Pete's (Now Nate's) 2003 Denali Budget Build thread

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Sevenevez

Sevenevez

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Updates? sure.. i'm still around.

not much to update on the Denali aside of the fact that she has been running great even in this ghastly 120 degree Yuma heat!

next to a somewhat normal one at Tractor Supply

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BUT! if you are curious on the other project.. :)

i have come a LONG way on the 65 Riviera, but still got a ways to go.

i got rid of the problematic 65 clamshells until i can afford to rebuild them with new motors and used some headlight cages from a 63 and stretched them in a vice to fit the '65 fenders. Then i got a billet grille but had to make my own hood release to squeeze in between the narrow billet bars. Front end lookin nice and mean now.

dr3.jpg

The interior was pretty much gutted and needed so many parts and pieces and things that needed refurbishing. I did a bunch of custom stuff like blackwood instead of the old wood veneer etc.. Tons of part searching in junk yards and all that. Stereo, Amp Subs Dynamat, Jute all that stuff.


Interior Before and After shots (so far)

dr4.jpg

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of course we had to deal with the altitude and bring this thing way down to the floor.
brought it down almost 5 inches

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Then we needed new shoes with plenty of Lip and Grip

dr8.jpg

removed all the side cladding and replaced some of the chrome to give the body some simple smooth lines

dr9.jpg

here's a list of everything done to her so far.


Wheels

Tires

Lowering Springs

Custom Pan Hard Bar

Frame Repair

Billet Grille

Hood Latch Relocate

63 Headlight Cages stretched to fit

Glove Box

Glove box Door

Oil Pan

Front Main

Steel Timing Gear set

Flush cooling system

Oil change 10w40

Realigned crooked bumpers

Hoses and Belts

Thermostat housing

Radiator Cap

15in Sub and sealed box

5 channel pioneer amp

Kenwood Excelon Deck

JL Audio component 6.5 + tweeters

JL Audio 6x9’s

Dynamat (stinger extreme)

Jute/Double Sided Insulation

Blackwood Woodgrain Kit (all door panels and center console)

Weatherstripping (trunk)

Reupholstered front seat

AC Blower Motor

New bulbs and round light housings

Rear power window switch

Floor Mats

Made Ramps

Removed side cladding

Chrome strip added to door

All power window motors working

Painted Shift knob

Made console out of 2 old consoles

Console Main AC Plate

Console Chrome Radio Plate

Wiper Knob

Glove box Latch

Rear seat center plate

Chrome shifter Bezel

Upper Dash switch plate

Painted Door Jambs

Rear Carpet Kit

Exhaust bent (to stop rattle)

Hood Ornament

Power Antenna

Rear Dash pad upholstered and padded

Made 6x9 Grilles

Seat Belts and Seat Bolts

Chrome dash trim bars

Power window rear wiring harness

Rebuilt MAster Power Window Switch

Factory Sun Visor Mounts

Transmission Flywheel Dust Cover/Pan

Hollywood Smoothie Side mirrors

Chrome Wiper Shaft Bullets

New 800CCA Battery




plenty more to do. but she is probably already 6 months ahead of schedule.
my Dog Georgia (of 13+ years) passed away in June and the only thing i could do was stay occupied so i wasnt depressed and this car kept me motivated. So i am thankful for that but i miss my dog everyday still
 

00'BlueSteel

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Couple more shots..

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i hope you all been well. blessings and of course.. CHEERS! :happy160:

Yes Yes YES!!!!! That Rivi is beautiful! Love the billet front end and headlight cages to match, like you said it looks super mean.

Good to see some updates bud, hate to hear that about your dog, they really are man’s best friend. But I gotta say putting your energy into the Rivi definitly paid off that thing is bad ass! Wish I was closer and could take a ride in it.

ACFC6844-C4A2-42C5-8A8A-2AA0D21CF6E3.jpeg
 
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Sevenevez

Sevenevez

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Smokin'. Badass in BLACK. Love the updates man.

Lost one of my dogs last April. Still the miss him dearly. I feel your pain and I know many other guys on here do as well.

Keep up the good work.

Thanks, Michael. yeah, its tough. Dogs are better than humans in a LOT of ways. i appreciate it

Yes Yes YES!!!!! That Rivi is beautiful! Love the billet front end and headlight cages to match, like you said it looks super mean.

Good to see some updates bud, hate to hear that about your dog, they really are man’s best friend. But I gotta say putting your energy into the Rivi definitly paid off that thing is bad ass! Wish I was closer and could take a ride in it.

View attachment 204191

Thanks, Garrett. c'mon over man! haha

Loving the progress of the Riv Pete. Sorry about Georgia. I know she was a ham! She was in almost every pic of the Denali lol.


i know, Tony! Kills me. it's like she's still Everywhere i look, but Not. at the same time
thanks man

Sorry about Georgia Pete, i feel ya dude. Lost my 13yo rottie 11 yrs ago. Im glad you were able to keep busy tho.
Very nice on the rivi and the denali is still looking sharp.

i appreciate it, Pete. did anyone ever tell you that you have the coolest first name ever?
 

95escahoe

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Been following the Riv build on IG it’s looking great


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