02Olds Slowly Changing the Rainier

02Olds

Original poster
Member
Dec 29, 2012
91
Well, Benny the Bravada has been gone for 6 months now, so I've begun the transformation of the AWD 2005 Buick Rainier.
Day I got it:
All stock inside and out.
48,000 miles
I thought it was an ugly ass truck with way too much chrome... So I put a spin on it.
DA9BED3A-6F6D-431D-8AF7-0423187B051F-321-0000001E202A94D5_zps55d1a2d1.jpg


First Mod:
Plasti-Dipped Wheels, trim, badges, and eyebrows.
D3A8F4CF-71B3-42CF-BFBD-2A58DA964DF1-3203-0000031B182490BD_zps5af8988b.jpg

E33E771B-E0FF-444F-BF99-CC2E688F7670-3203-0000031B2B86BD66_zps82c00e2b.jpg

184C21C6-946E-43C3-B8DA-FA29BEF488F6-3203-0000031B32E9EF48_zps06f7a4eb.jpg


Second Mod:
JVC KD-730BT, Alpine Type-R 5-1/4" components in the rear running off head unit power, Alpine Type-S 12" Sub to 1000watt Boss Amp. Kept Bose tweeters and door subs in the front running off the Bose amp. (Bose will be replaced soon!)
(Pictures and video will be uploaded shortly)

Third Mod:
Capacitor mod and 6000k HID's for fogs and lows.
437ad73e-3bba-4fe7-827b-e83a951b8d88_zpsed419e0d.jpg



Soon to Come:
Lowered with kit recommended by Norcal SS
Alpine 4 Chanel amp running door Alpine Type-R speakers.
Trashcan Delete
Roof Rack Removal
Tint Match Front Windows

Any suggestions for more? Let me know!
 

TollKeeper

Supporting Donor
Member
Dec 3, 2011
8,147
Brighton, CO
I will admit that the Rainier is the one of the least favorite of mine for this product line.. Althou, it is the one I originally bought, and returned 15 minutes later.

Have you thought about finding a Bravada in Pewter, and swapping out the front end sheetmetal/fascia?
 

02Olds

Original poster
Member
Dec 29, 2012
91
TollKeeper said:
I will admit that the Rainier is the one of the least favorite of mine for this product line.. Althou, it is the one I originally bought, and returned 15 minutes later.

Have you thought about finding a Bravada in Pewter, and swapping out the front end sheetmetal/fascia?

I have actually, but economically, it would be a poor decision, as I bought this Rainier with such few miles, and because of the condition and how well-maintained it is, I'd be losing resale value, which I'd like to keep high in case I decide to trade up for an SS. Also, on this vehicle, as opposed to the Bravada, Envoy, and Trailblazer, the rear end has the Buick placard above the lift gate. If I were to make a Bravada clone, I'd need the front end in it's entirety, the lift gate, and also all interior panels/steering wheel that had the Buick logo. Way too much work to turn a nearly perfect condition Rainier into a lesser valued vehicle. I'd love to do it some day, but as a college student, I'm about saving right now.

Currently, the Rainier has 59,000 miles on it and has ABSOLUTELY NO RUST, which is astonishing since it's been through 7 Buffalo winters.

I also love the head-turning ability of my Rainier, because there's plenty of these vehicles out here in this color, but nobody has theirs modified because the owners all have white hair. :rotfl:
 

Mooseman

Moderator
Dec 4, 2011
25,481
Ottawa, ON
I like the blacked out look. Just to add a bit of colour to the grill, maybe find an older style coloured 'tri-shield' emblem that would fit.
 

Attachments

  • Buick Emblem.jpg
    Buick Emblem.jpg
    21.3 KB · Views: 53

02Olds

Original poster
Member
Dec 29, 2012
91
Mooseman said:
I like the blacked out look. Just to add a bit of colour to the grill, maybe find an older style coloured 'tri-shield' emblem that would fit.

You just gave me an excellent Idea. I could put the blue, white, and red pieces behind the insignia in the middle to have them show through the one that's already there and add that style. I blacked out the middle logo instead of leaving it chrome, but I must agree, the old logo is definitely cool. I'll try it out and see how it goes!
 

Forum Statistics

Threads
23,391
Posts
638,753
Members
18,602
Latest member
Chris Moore

Members Online

No members online now.