo ND is flat as it gets, I want the larger tires and ground clearance for winter snow clearance. But wide tires lead to sliding and skidding on ice (which we get plenty of).
1998 Tahoe LS
5.7 Vortec
Since buying it
O2 sensors (Bosch units from Amazon -- Prime)
Tire upgrade from 245/75R16 (factory aluminum wheels)
to 265/70R17 (32" tall) on Nissan Tundra 17x7.5 steelies (Craigslist specials)
FWIW, these tires with stock height do not rub on anything, the offset for Nissan tires spaces the tires out a little wider than stock GM. Pics to follow comparing stock to 'new' tires.
Needs:
Shocks (recommendations anyone?)
Brakes (front and rear -- also looking for an upgrade using OE parts if possible)
Exhaust gaskets -- donuts and header pipe to muffler flange.
Needs a decent muffler and possibly "high flow cats", I think mine are plugged
Lift, level at minimum, up to 4".
for lift kits there seem to be conflicting information whether drop lift or knuckle lifts work best. I'd like to stick with stock sized wheels and to NOT increase the wheel base width if possible. Also some of those crazy center link steering drop contraptions look just a little too goofy for my liking.
I would probably be satisfied with simply 'cranking' the torque rod adjusters and some add-a-leaves in the rear to firm up the squishy stock ones, but before I go cranking on the adjuster, I am trying to find the maximum acceptable CV shaft operating angle.
My last two daily drivers have been 3/4t trucks and I'm more comfortable with how they ride and drive than I am with this 1/2t Tahoe.
I lost the article, but I swear I read one a while back about swapping in full sized CK series (truck) torque rods and crossmember into a Tahoe.
I know this information in on here also, but I found this page to be a little bit better laid out.
GM Torsion Bar 401
I am most likely going to wait on buying shocks until I determine final ride height is determined.
Dad's got a 1992 k2500 (light duty) 6 lug 6.5L diesel rclb that I can pilfer for any parts I want.. (no trans/transfer case)
I'm eyeballing it for the entire front suspension, hopefully heavier brakes, hydroboost, torque rods, crossmember. *fingers crossed* 9.25 front diff and associated CVs.
Thinking of making my own rock slider/running boards or boatsides.
I need some sort of step so my kids can get in and out, I could do stockers or off the shelf aftermarket units, but that is no fun...
I have access to tools to cut and bend steel (CNC plasma/CNC Brake, about to get access to a CNC 3 axis mill), I'm an IT guy for a fabrication company.
I've made small things for my other vehicles..
2005 F250 6.0L center lift bracket..
Drawing
Finished
Custom T5 crossmember for a 1960's Ford Falcon..
V8 custom motor mounts (these are 1" drop from stock)
Sorry for all the NON-GM stuff, but its what I have been working on...Like I said, I'm slow as hell but I usually get my projects done the way I like them. Or at least good enough..
sorry for the long read..
-ron
I've been stalking and reading for a while. This is probably longer than your average welcome post...
Wife (DD)
2012 Tahoe LT
Needs CAI, resonator delete, needs leveled or up to 2.5/1.5" lift
Basically hands off and nothing that would make the warranty folks give it a second thought.
I should say that I'm a bit of a tinkerer. Eons ago I had been ASE certified in Brakes, Electrical, and Suspension systems. I love trying new things, and I'm cheap as hell.. I'd rather sit on a project until I can find parts cheap rather than spend money to get it done. And I make stuff as needed...
For 20 years I drove a 1994 K2500 GMC 5.7L/4L60E/4wd, put on 250k miles, and would still be driving it if I hadn't gotten t-***** by a semi (everybody is OK, the truck took all the beating -- but totaled it) I still have it, but the truck has sentimental value to my wife, I am not allowed to part it out, still runs and drives, it just never leaves the yard. And some day I'll have to fix it back to stock.
Which brings us to Mine
Bought as a cheap project (not my Daily Driver -- yet)
Goals: I'm looking at 33" tall tires (max) and it needs to fit into my single car garage door, and I will take it through auto car washes occasionally. So 7ft height max including roof rack. I don't require a lot of articulation, Fargo ND is flat as it gets, I want the larger tires and ground clearance for winter snow clearance. But wide tires lead to sliding and skidding on ice (which we get plenty of).
1998 Tahoe LS
5.7 Vortec
Since buying it
O2 sensors (Bosch units from Amazon -- Prime)
Tire upgrade from 245/75R16 (factory aluminum wheels)
to 265/70R17 (32" tall) on Nissan Tundra 17x7.5 steelies (Craigslist specials)
FWIW, these tires with stock height do not rub on anything, the offset for Nissan tires spaces the tires out a little wider than stock GM. Pics to follow comparing stock to 'new' tires.
Needs:
Shocks (recommendations anyone?)
Brakes (front and rear -- also looking for an upgrade using OE parts if possible)
Exhaust gaskets -- donuts and header pipe to muffler flange.
Needs a decent muffler and possibly "high flow cats", I think mine are plugged
Lift, level at minimum, up to 4".
for lift kits there seem to be conflicting information whether drop lift or knuckle lifts work best. I'd like to stick with stock sized wheels and to NOT increase the wheel base width if possible. Also some of those crazy center link steering drop contraptions look just a little too goofy for my liking.
I would probably be satisfied with simply 'cranking' the torque rod adjusters and some add-a-leaves in the rear to firm up the squishy stock ones, but before I go cranking on the adjuster, I am trying to find the maximum acceptable CV shaft operating angle.
My last two daily drivers have been 3/4t trucks and I'm more comfortable with how they ride and drive than I am with this 1/2t Tahoe.
I lost the article, but I swear I read one a while back about swapping in full sized CK series (truck) torque rods and crossmember into a Tahoe.
I know this information in on here also, but I found this page to be a little bit better laid out.
GM Torsion Bar 401
I am most likely going to wait on buying shocks until I determine final ride height is determined.
Dad's got a 1992 k2500 (light duty) 6 lug 6.5L diesel rclb that I can pilfer for any parts I want.. (no trans/transfer case)
I'm eyeballing it for the entire front suspension, hopefully heavier brakes, hydroboost, torque rods, crossmember. *fingers crossed* 9.25 front diff and associated CVs.
Thinking of making my own rock slider/running boards or boatsides.
I need some sort of step so my kids can get in and out, I could do stockers or off the shelf aftermarket units, but that is no fun...
I have access to tools to cut and bend steel (CNC plasma/CNC Brake, about to get access to a CNC 3 axis mill), I'm an IT guy for a fabrication company.
I've made small things for my other vehicles..
2005 F250 6.0L center lift bracket..
Drawing
Finished
Custom T5 crossmember for a 1960's Ford Falcon..
V8 custom motor mounts (these are 1" drop from stock)
Sorry for all the NON-GM stuff, but its what I have been working on...Like I said, I'm slow as hell but I usually get my projects done the way I like them. Or at least good enough..
sorry for the long read..
-ron
