bigal11419
Supporting Member
Just purchased a 99 Tahoe LT 4wd 4Dr with 160K on it about 2 months ago and have been using these forums to help get the new toy running better. Figured it was time to actually post a little something and introduce myself and my project.
Fortunately the previous owner owned a body shop so it is completely rust free and was repainted a few years ago. Unfortunately mechanically it need some TLC, but for only $2500 I figured I was still getting a deal because it ran, stopped and he had just replaced most of the parts in the front AC trying to hunt down a gremlin.
Since I got it I have replaced the upper ball joints, all 4 shocks, overhauled the rear drums (all new hardware and springs), changed the steering speed sensor, full tune up, new thermostat, changed all filters, changed the rear seal on the transfer case and changed the fluid to the AutoTrac II that should have been there to begin with, rebuilt the spare tire hoist and added a spare the same size as the 18" rims that were on the truck, installed an alarm, remote start, Pioneer head unit with backup camera and 4 Pioneer 6.5" speakers in the doors, put on a set of CoverKing neoprene seat covers to cover up the torn leather on the front seats till I figure out what I want to do with them, , changed the weatherstripping & stryker pin on the drivers door and put new rubber on it and started changing over interior lights to LEDs.
Yes it has been a busy couple of months, but I wanted to get it running & handling better before the winter. When I go it it obviously wasn't running or handling well. It was only getting around 9-10 mpg and I was getting the famous clunk in the transfer case when I stopped or took off and the steering was all over the place. Thanks to some searching on the forums I realized the truck had the wrong fluid in the transfer case so I changed the fluid, re-greased the slip yoke with some heavy duty grease and changed the transfer case rear seal and magically it went away. Between the new ball joints and the steering position sensor it is now handling a hell of a lot better and after all the other work I am now averaging around 13-14 mpg mixed driving in traffic going from queens to Long Island.
My current project is the exhaust since I am throwing catalyst error codes and I have a couple exhaust leaks. I just ordered some Flowtech ceramic coated headers, magnaflow cats and magnaflow cat back exhaust. I wanted to go with the stock layout in case I need to replace anything, but wanted something a little more free flowing. I think after this I will just call it done for now and hold off till the spring for the next project.
Next I am planning on changing out the spider, installing a ported throttle body and K&N CAI as soon as the weather gets warm again.
Fortunately the previous owner owned a body shop so it is completely rust free and was repainted a few years ago. Unfortunately mechanically it need some TLC, but for only $2500 I figured I was still getting a deal because it ran, stopped and he had just replaced most of the parts in the front AC trying to hunt down a gremlin.
Since I got it I have replaced the upper ball joints, all 4 shocks, overhauled the rear drums (all new hardware and springs), changed the steering speed sensor, full tune up, new thermostat, changed all filters, changed the rear seal on the transfer case and changed the fluid to the AutoTrac II that should have been there to begin with, rebuilt the spare tire hoist and added a spare the same size as the 18" rims that were on the truck, installed an alarm, remote start, Pioneer head unit with backup camera and 4 Pioneer 6.5" speakers in the doors, put on a set of CoverKing neoprene seat covers to cover up the torn leather on the front seats till I figure out what I want to do with them, , changed the weatherstripping & stryker pin on the drivers door and put new rubber on it and started changing over interior lights to LEDs.
Yes it has been a busy couple of months, but I wanted to get it running & handling better before the winter. When I go it it obviously wasn't running or handling well. It was only getting around 9-10 mpg and I was getting the famous clunk in the transfer case when I stopped or took off and the steering was all over the place. Thanks to some searching on the forums I realized the truck had the wrong fluid in the transfer case so I changed the fluid, re-greased the slip yoke with some heavy duty grease and changed the transfer case rear seal and magically it went away. Between the new ball joints and the steering position sensor it is now handling a hell of a lot better and after all the other work I am now averaging around 13-14 mpg mixed driving in traffic going from queens to Long Island.
My current project is the exhaust since I am throwing catalyst error codes and I have a couple exhaust leaks. I just ordered some Flowtech ceramic coated headers, magnaflow cats and magnaflow cat back exhaust. I wanted to go with the stock layout in case I need to replace anything, but wanted something a little more free flowing. I think after this I will just call it done for now and hold off till the spring for the next project.
Next I am planning on changing out the spider, installing a ported throttle body and K&N CAI as soon as the weather gets warm again.
