2001 Tahoe Z71 that sat for 12 years

[Ryan7]

This thing sat in the driveway 12 years. The previous owner spent about $1500 to get the entire fuel system redone last year. The engine fires right up and runs smooth as silk.

As of yesterday she's registered and legal for the road.

88,000 miles.
Has brand new 2007 Firestone tires that pick up a speed wobble at about 40 MPH lol. They look beautiful, still have the nubs. It's a shame I have to replace them.

It's a pretty sweet rig, no damage or dents and visibly in good condition.

Aside from new tires and an oil change, any thoughts on some of the landmines from having sat so long?
I don't want to throw a ton of money at it, but also no need to be penny wise and cause a bigger problem.

Thanks!

 

[S33k3r]

Check everything that is rubber, including the belts. Check all your lines -- fuel and brake. Check the color of your brake fluid, which might be a good idea to just change it. Check the color of your transmission fluid, also. The number one concern, here, is that water condensed in either of those systems and caused issues where it collected while the truck was sitting. Check all your grounds; this is a known weak spot in these vehicles.

Good luck, and it sounds like a nice score. I suggest sharing pictures of it, and linking information on it in your signature.

 

[1BADI5]

Nice find, but we need pictures!

 

[Ryan7]

Roger that on the pictures. It's covered in snow at the moment we're in the midst of our annual "snowmageddon" event here in the PNW. Which usually means about 2" of snow that will turn to rain shortly.. We'll see.

"Check everything rubber" I like that advice, although maybe easier said than done, Will do. Also the fluids, Thanks.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics, please.

Regarding your tires, are they the actual tires that sat on the truck for 12 years? If so, and if they do not show signs of dry rot surface cracking, then drive them for a while. That 'wobble' may just be the result of the tires sitting in the same position for that long period of time, and some rotation on the roadway will work the 'wobble' out.

When folks above recommended checking anything that is rubber, you also may want to consider replacing your radiator and heater hoses.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Def check your rear metal brake lines. They're prone to rotting out in salty states--mine broke in a panic stop. I was doing 60 and some moron cut me right off. You don't want to find out when it's too late. Also front rubber brake lines sometimes can collapse internally causing a wheel to lock up or not stop at all. I know you said fluids, but make sure you do your coolant. Should use Dexcool, which is orange. Don't know how mechanically inclined you are, but don't mix orange with green!

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome to the forum from Oregon.

I agree with the others here. Check all rubber. may want to be concerned with the dust boots on the calipers as well and the internal seals in those calipers. Change ALL the fluids, period. I would do the belt tensioners and the idler as well after sitting like that. The water pump may go after driven for a while when that seal gets used and had old coolant around it all that time. Keep a look out for the front trans seal at the torque converter to leak and the engine rear main seal. Watch the exhaust manifold bolts as you go. Hopefully the O2 sensors come back and work for a while. Sitting that long can cause problems but hopefully some of my concerns work out just fine. Those rotor surfaces likely have some rust but may burn right off but may also ********* pad surfaces. I would get a good seal lubricant and lube all the door seals and hatch seals and sun roof seals and if has a sun roof, blow out the drains. Pay attention to the spare tire as well.

 

[OR VietVet]

Def check your rear metal brake lines. They're prone to rotting out in salty states--mine broke in a panic stop. I was doing 60 and some moron cut me right off. You don't want to find out when it's too late. Also front rubber brake lines sometimes can collapse internally causing a wheel to lock up or not stop at all. I know you said fluids, but make sure you do your coolant. Should use Dexcool, which is orange. Don't know how mechanically inclined you are, but don't mix orange with green!

Hopefully, if the rig spent all it's time in Wa., there was no salt on the roads, like here in Oregon.

 

[Tonyrodz]

This thing sat in the driveway 12 years. The previous owner spent about $1500 to get the entire fuel system redone last year. The engine fires right up and runs smooth as silk.

As of yesterday she's registered and legal for the road.

88,000 miles.
Has brand new 2007 Firestone tires that pick up a speed wobble at about 40 MPH lol. They look beautiful, still have the nubs. It's a shame I have to replace them.

It's a pretty sweet rig, no damage or dents and visibly in good condition.

Aside from new tires and an oil change, any thoughts on some of the landmines from having sat so long?
I don't want to throw a ton of money at it, but also no need to be penny wise and cause a bigger problem.

Thanks!

Don't let all these recommendations scare you. It's just typical maintenance on a vehicle that has sat for many years. Who knows, she may still be good to go, but why chance it if you can help it.

 

[OR VietVet]

^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^