Hello 
So over the last few weeks I've had an idea bouncing around the old noggin, a complicated and expensive idea ... I've tried to kick it out of mind but I have failed. It's had me visiting GM dealerships staring at LTZ Tahoes spooking the salesmen. And should it be possible, I would certainly own the only HyHoe with this mod.
The premise is the following ... Tahoe Hybrids have a completely different front end. That is to say that bumper cover assembly, grilles, valance, and hood are designed differently. Furthermore the hood is made of aluminum instead of steel for weight reduction/fuel saving.
Now I've moded the front end as much as it can be moded:
When you see the truck coming at you it really looks correct and beautiful ... however the side view is less than attractive to my eyes:
The above pic doesn't show it well (if you google image tahoe hybrid you'll see), but those who have Tahoe hybrids will know, the bumper cover looks like a disproportionately low vertical piece of plastic that doesn't fit the low end lines of the truck.
So the project in my head goes as follows:
Swap bumper covers and hood for that of the LTZ
Forget the cost involved for a moment ... and let us consider the scope of this mod.
The first step would be to purchase this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEV..._Accessories&hash=item1c1b756524#ht_500wt_956
Okay that seems simple and expensive enough.
But consider the hood difference between the regular Tahoe and the Hybrid in shape:
You will notice two major differences:
1. The lines at the top of the hood are different resulting in a different shape at its front.
2. The front of the hood sticks out further on the Tahoe hybrid to match the shape of the top of the bumper whose top also sticks out further.
From the inside the difference is like this:
I have gone to check this out in person and there's simply no way for me to swap for an LTZ front bumper assembly without also swapping for a regular Tahoe hood. All that will happen is that my hood will stick out an inch or two beyond of the regular Tahoe bumper, the lines won't match, and it probably won't even close properly.
So the answer is seemingly simple: If I really care enough to spend the money, swap bumper assy and hood and it's done.
Well, not so fast ...
I asked Elizabeth (GM customer Service rep on TYF) to investigate for me if a swap of hoods from that of the hybrid to that of the regular Tahoe is a straight plug and play swap. She was really kind to investigate for me, however she informed me that for some reason it is not, and could get for me the exact reason why as it was way outside the scope of what she has access to.
So I've been trying to find drawing to understand why. I can't for the life of me understand why the attachment points would be different between a Hybrid and a regular Tahoe. Sure the shape of the hood is slightly different, many things are on Hybrids, but they almost always attach at the same locations.
So I need your help ...
I need to find out exactly what would be involved to swap a Tahoe Hybrid hood for a regular Tahoe hood?
Because if I can sort that out, the bumper assy is confirmed to be a straight swap, thus giving me the ability to complete this mod should I choose to go forward with it.
Sorry for the long thread, like I said this has been gnawing at me for a while and I just would like to know either way so I can either drop it or consider it.
Thanks for any help and/or input.
Cheers!
So over the last few weeks I've had an idea bouncing around the old noggin, a complicated and expensive idea ... I've tried to kick it out of mind but I have failed. It's had me visiting GM dealerships staring at LTZ Tahoes spooking the salesmen. And should it be possible, I would certainly own the only HyHoe with this mod.
The premise is the following ... Tahoe Hybrids have a completely different front end. That is to say that bumper cover assembly, grilles, valance, and hood are designed differently. Furthermore the hood is made of aluminum instead of steel for weight reduction/fuel saving.
Now I've moded the front end as much as it can be moded:
When you see the truck coming at you it really looks correct and beautiful ... however the side view is less than attractive to my eyes:
The above pic doesn't show it well (if you google image tahoe hybrid you'll see), but those who have Tahoe hybrids will know, the bumper cover looks like a disproportionately low vertical piece of plastic that doesn't fit the low end lines of the truck.
So the project in my head goes as follows:
Swap bumper covers and hood for that of the LTZ
Forget the cost involved for a moment ... and let us consider the scope of this mod.
The first step would be to purchase this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEV..._Accessories&hash=item1c1b756524#ht_500wt_956
Okay that seems simple and expensive enough.
But consider the hood difference between the regular Tahoe and the Hybrid in shape:


You will notice two major differences:
1. The lines at the top of the hood are different resulting in a different shape at its front.
2. The front of the hood sticks out further on the Tahoe hybrid to match the shape of the top of the bumper whose top also sticks out further.
From the inside the difference is like this:
I have gone to check this out in person and there's simply no way for me to swap for an LTZ front bumper assembly without also swapping for a regular Tahoe hood. All that will happen is that my hood will stick out an inch or two beyond of the regular Tahoe bumper, the lines won't match, and it probably won't even close properly.
So the answer is seemingly simple: If I really care enough to spend the money, swap bumper assy and hood and it's done.
Well, not so fast ...
I asked Elizabeth (GM customer Service rep on TYF) to investigate for me if a swap of hoods from that of the hybrid to that of the regular Tahoe is a straight plug and play swap. She was really kind to investigate for me, however she informed me that for some reason it is not, and could get for me the exact reason why as it was way outside the scope of what she has access to.
So I've been trying to find drawing to understand why. I can't for the life of me understand why the attachment points would be different between a Hybrid and a regular Tahoe. Sure the shape of the hood is slightly different, many things are on Hybrids, but they almost always attach at the same locations.

So I need your help ...
I need to find out exactly what would be involved to swap a Tahoe Hybrid hood for a regular Tahoe hood?
Because if I can sort that out, the bumper assy is confirmed to be a straight swap, thus giving me the ability to complete this mod should I choose to go forward with it.
Sorry for the long thread, like I said this has been gnawing at me for a while and I just would like to know either way so I can either drop it or consider it.
Thanks for any help and/or input.
Cheers!