Gettin' Fired UP....

[turk]

I bought this 99 Tahoe almost 2 years ago with the vision of making it my hunting rig. It had 86,000 miles on it when I bought it... I've only ever found one scratch on the truck.

This week I finally feel like I am getting to the point of seeing my vision fulfilled....

I already installed my Viper Remote Start about a year ago, I painted the frame this past weekend... BUT this week my truck is getting a 6" BDS lift and the new Fuel Octane 20X12's with Nitto Trail Grapplers installed. I have a long way to go, but I feel like this is the first big visual step in making this beast what it's meant to be.

Future plans include a chip, a TAP rear bumber, and a Road Armour front bumper with winch. My wife said I can buy those if I loose 35 lbs in one year ... wish me luck on that, but I am definitely going to try. I've got a year.

I'm attaching a couple BEFORE photos... I should have AFTER photos on Friday.

 

[07Burb]

Very clean 2 door!!

 

[99TanHoe]

Turk

Better figure on re-gearing also. When I bought the Tan Tahoe in my Sig it already had a 6" lift and 315/70R17's. With the larger tires and stock 3.42 gears it was extremely underpowered. I had 4.56 gears installed and now it performs really well. Other than sub-par gas mileage (12.7mpg), so far I am very happy with the tire/gear combination.

 

[turk]

Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely look into that.

 

[turk]

Speaking of fuel mileage... what kind of mpg can I expect with a set 305/55-20's on my truck? I realize that it depends on the vehicle... mine is basically stock other than the above mentioned tires and a 6" lift.

 

[99TanHoe]

Speaking of fuel mileage... what kind of mpg can I expect with a set 305/55-20's on my truck? I realize that it depends on the vehicle... mine is basically stock other than the above mentioned tires and a 6" lift.

305 would be one size smaller than my 315's. I wouldn't think there would be that much difference in mileage between the two. I was barely getting 14mpg before the regear but I had no power. After the regear plenty of power but 12.7mpg. Now I've got to start looking into mods to help mpg. Unfortunately none of them are really cheap especially if you consider the gain achieved.

If you go with a 6" lift the 305's are probably going to look a little on the small size. One of my son's has an 02 Z71 with a 4" lift and 305's. That looks about right. 315 is the smallest I would go with a 6" lift.

 

[turk]

I was told that I would need a 6" lift because I'm running 12" wide wheels... not true? I'd love to only raise it 4" instead of 6".

---------- Post added at 09:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:26 PM ----------

Another question... if I have a 6" BDS lift installed can it be cranked down to 4 inches?

 

[99TanHoe]

I was told that I would need a 6" lift because I'm running 12" wide wheels... not true? I'd love to only raise it 4" instead of 6".

---------- Post added at 09:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:26 PM ----------

Another question... if I have a 6" BDS lift installed can it be cranked down to 4 inches?

Not sure about the clearance with that size rim/tire on a Tahoe, I am running 8.5" wide rims on mine. My son has either 10" or 12" Outlaw rims and 305 Nitto all terrains on his 02 Z71 pickup with no rubbing. Before the the Nitto AT's he some off-brand aggresive mud grip, but I don't recall which one. I'll check with him on the rim width. I do know they are 16" diameter.

Not sure about the BDS but the Rough Country can either be 4" or 6". The RC is not as good/heavy duty a lift as the BDS but it is about $1000 less.

I was going to have a BDS installed on my 95' but then I found the 99' for sale and it already had the RC on it. The RC seems to be a good lift, I just had nearly the whole front end replaced (pitman arm, idler arm, all 4 tie rod ends and 1 ball joint) evidently the guy that had it before me didn't know what a grease gun was. After installation of the new parts the Hoe drives/steer great. It will track straight down the road when you let go of the steering wheel. So I really have no complaints about the RC lift. Depending on your intended use the RC may be adequate for you.

 

[1Agerry]

very nice,hope to see the new mod's as you go.good luck!

 

[foreverfalcon40]

Congrats...good luck.

Don't waste your time in a chip!