2009 Tahoe SSV Family ride

[YBNORML]

In july of 2017 I decided I wanted a Tahoe. It would be replacing my lowered 1999 crew cab, so it had to be cool.

I looked at a lot of units but they were with beat to crap, super high mileage or overpriced. Then I came across this SSV. It was everything I wanted. The things that chased most buyers away were what appealed to me.

2wd
No carpet, floor mats from front to rear. Perfect for kids and dogs.
Basic Electronic options, less stuff to fail in the future.

Truck belonged to a small town Bylaw office. Most publicly used vehicles are quite mangled. This one isn't. No holes in the dash or floor. There was a few holes in the roof but they were sealed and covered over. I do plan on repainting the roof.

[YBNORML]

First thing I did was sell the factory "chrome" wheels.

I found a set of take-off 20" wheels from a 2016 Elevation Edition Pickup

[YBNORML]

Next up: An altitude change was in order.

Bell Tech 2" spindles and 2" coils up front. This setup required some camber correcting bushings in the control arms. A serious pain in the a$$ to install

Out back was all Bell Tech as well. 4" springs, drop shocks and shorter bump stops.

Front tires rub on the inners but only on large bumps, this should get better when I drop the rear another two inches. should pull the front up just a bit.

I also removed all the badging with the exception of the front and rear BowTies.

[YBNORML]

And yes, she still tows. The send pic shows where she will sit with 6" coils installed.
There's a guy who makes 6" coils with an integral airbag. Which would be absolutely perfect.

[mikebte]

Very cool, always a use for old police vehicles. You made that look nice and the kids can set off fireworks inside with no worries.

[K5 MAX]

Nice ride, i did the same thing back in 2014 but the plan was to flip it. Bought a 2010 SSV 82k miles out of AZ, through a GSA auction website. Drove it home after getting out there on a work trip for free, cleaned it up, blacked out the steelies, added lights and a back up camera to cover the wholes in the tailgate, re-wired the spot light , repaired the front seat upholstery (warn from a holster or radio) and added a jump seat where the console was removed. Made $2k when it was all said and done. I liked it though, tried to get my wife to drive it but she didn't like the spot light.. It was hilarious driving it because drivers thought you were an unmarked car and were scared to speed around you, pass you, etc..

When i picked it up
1 by Bradley Jones, on Flickr
Finished product
3 by Bradley Jones, on Flickr
photo 8 by Bradley Jones, on Flickr
4 by Bradley Jones, on Flickr
5 by Bradley Jones, on Flickr

[HipToBeSquared]

Nice ride! Can you post some interior pictures when you get a chance. I didn't think GM made "work truck" SUV's anymore. Thank you.

[mikelom]

Congrats! I like the new stance of your Tahoe. Any other plans for her?

[lolife99]

I want to do the same thing, but 2wd Tahoes are hard to find.
And I'd really rather have a loaded '06.

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by HipToBeSquared

Nice ride! Can you post some interior pictures when you get a chance. I didn't think GM made "work truck" SUV's anymore. Thank you.

I can, she's pretty basic. Cloth buckets up front with a flip console/jump seat. Vinyl rear seat. The truck has rubber floor mats from front to back.

Originally Posted by mikelom

Congrats! I like the new stance of your Tahoe. Any other plans for her?

I just want to swap the rear 4" drop springs for 6" drop springs with bags. Other than that I'm happy.

Originally Posted by lolife99

I want to do the same thing, but 2wd Tahoes are hard to find.
And I'd really rather have a loaded '06.

I really lucked out finding this one, most of the PPV/SSV's are usually beat to crap. This one seems to have lead a pretty pampered life.

I'ts actually the lack of options that drew me to them.

[YBNORML]

Here's a few pics from her maiden voyage towing. 200 miles round trip, no issues.

[mikebte]

Good to see you can still tow, I just got all my drop stuff and somehow I always end up towing