New Tahoe Owner Questions

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Factory909

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Hey guys, Im new here and a first time Tahoe owner. Picked up a 2008 4x4 LS on Tuesday and started browsing the forums that night! I came over from a Toyota Tacoma, and all I can say is wow!! The ride is incredibly smooth. I am a maintenance freak, so I pulled the carfax and its a one owner, and the dealership did all of the maintenance work. From just reading the carfax looks like the maintenance has been the normal stuff (oil changes, brakes, etc). I like to keep the transmission in top shape so I figure a good filter and fluid change is first on the list along with an transmission oil cooler. Does GM make produce a factory fit tranny cooler? What is the interval for spark plug changes? Lastly I would like to pick up a leveling kit. I've googled to my fingers hurt and my eyes are strained and it looks like the CCM is a good kit. Do they make a kit just for the front where I don't have to jack with the rear? Thanks for any tips!
 

TheFuzz

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Welcome, John! :cheers:

TYF is a great resource, you'll find a wealth of information here.

The factory plugs are AC Delco Iridium-tipped plugs, and have a 100K mile service interval. Having owned several newer GM vehicles, I can safely say that while it might make you cringe coming from a Toyota (just traded a mildly built 100 series Land Cruiser for my Tahoe), they really do last that long. Still, I do a tune up and maintenance baseline on every used vehicle I buy, and I throw fresh plugs in there for two reasons:

1. It allows me to get a quick peek into the overall health of the motor by seeing if any of the plugs are overly fouled or out of whack, and
2. It makes me feel better. ;)

RockAuto.com usually has the best price on the OEM Delco plugs, and sometimes they run rebates to get a few bucks back if you purchase a full set of 8.

As for the tranny cooler, they are great factory option but I would consider your climate and how you plan on using the truck before you add one, simply because you're introducing new potential failure points that will bleed out the transmission in short order. If you live in a temperate climate and don't tow much, then personally I would skip it and just make sure to use a high quality synthetic fluid. AmsOil ATF is great stuff. I know that GM has the coolers as an option from the factory, but I haven't a clue as to the part number or if the cooler is available as an add-on after the fact. Your local dealership should be able to help you with that.

I'm looking into leveling kits too. CCM seems to be well regarded, as does the Rough Country kit, which is for the front only and retails for less than $100 ($89 shipped on Amazon last time I looked). I'm seriously considering that one for the price, and it looks relatively simple to install with a buddy in a couple of hours.

Congrats on the new truck! :Handshake:

Edit: Yep, Rockauto is running a promotion on AC Delco Iridium plugs right now - $2 off per plug via a mail in rebate. That cuts the cost of the plugs nearly in half. No-brainer.
 
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felixgun

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Welcome! I have a Top Gun Customz leveling kit up front (2.5") and I love it if you're looking to do the front only (although the rear will most certainly be lower if you do).
 
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Factory909

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Thanks for the replies! As for my towing, I tow a small (15') flatbottom/duck boat just about every weekend all year long. I also will be towing a 18' camper 5-6 times a year to deer and duck camp. I am in north east Arkansas if that gives you any idea on a transmission cooler.

I took a look at the Rough Country level kit and it looks good as does the install. Looks like $65 from Rough Country so that isn't bad at all.

http://www.roughcountry.com/chevy_4wd_leveling_kit.php

I got the spark plugs ordered, thanks for the link.
 

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