Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
When it comes to buying a used vehicle--Buyer Beware.
The War Pig. Restoring a 2006 Tahoe US Border Patrol Vehicle to a Sh!tbox Fresh state.
- Thread starter War_Pig
- Start date
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The MIL (CEL) in these is not a bulb; it's an LED mounted to the circuit board. You can substitute a known good cluster to see if it's something in the cluster, or in the wiring/ECM.
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War_Pig
Member
The mileage matched up with the carfax, but that's not to say it didn't see plenty of action in a short time.
I refuse to get mad about it. I earned my SEMA awards and this isn't that kind of vehicle or build. It's more about cleaning my soul after a lot of trauma, but I don't want that to be the lead narrative. Restoring a thing that was beaten on heavily and forgotten is personal. Dealing with things as they are, it would make a good sleeper until a nasty sounding cam gives it away
. I've never had my own cammed V8.
If you look at it as closely as I have, new trucks have new truck problems while old trucks have old truck problems. This is at least a pre-DOD model with good bones. I'm just starting to go over the electrical system and cleaning things up.
This was also a fantastic opportunity to learn my way around HP tuners. I heavily advocate learning engine mgmt on a stock engine BEFORE engine mods. I've seen plenty of others like Diablo, Link, Motec, Hondata, some open source flash stuff. It's micro-controllers and cloud programming that I do for a living, manufacturing electronics and doing MES software.
I probed the cigarette lighters that didn't work. They don't have 12v, but the fuses are ok.
The block heater wiring is cut out. +1 for you guys on that one.
I haven't checked to see if it's a number's matching motor, and probably should.
I refuse to get mad about it. I earned my SEMA awards and this isn't that kind of vehicle or build. It's more about cleaning my soul after a lot of trauma, but I don't want that to be the lead narrative. Restoring a thing that was beaten on heavily and forgotten is personal. Dealing with things as they are, it would make a good sleeper until a nasty sounding cam gives it away
. I've never had my own cammed V8.If you look at it as closely as I have, new trucks have new truck problems while old trucks have old truck problems. This is at least a pre-DOD model with good bones. I'm just starting to go over the electrical system and cleaning things up.
This was also a fantastic opportunity to learn my way around HP tuners. I heavily advocate learning engine mgmt on a stock engine BEFORE engine mods. I've seen plenty of others like Diablo, Link, Motec, Hondata, some open source flash stuff. It's micro-controllers and cloud programming that I do for a living, manufacturing electronics and doing MES software.
I probed the cigarette lighters that didn't work. They don't have 12v, but the fuses are ok.
The block heater wiring is cut out. +1 for you guys on that one
.I haven't checked to see if it's a number's matching motor, and probably should.
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Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
I have the same issue with the power port(cigarette lighter)in the rear hatch area. Fuse is good but it doesn't work. Hasn't in years.The mileage matched up with the carfax, but that's not to say it didn't see plenty of action in a short time.
I refuse to get mad about it. I earned my SEMA awards and this isn't that kind of vehicle or build. It's more about cleaning my soul after a lot of trauma, but I don't want that to be the lead narrative. Restoring a thing that was beaten on heavily and forgotten is personal. Dealing with things as they are, it would make a good sleeper until a nasty sounding cam gives it away
If you look at it as closely as I have, new trucks have new truck problems while old trucks have old truck problems. This is at least a pre-DOD model with good bones. I'm just starting to go over the electrical system and cleaning things up.
This was also a fantastic opportunity to learn my way around HP tuners. I heavily advocate learning engine mgmt on a stock engine BEFORE engine mods. I've seen plenty of others like Diablo, Link, Motec, Hondata, some open source flash stuff. It's micro-controllers and cloud programming that I do for a living, manufacturing electronics and doing MES software.
I probed the cigarette lighters that didn't work. They don't have 12v, but the fuses are ok.
The block heater wiring is cut out. +1 for you guys on that one
I haven't checked to see if it's a number's matching motor, and probably should.
Just out of curiosity, have you verified Aux Pwr 2 fuse to be good, and that the fuse socket has pin tension on both legs?
Power Distribution Diagram 21 — 2003 Chevrolet K Tahoe 4WD V8-5.3L VIN T Service Manual | Operation CHARM
Detailed repair manual for the 2003 Chevrolet K Tahoe 4WD V8-5.3L VIN T.
charm.li
Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
It's been quite a few years. I remember the fuse being good but I never verified pin tension. Never even occurred to me to check for that.
Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
This is the underhood fuse block, correct?
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War_Pig
Member
There's a lot of good stuff in that link. Thank you.
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War_Pig
Member
What are my options for a digital dash? It has the droopy tach, and I know a replacement is $250ish. I would kind of like to play with a digital cluster if possible. Pi's don't really cut it for long term use. I'm thinking of a system-on-chip option or another vehicle's cluster. It would be a nice, but not required.
The new 2025 dash looks right out of UnrealEngine 5. That's the same thing they use in the Rivian. I've noodled with Automotive Grade Linux, too. If something plugs in then I can likely play with it. Carobotor looks like good stuff, but there's no options for Chebbies.
The new 2025 dash looks right out of UnrealEngine 5. That's the same thing they use in the Rivian. I've noodled with Automotive Grade Linux, too. If something plugs in then I can likely play with it. Carobotor looks like good stuff, but there's no options for Chebbies.
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Not sure if you are any of the Facebook groups but there is a plug and play digital dash through one of the Chinese companies that is getting some good reviews but it runs around $1000 so not many have it yet.
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War_Pig
Member
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War_Pig
Member
Moar shenanigans while shopping for o2 sensors.
I accidentally stripped a wire to a rear o2, so that will be replaced. I'm looking to do all 4.
Need to confirm the front plugs.
Do I need o2 sensor extensions for these on an '06?
I accidentally stripped a wire to a rear o2, so that will be replaced. I'm looking to do all 4.
Need to confirm the front plugs.
Do I need o2 sensor extensions for these on an '06?
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War_Pig
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Update time:
I got the rear license plate lights fixed with a good replacement harness to the body module by the rear bumper.
This was too short for my model to reach the driver's side, though.
It needed this little $10 extension harness to reach the other bulb and it was al plug and play.
This is the fun part. We're into the header install and got all the other broken studs out except the dreaded rear broken stud below the mating surface.
Dorman makes this, and it will be here tomorrow. Hopefully I get my 50hp out of this and it holds until I get a new motor and trans in a few years.
I got the rear license plate lights fixed with a good replacement harness to the body module by the rear bumper.
This was too short for my model to reach the driver's side, though.
Amazon.com: Quealzara Rear Bumper License Plate Light Harness Compatible with Chevy Classic Silverado 1999-2007 GMC Classic Sierra 1999-2007 Chevy Avalanche 2002-2006 Replaces 15768809 15764121, Black : Automotive
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It needed this little $10 extension harness to reach the other bulb and it was al plug and play.
2pcs DC 12V T10 Extension Wiring Harness Car LED Light Socket Connector - Walmart.com
Buy 2pcs DC 12V T10 Extension Wiring Harness Car LED Light Socket Connector at Walmart.com
www.walmart.com
This is the fun part. We're into the header install and got all the other broken studs out except the dreaded rear broken stud below the mating surface.
Dorman makes this, and it will be here tomorrow. Hopefully I get my 50hp out of this and it holds until I get a new motor and trans in a few years.
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War_Pig
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Success! I got the tune mostly dialed in with some adjustments in weird spots having relocated the o2 sensors downstream a bit. I've never tuned for specifically this, but how tos online got me where I needed to go. Warm start and hot start are good. Cold weather start might need a little work, but we'll see. It's rich up top from where I dumped in too much fuel.
Midrange torque feels amazing. The coating I think helps keep the ringing a bit quieter from the headers. It is very quiet and tolerable at idle and cruise. Mash it from a light and it sucks the hat off my head. The holeshot on 4.10's is great.
Mileage looks to be around 17mpg on E50. That should improve a little when I lean it out up top. I put in too much and need to bring it back a bit.
Midrange torque feels amazing. The coating I think helps keep the ringing a bit quieter from the headers. It is very quiet and tolerable at idle and cruise. Mash it from a light and it sucks the hat off my head. The holeshot on 4.10's is great.
Mileage looks to be around 17mpg on E50. That should improve a little when I lean it out up top. I put in too much and need to bring it back a bit.
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War_Pig
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I am at a crossroads. I would really like a down payment on a house, and I only need 1 project vehicle. This as a daily is kind of harsh on my aging frame even with a softer suspension. All the parts are really heavy and hard to maneuver without a lift. I can't lay on my back and do this pushing 50 after 27 surgeries.
I either put a fresh motor and transmission in it and keep it or sell it as is. I am a little tired of beating myself up to do these things.
There is some blowby on the cylinders and the 4wd electronics are flaky. I just want a dependable daily that doesn't beat me to death. Despite detuning this and making the suspension softer it is just punishing me in other ways.
I have to take a loan out on my 401k to do the motor and trans, or sell this and buy a gentler daily driver. I can do both the house and the econobox. A house it going to be hard enough to work on.
I either put a fresh motor and transmission in it and keep it or sell it as is. I am a little tired of beating myself up to do these things.
There is some blowby on the cylinders and the 4wd electronics are flaky. I just want a dependable daily that doesn't beat me to death. Despite detuning this and making the suspension softer it is just punishing me in other ways.
I have to take a loan out on my 401k to do the motor and trans, or sell this and buy a gentler daily driver. I can do both the house and the econobox. A house it going to be hard enough to work on.
