My Z71 seems lower than it should

[iamdub]

@iamdub Perfect that looks doable for me, might need to buy a new tool.

The grinder is probably the most used power tool in my shop. Put a cut-off wheel on it and it becomes my scalpel. I highly recommend investing in one cuz you'll find all kinds of uses for it. I'd advise against getting one with a regular slide switch. If you drop it, it's still gonna run. Get one with a paddle/trigger switch.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

The grinder is probably the most used power tool in my shop. Put a cut-off wheel on it and it becomes my scalpel. I highly recommend investing in one cuz you'll find all kinds of uses for it. I'd advise against getting one with a regular slide switch. If you drop it, it's still gonna run. Get one with a paddle/trigger switch.

@iamdub That is excellent advise! I appreciate you sharing your wisdom.

 

[iamdub]

@iamdub That is excellent advise! I appreciate you sharing your wisdom.

Back in my ornamental iron days a coworker had tried to cut using the wrong side of the wheel (so the grinder was pushing towards him instead of pulling away) and it snagged and jumped out of his hand. It caught the bottom of his shirt and was wrapping it up as it climbed towards his neck. He was trying to grab it while trying to step on the cord to stop it from climbing. It got up to his chest and sliced him to the bone. Had to get stitches inside and out.

Had the grinder had a paddle switch, it would've bogged and stalled when his shirt wrapped in it. Instead, it powered through and was aiming for his jugular. I can't believe they still make grinders with slide switches.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Back in my ornamental iron days a coworker had tried to cut using the wrong side of the wheel (so the grinder was pushing towards him instead of pulling away) and it snagged and jumped out of his hand. It caught the bottom of his shirt and was wrapping it up as it climbed towards his neck. He was trying to grab it while trying to step on the cord to stop it from climbing. It got up to his chest and sliced him to the bone. Had to get stitches inside and out.

Had the grinder had a paddle switch, it would've bogged and stalled when his shirt wrapped in it. Instead, it powered through and was aiming for his jugular. I can't believe they still make grinders with slide switches.

@iamdub I installed the wheel spacers this weekend. What do the spacers and wheels need to be torqued to? I did the spacers and wheels at 120 foot pounds I think, is that ok?

 

[iamdub]

@iamdub I installed the wheel spacers this weekend. What do the spacers and wheels need to be torqued to? I did the spacers and wheels at 120 foot pounds I think, is that ok?

You tighten all to the factory specs, which I believe is 140 ft. lbs.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Just an update for anyone who cares. I'd say I'm a few thousand miles into having these Bilstein 5100s and the MOOG heavy duty springs and the ride has gotten SO much nicer the more these parts break in. I guess they take longer to break in than I was expecting. Initially the ride was very firm but ride has gotten pretty soft since then in a good way, it absorbs more shock now instead of just bouncing back. 10/10 am happy. Now I just need to get my ball joints sorted out and figure out why my new brakes are grinding sometimes.

 

[Big Mama]

That’s great. Thanks for the update. Check the guide pins on your calipers. They get stuck and can cause one side to pull or stay engaged. One side’s pad will be thinner than the other usually.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Update: I have installed some more goodies on the Tahoe and figured I'd drop a before and after pic of the rig comparing it to how it was when I got it compared to the work that I have done to it. I am not done yet. I think it looks a little goofy with the tire size on this lift but that will have to wait until I wear these tires out.

Thoughts?

Before:
After:

 

[Dustin Jackson]

I just wanted to update everyone on my Tahoe.

All of the parts I have installed are holding up beautifully with the exception of the MOOG front tie rod ends, I am not a fan of the half dome rubber bushing design. I have ran this setup for about a year and I love it, my fiancé loves it, everyone loves it.

I just went and had some 275/60/R20 KO2 tires installed. I am running wheel spacers so I had to do some trimming but everything worked out.

I installed a 2nd gen Z71 roof rack about 6 months ago.

I installed Rough Country's rear shock extension brackets from their 3.5 inch lift kit to give my rear shocks more travel.

I installed an adjustable Spohn rear panhard bar to center my rear axle, after 3 inches of lift the rear wheels will start to stick out the passenger side as the axle becomes uncentered.

I installed JK 3 inch lift sway bar end links in the rear of my rig to help the rear sway bar work better.

I had a clunking on hard acceleration and it turned out to be my motor mounts. I replaced both of my mounts with Hummer H3 mounts and they are working great. No more clunking.

In conclusion I like the height I have it at, In the future I will get coil over of the proper length so that I can ditch the spacer lift parts but other than that I just drive it to work every day and take it on vacation.

 

[iamdub]

I just wanted to update everyone on my Tahoe.

All of the parts I have installed are holding up beautifully with the exception of the MOOG front tie rod ends, I am not a fan of the half dome rubber bushing design. I have ran this setup for about a year and I love it, my fiancé loves it, everyone loves it.

I just went and had some 275/60/R20 KO2 tires installed. I am running wheel spacers so I had to do some trimming but everything worked out.

I installed a 2nd gen Z71 roof rack about 6 months ago.

I installed Rough Country's rear shock extension brackets from their 3.5 inch lift kit to give my rear shocks more travel.

I installed an adjustable Spohn rear panhard bar to center my rear axle, after 3 inches of lift the rear wheels will start to stick out the passenger side as the axle becomes uncentered.

I installed JK 3 inch lift sway bar end links in the rear of my rig to help the rear sway bar work better.

I had a clunking on hard acceleration and it turned out to be my motor mounts. I replaced both of my mounts with Hummer H3 mounts and they are working great. No more clunking.

In conclusion I like the height I have it at, In the future I will get coil over of the proper length so that I can ditch the spacer lift parts but other than that I just drive it to work every day and take it on vacation.

View attachment 348897

Great tires! Aside from the function, they look SO much better. Beautiful rig, sir.