02 Envoy DIY Build

[paulcmartin]

I've been using all of the things I have learned on here to mod my truck. I'll post more as I do the projects. My list of mods include:
Nightshade Taillights
Plastidip emblems
plastidip whole grille
Plastidip black lower grille vent (it's hard to see even when you are looking straight at it since my voy is polo green. But it's the front bumper lower vent under the license plate. I taped it off and did it flat black.)
painted engine bay
painted stock exaust flat black (going to remove that dang trash can soon)
replace factory speakers with Kenwood 2 ways
K&N drop in filter
removed door panel molding
removed roof rack
plasti dip wheels black
painted calipers yellow
removed black pillar molding
color matched rear view mirror caps
used ultimate compound and restored faded paint
as well as the regular maintenance what's the point of it looking good if it runs like crap.

Future Mods
Belltech Stage 2 Lowering kit (already got a deal on it since I'm in the auto industry :wootwoot:
22" cadillac escalade wheels with GMC center caps (WAAAYYYYYY in the future)
New Kenwood double din head unit
12" sub & amp
Headlight mod ( black housing with one coat of nightshade on orange turn signals)
Resonator delete
HID Upgrade
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I need to get some updated pictures of the whole truck since I've worked on it. You may notice gun metal grey wheels, those are gone as well as the plastidipped hood stripes.

 

[Ryda55555]

Looks like the mod bug got you pretty good lol looking good

 

[mikeinDE]

your ride is looking good man!!

(I can't wait to see it when you get those 22"s)

 

[ConeKilrAutoX]

I've been using all of the things I have learned on here to mod my truck. I'll post more as I do the projects. My list of mods include:
Nightshade Taillights
Plastidip emblems
plastidip whole grille
Plastidip black lower grille vent (it's hard to see even when you are looking straight at it since my voy is polo green. But it's the front bumper lower vent under the license plate. I taped it off and did it flat black.)
painted engine bay
painted stock exaust flat black (going to remove that dang trash can soon)
replace factory speakers with Kenwood 2 ways
K&N drop in filter
removed door panel molding
removed roof rack
plasti dip wheels black
painted calipers yellow
removed black pillar molding
color matched rear view mirror caps
used ultimate compound and restored faded paint
as well as the regular maintenance what's the point of it looking good if it runs like crap.

Future Mods
Belltech Stage 2 Lowering kit (already got a deal on it since I'm in the auto industry :wootwoot:
22" cadillac escalade wheels with GMC center caps (WAAAYYYYYY in the future)
New Kenwood double din head unit
12" sub & amp
Headlight mod ( black housing with one coat of nightshade on orange turn signals)
Resonator delete
HID Upgrade

LOOKING AWESOME MAN!!!!! I LIKE IT

 

[paulcmartin]

Most updated pictures from last night. The pics I had up top are older. Just two toned my front door panels last night but not happy with it. Plasti dip sucks, going to peel it off and paint it the right way.
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[xtitan1]

Most updated pictures from last night. The pics I had up top are older. Just two toned my front door panels last night but not happy with it. Plasti dip sucks, going to peel it off and paint it the right way.
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Looking totally awesome. Love the choice of blacking the rims with yellow calipers. The deletes make it have really sleek lines too. What model Kenwood headunit?

 

[paulcmartin]

I'm looking at the KENWOOD DPX-500BT, check the link out here. At one point I wanted to do a touch screen. But I like this style more, I'm not building an audio machine so I'd rather put my money into other areas of the build.
FRYS.com | KENWOOD

 

[xtitan1]

I'm looking at the KENWOOD DPX-500BT, check the link out here. At one point I wanted to do a touch screen. But I like this style more, I'm not building an audio machine so I'd rather put my money into other areas of the build.
FRYS.com | KENWOOD

I think that's probably wise. I splurged on mine and its cool and all but compared to other stuff I could have gotten with the same amount of money? Make sure you go look at that at Crutchfield as they let you put in what vehicle it's for and will tell you if you need any harness or adapters. Also make sure to buy from an authorized dealer so you get warranty and support from Kenwood.

 

[paulcmartin]

Tonight's upgrade, I've started my two tone interior project. I'm using Vinyl & fabric duplicolor paint. I took the door panels off as well as all of the accents. Then I cleaned it really thorough with hot soapy water. After it was done drying I went over it with rubbing alcohol (*the proper way is to use wax and grease remover but I went to two stores and couldn't find it. I was burning daylight since I work till five and have an hour commute home, so I had to settle...) After that I taped it off and did 4 light coats on everything. The plastic button accent I sanded down with 400 grit just to be safe since it's plastic. But the rest I just cleaned real well. It still looks wet in this picture since it was just dry enough to reinstall so I can go to bed and I notice the overspray in this picture. I cleaned it off already with some q tips and acetone. I guess I should have taken another picture but oh well. I plan to do the two rear like this probably tomorrow & the center dash (my trim is the carbon fiber look, but all of the tan is going black. ) then eventually a few pieces on the dash as well. I don't know, the dash is negotiable right now.
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[noxcuse]

Tonight's upgrade, I've started my two tone interior project. I'm using Vinyl & fabric duplicolor paint. I took the door panels off as well as all of the accents. Then I cleaned it really thorough with hot soapy water. After it was done drying I went over it with rubbing alcohol (*the proper way is to use wax and grease remover but I went to two stores and couldn't find it. I was burning daylight since I work till five and have an hour commute home, so I had to settle...) After that I taped it off and did 4 light coats on everything. The plastic button accent I sanded down with 400 grit just to be safe since it's plastic. But the rest I just cleaned real well. It still looks wet in this picture since it was just dry enough to reinstall so I can go to bed and I notice the overspray in this picture. I cleaned it off already with some q tips and acetone. I guess I should have taken another picture but oh well. I plan to do the two rear like this probably tomorrow & the center dash (my trim is the carbon fiber look, but all of the tan is going black. ) then eventually a few pieces on the dash as well. I don't know, the dash is negotiable right now.
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good job man

 

[paulcmartin]

Ok, the two tone project is coming along now, before it got dark tonight I was able to do one rear door and the instrument cluster molding. I'll finish the doors off in the morning and I'll post some finished pics. I'm trying to stay away from the traditional things people paint on their dashes like the passenger airbag cover etc. I'm trying to do more subtle things. I think the instrument cluster trim was an awesome touch, really happy with how this is going.
Instrument cluster molding from tan to black
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[paulcmartin]

I got up nice and early this morning to finish off my door panels. It came out great, I have to like it because it's like that for the life of the Envoy haha.
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[paulcmartin]

Just finished working on two toning my dash. I did the driver/ center & passenger air vents. Also the instrument cluster panel. Looks good in my opinion, I'm up in the air about doing the passenger air bag cover right now. I don't know if it will look good. It already looks good so I don't know if I want to mess it up.
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[paulcmartin]

so I ended up painting my passenger air bag cover. I said I wouldn't, but i did. haha. I wanted to give some finished pictures that would show how it all looks when it's done. Not sure what else I could paint besides the glove box, but I like that tan. I think I'm done....for now. You know how it is haha
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[Ryda55555]

Should try the steering wheel airbag too
But looks good breaks everything up and makes it less boring and plain

 

[paulcmartin]

I agree with the steering wheel, but not the whole cover. I'm thinking about doing the GMC logo on the wheel in black or red vinyl. Probably black since I still have half a can of that left & it will keep the theme going.

 

[paulcmartin]

It took five minutes :wootwoot: , I like it, I'm the only one that's ever going to notice it anyways. But definitely an easy mod, one that should have a thread. I saw one chevy tb that did this. But all I did was surround the area with some painters tape and let there be a little overspray. Then I touched up with acetone. Really simple.
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[paulcmartin]

I got both my cornering lights working. They haven't worked in years. I finally broke down & bought some silver star bright bulbs and one worked and the other....WASN'T WIRED IN??? It looks like at some point the bumper was removed and the wiring pulled right out of the cornering light socket So I began the part hunt...average price was around 60 bucks. I didn't have enough wire to splice back together so I got clever. I used wire cutters to cut away some of the hard plastic *useless casing. Then I stripped the wire & spliced it back together. Not ideal fix but nobody will ever see it. And I used water proof tape and taped...and taped...and taped so the whole socket was enclosed. Now they both work. 10 bucks well spent.
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[paulcmartin]

Last night I set out to finally fix my brakes. I installed 4 new pads about a year ago, I also flushed all of the brake fluid out & refilled it and bleed them roughly 2 months ago. I broke them in the right way...but after a few weeks they squealed like no other. I've never had this happen (I've also never bought pads from O-Reilly) I took them out and cleaned them & reapplied synthetic brake grease, I also took 200g sandpaper and sanded the pads so they were nice and smooth. Then I added that brake caliper quiet stuff (I was determined to get rid of this squealing.) It fixed about 95% of the sound. Which is a big jump from nails on a chalk board to just a small whine when I begin to depress the brakes, then it goes away. At least it's finally handled, this has been a year of misery everytime I braked. And if you decide to paint your calipers, you better have quiet brakes...otherwise people will laugh.
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[paulcmartin]

So my plan this afternoon was to mod my headlights, black housing with one coat of nightshade on the orange lens to give it that slightly dark orange look. However, I have no pictures to show you. I baked my headlights about 5 times and sawed that epoxy with a steak knife. I don't know who makes this epoxy, but I want some for my tool drawer. I found out that aftermarket headlights can be baked open, OEM cannot. I finally gave up after an hour and a half of trying to get one light open. I'm going to have to wait till monday when I can get back into my shop at work and borrow a cut off wheel. I'll cut it open and do the work on my lunch break. Then I'll stay after and finish the job. I'll keep the forum posted.

 

[paulcmartin]

Photoshop of roughly how the headlights will look on my GMC, I like it. It furthers the color scheme I'm going for. Black/ green exterior. This is going to be a long weekend, don't think I ever looked forward to going to work on monday before.
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[paulcmartin]

New OEM headlights are coming in today. Mine were so oxidized that no cutting compound/ headlight restore kit would work. Going to be happy to get them replaced.

 

[paulcmartin]

after installing new headlights, I saw a chance for a whole new look for the front end. I did the GMC grill emblem mod. Really happy with it. My truck looks totally different after doing these two things.
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[Playsinsnow]

Looks good! only because you mentioned it, any time frame on the belltech shocks? Only pics I see of the belltechs are with plus size wheels

 

[paulcmartin]

The belltech should have happened already. I have a company that sells it & we have a partnership. they were going to give them to me at there cost. Unfortunately a 1000 dollar repair (rear fuse box) happened and zapped my savings. Now I'm still trying to recover. Plus holidays are coming, I don't think it will happen until january 2014 at least. So bummed, because I need to get that done before I will do my wheels & tires.

 

[paulcmartin]

just repainted my calipers green. I'll post pictures when it's light out and I can get a better picture.

 

[paulcmartin]

I like the green calipers on my polo green Envoy.
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[Playsinsnow]

I like the green calipers on my polo green Envoy.
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I love that color, both colors actually. Does that shade have a name? You have d/s rotors? That would look bada$$ with the green calipers

 

[paulcmartin]

it's rustoleum Engine Enamel, Grabber Green. I would love some d/s rotors. That would be nice.

 

[paulcmartin]

I haven't updated my build in a little while, so I wanted to update on something I was really happy with. I used krylon yellow glass stain to create yellow fogs. What's really cool is, the stain makes the light a functional yellow. I did the same prep procedure as the VHT nightshade taillights. I did this for two reasons, first and foremost is because we have crazy fog where I live in the morning. So yellow lights will make me more visible. And two, because not many GMT owners have them & it looks cool. I'll let you guys be the judge, but I'm happy with how they turned out. Not a bad mod for 8 bucks.
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[paulcmartin]

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Thought I should show how good it looks with the fog lights on. Now I need to get the phillips super white fog lights. I was putting off buying them since they are almost fifty bucks.

 

[paulcmartin]

And here's a daylight shot of the yellow fog lights
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[paulcmartin]

Ok, I blew all my spare cash & now I'm broke for two weeks. But I think it was worth it, I installed a DP Audio 6.2" touchscreen dvd/stereo $140 on sale at Frys plus 85 install, 20 for adapter & 60 for wiring. On a side note, it's illegal to play a dvd unless the hand brake is on. So I tipped the installer 15 and removed that feature. I would never watch a movie while driving, but for those long drives, my passenger can enjoy a movie and I can listen. I also did the hatch handle delete & added a two way usb adapter. Took my low tech 02 and caught up to 2014. I would like to install a rear backup camera, but we shall see. That would probably be a ton of money and I would never even look at it when I back up haha.
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[paulcmartin]

Well the LED bug has me, I replaced my license plate lights due to a dim bulb and come to find out....it's not the bulb! Going to check it with a multi meter when it stops raining then go from there. I figured while I'm back there if I'm going to invest time and money into fixing the problem, I might as well get some 194 plug n play led bulbs. Then I started looking into the interior as well. My LP lights come in on tuesday, so I will install those and if I'm happy with them I will go from there. I will keep everyone posted. Also I heard that once you remove the LP light covers you run the risk of letting moisture in since the cover is technically sealed with an adhesive. What is the best way to reseal without permanently sticking the cover to the frame?

 

[paulcmartin]

The led mod bug has me. Just got new license plate bulbs for five bucks. Going to put the interior lights on order tomorrow.

 

[TexazReece]

Nice headunit and I'm also getting my headunit changed out but getting all the adapters and harnesses bit by bit. The rear-view cam wouldn't be expensive at all. Check out this thread http://gmtnation.com/f23/back-up-camera-installation-w-pics-7140/I think this will point you in the right direction. Some backup cameras can be found for around $13.00

 

[NinjuhhNutz]

Holy mod bug! Dude, you didn't get bitten, you have an infestation!
I like it so far! the calipers are a bit too loud for my style, but they look good regardless

 

[paulcmartin]

Holy mod bug! Dude, you didn't get bitten, you have an infestation!
I like it so far! the calipers are a bit too loud for my style, but they look good regardless

haha, majority of people stare at my calipers. I didnt' want to do red though because Green plus red looks too christmasy. I did yellow at one point but got kinda sick of that color really quick.

 

[paulcmartin]

I installed the LED reverse lights. Still waiting for my led fogs and hid hi n low beams
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[paulcmartin]

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