Question about a Border Patrol 2008

[JTS197]

Hello Everyone. I am in the process of buying a 2008 Tahoe with 12k on the odo, I think previously owned by the CBP. I've been researching about them for a bit. One thing that I noticed on the one I am purchasing is that it has 5100 Bilsteins? It looks like it has a bit of a lift but I am not sure. Were CBP Tahoes spec'd with Bilstein/lift from GM?

I've been lurking on here a little bit, and I already have some plans as to what I am going to do (aux trans radiator, console, carpet, stereo, etc.). It has holes in the roof; are most folks just buying plugs/covers for them? Are there any better than others? It also has some paint chips (about an 1in for each one) on the hood and rear quarter that I might try to tackle.

Any thing else to look for?

Thanks,

John

 

[BG1988]

Number of idle Hours

 

[Fubar0715]

Hello Everyone. I am in the process of buying a 2008 Tahoe with 12k on the odo, I think previously owned by the CBP. I've been researching about them for a bit. One thing that I noticed on the one I am purchasing is that it has 5100 Bilsteins? It looks like it has a bit of a lift but I am not sure. Were CBP Tahoes spec'd with Bilstein/lift from GM?

I've been lurking on here a little bit, and I already have some plans as to what I am going to do (aux trans radiator, console, carpet, stereo, etc.). It has holes in the roof; are most folks just buying plugs/covers for them? Are there any better than others? It also has some paint chips (about an 1in for each one) on the hood and rear quarter that I might try to tackle.

Any thing else to look for?

Thanks,

John

If CBP - is it 4x4? I have a CBP SSV which did not have Bilstein shocks - should be GM so I suspect those were added after the fact. Mine now has leather fronts and a console as well as upgrade JVC radio along with SAT/Backup cam. Mine has chips everywhere which was touched up with an off color white so it looks like it is covered in chips. Should have skid plates underneath also.

 

[RichardCranium]

Number of idle Hours

Irrelevant with proper maintenance. It'd be better to focus on maintenance records than anything else, as the majority of PPV or SSV vehicles surely have an absolute ton of idle hours. That's a safe assumption for all local/state agency vehicles.

 

[Doubeleive]

Hello Everyone. I am in the process of buying a 2008 Tahoe with 12k on the odo, I think previously owned by the CBP. I've been researching about them for a bit. One thing that I noticed on the one I am purchasing is that it has 5100 Bilsteins? It looks like it has a bit of a lift but I am not sure. Were CBP Tahoes spec'd with Bilstein/lift from GM?

I've been lurking on here a little bit, and I already have some plans as to what I am going to do (aux trans radiator, console, carpet, stereo, etc.). It has holes in the roof; are most folks just buying plugs/covers for them? Are there any better than others? It also has some paint chips (about an 1in for each one) on the hood and rear quarter that I might try to tackle.

Any thing else to look for?

Thanks,

John

Not by gm, perhaps a upfitter a did it or the local department maintenance person, either way you are on your own in figuring it all out.

 

[Miami-Dade]

Hello Everyone. I am in the process of buying a 2008 Tahoe with 12k on the odo, I think previously owned by the CBP. I've been researching about them for a bit. One thing that I noticed on the one I am purchasing is that it has 5100 Bilsteins? It looks like it has a bit of a lift but I am not sure. Were CBP Tahoes spec'd with Bilstein/lift from GM?

I've been lurking on here a little bit, and I already have some plans as to what I am going to do (aux trans radiator, console, carpet, stereo, etc.). It has holes in the roof; are most folks just buying plugs/covers for them? Are there any better than others? It also has some paint chips (about an 1in for each one) on the hood and rear quarter that I might try to tackle.

Any thing else to look for?

Thanks,

John

Welcome from hot humid Miami John!

Hopefully you got some records with it and had a mechanic check it out.

 

[opfor2]

I also have a 2011 CBP Border Patrol Vehicle and it came with GM shocks. The front struts had a 2" shim on them for a 2" front lift I presume. My underside is also "Armored" up with CBP manufactured rock guards plus two hood vents. I too have a 2" hole in the roof were the lightbar was. I purchased a plastic stick on cover temporarily but I plan on having a body shop repair it soon.

This is the company I used to get an aftermarket center console and the Hole Patch Plug ( https://nenno-products.com/products)

 

[JTS197]

Thanks for the welcome! Here's some shots of it. No skid plates so now I am wondering what agency had it? In one of the pics of the CV, you can see almost out of frame, the 5100; I'm hoping it has a shim or the 5100 is set higher.

Any suggestions for the paint chips?

 

[opfor2]

a temporary fix for your lightbar hole https://nenno-products.com/product-info/PVALHP-PVASHP

 

[mikez71]

don't mean to be a downer, but the cluster was probably replaced and the truck itself probably has more than 12k miles.

If you don't see a spacer above or below front strut, then the bilsteins are up a notch or two..

 

[opfor2]

don't mean to be a downer, but the cluster was probably replaced and the truck itself probably has more than 12k miles.

If you don't see a spacer above or below front strut, then the bilsteins are up a notch or two..

And the fact that you can read the DIC it looks like it was replaced or fixed. I think the millage / Eng hours information is maintained in the ECM right?

 

[JTS197]

don't mean to be a downer, but the cluster was probably replaced and the truck itself probably has more than 12k miles.

If you don't see a spacer above or below front strut, then the bilsteins are up a notch or two..

Do you think if it is a former govt Tahoe, they would have to disclose that?

 

[mikez71]

Do you think if it is a former govt Tahoe, they would have to disclose that?

no idea, but a carfax should hopefully have some record.

I thought the mileage was stored in the ecm as well... not sure if a tech2 shows that info or what..

 

[opfor2]

Do you think if it is a former govt Tahoe, they would have to disclose that?

It's defiantly a CBP Border Patrol tahoe. They customize them to where they will be stationed not all will have armor underneath or hood vents or lifted. And no they would not disclose that. How many engine hors does it have ??

 

[Fubar0715]

visit a bone yard, locate one of these, and add to your dash panel - valuable info in there. You can also buy a Drive Info Ctr button (DIC) and custom fit in your existing panel. All the wiring is tucked behind the existing panel and is plug and play. This will give you the engine hours, TPS readings, when/if your rigs is running AFM.
From the looks of your dash, the TPS sensors are either not programmed or non-existent in your wheels. Any shop should be able to program or get yourself a tool from AMZ. I got mine specifically because I do winter tire swaps on my wife's Equinox.

 

[Doubeleive]

all the hours, miles, gallons, trip, etc are stored in the cluster, the only way to get a idea of actual mileage is carfax or call any gm dealer service department and provide the vin, they can tell you what work was done to it at what mileage if it was taken to a gm dealer.

 

[JTS197]

no idea, but a carfax should hopefully have some record.

I thought the mileage was stored in the ecm as well... not sure if a tech2 shows that info or what..

I pulled a Carfax on it before I bought it. It showed 11800 but only at the time of when it was auctioned. There were only 2 other entries in there from 2010/2011 for a service check at some shop. The mileage at those 2 points were around 2600 and 3500 miles. I tried to hook my Autel to it to see if I could pull up the mileage, but it seems that maybe the Autel I have is not compatible? It will read the VIN, but that's about it.

View attachment 404662
visit a bone yard, locate one of these, and add to your dash panel - valuable info in there. You can also buy a Drive Info Ctr button (DIC) and custom fit in your existing panel. All the wiring is tucked behind the existing panel and is plug and play. This will give you the engine hours, TPS readings, when/if your rigs is running AFM.
From the looks of your dash, the TPS sensors are either not programmed or non-existent in your wheels. Any shop should be able to program or get yourself a tool from AMZ. I got mine specifically because I do winter tire swaps on my wife's Equinox.

That is going to be my next purchase. Trying to find one with the silver trim seems to be a challenge online.

One of the few things I am working on is trying to get those rear doors unlocked . I can't open the doors from the inside or outside. I managed to pull the lock knobs out and found this:

But removing that bolt, I don't think will fix the door issue. I wouldn't want to but I feel like I might have to "gorilla" the door panel off to get to the linkage. Any thoughts?

I also managed to find a "before auction" pic of my Tahoe in its former glory:

 

[mikez71]

Wow, well either the cluster was changed around 2010 or you really do only have 12k miles!

The other reason I thought your cluster may have been swapped is the gap at the top of your cluster, looks like the trim might not be snapped in all the way or something.

 

[k9rockydog]

I pulled a Carfax on it before I bought it. It showed 11800 but only at the time of when it was auctioned. There were only 2 other entries in there from 2010/2011 for a service check at some shop. The mileage at those 2 points were around 2600 and 3500 miles. I tried to hook my Autel to it to see if I could pull up the mileage, but it seems that maybe the Autel I have is not compatible? It will read the VIN, but that's about it.

View attachment 404695


That is going to be my next purchase. Trying to find one with the silver trim seems to be a challenge online.

One of the few things I am working on is trying to get those rear doors unlocked . I can't open the doors from the inside or outside. I managed to pull the lock knobs out and found this: View attachment 404696

But removing that bolt, I don't think will fix the door issue. I wouldn't want to but I feel like I might have to "gorilla" the door panel off to get to the linkage. Any thoughts?

I also managed to find a "before auction" pic of my Tahoe in its former glory:

View attachment 404697

check where the front doors latch for a choke cable pull knob.. thats what mine had to lock both rear doors..

 

[Nighthawkpearl]

I pulled a Carfax on it before I bought it. It showed 11800 but only at the time of when it was auctioned. There were only 2 other entries in there from 2010/2011 for a service check at some shop. The mileage at those 2 points were around 2600 and 3500 miles. I tried to hook my Autel to it to see if I could pull up the mileage, but it seems that maybe the Autel I have is not compatible? It will read the VIN, but that's about it.

View attachment 404695


That is going to be my next purchase. Trying to find one with the silver trim seems to be a challenge online.

One of the few things I am working on is trying to get those rear doors unlocked . I can't open the doors from the inside or outside. I managed to pull the lock knobs out and found this: View attachment 404696

But removing that bolt, I don't think will fix the door issue. I wouldn't want to but I feel like I might have to "gorilla" the door panel off to get to the linkage. Any thoughts?

I also managed to find a "before auction" pic of my Tahoe in its former glory:

View attachment 404697

Can you check the engine hours? You haven’t answered for engine hours. Do you know how to check engine hours?