Pete's (Now Nate's) 2003 Denali Budget Build thread

[HiHoeSilver]

Swapped the chmsl. Pete did a cool thing with painting it (see pic), but that little bit of red up there just wasn't right to me. Used the same brand I used on the Hoe, but went with the black housing / smoked lens this time.

For Chevy Tahoe/Suburban/GMC... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073K3S4B3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Old vs New:

Before:

After:

 

[Sevenevez]

nyce!

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Since I did the puddle lights, it's been driving me nuts that when I unlock in the evening the reverse, plate, and drl lights don't match....

Decided to try a new bulb. Used these for reverse and drl. I don't drive this every day, so we'll see how they last in the drl. Shows 12-24v in the specs, so I'm optimistic. Got a prime day deal, and frankly, even at regular price I could buy 4 sets of these for what I paid for the Lumawerx 4114 for the Tahoe.

3157 LED Bulbs, SEALIGHT 3157 LED... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PNLTXMD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Old vs. New

The new look:

Reverse:

I'd say they're just shy of the brightness of the jdm 144ex that are in the Tahoe, but they are still very bright, good color, and nice in my mind to have all four corners with the same bulb.

 

[Sevenevez]

love it!

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Here is the link to the festoons I like. Previously mentioned for my puddle lights. Also used them in the domes.

4Pcs 800 Lumens Super Bright 42mm... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078MLRNCX?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

And the 194s I like... previously mentioned for my map lights. Also used them for the plate.

Alla Lighting Newest Best T10 194... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FNH8XZK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

These I bought on a prime day whim. Put them in the door courtesy lights and the markers. Nothing crazy bright, but look quite nice. Liked them enough that I did the doors on the Tahoe, too (only fronts in the 06). Have 2 left.

OXILAM 194 LED Bulbs Super Bright... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BT23WVC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Plate lights with the new reverse:

Markers. Not 100% sure about these yet. I LOVE what Pete did with the reflectors and I'm that guy that likes a little amber. Part of me thinks these look awesome, the other part wants them to be amber:

Front with drl and markers:

The money shot:

 

[Sevenevez]

oh snap! that money shot tho

 

[adventurenali92]

Nice job with the LEDs! That last shot looks killer! That’s on point!!

 

[05Single]

It’s weird seeing this truck with all these leds , but it definitely looks good.


I’m still waiting to see someone install one of these new style 3rd brake lights.

 

[Tonyrodz]

It’s weird seeing this truck with all these leds , but it definitely looks good.


I’m still waiting to see someone install one of these new style 3rd brake lights. View attachment 227297

Those on Amazon?

 

[HiHoeSilver]

It’s weird seeing this truck with all these leds , but it definitely looks good.


I’m still waiting to see someone install one of these new style 3rd brake lights. View attachment 227297

Thanks, Dave. Makes it feel "modern" again, that's for sure.

I do like that new one. It's on my watch list. 0 reviews that I've seen and more than double the price kept me with the one I know. At least I got the black one this time. That was an extra $3!! Lol

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Finally got my new plates in the mail. A little double meaning. Obviously, the truck is dropped. Also, I usually don't do shameless plugs but in this case I'll make an exception. My band, for which @Sevenevez has done some sweet artwork (thanks, Pete!), is called Dropped Once. *cough* Available on apple music, Amazon, spotify, and pretty much anywhere else you'd listen to music *cough*... lol

I'm not sure I can bring myself to ruin the front with a plate, so I think I may push my luck without it... for the time being, at least. I'm probably breaking tint laws here, too, anyways!

 

[adventurenali92]

Finally got my new plates in the mail. A little double meaning. Obviously, the truck is dropped. Also, I usually don't do shameless plugs but in this case I'll make an exception. My band, for which @Sevenevez has done some sweet artwork (thanks, Pete!), is called Dropped Once. *cough* Available on apple music, Amazon, spotify, and pretty much anywhere else you'd listen to music *cough*... lol

I'm not sure I can bring myself to ruin the front with a plate, so I think I may push my luck without it... for the time being, at least. I'm probably breaking tint laws here, too, anyways!

View attachment 227918

Nice little personal touch for a plate. I like it! When I got a freshly painted bumper cover on the front I was like “no way in hell im ruining brand new paint for a stupid license plate!” Lol haven’t had it on in a little over a year now and I haven’t been stopped for it. So I’m rolling with it hahaha

 

[05Single]

I wish I had mine filled in before I painted it. Too late now

 

[Tonyrodz]

Finally got my new plates in the mail. A little double meaning. Obviously, the truck is dropped. Also, I usually don't do shameless plugs but in this case I'll make an exception. My band, for which @Sevenevez has done some sweet artwork (thanks, Pete!), is called Dropped Once. *cough* Available on apple music, Amazon, spotify, and pretty much anywhere else you'd listen to music *cough*... lol

I'm not sure I can bring myself to ruin the front with a plate, so I think I may push my luck without it... for the time being, at least. I'm probably breaking tint laws here, too, anyways!

View attachment 227918

This your band?

 

[HiHoeSilver]

This your band?View attachment 227935

Lol. Yeah.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Lol. Yeah.

Pretty cool.

 

[Fosscore]

Seeing this sweet transfer of ownership was worth not being on here for so long. Glad this beauty is staying around on TYF and sharing the love. Nice little touches to enhance what was already in place. Man what a sweet ride to pick up and make your neighbors do a double take.

Very cool guys!!

 

[Sevenevez]

Finally got my new plates in the mail. A little double meaning. Obviously, the truck is dropped. Also, I usually don't do shameless plugs but in this case I'll make an exception. My band, for which @Sevenevez has done some sweet artwork (thanks, Pete!), is called Dropped Once. *cough* Available on apple music, Amazon, spotify, and pretty much anywhere else you'd listen to music *cough*... lol

I'm not sure I can bring myself to ruin the front with a plate, so I think I may push my luck without it... for the time being, at least. I'm probably breaking tint laws here, too, anyways!

View attachment 227918

NYCE!

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Wow. Been a while on this thread.....sorry, guys!

Been enjoying the little bit of "summer" we got this year with some evening moonroof cruises to/from marching band. Truck is running smooth as ever. Still grinning ear to ear with the 6.0 over 3.73s. Talk about pull. I've laughed at more than my fair share of ricers that eye up the Foose 22s at red lights. When they catch me at the next light, the looks on their faces are priceless. Lol!

But alas, winter is almost upon us, and I have resolved to never let this truck see snow, or more importantly, salt. So with a beautiful 55* autumn day, I figured it was time to start winterizing. Hopefully she sees a couple more miles yet this year. At least needs a final wash, for sure.

I know there is a tiny coolant leak somewhere, because I can smell it occasionally and the level drops ever so slightly. I have been topping her off with water throughout the summer (though not much or often). I am unaware of the ratio now, and the coolant looks green, but dirty. Last thing I want is to freeze the block this winter. So a flush and fill it is.

I gathered 6 gallons of distilled water and 3 gallons of Prestone DexCool. I pulled the drain plug on the radiator, and this is what I got...

Gross!

I filled her with the hose, ran both front & rear heat full blast, and got her idling up to temp (used the scanner to be sure). Shut her down and drained again.

I repeated this process about 5 times. It was draining much clearer by then, and I had a rehearsal to get to, so I filled her with the hose once more and made the 30 min trip to rehearsal and the 30 min trip home.

When I got home I drained her again (pretty clean), but this time filled her up with 3 gallons of distilled. Let her run/burp for a good 20-30 minutes. Temps got the highest I saw all day at about 205, and she burped healthily a few times. Temps finally settled at about 194 and stayed there. Opened the drain plug once more and got very clear water.

This time I let her drain until there were not even little drips. This step took long enough to cook and eat dinner (spaghetti) and then sip a beer. At least an hour.

The 2003 manual I downloaded says 19 qts for the 6.0 (although I found many differing specs online). Every other spec I found was less, so I figure basing my math on 19 is good...

19 qts = 4.75 gal /2= 2.375 gal for a 50/50 mix.

I replaced the drain plug and gave her 2 gallons of new Dex (idled for a good 15 minutes, filled to the cold line almost exactly). Poured about 10 oz of STA-BIL into the (fresh) tank of 93, and took her for a 15 minute spin.

I will check the level tomorrow and top her off with a little more DexCool if needed. Should land pretty close to the mark, I think.

I also figured one last touch was warranted before she goes into hibernation, as @Fosscore so generously contributed this to the cause....

Thanks, buddy! I know she'll sleep more comfortably with that finally done.

Next I need some rear appliques.....

 

[Fosscore]

Make sure we get a final shot before she is completely shut down for this thing you call WINTER!