2003 z71 tahoe

[ncalvo]

Better hinges? I thought the only difference was the handle/rubber trim going around the glass.

I had thought the 2006 or similar years glass had hinges that were more secure.
I went to a junkyard with a friend a few years back and he grabbed one off an escalade.. Later he gave me his old glass that he had repaired the hinges on when mine broke.
I haven't see one in a while I thought they had an improved way the hinges attached to the glass I could be wrong

 

[Tonyrodz]

I had thought the 2006 or similar years glass had hinges that were more secure.
I went to a junkyard with a friend a few years back and he grabbed one off an escalade.. Later he gave me his old glass that he had repaired the hinges on when mine broke.
I haven't see one in a while I thought they had an improved way the hinges attached to the glass I could be wrong

That's news to me, never heard that before.

 

[ncalvo]

That's news to me, never heard that before.

The junkyard near me has two 2006 tahoes and the inventory online shows the glass I want. One has been there a month the other 10 days I am gonna try my luck. Word is the 05/06 Glass doesn't have a history of failing hinges.. I will update if I'm successful

 

[ncalvo]

I got lucky this morning and found the glass and it looks like it is in good condition. Missing one screw on the inside but I think its good to go, doesn't look scratched either. Man what a nice morning.
The hinges do look much better than the original.

 

[mattbta]

Good call on 05+. The redesign was due to spontaneous exploding of the prior years. Eventually, I'll get the 05+ Esky glass and third brake light.

 

[RAMurphy]

Enjoyed reading this build. A good amount of hard work getting your baby looking good. Nice job.

 

[ncalvo]

Cleaned up the glass, it is scratch free!
Broke a bolt when I tried taking the handle/strike plate off because I wanted to clean it up, it was very rusty. Not happy about that.
However I found what could be an identical replacement on ebay.
Also the new wheels are on!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ncalvo]

New duralast battery posts and Big 3 upgrade today. Overkill with 1/0 gauge but better than underkill. Also cleaned up the few grounding points that I know of.
New headlight housings, LED headlights/running lights/reverse lights, they are nice and BRIGHT. Kept the marker/blinker lights, highbeams, and foglights the same.
Getting ready to do the e-fan conversion, at the same time replacing a bunch of heater hoses and tee's, the surge tank, and the radiator.
After that the 2500hd conversion, cannot wait til these are done.

 

[ncalvo]

Replaced heater hoses and tees yesterday, they were the original to the truck. Vice grips with a sawzall blade became my friend to get the old ones out. Also replaced coolant temp sensor, steam pipe gaskets up front, radiator, expansion tank. Then did the efan conversion, replaced the electrical box cover, got the new harness to fit in the OEM location but had to do some moving around there was a harness right there in that spot already.

Have to check trans fluid level after replacing the radiator but it shouldn't be much if it needs any added. When adding coolant I used the top hose going to the radiator to first fill the radiator, then attached it to the water pump and unhooked it to the radiator to fill more. Once I saw level in the expansion tank I buttoned it up and did the efan conversion. Then after I started it up put the heat on full blast and burped it for about 10-15min with the cap off, only had to add a little more coolant.

It did freak me out at first the fans didn't kick on but realized what they are programmed to kick on at and once she got to 184 they came on as expected.

 

[ncalvo]

Below are my fan settings from a friend at SMG Motoring out of Massachusetts who did my tune

EDIT: I didn't know much about the fan settings before, but now looking at them my fans only respond to coolant temp, and not to my AC system since those settings are maxed. Until my truck warms up to 184 I don't get cold AC.