Epik
Member
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2014
- Posts
- 55
- Reaction score
- 9
Hello All. My name is Dustin, & I'm new around these parts. I just picked up a fully loaded 04 Tahoe Z71 about a month back. It's my 1st ever truck/SUV & thus far I'm loving it, but I'm not new to GM's, as one of my other rides is an 05 CTS-V with a few mods. Anyhow, about the Tahoe, it has high mileage (216k), but is very clean, runs, drives, & shifts great! I bought it for $4900 (which is about average price here in CA for a higher mileage, loaded Z71). It does need a little TLC, but overall is very nice. The issues it has seem to be very typical to all higher mileage NBS rigs
My current issues are..
-Front bumper sag
-Steering shaft knock
-Seat heaters don't stay on
-The heater doesn't seem to work as good as I would think. I have to turn it all the way to 90 to get hot, & even then doesn't seem to work well. I changed out the blend door actuator, which helped, but still seems off & doesn't seem to blow very hard. The rear climate control produces no heat at all. AC works great though.
-Has a minor oil leak (looks like it comes from the pan gasket?)
I would like to improve the ride quality a bit too. So far I replaced the blown stock shocks with Bilstein HD's, but still doesn't seem to ride like I would expect, I'm sure thats because it has 216k miles. Bushings & everything look ok though, but really hard to tell. The ride height looks to be all stock to me. Any input on what to do to freshen it up would be greatly appreciated.
I would also expect the mpg to be slightly better, but it could probably use a basic tuneup I'm sure. It's my DD, & I also use it for a work rig mostly, & I'm a full time DJ so I transport tons of equipment which could be why my MPG is low from the added weight. I have changed out all the fluids, except the trans which is coming very soon. The car runs & shifts good to me, although I have nothing to compare it to, as this is the only NBS Tahoe I have ever driven. Anyhow, glad to be a part of the forum & I look forward to learning a lot around here...
Here's a couple pics from the day I picked her up. Pics don't really do it justice, the paint is still very shiny.. Front seems to sit slightly higher since these were taken (after the Bilsteins went in)
Interior needed a vacuuming. Don't judge, I have 2 young kids LOL. That being said, the factory DVD has been a blessing & keeps them quiet once a Dvd & the headphones go on. LOL
My current issues are..
-Front bumper sag
-Steering shaft knock
-Seat heaters don't stay on
-The heater doesn't seem to work as good as I would think. I have to turn it all the way to 90 to get hot, & even then doesn't seem to work well. I changed out the blend door actuator, which helped, but still seems off & doesn't seem to blow very hard. The rear climate control produces no heat at all. AC works great though.
-Has a minor oil leak (looks like it comes from the pan gasket?)
I would like to improve the ride quality a bit too. So far I replaced the blown stock shocks with Bilstein HD's, but still doesn't seem to ride like I would expect, I'm sure thats because it has 216k miles. Bushings & everything look ok though, but really hard to tell. The ride height looks to be all stock to me. Any input on what to do to freshen it up would be greatly appreciated.
I would also expect the mpg to be slightly better, but it could probably use a basic tuneup I'm sure. It's my DD, & I also use it for a work rig mostly, & I'm a full time DJ so I transport tons of equipment which could be why my MPG is low from the added weight. I have changed out all the fluids, except the trans which is coming very soon. The car runs & shifts good to me, although I have nothing to compare it to, as this is the only NBS Tahoe I have ever driven. Anyhow, glad to be a part of the forum & I look forward to learning a lot around here...
Here's a couple pics from the day I picked her up. Pics don't really do it justice, the paint is still very shiny.. Front seems to sit slightly higher since these were taken (after the Bilsteins went in)
Interior needed a vacuuming. Don't judge, I have 2 young kids LOL. That being said, the factory DVD has been a blessing & keeps them quiet once a Dvd & the headphones go on. LOL
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