Rocket Man's 02 Denali Build Thread AKA "THE BEAST"

[adventurenali92]

I think it’s a cleaner look with no surround at the sides and bottom. Mines fine except I can’t seem to find the break in the defroster grid that’s keeping the top 1/3 from working. I don’t care for the Esky one with the huge 3rd brake light and this one you don’t see very much. It’s the one with the wide appliqué at the top that was on only some of the 05-06’s.

Yeah my 2006 had that one stock when I bought it. I do like the no surround On the sides and bottom as well. But I hated that the handle stuck in the middle of the glass at the bottom. It trapped so much crud in the winter. I did hate the big black plastic trim at the top. Lol. I do wish that there’s a way to make my esky third brake light fit onto my original Yukon hatch. It’s in better shape and the 2004 esky hatch that I have, one hinge is slightly separating from the glass. But oh well. Lol

 

[Rocket Man]

Yeah my 2006 had that one stock when I bought it. I do like the no surround On the sides and bottom as well. But I hated that the handle stuck in the middle of the glass at the bottom. It trapped so much crud in the winter. I did hate the big black plastic trim at the top. Lol. I do wish that there’s a way to make my esky third brake light fit onto my original Yukon hatch. It’s in better shape and the 2004 esky hatch that I have, one hinge is slightly separating from the glass. But oh well. Lol

I haven’t decided but I might CM that top trim. I have paint and clear left over from doing my handles.

 

[Sam Harris]

Got the hatch glass. Returned the hatch glass. Ordered another hatch glass. I don’t know how LKQ makes any money.

View attachment 247115 View attachment 247116 View attachment 247117

Damn. Wtf..?!

 

[Rocket Man]

Ryan at Performabuilt got back to me about the 1-2 shift. They purposely softened my 1-2 shift with a softer spring in the accumulator valve in the valve body he said, and should be way easier on the hard parts. It shifts smooth and fast, I like it. It has always kind of made the truck shudder under WOT on that 1-2 shift and even under moderate acceleration it hit real hard. It was kind of fun but I can see how it can be ******* things.

 

[Rocket Man]

The tank hasn’t leaked today, I drove about an hour and no drips. The new back glass came in so I picked it up but this time I opened up the package and inspected it first. The only slight imperfections are some light scratches on the exterior; the defroster grid looks great. The trim had some slight discoloring so I’m painting it and the handle satin black. Changed the oil today too, the oil life monitor said it’s time after less that 3k miles, might be the way I drive lol.

 

[Dantheman1540]

Hey I know the 60E is fresh and working good hopefully for many years. But I see a guy is gauging interest on the Adapters you would need to 80E swap. Figured I'd let you know. https://www.performancetrucks.net/f...-adapters-considering-doing-small-run-557247/

 

[Rocket Man]

Hey I know the 60E is fresh and working good hopefully for many years. But I see a guy is gauging interest on the Adapters you would need to 80E swap. Figured I'd let you know. https://www.performancetrucks.net/f...-adapters-considering-doing-small-run-557247/

I have been following the original maker of these for years. Last I saw he was still doing it. I have resisted doing the swap for a few reasons, one being it’s my daily and I don’t want it down for long. But I also kind of crossed that bridge when I originally made my decision to go with a Performabuilt trans and spent about 5 grand between it and the converter which would be a total waste if I changed my mind now. It would basically be an 8-9k cost or more, throwing away the 5k and costing another 3-4K for another trans, converter, adapter, etc. I mean, I could sell the 60 but not for anywhere near what I have into it. I think with what they did to it this last time with the 1-2 shift I should be good to go. Thanks though.

 

[Rocket Man]

I repainted the trim in matte black, popped the glass on, and immediately decided to CM the trim. I’m sanding the texture off it and will get it painted and cleared today. I think it will look sweet.

 

[Rocket Man]

Ready for tomorrow.

 

[Rocket Man]

I was afraid this was gonna happen- way back when I originally had the Esky appliqués CM’d by a body shop, they looked too light. Now it looks to me like the trim on the glass is too dark also which combined with the appliqués is really noticeable to me. It’s weird though because the handle on the glass, which is from the same batch as the top trim, looks too light if anything, at least compared to the tailgate itself. Now I see why my buddy at his body shop has to blend everything when he paints anything on my truck. ( he didn’t have the truck when he painted the appliqués) The appliqués kind of need repainting anyway since they have some chips so I’m gonna repaint them and see how it looks and live with it. I painted the exterior door handles and they look perfect so I’m not sure what’s going on. I really like the new look though.