New User...Help/Ideas for Tahoe

[ArleyC]

This is my first post. I have been online looking for ideas and I found this site so I am hoping you guys can help me out. I have a 1997 2dr. 4wd Tahoe. I bought it new and it is all stock. It has been very well maintained. In 6 months my nephew is turning 16 and I am giving him the Tahoe. He has tons of ideas of things he would like to do to "fix up" the Tahoe. I know he wants to lift it and put bigger tires on it. I have heard this model becomes easier to flip when you raise it so it makes me a little nervous. I do not have a great deal of experience working on this truck but I am willing to work on it and have all the tools I may need (I have a 73 Jeep I have been messing with for years). I am hping you guys can give me an idea of where to start. The other issue is that he is going to be paying for the upgrades on his own so he will have to go in stages. I now he wants a lift but sould he wait until he can also afford the bigger tires before the lift? I am also thinking he could still run 33's with a 3" lift. Which in my mind (not his) would be plenty. Do you have to do a lot of extra things with brake lines, etc. with a 3" lift? He will not be going offroad (I hope) and the inside doesn't really matter to him. He just wants to look good Any advice, suggestions, pictures, etc. would be greatly appreciated as I really do not know where to begin.

 

[Devious_Tahoe96]

Welcome to TYF!!!

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

Welcome to the Forum!

my trucks been lifted 6" goin on 2 years now and i've never once felt like it was going over, and its not always driven the nicest. ive heard a body lift will give it a little more roll feel to it.

i'd recommend (as will others) to go with a suspension lift over a body lift, but will require saving up quite a bit more money. lift and tires at the same time, skinny stockers on a lifted rig won't give you the best stability.

 

[h0tr0d]

Look at my sigpic and albums if you want. Those are 33's. You can run a 33" tire just by turning two 18mm bolts to crank your torsion bar keys. Buy some 1.5" lift blocks for the back to level it out, and you're done. I have never had my truck feel like it was going to go over, it's actually got less body roll than before since the crank, it firmed up the suspension some.

It'll make it look tough for sure while he saves up for the big lift.

 

[ArleyC]

Thanks guys. I've spent way too much time looking at the pictures and reading on this site. There are some nice looking vehicles on here. What would you suggest for an upgrade that gives the most bang for the buck? He is itching to go ahead and do something. The current lights are a little dim anyway so I was thinking one of those light kits I've seen on this page would be nice. Any suggestions on brand? It is kind of fun watching him make his list of things he wants to do. I remember how excited I was when I drove her off the lot. I never did any upgrades because I could barely afford the monthly payment and gas.

---------- Post added at 09:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 AM ----------

Also, meant to ask for suggestions on best place to buy parts? I usually buy everything online.

 

[h0tr0d]

The best bang for your buck is definitely going to be the free or near free stuff. Grab a 3m magic eraser wheel that fits in any drill and debadge the whole truck. Remove all the moulding/stickers/emblems and it will really change the appearance. Crank the keys and get some of those lift blocks for the rear for about $75 with new U-Bolts. If you want some bigger rims/different tires to hold him over until he can afford the big stuff, check craigslist.org for some used new body style rims with some good tires on them. I've seen some nice new Z71 rims with all terrain tires selling for $400.

As far as where to buy stuff online, I'll let others chime in. Just remember to always check amazon.com after you have the part number you want. I've gotten stuff from there that has saved me hundreds of dollars.

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

got most of my parts thru 4-wheel parts for aftermarket and LMC for a few things.

I have the TYC HID replacement headlights and they are amazing! Parking lights came from LMC