98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Mapearso · 02-28-2016, 04:13 PM

So I sold my 2DR 2WD Tahoe a few years ago and regretted it. Every once in a while I'd poke around on Craigslist hoping to find another nice one. Unfortunately, good ones are very few and far between, at least here in So Cal.

But a couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon one... I had to look past the odd aftermarket grille and lights and the cheap chinese 22" wheels and tires, but once I did, it had service records dating back to 2000, the body was nice and clean and other than the bolt-on "bling" it was pretty much unmolested. I'm a fan of the barn doors so that was another plus in my book. So it came home with me

Plans are for taking it back to mostly stock, a static drop and an interior refresh. Interior freshening will include Escalade door panels, console, cluster, gauge surround and steering wheel.

Some "before" pics of the exterior are attached. I'll try and update as I go along.

Mapearso · 02-28-2016, 04:24 PM

Tried peddling the 22s on CL and eBay but no takers, so I gave them to my local wheel and tire shop in exchange for balancing. mounting and alignment of some 454ss wheels and Astro Van center caps. Tires are 275 / 60 / 15 Cooper Cobras.

I'll be putting the wheel well moldings and "1500" emblems back on too. I picked this stuff and an OEM grill up at the junkyard. (If you haven't figured it out yet, I like the stock-ish look..).

As you can see, the tail lights are also aftermarket, but they are new and are pretty similar to the OE look so I'll probably keep them

To be continued...

1badgmc · 02-28-2016, 09:13 PM

The taillights are good. I'd leave them too. They're the best looking aftermarket tails for these trucks.

That grille, man... Whoever designed that nasty thing should be shot. That is uglier than the alien eye grille they made back in the day. As soon as you get that replaced, you'll be on your way.

It's amazing how much better it looks with those SS wheels versus those cheap 22s.

likaroc13 · 02-29-2016, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1badgmc

The taillights are good. I'd leave them too. They're the best looking aftermarket tails for these trucks.

That grille, man... Whoever designed that nasty thing should be shot. That is uglier than the alien eye grille they made back in the day. As soon as you get that replaced, you'll be on your way.

It's amazing how much better it looks with those SS wheels versus those cheap 22s.

I agree on all points. When it comes to the grille, one that gives that one a run for the money is in post #448 & #449 in the 2dr/2wd pic thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...398911&page=18

JWall · 02-29-2016, 09:45 AM

Looks like a nice find! Can't wait to see you take it in the right direction.
Glad the wheels & grille are being ditched quickly

OutlawDrifter · 02-29-2016, 10:22 AM

very cool! i prefer a stock look myself. if this turns out anywhere near as nice as your brown two-tone pickup, it will be fantastic!

Mapearso · 02-29-2016, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

very cool! i prefer a stock look myself. if this turns out anywhere near as nice as your brown two-tone pickup, it will be fantastic!

Thanks guys for the kind words --

I don't want it to look "custom" -- I want it to look "How it should have come from the factory". Since I'm using all OEM GM stuff (454ss wheels, Astro caps, Escalade interior, etc) it should hopefully come together that way

Mapearso · 02-29-2016, 09:45 PM

Stock grill and new stock lights ...

Mapearso · 02-29-2016, 09:47 PM

Escalade Steering Wheel -- 'Scuse the dirty a## carpet .. I'll be fixing that soon enough

likaroc13 · 02-29-2016, 10:32 PM

Whooo hooo! That face looks much better.

Mapearso · 03-21-2016, 08:12 PM

More --

2" static drop all around...
wheelwell moldings back on...
some paintless dent repair ...

Needs the "1500" or "TAHOE" emblems and then I'm ok with the exterior...

Mapearso · 03-21-2016, 08:15 PM

The interior is another story tho.... It is filthy. Seats are exploding... carpet is nasty. sun visors are droopy... dash and door panels are slathered in armor all ...

but help is on the way!

likaroc13 · 03-21-2016, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mapearso

More --

2" static drop all around...
wheelwell moldings back on...
some paintless dent repair ...

Needs the "1500" or "TAHOE" emblems and then I'm ok with the exterior...

Looks good man. What about the gas door?

Mapearso · 03-21-2016, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by likaroc13

Looks good man. What about the gas door?

thanks man.

yeah, i forgot. i gotta fix that too. quick trip to the junkyard where I can hopefully find a nice pewter truck to pull a stock gas door...

**lolife99** · 03-22-2016, 05:47 AM

Great job on saving this Tahoe!
I too like the stock/lowered look of the 2-dr 2wd tahoes,...

**Palf70Step** · 03-22-2016, 06:47 AM

You are doing a great job. These year 2dr Tahoe's are so great!

likaroc13 · 03-22-2016, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mapearso

thanks man.

yeah, i forgot. i gotta fix that too. quick trip to the junkyard where I can hopefully find a nice pewter truck to pull a stock gas door...

I didn't catch it in the first pics you posted, but it caught my eye in that last one. I figured it wasn't your style (not mine either). Keep up the good work.

**GAc10boy** · 03-22-2016, 11:46 AM

Looks awesome! I'm in.

Mapearso · 03-23-2016, 05:38 PM

Thanks guys. I'm hoping to get to the junkyard this weekend to find a couple missing pieces. After that I will get started on the interior

Mapearso · 03-25-2016, 10:48 PM

Interior --

So a while back I found someone parting a 99 Escalade on CL. I went out and grabbed the steering wheel, instrument cluster, dash surround, center console and door panels.

Today I popped the instrument cluster and dash surround in. Then, after having cleaned, prepped and sprayed the parts with SEM Medium Gray, I got the console and door panels back together.

some pics --

Mapearso · 03-25-2016, 10:51 PM

Door panels off and ready to be reinstalled. I do have the perforated inserts from the Escalade -- need to glue them

Mapearso · 03-25-2016, 10:53 PM

And the console --

Mapearso · 03-25-2016, 10:54 PM

Hopefully I'll have some time tomorrow to start tearing into the rest of the filthy old stuff !!!

**lolife99** · 03-25-2016, 10:59 PM

love your tahoe,...

likaroc13 · 03-26-2016, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mapearso

Interior --

So a while back I found someone parting a 99 Escalade on CL. I went out and grabbed the steering wheel, instrument cluster, dash surround, center console and door panels.

Today I popped the instrument cluster and dash surround in. Then, after having cleaned, prepped and sprayed the parts with SEM Medium Gray, I got the console and door panels back together.

some pics --

looking good...does the SEM paint match up nicely to the original gray?

02-28-2016, 04:13 PM	#1
Mapearso Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: los angeles, ca Posts: 926	98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh So I sold my 2DR 2WD Tahoe a few years ago and regretted it. Every once in a while I'd poke around on Craigslist hoping to find another nice one. Unfortunately, good ones are very few and far between, at least here in So Cal. But a couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon one... I had to look past the odd aftermarket grille and lights and the cheap chinese 22" wheels and tires, but once I did, it had service records dating back to 2000, the body was nice and clean and other than the bolt-on "bling" it was pretty much unmolested. I'm a fan of the barn doors so that was another plus in my book. So it came home with me Plans are for taking it back to mostly stock, a static drop and an interior refresh. Interior freshening will include Escalade door panels, console, cluster, gauge surround and steering wheel. Some "before" pics of the exterior are attached. I'll try and update as I go along. Attached Images

02-28-2016, 04:24 PM	#2
Mapearso Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: los angeles, ca Posts: 926	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh Tried peddling the 22s on CL and eBay but no takers, so I gave them to my local wheel and tire shop in exchange for balancing. mounting and alignment of some 454ss wheels and Astro Van center caps. Tires are 275 / 60 / 15 Cooper Cobras. I'll be putting the wheel well moldings and "1500" emblems back on too. I picked this stuff and an OEM grill up at the junkyard. (If you haven't figured it out yet, I like the stock-ish look..). As you can see, the tail lights are also aftermarket, but they are new and are pretty similar to the OE look so I'll probably keep them To be continued... Attached Images

02-28-2016, 09:13 PM	#3
1badgmc Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 3,153	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh The taillights are good. I'd leave them too. They're the best looking aftermarket tails for these trucks. That grille, man... Whoever designed that nasty thing should be shot. That is uglier than the alien eye grille they made back in the day. As soon as you get that replaced, you'll be on your way. It's amazing how much better it looks with those SS wheels versus those cheap 22s. __________________ '91 GMC RC Sportside '98 Chevy Suburban '88 Chevy Crew Cab Dually

02-29-2016, 09:45 AM	#5
JWall Frequent Flyer Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 2,258	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh Looks like a nice find! Can't wait to see you take it in the right direction. Glad the wheels & grille are being ditched quickly __________________ - Justin 76 SWB C-10 - 98 SWB C1500 (x2) 1 Owner 1976 SWB

02-29-2016, 10:22 AM	#6
OutlawDrifter Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Northeast KS Posts: 1,789	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh very cool! i prefer a stock look myself. if this turns out anywhere near as nice as your brown two-tone pickup, it will be fantastic! __________________ 1999 GMC Suburban K2500 SLT, 454/4L80E 1991 Z/28, 6.0L/T56 1949 GMC 250, S10 Frame, 6.0L/4L80E Instagram @aceshighspeedshop

02-29-2016, 09:45 PM	#8
Mapearso Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: los angeles, ca Posts: 926	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh Stock grill and new stock lights ... Attached Images

02-29-2016, 09:47 PM	#9
Mapearso Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: los angeles, ca Posts: 926	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh Escalade Steering Wheel -- 'Scuse the dirty a## carpet .. I'll be fixing that soon enough Attached Images Last edited by Mapearso; 02-29-2016 at 10:03 PM.

02-29-2016, 10:32 PM	#10
likaroc13 Rollin' Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 5,371	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh Whooo hooo! That face looks much better. __________________ _____________________________________________ Phillip My Build threads: 1966 Chevy C-10 "Black Betty" shortbed, fleetside, BBW, 327 V8/ Powerglide (under construction) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ighlight=betty 1997 Chevy Tahoe, 2dr/2wd, mild custom (Daily driver) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=601142 Pics: '66 C-10 https://flic.kr/s/aHsjHWD4h9 '97 Tahoe https://flic.kr/s/aHsjGZ7wKP '93 C-1500 https://flic.kr/s/aHskxdpdnQ '88 S-10 Blazer https://flic.kr/s/aHsjYGx4Md Previous Rides: 1993 Chevy S-10 ext. cab, 4.3L, 4/5 drop (Sold) 1993 Chevy C-1500 short/step Retro-Rod (Sold) 1988 S-10 Blazer 2dr/2wd mild custom (Sold)

03-21-2016, 08:12 PM	#11
Mapearso Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: los angeles, ca Posts: 926	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh More -- 2" static drop all around... wheelwell moldings back on... some paintless dent repair ... Needs the "1500" or "TAHOE" emblems and then I'm ok with the exterior... Attached Images

03-21-2016, 08:15 PM	#12
Mapearso Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: los angeles, ca Posts: 926	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh The interior is another story tho.... It is filthy. Seats are exploding... carpet is nasty. sun visors are droopy... dash and door panels are slathered in armor all ... but help is on the way! Attached Images

03-22-2016, 05:47 AM	#15
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh Great job on saving this Tahoe! I too like the stock/lowered look of the 2-dr 2wd tahoes,... __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

03-22-2016, 06:47 AM	#16
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,228	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh You are doing a great job. These year 2dr Tahoe's are so great! __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

03-22-2016, 11:46 AM	#18
GAc10boy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 1,642	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh Looks awesome! I'm in. __________________ - Robbie UNITED BY TRUCKS - classic truck video content YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/unitedbytrucks Instagram: @united_by_trucks Paw Paw '68 508 Dark Blue Custom C10 Teddy '68 GMC SWB 503 Light Green LS Build Mississippi Mud '75 Skyline Blue Patina SBC Build

03-23-2016, 05:38 PM	#19
Mapearso Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: los angeles, ca Posts: 926	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh Thanks guys. I'm hoping to get to the junkyard this weekend to find a couple missing pieces. After that I will get started on the interior

03-25-2016, 10:48 PM	#20
Mapearso Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: los angeles, ca Posts: 926	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh Interior -- So a while back I found someone parting a 99 Escalade on CL. I went out and grabbed the steering wheel, instrument cluster, dash surround, center console and door panels. Today I popped the instrument cluster and dash surround in. Then, after having cleaned, prepped and sprayed the parts with SEM Medium Gray, I got the console and door panels back together. some pics -- Attached Images



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

03-25-2016, 10:51 PM	#21
Mapearso Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: los angeles, ca Posts: 926	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh Door panels off and ready to be reinstalled. I do have the perforated inserts from the Escalade -- need to glue them Attached Images

03-25-2016, 10:53 PM	#22
Mapearso Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: los angeles, ca Posts: 926	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh And the console -- Attached Images

03-25-2016, 10:54 PM	#23
Mapearso Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: los angeles, ca Posts: 926	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh Hopefully I'll have some time tomorrow to start tearing into the rest of the filthy old stuff !!!

03-25-2016, 10:59 PM	#24
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh love your tahoe,... __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.