My 2002 Tahoe Build Thread

So I decided to start up a build thread here on TYF since I already have one going on Z71Tahoe-Suburban Forums. Most of the work that's been done will be in the first post then I'll keep adding as time goes on.

Just so everyone knows, this is a pretty basic build. A lot of add-ons, updated lighting and so on. However, any information that you have or easy mods to make the truck stand out are more then welcomed! I wanted this to be a pretty simple project since I have to drive back to school soon and don't want to tear to deep into this.

I started out with a target budget of $2,000 which isn't a lot but for now its all I really have to spend in the truck while still attending school and trying to save money for when I get out of school. I work as much as I can so I've been saving every dime I have for the last 2 years. I also want to mention that I do have some parts from my last Tahoe when it was totaled after a Honda car hit me in the side running a red light. I got my Radio, LED Tails, Amp, and CAI.

So far heres everything I have gotten done for $2,000:

- Rough Country Leveling Kit
- Rough Country HD Tie-Rod Sleeves
- 285/75/16 Nitto Terra Grappler Tires
- 6,000K HID Kit for Low Beams
- LED Projector Bulbs for Fog Lights
- New Fog Lights (Driver and Passenger)
- New Clear Corner Lights
- Interior LED Conversion (Included Mirrors and Reverse Lights)
- Billet Grille
- New Bow-Tie Emblem for Grille (Factory plastic one was cracked)
- Energy Suspension Front and Rear Sway Bar Bushing Kits
- LED Cup Holder Mod
- LED Power Window Switch Mod
- Removed the Badges and Molding

Now I have quite a bit mechanic experience and very mechanically inclined from my father and his side of the family so I've done all the work except for installing the leveling kit, tie rod sleeves, and tires. Most of the work has been pretty simple and basic but I have taken my time and made sure everything was correctly installed. Enough of my talking here are some pictures!

Front and Rear Sway Bar Bushings:









HID Kit, Fog LED Projectors, Interior LED's: (I didn't show all the lights but you get the idea, and some of the interior LED's looked purple but they are all Cool White 6000K Color)













LED Power Window Switch and LED Cup Holder Mod:









Overall this is everything thats been shipped to me and I have installed. I'm still waiting on my billet grille, clear corners, and the leveling kit and tires to be installed which is set for August 11th. I do have a little extra cash to spend in my budget which is $90 so any suggestions on what I can get for that to help out my build would be awesome!

For future reference heres the list of stuff I would like to do / add:

- Spohn Upper and Lower Rear Control Arms
- Spohn Panhard Bar
- R1 Concepts Crossed Drilled and Slotted Rotors
- Russell Performance Stainless Braided Brake Lines
- BBP Tune
- WeatherTech Digital Floor Mats
- FatMat Sound Mat for Doors and Interior
- Remove Dents, Dings, and Scratches
- Fix Fading Paint Spots on Hood
- Fix or Replace Broken Interior Panels
- 5% Tint on All Windows
- Electric Fans
- LED Upgrade for Light Switch and A/C Controls
- Escalade Cluster W/ Blue LED's
- Jimmijammer Door Lock Protectors
- AeroForce Interceptor Gauge

I did see that the guys on Z71Tahoe-Suburban Forum mentioned that I should look into a set of Depo Projector housings for my headlights since HID's give off to much glare in the factory housings. What do you guys think about that?

Couple questions for you guys!

First, is there anyway from keeping my new lights from ever yellowing again? Any type of sealant or wax?

Second, how do you all restore your exterior plastics? I'm referring to the mirrors, bumpers, steps and so on. I found a system called Forever BLACK (Link Below) that claims it will keep your bumpers looking original for up to 4 years. I wanted to see if anyone has experience with this stuff?

http://www.foreverblack.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNfQUq8soBg

Finally, I have some scratches and fade marks in my chrome grille shell that I would like to remove. I'm going to install my billet grille insert when I get back from vacation on Sunday and wouldn't mind polishing out my grille before I put it back on. What would you all use to buff it out and make it look new again? I included some pictures so you can see the fading I'm working with.

Nice work so far. AS far as your lights yellowing, put a layer of clear coat or clear paint over them. As far as the grille, you could use a semi or flat black paint and never have to worry about the black plastic fading

NathanJax said:

Nice work so far. AS far as your lights yellowing, put a layer of clear coat or clear paint over them. As far as the grille, you could use a semi or flat black paint and never have to worry about the black plastic fading

Click to expand...

Thanks!

Will I need to wax the lights every time I wash even after applying a layer of clear coat?

BlueTahoe2001 said:

Thanks!

Will I need to wax the lights every time I wash even after applying a layer of clear coat?

Click to expand...

no. just like regular paint a that point. just wash like normal

BlueTahoe2001 said:

Second, how do you all restore your exterior plastics? I'm referring to the mirrors, bumpers, steps and so on. I found a system called Forever BLACK (Link Below) that claims it will keep your bumpers looking original for up to 4 years. I wanted to see if anyone has experience with this stuff?

Finally, I have some scratches and fade marks in my chrome grille shell that I would like to remove. I'm going to install my billet grille insert when I get back from vacation on Sunday and wouldn't mind polishing out my grille before I put it back on. What would you all use to buff it out and make it look new again? I included some pictures so you can see the fading I'm working with.

Click to expand...

For restoring my exterior plastics I used Rustoleum Bedliner spray. Worked great! I did my front and rear bumper plastics, fender flares, fender liners, and nerf bars. I also painted the grill shell flat black and polished the billet grill for it. I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.





Before:




After:



Before:


After:

Well, finally got everything done with the $2,000 budget I had right now. I was able to get up to RimzOne in Mooresville, NC this morning and they installed my RCX leveling kit, HD Tie Rod Sleeves, and 285/75/16 NItto Terra Grapplers. Super happy with the service and installation the guys did up there and they even gave me a free shirt and some stickers.

When they took it down the road for the alignment, I rode with them and all of the sudden I had to spend more money then I wanted to. The alignment shop ended up finding that my idler arm was bad and thats why my last set of tires went bad so quick. Either way, I had to spend another $400 for Moog Parts and Labor. It's done now and well, the truck handles and rides so much better. Enough of me, time for pictures!!!


OLD:


NEW:






Also, I was able to get my billet grille, polished aluminum emblem and new LED Corner lights installed on Sunday when I got back from vacation:

OLD:



NEW:

Clear headlight Assembly's

Read and do this, while you wait on new headlights, and yess you want projectors.
May I reccomend a Kit from these guys to retro your new NON projector clear lense housings.

ezdaar said:

Clear headlight Assembly's

Read and do this, while you wait on new headlights, and yess you want projectors.
May I reccomend a Kit from these guys to retro your new NON projector clear lense housings.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the help. I also thought about ordering projector headlights so that I wouldn't have to do the retrofit kits since I already have a HID kit installed. But in the case that I go with retrofits, is there a write-up on how to install them?

Also, what HID projectors would I need? I looked at their accessories and clicked HID Projectors but I'm not sure which ones I would need for new light housings.

Depo Projectors got here last night and I was able to install them before I left for work this morning...

I'll post night pictures up when it gets dark out.