New to the site

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Balckhog02

TYF Newbie
Joined
Oct 23, 2017
Posts
12
Reaction score
2
Just bought a 2002 yukon. Daily driver but I also pull trailers with it for mowing and odds n end jobs. Biggest is the 18' tandem I pull my derby car with. Pretty bad sagging when loaded even with car majority over axels. Was wondering if anybody has any upgrades I can use to help stiffen er up a little bit still be smooth without a load on. Also any engine upgrades to get a little more umph!

Thanks in advance!
 

Michigan

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2016
Posts
278
Reaction score
140
Just bought a 2002 yukon. Daily driver but I also pull trailers with it for mowing and odds n end jobs. Biggest is the 18' tandem I pull my derby car with. Pretty bad sagging when loaded even with car majority over axels. Was wondering if anybody has any upgrades I can use to help stiffen er up a little bit still be smooth without a load on. Also any engine upgrades to get a little more umph!

Thanks in advance!

I usually like to add a cold air intake. I have a k&n on my current tahoe and had airaid on my last one and like them both.

I'm also gonna be adding a single flowmaster muffler with dual out pretty soon.

I don't know much about tunes but I think you need one if you do headers. Might look into that in the future. I've heard the name big bear performance a lot but have not done much research on it

Maybe bilstein shocks to stiffen her up?
 
OP
OP
B

Balckhog02

TYF Newbie
Joined
Oct 23, 2017
Posts
12
Reaction score
2
Airbags in your springs for starters.
I wanted to stay away from air if at all possible. I was leaning towards the Timbrens as they have a lifetime warranty and I dont have to jack with them/easy install.
 

D is for DENALI

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2017
Posts
150
Reaction score
131
maybe some bump stops and change out the shocks... so it rides good when it's empty but won't over sag when load hits the stoppers..

For easy performance, I would recommend the airraid MIT intake tube, and drop in a oilless performance filter... spray Maf sensor with maf cleaner, interior engine scrub by Kanolabs, it's called Kreen
.. amazing stuff.

besides a tune up there won't be much power gains from changeout, unless it's headers or electric fans.. but after that you need a tune from a shop that can dial in your shift points and power curves

corvette servo will help shifts and keep wear down on the trans...

buy new beefier shocks and get stoppers installed... that will help sag, maybe sway bars will help under towing.. bilstein
5100, or upgrade to 5160 so you can add air, double the price but worth the money in ease of use and for your application.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
B

Balckhog02

TYF Newbie
Joined
Oct 23, 2017
Posts
12
Reaction score
2
maybe some bump stops and change out the shocks... so it rides good when it's empty but won't over sag when load hits the stoppers..

For easy performance, I would recommend the airraid MIT intake tube, and drop in a oilless performance filter... spray Maf sensor with maf cleaner, interior engine scrub by Kanolabs, it's called Kreen
.. amazing stuff.

besides a tune up there won't be much power gains from changeout, unless it's headers or electric fans.. but after that you need a tune from a shop that can dial in your shift points and power curves

corvette servo will help shifts and keep wear down on the trans...

buy new beefier shocks and get stoppers installed... that will help sag, maybe sway bars will help under towing.. bilstein
5100, or upgrade to 5160 so you can add air, double the price but worth the money in ease of use and for your application.
id like to stay away from tunes right now. The ol gal has 182000 and I getting ready to go through the front end and then on to the rear to help the sagging. Will be adding intake and filter and possibly exhaust if i can make up my mind on what I like.
 
Last edited:

D is for DENALI

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2017
Posts
150
Reaction score
131
I understand completely.. a proper tune, no matter the mileage, will add more power than intake, exhaust, and e fans put together...

I will be getting a tune on mine and by that time i will have 200+k on the truck. a tune will dial in your shift points, power curves, and general power gains all around.. this can be done without any mods.. but if you do mods , you will need a retune.

but if you want noticeable power gains without spending 2 k, a tune is your path.

but with 180k+, I would buy a quart of Kanolabs Kreen, and give your moving engine parts a GOOD scrubbing... maybe new plugs too after you are done doing that. you see see alot of stuff come out of your drain when you use this stuff, it works!!!

intake will help pedal lag and response time but might only give you 1 hp.. it will give a nice tone to the motor that wasn't there before.

clean throttle body, clean Maf, drop in filter, intake.. all aids in air flow.. new plugs will detonate fuel cleanly, maybe evem change fuel filter.. if you do all these mods, it will cost less than 300 bucks and help alot, not in hp but in happy motor. lol

I would spend the tune money on nice rear shocks with air canister reservoirs so I could pump and deflate accordingly... :chewie:
 
OP
OP
B

Balckhog02

TYF Newbie
Joined
Oct 23, 2017
Posts
12
Reaction score
2
I have about 1500 i want to spend (part by part not right away) on er total: new front end, upgraded rear and engine upgrades. I have a new radiator, spark/coils, alternator, water pump and valve cover and oil cooler gaskets. I need to replace the oil pan gasket (or at least i hope its that and not the main) also. As far as the exhaust i was leaning towards Flowmaster, but am open to suggestions. Is there a specific tune i should look into?

Here's a list i have gathered so far:

-Bilstein Heavy Duty Shocks & Struts
-MOOG HD coils
-Timbren bumper stop
-aFe Magnum Force cold air intake with pro dry S filter

The only thin im worried about is adding these stiffer components in the rear is gunna cause it to be uneven in the front.

Eventually id like to install: cam, head and new gears for fun, but im happy with what i have now minus a few details. LOL.

Its not perfectly ideal for what i do, but i got a heck of a deal at the time and needed the extra row of seats.
 

D is for DENALI

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2017
Posts
150
Reaction score
131
the tune of choice here is blackbear performance tunes, they have a huge website and do traveling tunes around the country throughout the year...

$80 books you, $240 more when you arrive... they hook up into your truck, you take it for a long drive, do stop and gos, heavy acceration, etc, and will tighten your shifts immensely, more power throughout the gear, I could go on but you get the point.. they dial in your truck for your driving habits and towing needs..

they have an autocal scanner for 600, and then they just send you tunes digitally after you tell them what you upgraded and you upload them yourself.. custom tunes from your computer.

that's the route im going to go because im too far away and travel costs will put me where an autocal cost would be...

you might have a gm performance shop near you, im sure they could do something similar, but BB sounds to be the top shelf liquor around here...lol

and with those components you might get the z71 jacked look, but you are towing alot of weight, and that when safety is most critical.. if it rides to hard, throw some sand bags in the back...hahahaahha
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,425
Posts
1,867,830
Members
97,098
Latest member
Lewy1824

Latest posts

Top