LSxBakakos
Member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2025
- Posts
- 59
- Reaction score
- 87
Whats up everyone
Im T.J., here from lake county Illinois. Found myself on these forums quite frequent since picking up my 14 SSV and recivilanizing it, so figured might as well join. Also a member on duramaxdiesels.com
Im 34, spent most my life as a mechanic, assembled engines at a local engine shop for some years and worked at a local hot rod shop so im no stranger to performance lol. I've retired from cars as a career to welder, since then im starting to enjoy tinkering again. Ive got a 11 sec duramax that takes most of my money. Hopefully this doesnt do the same lol.
Past 8 years ive owned an 06 ex border patrol hoe, and in September i snagged a clean ssv from a dealer here in town, truck came from colorado(by the rock chips and sand abrasion id imagine mountain ranger) i admit im thankful I found one so clean. It's got its blems but over time I'll address the little things i can improve. Its rust free, has 164k as of today. ive put a lot of time and effort into it already and with my ocd, im far from done lol
Day after i put a down payment on it I ordered all new mevotech ttx upper and lower control arms, leveling kit, inner & outer tie rods and blasted it apart within 24 hours of owning it. Since then its been normal matainence, tune up, motor mounts,trans mount, full fluids, loaded delco calipers, trans service etc. Did a exhaust resonator delete and airaid jr so it makes some sort of noise lol. Added fahren LEDs and Lasfit switchbacks. Afm/dod disabler went in too. I removed the light posts in the a pillars, plugged the holes there and in the roof and found a mint center console and interior a pillars to make it feel more civilian and added a remote start kit. Figured doing chip guard along the rockers and lower doors would be ideal after seeing how abraded they were. I cleaned it up, epoxy primed, seal based and cleared as well as did a full paint correction with coarse clay, rupes pads and compounds, sealed with colinite 476 and then adams patriot wax. I was shocked to see after pulling all the body plugs that the internal panels had zero rust but still received heavy cavity waxing with kbs cavity coat. I did a full woolwax undercoating and found this trick BT off road chassis flusher to use prior to the internal frame coating.
The only complaint I have is this. Since my old tahoe hasnt sold ive been using it as the winter beater, after snow last week I saw yesterday there's water on the passenger floor board close to the seat. The roof and a pillars I know for a fact are sealed. So im unsure if its a clogged drain in the cowl panel, or where to look. unfortunately I couldnt locate the trail, just the aftermath. The windshield seal looks as if its popped and come spring I for sure will be having it resealed, the culprit spot i hit with windshield sealant today. Im open to any feedback or suggestions, prefer to address it immediately even if it sits for winter
Future plans
Replace both bumper covers with fresh gm ones since theyre the only two rough spots
-color matched door handles and mirrors
-fix spotlight door notches and blend areas accordingly
-285s and bronze falcon offroad wheels
-Sonnax zip kit or transgo shift kit
-Billet triple disc conv from Chris at circle d(mild stall)
-afm/dod delete, possible bump stick, long tubes and ORY
-leather seat cover conversion up front
-at bare minimum I'll be doing a trans tune on hp tuners, or taking the hoe somewhere for a full street tune
-if one day I win the lotto id love to procharge it
Im T.J., here from lake county Illinois. Found myself on these forums quite frequent since picking up my 14 SSV and recivilanizing it, so figured might as well join. Also a member on duramaxdiesels.com
Im 34, spent most my life as a mechanic, assembled engines at a local engine shop for some years and worked at a local hot rod shop so im no stranger to performance lol. I've retired from cars as a career to welder, since then im starting to enjoy tinkering again. Ive got a 11 sec duramax that takes most of my money. Hopefully this doesnt do the same lol.
Past 8 years ive owned an 06 ex border patrol hoe, and in September i snagged a clean ssv from a dealer here in town, truck came from colorado(by the rock chips and sand abrasion id imagine mountain ranger) i admit im thankful I found one so clean. It's got its blems but over time I'll address the little things i can improve. Its rust free, has 164k as of today. ive put a lot of time and effort into it already and with my ocd, im far from done lol
Day after i put a down payment on it I ordered all new mevotech ttx upper and lower control arms, leveling kit, inner & outer tie rods and blasted it apart within 24 hours of owning it. Since then its been normal matainence, tune up, motor mounts,trans mount, full fluids, loaded delco calipers, trans service etc. Did a exhaust resonator delete and airaid jr so it makes some sort of noise lol. Added fahren LEDs and Lasfit switchbacks. Afm/dod disabler went in too. I removed the light posts in the a pillars, plugged the holes there and in the roof and found a mint center console and interior a pillars to make it feel more civilian and added a remote start kit. Figured doing chip guard along the rockers and lower doors would be ideal after seeing how abraded they were. I cleaned it up, epoxy primed, seal based and cleared as well as did a full paint correction with coarse clay, rupes pads and compounds, sealed with colinite 476 and then adams patriot wax. I was shocked to see after pulling all the body plugs that the internal panels had zero rust but still received heavy cavity waxing with kbs cavity coat. I did a full woolwax undercoating and found this trick BT off road chassis flusher to use prior to the internal frame coating.
The only complaint I have is this. Since my old tahoe hasnt sold ive been using it as the winter beater, after snow last week I saw yesterday there's water on the passenger floor board close to the seat. The roof and a pillars I know for a fact are sealed. So im unsure if its a clogged drain in the cowl panel, or where to look. unfortunately I couldnt locate the trail, just the aftermath. The windshield seal looks as if its popped and come spring I for sure will be having it resealed, the culprit spot i hit with windshield sealant today. Im open to any feedback or suggestions, prefer to address it immediately even if it sits for winter
Future plans
Replace both bumper covers with fresh gm ones since theyre the only two rough spots
-color matched door handles and mirrors
-fix spotlight door notches and blend areas accordingly
-285s and bronze falcon offroad wheels
-Sonnax zip kit or transgo shift kit
-Billet triple disc conv from Chris at circle d(mild stall)
-afm/dod delete, possible bump stick, long tubes and ORY
-leather seat cover conversion up front
-at bare minimum I'll be doing a trans tune on hp tuners, or taking the hoe somewhere for a full street tune
-if one day I win the lotto id love to procharge it
