GMT800 People - Opinions wanted on upgrades/mods

[NavyGator]

It's been a weird year and a half I have a prototype set of brackets on my bench in the shop. So many other things took priority over that. It's on my list of things to complete this summer. Just finishing up a bunch of work on the house so I'll actually have room out by the shop soon to get some things done, including the off road trailer and this bracket set. I haven't forgotten about it I promise

Just checking to see if you have had an opportunity to get to those porotype brackets? I picked up a Tahoe a while back and I am looking for a rack solution.

 

[stomperxj]

Just checking to see if you have had an opportunity to get to those porotype brackets? I picked up a Tahoe a while back and I am looking for a rack solution.

It's still on the list. I've been inundated with work the past couple months along with starting a new business. I'll get back to those this fall I promise

 

[ratled]

Just checking to see if you have had an opportunity to get to those porotype brackets? I picked up a Tahoe a while back and I am looking for a rack solution.

You might want to look over here too.
https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/


ratled

 

[NavyGator]

Although there was interest with the OP's plan for some roof rack brackets for this body style, I ended up making my own roof rack. I still need to get an air dam cut but there is no wind noise so it hasn't been a concern for me.

 

[bigdogyj]

@NavyGator is that a fully custom rack or did you use a rack off the shelf and modify to fit? It looks really good. Almost like it was made specifically for that body style.

 

[NavyGator]

@NavyGator is that a fully custom rack or did you use a rack off the shelf and modify to fit? It looks really good. Almost like it was made specifically for that body style.

@bigdogyj It is custom from start to finish. I thought it up, designed it, had it cut out and installed it myself.

I just posted my build of it over on tahoyukonforum

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe Low Profile Overlanding Roof Rack

The main reason I bought my 2003 Tahoe was to get into overlanding. I have done some other work to the vehicle but quickly realized that even though it is a full size , there was not enough room on the inside of the vehicle and I decided I wanted to put on a roof rack. I browsed through what...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[02TahoeMD]

@bigdogyj It is custom from start to finish. I thought it up, designed it, had it cut out and installed it myself.

I just posted my build of it over on tahoyukonforum

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe Low Profile Overlanding Roof Rack

The main reason I bought my 2003 Tahoe was to get into overlanding. I have done some other work to the vehicle but quickly realized that even though it is a full size , there was not enough room on the inside of the vehicle and I decided I wanted to put on a roof rack. I browsed through what...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

Brilliant work on that rack, looked at the link you posted on Tahoe/Yukon. Nice job!

 

[eugene]

While your designing grab the upfitter docs https://www.gmupfitter.com/light-duty-vehicles/light-duty-prior-to-2013/
Looks like they rearranged a bit making the 800's harder to find. I have them downloaded but I don't know about the allowability of attaching here.

 

[herm]

I have recently purchased a 2001 2500 suburban 2500 LS with the 8.1L big block. 210k miles. It is my work truck, as an electrician and will be our camping and farm rig as well. I have put about 2k miles on it so far and its been fantastic. I have replaced all the lighting inside with LED, all the front lighting, installed a 10 in sony head unit, new steering gear and several other small projects so far.
It's going to a mechanic with a lift for oil and trans cooler lines, evap canister, abs pump controller ( someone stripped the screws before me)
Does anyone have a picture of the move embark bumpers on a suburban?

looking to get a nice set of tow mirrors and front seats redone next. roof rack, bumpers and front chin/skid on the list as well.

 

[herm]

I have recently purchased a 2001 2500 suburban 2500 LS with the 8.1L big block. 210k miles. It is my work truck, as an electrician and will be our camping and farm rig as well. I have put about 2k miles on it so far and its been fantastic. I have replaced all the lighting inside with LED, all the front lighting, installed a 10 in sony head unit, new steering gear and several other small projects so far.
It's going to a mechanic with a lift for oil and trans cooler lines, evap canister, abs pump controller ( someone stripped the screws before me)
Does anyone have a picture of the move embark bumpers on a suburban?

looking to get a nice set of tow mirrors and front seats redone next. roof rack, bumpers and front chin/skid on the list as well.

Should have a frontrunner slim line rack off of an excursion mounted tomorrow, with traction board holders, openroad awning and the quick attach tent mounts for my storage box. ill grab some pics. i did the steering gear and a few other things. We have loved the truck. Tow a backhoe, haul 10k lbs of hay, Deliver sheep to the other side of the state, camping all over the west. 4 500 foot spools of 3/0 aluminum wire... I am at about 225k miles.

 

[vintageracer]

Here is a pic of my daughters 8.1 2004 Yukon XL with aftermarket tow mirrors.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

I don’t think you want the gas tank skid to be a structural member. You just want it to spread out the impact point of any debris or help spread the weight.

My Explorer/Expedition gas tank skid plates are integral to the gas tanks. The skid is somehow attached to the plastic tank and then the tank/skid is hung by the straps that hold up the tank. I’ve pivoted the Explorer while hung up on a rock.

Jeep WJ style

 

[ThundahBeagle]

I think a lot of the things people are wanting are really unnecessary for the burbs at least those that are actually used. Like underbody armor and long travel lift kits. The burbs arent rock crawlers and most of the sensitive bits are fairly well protected as is. If people really plan on using a burb that way then they need to forget bolt on for their IFS and go for a solid axle axle swap. I think a lot of it is mall crawler syndrome. Bolt on everything under the sun so every one knows you offroad. Other than actual mechanical parts what does anyone need to be vehicle specific? Hell I built my first offroader at 14 in the mid 80s with junkyard and jc whitney parts. There were no real vehicle specific lift kits. No super expensive heavy duty steering bits. There were multi shock junk parts that looked cool on super lifted trucks that never leave the street because the didnt really work offroad. I have to agree with you I think most of the issue is lack of creativity and lack of old world skills.

Used to see a LOT of big tube frame metal bumpers and even cut up 2x10's on trucks in the 70's 80's and into the 90's. Metal tune nothing made to fit nice, just a slight Ben's at both ends starting about under the headlights on the old Chevys

 

[ThundahBeagle]

In terms of fuel tanks for the GMT 800 Tahoe...

My GMT400 full size 2 door Balzer K1500 had a 30 gallon tank, albeit with the spare located inside the rear tailgate in an upright position.

If you go with the spare swing out bumper, how hard would it be to get a GMT400 Blazer 30 gallon tank and mount it back there?

 

[herm]

Should have a frontrunner slim line rack off of an excursion mounted tomorrow, with traction board holders, openroad awning and the quick attach tent mounts for my storage box. ill grab some pics. i did the steering gear and a few other things. We have loved the truck. Tow a backhoe, haul 10k lbs of hay, Deliver sheep to the other side of the state, camping all over the west. 4 500 foot spools of 3/0 aluminum wire... I am at about 225k miles.

It will be a lot easier to throw my kayak up there, or anything else. I guess i have mall crawler syndrome now? nah, we actually use this thing.