2003 Tahoe Build - Family Overland Rig

[UltimaSanctus]

Rig looks good! I can't tell from the picture but to help the wobble on my bike rack/Rigd carrier combo I run a ratchet strap from the top of the rack through the spokes on the spare tire and it helps a lot. Don't have any pics of it though...

 

[03tahoe]

Thanks all, it's been a work in progress, and for the most part I've been happy with the modifications and capabilities. I do somewhat regret going to a 34" tire, since that mostly caused more issues than benefits. But hey, hard to resist larger tires right (especially after I got 4.10 gears). For the bike rack that's a great idea about the strap back to the spare tire. I'll try that out on our next longer trip.

 

[ZMagic97]

Thanks all, it's been a work in progress, and for the most part I've been happy with the modifications and capabilities. I do somewhat regret going to a 34" tire, since that mostly caused more issues than benefits. But hey, hard to resist larger tires right (especially after I got 4.10 gears). For the bike rack that's a great idea about the strap back to the spare tire. I'll try that out on our next longer trip.

How do you like the 4.10s? I'm still on 3.73s on my 06 Sierra 1500, 6" lift on 35s. I keep hearing "don't fear the gear." I'm thinking of 4.10s, maybe even 4.56s.

 

[03tahoe]

I re-geared for three reasons:
1) The orginal 3.73 front differential was making lots of noise in 4-auto and 4wd (I never figured out what was causing it, but replaced the whole unit with a 4.10 front differential from a ~100k mi. Suburban, along with the rear axle from the same 4.10 factory geared Suburban)
2) Many camping and day trips include rapid 4,000-ft elevation gains, so getting into the power band is nice and hopefully easier on the 4L60e.
3) For off road in 4low it's nice to be able to go just that much slower, especially down hills.
It also turns out that 4.10 gears together with 285/75R17 (~34") tires is essentially the same as the stock final drive ratio. Bottom line, I would recommend re-gearing with the 5.3L and anything over 33" tires, especially if the truck is used off-road or on steep roads.

 

[03tahoe]

Updates!

New gage cluster with the transmission temp gage. This was the result of some lights going out (PNDR backlight), then breaking a stepper motor when taking things apart to re-solder the cracked solder joints on the gage cluster board. I then ordered a professionally remanufactured unit from Circuit Board Medics (https://circuitboardmedics.com/), great service and they offered one with a trans temp gage!

Also got LED lights wired up under the cargo area platform:

Ok now for the big addition - Schutt Xventure XV-2, CVT Mt. Denali Tent, OVS Nomadic 270 Awning, ARB Fridge, matching tires and wheels for the trailer, and some other things...

Here's something that needed to get done to fit the RIGd Supply Ultra-Swing MegaFit on the back of the trailer and still let the tail gate down:
https://www.rigdsupply.com/products/rigd-ultraswing-hitch-carrier-mega-fit

2" hitch drop. That's a solid 2" tube with two 1/2" holes drilled and tapped into it so it's bolted in place with alloy bolts through the trailer receiver. This results in no wiggling when paired with anti-wobble wedge on the Ultra-Swing.
Receiver Drop - Amazon Link

Ok, that's all for now. Time to go camping more!

 

[03tahoe]

Some camping adventure updates. The XV-2 is working great. The Tahoe does struggle pulling it up 10% grade passes at 8,000 to 9,000-ft though. Otherwise here's some pictures:

Camping at a small mountain lake outside Hood River, OR

Getting into and out of the lake camping spot required getting trough some wet snow banks. Glad the track width of the trailer is just about the same as the Tahoe.

Badlands National Park

Galley setup on the XV-2

Lake Yellowstone

XV-2 Tung box - needs more awning coverage... I hope that Overland Vehicle Systems will come through on this.

Diamond Lake, OR

That's all for now.

 

[03tahoe]

Not so exciting maintenance items but I just replaced the tensioner pullies, idler pully, belts, and the fan clutch. All AC Delco OE or Professional parts. Hope this helps with engine cooling and AC operation. I had been getting chatter from the AC tensioner with the AC compressor slugging often in the hot weather and changing RMPs. The old v. new fan clutch was probably the big difference, much more rotation resistance from the new clutch and there a good amount of air moving out from the fan now. I think the slow fade of the fan clutch with 175k miles on it was hard to notice until it got over 100 degrees and it just couldn't keep up. I also thought about if the larger trans cooler was messing with the amount of heat that the AC condenser and radiator had to deal with, but I hope that's over thinking it.

 

[Tallan87]

how is the front leveled?

are you still on 2" spacers and the stock z71 springs in the rear?

where did you find those spacers?

 

[03tahoe]

Front is on aftermarket torsion bar "lift" keys. I think this is covered early in the build thread. I've also been thinking about getting new torsion bars for some time now, but they are expensive and may not make things much better other than not having the keys cranked nearly all the way.

The rear is still on 2" poly spacers and Moog Z71 coils. The spacers were from Supreme Suspension via. Amazon. But most poly spacers will do just fine. The Moog Z71 coils are losing their powder coat, but I think they still function fine. If I had to change out the coils I would go with progresive rate H2 factory coils, and less spacer.

Hope that helps and you've found the build thread useful.

 

[NavyGator]

Front is on aftermarket torsion bar "lift" keys. I think this is covered early in the build thread. I've also been thinking about getting new torsion bars for some time now, but they are expensive and may not make things much better other than not having the keys cranked nearly all the way.

The rear is still on 2" poly spacers and Moog Z71 coils. The spacers were from Supreme Suspension via. Amazon. But most poly spacers will do just fine. The Moog Z71 coils are losing their powder coat, but I think they still function fine. If I had to change out the coils I would go with progresive rate H2 factory coils, and less spacer.

Hope that helps and you've found the build thread useful.

I spent a lot of time trying to track down OE torsion bars for my 03 SSV earlier this year. I called dealers all over the country who had websites that showed parts were in stock. I was not able to find a left and right bar at all. The only thing I found was aftermarket bars from swayaway but just couldn't justify the additional cost as I have been trying to find a shop near me to do a SFA swap.

 

[Tliska10]

Awesome build man... The swing out are so expensive. Im still trying to find one

 

[03tahoe]

So I'm selling my RIGd Ultraswing. It hasn't been as versatile as I expected. I can not use it on the back of my Tahoe and tow the XV-2, since the swing out wont clear the trailer tongue. Even the other version RIGd makes with the offset up swing out, still wouldn't clear things unless the trailer is tilted down or I used a drop hitch. So yeah, the RIGd Ultraswing has been okay, but it not near as nice as a dedicated swing out that's on a bearing up above the bumper. I'm going to try to sell the Ultraswing locally first so I don't have to deal with shipping. But if that doesn't work I'll post it up for sale on this sites classifieds.

I also managed to get the full size 285/75R17 spare up under the Tahoe. It's deflated and strapped back to the hitch bar to clear the rear track bar. I'll get some pictures of that up next.

Here's a look at the out going Ultraswing

 

[bvandyken]

So I'm selling my RIGd Ultraswing. It hasn't been as versatile as I expected. I can not use it on the back of my Tahoe and tow the XV-2, since the swing out wont clear the trailer tongue. Even the other version RIGd makes with the offset up swing out, still wouldn't clear things unless the trailer is tilted down or I used a drop hitch. So yeah, the RIGd Ultraswing has been okay, but it not near as nice as a dedicated swing out that's on a bearing up above the bumper. I'm going to try to sell the Ultraswing locally first so I don't have to deal with shipping. But if that doesn't work I'll post it up for sale on this sites classifieds.

I also managed to get the full size 285/75R17 spare up under the Tahoe. It's deflated and strapped back to the hitch bar to clear the rear track bar. I'll get some pictures of that up next.

Here's a look at the out going Ultraswing

You sell your Rigd UltraSwing already?

 

[03tahoe]

Rigd Ultra Swing is sold. Next up is the GMT900 front brake upgrade with police package parts. I recently did the rear brakes again with the police package calipers and pads. Now it's time for the front to match up so hopefully the brake temps are even front to back. If I can't go faster I can at least stop faster.

 

[03tahoe]

New pics...