LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build

[Palf70Step]

Reminds me of the gassers of the late 50s/early 60s sitting that way.

Nice job Kevin. Can't wait to see what you do to XXL's wallet eater.

[MrBeast]

You know Kevin, I am not a fan of lowered trucks, but I am damn impressed with how this thing is looking.

Allthough my biggest question is, why go with a 5.3 when this is going to be a tow rig? It would seem to me that the motor is a little light duty for the job.

It could be just me, but I had a 99 1500 x cab short bed Z71 with a 5300 vortec in it, and when you hooked a trailer to it, it could barely get out of its own way.

I even added a Chip, and removed the Cats and did a few other things to the truck, and still it didnt even come close to satisfying or impressing me.

I wound up selling it and getting a 97 GMC 2500HD Xcab short bed, that truck impressed the heck out of me, it had the Vortec 454, and with the MSD ignition I added, the chip, and dual 3" exhaust and the Cat's removed, it was pulling over 16 mpg on the interstate, and I pulled my 71 Cutlass on a 18' car trailer from Seattle to Livingston Mt over the 5 mountan passes between and it kicked some serious tail, and still got about 9 mpg.

I will also add that I have the 8100 vortec in the tow truck im driving now, it is far less than impressive, it is out right anemic. But it is a 2001, I dont know if they got better as time went on.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by MrBeast

You know Kevin, I am not a fan of lowered trucks, but I am damn impressed with how this thing is looking.

Allthough my biggest question is, why go with a 5.3 when this is going to be a tow rig? It would seem to me that the motor is a little light duty for the job.

It could be just me, but I had a 99 1500 x cab short bed Z71 with a 5300 vortec in it, and when you hooked a trailer to it, it could barely get out of its own way.

I even added a Chip, and removed the Cats and did a few other things to the truck, and still it didnt even come close to satisfying or impressing me.

I wound up selling it and getting a 97 GMC 2500HD Xcab short bed, that truck impressed the heck out of me, it had the Vortec 454, and with the MSD ignition I added, the chip, and dual 3" exhaust and the Cat's removed, it was pulling over 16 mpg on the interstate, and I pulled my 71 Cutlass on a 18' car trailer from Seattle to Livingston Mt over the 5 mountan passes between and it kicked some serious tail, and still got about 9 mpg.

I will also add that I have the 8100 vortec in the tow truck im driving now, it is far less than impressive, it is out right anemic. But it is a 2001, I dont know if they got better as time went on.

I know what you are saying but it is an 05 with more HP and torque than my current tow rig with a 93 vett LT1 5.7L. I was a little worried about it until I used our shop 08 4.8L to tow 70 2wd Blazer, spare bed sides on a steel floor 16' Carson car hauler, a complete cab and doors along with a lift gate and tail gate for a 65 Burb in the bed of the truck. I was blown away at how well it towed from Ca to AZ and did 60 mph over the Grape Vine into Los Angles and that hill is a truck killer. So for what short trips I have planned for towing with the Tahoe I think it will be just fine. Oh and I got 14 mpg when loaded doing 65+

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[nuke1]

that is some tubing structure you have back there, looking really good Kevin, i don't think that a rear vette diff has ever looked so good.

[Frizzle Fry]

Those tires/wheels look perfect on there. Your rear will def be lower than mine. Can't wait to see the front down.

On the 5.3, I had a 2001 Tahoe with a 5.3 and I towed my 61 on a full trailer over mountain passes and the Tahoe acted like there was nothing back there. Very impressive power even stock.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Those tires/wheels look perfect on there. Your rear will def be lower than mine. Can't wait to see the front down.

On the 5.3, I had a 2001 Tahoe with a 5.3 and I towed my 61 on a full trailer over mountain passes and the Tahoe acted like there was nothing back there. Very impressive power even stock.

Yeah thanks for all the info on the wheels and tire's. I may still run some spacers to get the rear out just a bit because right now the wheels are touching my back seat. I do still need to adjust the camber on the rear at ride height and that will help out a bit. As far as a stock motor, who likes a stock motor right!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[64shortc10]

That is SWEET! Those rims look perfect on there. I like the pic with the wheels cambering in!

Tony from Norcal

[gringoloco]

Hmmm... What are your plans for hood hinges?

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Hmmm... What are your plans for hood hinges?

I have not decided just what I want to do for that yet. I think their is some info on doing a forward flip hood but I might just build my own tubular cowl mounted units. Right now I don't have a clearance problem

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[kyull67]

Wow! This thing looks better every time I check on it. Nice work, and you know I'll be looking forward to the I6 Dropmember!

[Primer70]

Wow, that saves a lot of floor space as apposed to using a solid rear axle.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by Primer70

Wow, that saves a lot of floor space as apposed to using a solid rear axle.

Yep and the camber helps tuck those big tires right up inside the body with out having the Axel narrowed of tire inset a few inches.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Dinos63]

NICE JOB KEVIN,THATS GOING TO BE A COVER TRUCK FOR SURE

[Number98]

This ride is really looking sweet Kevin!

[LOW DOUGH]

ok, i'm on post 117. got to go..... awsome. glad you decided to keep it.

[70rs/ss]

Kevin, if you weren't so far away, I'd love to have you do the quarter on my 70 camaro, it too needs a trunk (had rust and the PO put a new trunk on top of the out floors, so it is overlapped and not done correctly). and a new rear panel. Mine was cut off over 5-6 years ago and has sat ever since, waiting!! Lookin' good and glad to hear mom is staying home. My wife stayed home till my two boys entered Kindergarten, now she works.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by 70rs/ss

My wife stayed home till my two boys entered Kindergarten, now she works.

That is our plan as well so we will see how it works out.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[70 Suburban]

well the way we deal with it is. I encurage her to continue education. she is a lmt and she wants to be a lpt so I encurage it. help her and support her so when she is ready (and the kids are all in school) she can do what she loves.(and make money)

[Rokcrln]

Well guys no real Tahoe progress but I did add a new hot rod to the fleet. This one will be a work horse for moving trailers and pulling vehicles around as needed. It is a craftsman 16hp , 3 speed with hi/low range and it also has a 3pt implement attachment on the rear. I will mainly be using it for pulling my car trailer in and out of its parking spot and around to the front of the house. I have a great spot for my trailer right between my shop and my out building but it is a very tight spot to get back in their. It is right off an alley that has buildings about 15 feet away and the trailer is 18' plus the pull vehicle. So once I put a trailer ball on that 3pt I should be set. And yes it will end up getting rebuilt and some hot rod flair added to it down the road. Right now it just needs a new front tire and that is about it. I gave $250 for it and drove it on the trailer!

Kevin
LFD Inc.


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[texanidiot25]

So how are you going to put corvette suspension on this one?

[gmbpmidway]

you do some incredible work

[Rokcrln]

Well rumor has it I will have a PBDMC4 at my shop by the weeks end. I will get the Tahoe back in the shop Tuesday and start the front end tear down and clean up. So come monday after noon we should be sitting nice and low! I just hope I am around for the UPS delivery

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[thelonerife]

your tractor looks like an old gasser lol

[jugernot]

Love the new tow vehicle. You need to bag it and put 20's all round.

[Puropedo]

Congrats on that new old rig, (I grew up driving tractors) so I must say this is a classic! Good luck with the new family situation, I sure know your son is going to be one happy kid to have mom @ home!