Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Bummer. Hope your cat gets better.

The rally wheels will look cool. There was a 2wd 2 door in my area for sale with rally wheels a few months ago. It looked pretty cool.

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Thanks. He's doing good. Had a pretty significant bladder blockage that kept him from urinating.

I think the rallys will look good too. At least I don't have to guess, since I already have pics of it with them when the PO bought it. Just have to decide what color I want to paint them. I'll be using the bullet style center caps I bought, as well as the thin, ribbed stainless trim rings that used to be on my '66 C-10.

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Clean looking Hoe, Can't wait to see it with the rallys!

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Thank you. Just noticed you're from Pensacola. Out of college, my wife (then g/f) and I lived there for a little over 2.5 years (May '07- Jan. '10). I often miss it!

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

I live about 45 minutes from pcola.. I just put that cause thats the general place everyone knows about around where I live. I actually live in jay.

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Bout to get back on this thing. Found a set of staggered 20" Coys that I was seriously thinking about, but I wasn't able to check them out in person like I had hoped. Still keeping an eye out, but I'm leaning towards just running the Vette rallys for a while & selling the 18's. That'll free up some funds to address a few other things I've been wanting to get done.

Here's a link to some photoshop work I had done, although nothing is set in stone yet:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=633316

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Also trying to decide about a slight grille change. Here's a couple other potential looks. First one is with the billet blacked out but keeping chrome ring, & the second has the chrome trim ring color matched while keeping billet unpainted:

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Decided to go with the black billet & keep the chrome trim ring on the grille. I also scored a vintage GMC emblem on eBay, which will be mounted onto the billet. I sent it home to my dad, & he's having a local shop re-chrome it. After shearing two 5/64" hex bolt heads holding the billet grille into the shell, I eventually managed to get it removed. I ended up having to cut part of the mounting bars just to get it out. Now I have to fix it back as best as possible. I went ahead & got some quotes for powder coat last week. Gonna do the billet grille in satin black, & the front bumper will be done in a gloss black.

I also started trying to remove the chrome trim ring from the grille shell, in anticipation of having the shell repainted. That's a PITA! Been trying to Dremel the tabs holding it into place, while trying not to butcher anything. It's getting close, & I'll try to get some pics uploaded of the process. I'll also snap some pics of the billet grille fix as well.

A couple weeks ago I noticed the blower fan was making noise. It wasn't too noticeable on low, but increasing speeds resulted in more noise. I decided to dig into it last week. My motor has the cover over it, & that was a bit of a pain to deal with. There's also one bolt on the top right that's directly behind a support brace. Getting that out was a challenge as well. After finally getting to the internals, luckily it was only leaves in the cage on the motor. That's what I get for leaving the wiper cowl off for so long! :hh: While I was in there, I wiped things down, cleaned the cage, & lubed the shaft on the motor. Smooth as butter now!

A few weeks ago, my wife drove the Hoe to work. She mentioned that it didn't seem to be cooling properly (A/C). I just had a new compressor, accumulator, & orifice tube installed in May. I think it's just low refrigerant, as the compressor seems to keep cycling constantly. Gotta look for leaks though. Taking back to the shop Monday morning for diagnosis on that. I thought I was past the A/C woes! :waah:

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Any input on this would also be greatly appreciated:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=639745

As mentioned in the link, I'd really rather run a 15" smoothie wheel than the rallys. I ran the 15x7 Caprice steelies on my old '93 with 5/8 drop, however I also had smaller tires than I want to run on the Tahoe. I think the factory steel spare for my Hoe is 4" backspace, & it's on a 235/75 tire. I installed it once when working on my BOSS wheels, & it seemed to fit okay up front, aside from being a bit taller (sidewall) than preferred.

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

As promised, here are some pics. These first ones are some I snapped while under the dash. After seeing some pics by Tx Firefighter of how dirty his most recent build was behind the dash, I thought I'd show how clean mine is. :lol: I'm thankful to have one that has been well cared for!

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3891/...6f1ecc27_c.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5562/...97a19444_c.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5567/...c5202790_c.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3892/...17a07747_c.jpg

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Here's one of the three 5/64" hex bolts that attached the billet grille to the grille shell. This is the only one from the top that was successfully removed without complete butchering.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3912/...5afea788_c.jpg

This is the hole in which the above bolt was removed from:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3835/...bb8b51c0_c.jpg


Below is a pic of the billet grille. You can see the long bars/rods which allow for attaching to the grille shell. The ends of these are threaded both top & bottom. Three of those 5/64" bolts were used to attach the billet to the top of the grille shell.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3926/...cb1d936e_c.jpg


This is a pic of one unused threaded bar which was originally located towards the bottom of the grille shell. The upper end of this bar had to be hacked off, which resulted in me losing the threaded portion. Since the bolt is still stuck in the piece I cut off, I will now have to cut a matching portion from the bottom end of this bar & reattach to the top. This is the only way I can continue to utilize the mounting of the billet via the top of the grille shell.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5566/...132b6e24_c.jpg

And this is the end I hacked off. As you can see, it's not threaded this far down.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5561/...3210c505_c.jpg

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Here's what I'm dealing with in order to remove the chrome trim ring around the grille opening. You can see one of the larger tabs, while one of the smaller ones resides above.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3871/...89999699_c.jpg

Another pic of the tabs along the back side of the grille opening. I'm having to use the Dremel to remove excess from the smaller tabs. Many of these are in tight quarters as well, so I have to be careful not to butcher the holes in which the tabs reside, as well as the surrounding plastic. Once all the smaller tabs have been trimmed, it should allow the chrome trim ring to be removed relatively easily.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3888/...49543fd4_c.jpg

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

I had to change the blower fan and the blend door actuator in my Tahoe a few weeks ago. It was a very simple,straight forward job. I just pulled the door, dismounted the old fan and reinstalled the new. Spent maybe 15 minutes on the fan and a total of 5 on the acuator. Time and money well invested. No more random blend door opening/closing and no more squeeky fan.

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

I want a GMC grill for mine. I have been looking for a few years for one in pewter and so far, nothing. They look very nice with a billet insert.

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Yeah the process for mine was pretty simple too. Just had some aggravation with removing/reinstalling that insulator/cover on the blower motor & that one bolt that was in a tight spot. The bolt would've been much easier if I had the right wrench size, but I was trying to tackle it with the ratchet. Ended up using needle nose pliers too, just because that's all I had on hand that would fit in there to grip the bolt head.

I like many '88-98 grilles in various custom configurations, but this GMC one is definitely one of my favorites. Hopefully you'll come across one. Guess you just don't want to repaint one?

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Ratchet wrenches are a good investment...they were very helpful on the fan swap.

I prefer to not paint a grill.

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

The GMC grills I like , I have one hanging in my garage just waiting to go on.... But im waiting for someone to do a write up on installing the 31 bar grill...


So I don't screw it up haha

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Yeah, I'm really lacking in the tools department. Maybe in the near future I'll have a house with a shop with lots of room for tools. And I'm sure it'll be hard to find a factory painted grille that hasn't been abused by the elements.

Never done one of those, but I think you cut out the entire plastic portion that holds the chrome trim ring.

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Btw, I took the Hoe in this morning for diagnosis on the A/C. Turns out I have a leak in the upper right corner of the condenser. So now I have to go about replacing that. Can't win for losing! He did go ahead & evaporate the system. Once I get the condenser replaced, he said he'd recharge the system for free. So that's a positive at least.

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Yeah, my chrome ring has a broken clip otherwise I would keep it.. I kinda like the chrome ring on there.....

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Finally got the chrome trim ring removed. Also got the new ACDelco condenser & another new orifice tube. Taking it in for installation & recharge tomorrow.


back side of removed grille trim ring:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3859/...88e0cbf0_c.jpg


front side of removed grille trim ring:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3894/...6be4f179_c.jpg


couple rear views of grille shell with trim ring removed:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3911/...647fbc55_c.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3861/...c0852194_c.jpg


couple front views of grille shell with trim ring removed:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3848/...a22802a4_c.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/...a0fffc00_c.jpg

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

I also got the cut portions of rod from the bottom end rods of the billet JB Welded into place on the top ends. It doesn't look pretty, but nobody will ever see them. The billet insert is now ready for the powder coater. Once the A/C work is complete, I'll also remove the front bumper for powder coating as well.


Couple pics of threaded rods from bottom of billet grille reattached in place of portion removed from the top:

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5575/...1d9d5c54_c.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5553/...2b3bc476_c.jpg


Front view of billet grille with reattached rods at the top:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3852/...b4518d3f_c.jpg

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Well hurry up and get it on there! lol

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

lol, patience grasshopper! Gotta fix the screw holes in top of the grille shell, & then it's getting repainted. Gonna wait until I get my new wheels so that I can have them painted at the same time. Still waiting to get my vintage grille emblem back from the chrome shop as well. I'd like to install it onto the billet before reinstalling the whole grille.

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Coming along nicely.

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Thanks man. Slowly but surely getting there.


Well, if it weren't for bad luck, I wouldn't have any at all. The manifold line & condenser tube fittings that connect together, both got screwed up during installation. I was told this happens alot, even on Toyotas that the shop deals with. Problem is one fitting is brass while the other is aluminum. So, they had to pay for a new Delco condenser, & I'm buying a new manifold line. That's another $85 I'm out. I think altogether I'm almost $600 into A/C work that I never intended! :m6:

The only good news is that I temporarily have good, cold air. They were gonna just remove everything so that I could bring the Tahoe home, but the mechanic somehow managed to get the lines connected (not correctly). So for now it's holding. They had the A/C going full blast when I left the shop, & it would freeze you out. It was cold enough that the driver's side window was frosted. So, I have something to look forward to. :lol:

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

I wasn't rushing ya, i was just joking! Can't wait to see it on there though!

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Haha, yeah I knew you were. Sometimes it takes me a little while to get things accomplished. As my wife would say, I'm just sloooow. :lol:

I got my new wheels ordered from Summit Racing yesterday. I went with the Wheel Vintiques 12 Series Smoothie in 15x7 for the front & 15x8 for the rear. Since they have to be custom made to the backspacing specs I wanted, it'll take 4-6 weeks before I get them.

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

cool, I don't quite remember what wheel that is, I'm gonna go look it up real quick.

They outta look good!

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Here's a pic, although I have different center caps & trim rings:

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

I got the front bumper removed yesterday, & I took it & the billet grille to get powder coated this morning. I also discovered what may have been causing the mystery chirp that drove me nuts late last year. After removing the bumper, I noticed some dampness/liquid on the bottom of the lower fan shroud. I could also see splatter on some of the pulleys. The other day when I came home from getting the A/C repair, I noticed that something smelled funny. At first I thought it may just be the new wearing off from the condenser. Not exactly sure just yet, but I'm leaning towards either the water or power steering pump. The chirping had gone away for several months until I briefly heard it again one day last week.

Snapped a pic of the front as it sits now. Gonna try to clean up some surface rust & spray a little paint to make it look nice again.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3845/...ba2e061d_c.jpgUntitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Well, things have been crazy this month. I was back in my hometown for 3 weeks helping with my dad after major surgery. After waiting for biopsy results, we just found out this week that he has an uncommon form of bone cancer, Ewing's Sarcoma, normally found in children & adolescents. Unfortunately they caught it in the later stages. He is currently undergoing treatments. Please keep him and our family in your prayers.



Just before I left earlier this month, I got the front frame rails/bumper brackets cleaned up. Here's an "After" pic:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7553/...177e5a51_c.jpgUntitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Just after I got back into town this week, I was also able to pick up the newly powder coated front bumper & billet grille. Unfortunately, those tabs I had JB Welded came off during the blasting process. So I'll have to reattach them before installing it back into the grille shell. While they're not great, here are a couple pics:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/...5f075d58_c.jpgUntitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7531/...83060b32_c.jpgUntitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

About a week or so before I left to go help with dad, he mailed me the newly chromed GMC emblem. I still have to get the letters painted. I had planned to have the pinstriper do that at Goodguys Charlotte, however I wasn't able to make the show due to my dad's circumstances. I'll catch up with him at another time though. Two pics below:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3949/...e053048f_c.jpgUntitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Those are not blemishes or rust on the top but rather a reflection of the ceiling.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7469/...8f2e222a_c.jpgUntitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

My new wheels also finally came in a couple days ago. It took the full 6 weeks to receive them. Next step will be test fitting the fronts & trimming the lower control arms as necessary. Then I'll see about having them painted before new tires. Pic below:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7487/...81a43966_c.jpgUntitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

How are you going to go about re-attaching the trim ring to the grille? Adhesive? I considered doing that to my grille when I painted it, but was a little nervous about destroying the tabs and how I would re-attach it. I didn't consider using a Dremmel, which is a great idea btw. I really need to buy me a nice one as it would be handy as hell. My grille turned out ok for now, just had to do a ton of taping. But, this would be nice to do when I get the whole truck re-painted and show worthy.

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Dang Phillip, sorry to hear about your dad.

The emblem looks great! I can't wait to see the finished product once the grille is complete.

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Sorry to read that about your dad, man.

Tahoe's looking great. That bumper came out nice. Can't wait to see the smoothies on it. Didn't you have smoothies on your old stepside for a while?

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

If I recall correctly, I just hot glued the trim ring I removed on my old '93 fullsize when I changed to the '94-98 GMC grille & added billet. That's what I'm planning to do with this one. I could JB Weld or whatever other more permanent adhesive, but the hot glue would be easier to work with if I ever need to remove it again. The Dremel worked great. I wish mine had a cord though, because the battery doesn't last worth a darn.

Thanks man. We initially thought my dad was dealing with kidney cancer as a result of smoking, but the biopsy threw everyone for a loop. It's just an unfortunate freak occurrence.

Yeah, I was happy with the way the emblem turned out. I'm ready to see it all back together as well!

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Thanks man. I didn't have "real" smoothies on the old truck, but it was a similar look. They were mid-90's Caprice steelies with the larger Moon style hubcaps. With these smoothies I can run my bullet caps, baby moon style, police-style, etc. I will be running the bullets, but I still have the police-style ones with embossed bowtie in the center that were previously on the Vette rally wheels.

Btw, just got news this Wednesday that we're gonna be moving to your neck of the woods! We've been trying for a good while now to get back closer to our families in MS, & my wife just accepted a job in Franklin. We have a month to figure out where to live & get everything moved. It's chaotic when you factor in everything going on with my dad! However, we're excited & ready for the new adventure. We're probably going to rent for about 6 months & be looking for a house to buy. If you have any advice/suggestions about the area, we'd be grateful for any insight.

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Took it in yesterday to test fit the front wheels. Had to clearance one small spot on the driver's side lower control arm & had to grind each brake caliper a bit to allow the wheel to spin freely. My stupid chirping engine noise came back as well, so I had them look that over. I was told it seems to be the water pump pulley slipping. Gonna have to dig further into that issue again. It's so annoying to drive it sounding like that!

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Spent the last two days packing, loading, moving, & unloading. Now I can officially say I'm a Tennessean. Took a quick pic at a rest area along the way near Chattanooga.

Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom
 

Welcome to TN.

Sorry, missed this earlier. Left a reply just now on your SE region thread. If you have any questions, hit me up via PM