Tahorado Build

[Tahorado08]

New to the thread, Thanks for having me. I always read threads but found the time to post my own. I got a build goin here, even though it my be slow, its definitely going. 08 Tahoe with 2500 HD front clip, extreme clearance front fender mod, 2 inch lift and 35s. Also deleted the resonator, installed a flowmaster and cold air intake tube with box mod, and corvette servo.

Believe it or not, this is the wife's daily driver. I drive it occasionally, but work so much and have a K5, also under construction.

There's a lot to come, such as 4.56 gears, 4l80 swap, long tube headers, (maybe) small snail shell, and possibly a rear quarter panel mod. It just got out of paint so it may be a while.

My goals for this vehicle is to be big, fast, and mean. with the current mods and about 500rwhp, it should meet my goals happily.

2 of my biggest issues currently is that the AC compressor kicks on at startup (about 1 out of ever 10 to 15 startups) and sounds like a jackhammer. Also, definitely need a tune and gears, as I am getting about 9mpg currently (unless there is something wrong with the Tahorado in which I'm open to suggestions. I'm not naïve, I do know the bigger tires do not help, but before the tires, I was only getting 11mpg.

Please fell free to comment and send advice, I am open to ideas.

 

[Fosscore]

Welcome. Some big plans. Looking forward to build.

 

[iLikeEggs]

That's a nice looking truck!

 

[Tahorado08]

Appreciate it man. Already have the long tubes with y-pipe without cats, and looking to do a 67mm turbo. Thoughts? I want it to spool at around 1700rpm, to be simple/reliable, and to add to overall performance. I'm also looking into a radical port job on the intake and a 102mm throttle body. Big plans, yes. I'm in college right now, holding down a full time job, and receiving GI Bill money, VA disablility, etc... Have about 2Gs going to the projects every month. This amount of project money will be short lived, I finish my bachelors in Spring of '17 (still a lot of money I know, but with bills, house renovations, the K5, and kids, this money goes quick!). should come together quickly as soon as I make some decisions. Does anyone know of a square-ish aftermarket windshield wiper fluid reservoir? the stock one was not in the plans, as it interfered with tire clearance (yes, I clearanced that much!)

 

[Bruizza]

Looking good so far.

 

[TheAutumnWind]

I am really digging the lowish ride height with the 35's.

 

[Tahorado08]

Many thinks guys! Its nice to hear someone else (that you don't know) admiring your work. that was the goal, the low lift and stuffing 35s. No rub. The guy I stole the specific idea from has a 2500HD that is actually lowered in the back, and stuffing 37s. too much on half ton axles, just sayin. My avatar pic is the finished product, still have gears, tune, etc to go. Ill keep yall updated!

Next week im showing how to recondition cracked nasty leather. its the dreaded front drivers seat base that needs it but ill be doing both front seats. Tune In!

 

[Brian_smith06]

That is one goooood looking Tahoe!

 

[Tahorado08]

appreciate it man! Just installed the cheepo inner fenders, need to go over some of it with a head gun to flatten areas out, but other than that, Im happy with the outcome. I used some Lexol on the seats, cleaned up all the seats to look like new, aside from the driver base left side. goin to replace the small area with a vinyl match panel. I also decided against the turbo, as this is my wife's daily driver. I cant seem to find anyone with a RELIABLE DD turbo setup. Going with a Bleackbear tune with the longtubes and gears. Also going with an aftermarket trans. cooler and larger pan to keep the 4l60e. Should drop heat 30+ degrees. Just a guesstimate: I did the same thing on my 2002 Sierra and it made more than a 30 degree difference. I hauled with it everywhere and went through a couple transmissions before upgrading the Trans. components. Ill keep yall posted and ill throw more pictures up here when I get some things done worth photographing.

 

[Tahorado08]

Ok, hopefully I can get some involvement from you guys here. I want to know your opinions. This is about the rear quarter panels being converted to the Silverado contours. I have several options.

FIRST OPTION- LEAVE IT ALONE AND DRIVE IT.
a lot of people on here believe the conversion doesn't look complete, but I believe it has a Baja look, and it would leave extra money (about $1500 for other mods)

SECOND OPTION- USE MODDED FENDERS FROM A SILVERADO FOR THE QUARTERS
easier said than done, as the rear bumper vertical contour will have to be heavily modded to match up. also have the problem with the rear door handles getting in the way. need to shave both front and rear handles to make it look right.

THIRD OPTION- GRAFT THE BED OF A SILVERADO TO THE TRUCK, USE SILVERADO BACK BUMPER
this seems like the best way to go, but the door handles would still need to be shaved. this involves getting rid of the Tahoe bumper, hitch, and possibly tail lights. I would like to retain the Tahoe tail lights for the different look.

I need your votes for this. Next vote, if I have enough participants for this one, will be over the mirrors being swapped for the 2500HD mirrors or retaining the stockers.

 

[NathanJax]

3rd option and HD mirrors

 

[fiatdale]

Xtensive did this and made it a 2Dr. Are you planning on making it a 2DR or leaving it 4 Door? If you leave it 4 door you will have a lot of work needed to the door skin to look right because of how long the Silverado quarter wheelhouse is. Personally I dont think it will look right being a 4 door. The quarters will look huge, then having it split in such an awkward spot wont look right. Also - I would remove the rear cover and take a look at the reinforcement before you decide on getting rid of it and doing a silverado bumper. Becasue of how far the gate opening is, youd almost need like a 2000-2006 tahoe bumper to fill the void and look correctly as opposed to the 07+ Silverado bumper. The older steel SUV bumpers went "in" much more.

Its a lot of work to make it look right. Would it kick ass - definitely. But I dont think that quarter panel will look right with a great big door seam in it.

I would complete the 2500 front clip, but do a 2011+ grille and bumper (and, if you can, the newer hood as well, even though it looks like you have the 07-2010 HD hood already). And leave the rear as it be, and do more performance modifications.

 

[NathanJax]

^^^ those rear fenders though... ugh

 

[Tahorado08]

ok, After reviewing all replies, it seems like the choice is definitely to mod the rear quarter, but the replies on how to go about it are mixed. I've been looking at different options, and it seems the best, or easiest option, would be to mod a set of front fenders and shave all door handles. the wheel well "hump" (or flares) on the fenders will be identical to the front fenders because, well, they are from front fenders. not only that, the contour from the new quarter panel setup to the body will be close enough that I wont have to "reinvent the wheel" when matching the quarter to the bumper. If and when this demi-project gets underway, Some of you will not be happy about how this gets accomplished, and this is why: instead of cutting into the existing body of the Tahoe (quarters and rear doors), I plan on trimming the fender flares off of the front fenders and grafting them to the quarters and doors. the template for the door opening will be the same, just about an inch and a half of thickness added. I don't believe this will be too difficult, as I have trimmed, modded, and re-made portions of the front fenders just for clearance and so far, everybody I have mentioned this to wants me to park beside a stock Silverado because they are in disbelief.

Let me know your thoughts!

 

[fiatdale]

Good luck amigo. Post pics during your process.

Just one question - How do you plan on tackling the front of the fender where it meets the headlight? That "flare" bump out ends, and doesnt extend down, so your piece will be incomplete.

 

[Tahorado08]

Well, there again, I have more options. Have a buddy with an English wheel who told me it wouldn't be too difficult to fab up, or I could use 2 pairs of fenders, cut the "hump" in half, weld two sides together, making a complete flare, or whatever you'd call it.

 

[iLikeEggs]

Chevy should take notice. Excellent work!!

 

[07Burb]

man that is so sexy

 

[mazdawg(Mikey)]

Well, there again, I have more options. Have a buddy with an English wheel who told me it wouldn't be too difficult to fab up, or I could use 2 pairs of fenders, cut the "hump" in half, weld two sides together, making a complete flare, or whatever you'd call it.

I like that idea, using 2 fenders to make a complete hump instead of cutting up whole bed sides

 

[yates ™]

What about matching the front fenders to match the rear? Way less work then the other options.