Pavel's 2005 Escalade EXT build

[adventurenali92]

Sounds like you’ve done a lot! Can’t wait to see the progress!

 

[iddqd]

Brake mod:

1. Akebono ceramic brake pads. Akebono claims those are OEM. It's too soon for me to talk about longevity, but they work great so far, I recommend these pads to everyone. There's a gotcha: the rear set comes WITHOUT hardware!!!! I double checked and it's not a seller's fault, they all come like that from the factory!!!!! I don't know what kind of drugs they take at the factory, but I want some of those. So, hardware kit has to be purchased separately. P/N:
Front: (Note that this is for GMT900 front brake setup!!!) ACT1092 - $62 on eBay shipped;
Rear: ACT834 - $45 on eBay shipped;
Rear hardware kit: CARLSON P834 - $4 on rockauto + shipping.

2. Goodridge brake lines. The seller actually sent me 2 sets by mistake, so now I have a spare set. The set contains 6 lines. I installed 4 so far (all 4 corners). The 2 lines between axle and chassis didn't fit - the thread is different, though a compatibility chart suggests otherwise. I bought 2 nuts with the correct thread and will install them later by cutting and re-flaring the chassis hard line. The brake feel changed dramatically, I recommend this mod to everyone as well. P/N: 14196 - $152 on eBay shipped.

3. Raybestos R300 Performance rotors. I watched a guy on Youtube claiming that these are the best rotors in their segment:

I love these rotors. They are a very well made piece of hardware. Exactly the same parts also come branded as ACDelco Specialty Performance and NAPA Ultra Premium. Funny that rockauto lists the ACDelco branded ones in the "Heavy duty" section , and the "Raybestos" ones in the "Performance" section, though these are exactly the same rotors. The ACDelco branded ones turned out to be the cheapest option at the time of purchase. P/N:
Front: (Note that this is for GMT900 front brake setup!!!) Raybestos 580279PER/ACDelco 18A1705SD/NAPA UP RA880279 - $85 on rockauto +shipping.
Rear: Raybestos 580165PER/ACDelco 18A1412SD/NAPA UP RA880165 - $89 on eBay shipped.

4. Calipers + brackets. Required for the GMT900 setup. P/N:
Left: Raybestos FRC11714N - $60 on rockauto +shipping.
Right: Raybestos FRC11713N - $60 on rockauto +shipping.

5. Parking brake shoes. P/N: Raybestos 781PG - $26 on rockauto + shipping.

6. Brake fluid Prestone DOT 3, 32 oz - $7 on walmart.com shipped.

7. Spiral wire wrap - $7 on eBay shipped.


Technical notes:

If you try to rout the new brake lines as the old ones, they WILL rub the inner wheel in full turn positions. Maybe if you have 20 or 22 inches wheels, that might be OK, but on my 17 inches wheels I tried all possible variations, and they still rubbed in some positions. The set up on the pix below is the best solution I came up with without rubbing.

Next, for some inexplicable reason, GM didn't put a bumper on the upper control arm. There's a metal to metal contact there. If Toyota did that, their entire engineering dept would be executed and burned. But for GM it's OK. I fixed this nonsense by cutting strips out of a very sturdy truck mud flap and securing them with M10 bolts. They can be seen on the first pic.

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[iddqd]

Look what I found beside my front door when I got back from the gym today:

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[iddqd]

Automatic Transmission Oversized Radiator

Model: Trucool LPD4739
U-shaped hoses from Toyota 4Runner/Hiilux
3/8 unions from HomeDepot

Everything is done according to Feng Shui, oil inlets on the top.
MOAR PIX:
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[iddqd]

Oil catch can

I've got this catch can on ebay for about $30 shipped. I empty it every oil change (5000 miles).
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[Tonyrodz]

Oil catch can

I've got this catch can on ebay for about $30 shipped. I empty it every oil change (5000 miles).
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How much do you get out of it?

 

[iddqd]

How much do you get out of it?

1 fl oz more or less. I empty it every 5K miles with every oil change

 

[05Single]

Nice detailed write ups.
Besides calipers/brackets and brake lines. prices are per set or each side?

 

[iddqd]

Nice detailed write ups.
Besides calipers/brackets and brake lines. prices are per set or each side?

It depends on how the parts come. For example, brake pads come per axle, calipers and rotors individually.

 

[iddqd]

Audio

Head unit: Joying JY-UM135N2, later upgraded (manufacturer offered upgrade in a form of a new core board, I didn't have to replace the whole unit). Specs: Android 8.0 Oreo, 4GB RAM+32GB ROM, 128Gb SD card (bought separately for music and maps), Bluetooth, rear view camera. It a royal PITA to install a camera in the tailgate of EXT, since it's made of fiberglass and glued together with a double sided scotch tape. But I did it, and also when I was there, I installed a lock actuator, so now the tailgate closes with the remote like all other doors.

It runs Android, so basically the entire Google Play is available. I installed Waze, Torque Pro, Maps, Poweramp and a bunch of other useful apps. I also bought a Dash cam, so now I record everything. It looks neat and factory.

Amplifier: https://www.clarion.com/us/en/products-personal/marine/XC2510/index.html

All speakers are factory so far, I am waiting for them to die, so I would have a justification for a set of a new speakers.

A sub is factory as well.