[templarklimek]

Gents,

I always want to have on hand a bug out vehicle that is rugged and a
4x4. Top of my list was a chevy Tahoe 4x4 2002-2006. But I've always like the 99 Tahoe 2 door 4x4. I picked up one with a 3 inch lift kit and massive front steel bumpers ready for Zombie duty. The 5.7L engine is pretty rugged I hope. The interior is a little rough looking. So I spent 1200 or so to have the carpet fully replaced and seats recovered in leather. Am I about to indulge in a money pit? Runs strong but i'm getting some squeak noises from front suspension and a mushy brake pedal. Shifts great and all 4x4 components work great. 140k miles for a 1999. Outside looks great with a repaint 2 years ago. I paid 4800.00 plus the 1200 so far on interior. It has a small exhaust leak at the manifold. A/c is uber cold but switch is "stuck" on high only.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you may have on this vehicle or this kind of project in general. i want it to be kind of nice but still there for a reliable, simple bug out vehicle for me, my arms, food, etc and of course my dog.

[majin ssj eric]

I think its pretty cool and those trucks are very easy and cheap to work on (although they are fairly reliable to start with). Nice pick up...

[Nkc]

it looks like a "who's got a bigger dick" contest with the two trucks.

[templarklimek]

Same trk, not every day is m3 weather. If the SHTF i want some thing that I can get out of city by any means needed. And carry food, gas weapons etc.

Nothing to do with dick sizes. Ever seen the chaos of a hurricane on the populace, looting etc? Not pretty.

[Nkc]

Originally Posted by templarklimek

Same trk, not every day is m3 weather. If the SHTF i want some thing that I can get out of city by any means needed. And carry food, gas weapons etc.

Nothing to do with dick sizes. Ever seen the chaos of a hurricane on the populace, looting etc? Not pretty.

Was a joke about the dick size especially with two big trucks in a small indoor parking. I'm all for SHFT moments but my choice of vehicle would be a smaller SUV that was good on gas. Nothing against your choice and motives, just saying the pic is funny. I'm also starting something small with a friend to sell a decent bug out bag online, so I don't think your crazy or anything.

[quagmire]

Mushy brake pedal is normal I think. Depends on how mushy I guess. Our 2002 Suburbans brake pedal is a bit mushy.

[swanson]

nice truck

[templarklimek]

Originally Posted by Nkc

Was a joke about the dick size especially with two big trucks in a small indoor parking. I'm all for SHFT moments but my choice of vehicle would be a smaller SUV that was good on gas. Nothing against your choice and motives, just saying the pic is funny. I'm also starting something small with a friend to sell a decent bug out bag online, so I don't think your crazy or anything.

Sorry, my apologies.

[LSPowered]

It's only a $ pit if you make it one.

[templarklimek]

New full carpet front to back and seats redone in 2 tone leather. Also they are redoing the door panels with black leather inserts. 1800.00 for everything. but now im done.

[tcharged]

Nice truck! Good deal for $1800

[631twentyeighteye]

regarding suspension noises, you gotta remember its old school suspension that is bound to make more noise than any BMW, let alone any semi luxury brand. My 06 liberty that i lifted and worked to the gills made all sorts of fun drivetrain and suspension noises, but it was in 100% tip top shape mechanically.

[i001947]

I own a 07 Tahoe LTZ that I use as my DD. Love it for the things that it do best, hauling, home deport, kids, family stuff, basement projects, band music gear moving, college move in and out.

But the real question I have for you is: what is the point of spending money on a trunk other than repairs? A trunk functionally can't get any better that what it was already designed to do, which in the Tahoe case that's a hell of a lot things. If you truly want to do the off road thing, ok, maybe. But jacking (off) up a trunk just to show off with you friends really doesn't last long enough to justify the money. If you want a badass trunk, get a Hummer2.

[See5]

Just drive it. It'll be less of a money pit than any BMW at the same age and mileage.

[templarklimek]

The point of the truck is to have a flexible "bugout" vehicle that is a 4x4. In case of hurricanes(2 very bad ones in Houston) or other natural disasters. Civil unrest etc.. I want a vehicle that can handle those things or even a camping trip to the hill country.

I'm not into the "off road" scene at all. It's a tool for me.

[templarklimek]

Originally Posted by LSPowered

It's only a $ pit if you make it one.

Very good point!

[LSPowered]

Originally Posted by i001947

I own a 07 Tahoe LTZ that I use as my DD. Love it for the things that it do best, hauling, home deport, kids, family stuff, basement projects, band music gear moving, college move in and out.

But the real question I have for you is: what is the point of spending money on a trunk other than repairs? A trunk functionally can't get any better that what it was already designed to do, which in the Tahoe case that's a hell of a lot things. If you truly want to do the off road thing, ok, maybe. But jacking (off) up a trunk just to show off with you friends really does last long enough to justify the money. If you want a badass trunk, get a Hummer2.

LOL H1 or don't bother. H2 is not a real Hummer.

[P1]

Good for a beater, but bit crap that it has a 3" body lift on it. I would take that off.

[templarklimek]

I view the 3 inch lift kit as a useful upgrade, while again i'm not an off roader. I love my M3 and JCW mini. The 4x4 serves as a tool and extra ground clearance is helpful in flood type situations and such.

again, a tough vehicle that can carry gas, guns/ammo, food and whatever else is in your bugout kit to get away from the cities. Better safe than sorry. IMHO.

[IMG]

Nice truck....

[P1]

Originally Posted by templarklimek

I view the 3 inch lift kit as a useful upgrade, while again i'm not an off roader. I love my M3 and JCW mini. The 4x4 serves as a tool and extra ground clearance is helpful in flood type situations and such.

again, a tough vehicle that can carry gas, guns/ammo, food and whatever else is in your bugout kit to get away from the cities. Better safe than sorry. IMHO.

What on earth are you preparing for? The end of the world?

[templarklimek]

HAHA,

Look what happened in New Orleans during Katrina. Pure violence by those with and without a badge. If our delicate transport/food/power system goes down we have about 48 hrs worth of good before people go batshit and start harming and stealing from each other.

you can either bugout or bugin. Either way a glock and an M4 or mini14 is your bestfriend. 2 weeks food/water and some candles and your GTG. Not to mention rifle shooting is quite fun.