northcreek
Member
What did you do to your GMT today? [Part II]
- Thread starter Mooseman
- Start date
Yesterday, my 2003 TB went over the 180,000 mile mark. Runs super smooth. Hopefully I didn't just jinx the vehicle.
Blckshdw
Moderator
Since I had part of the dash still disassembled, decided to dig around and hunt for a screw that I dropped that fell in the gap at the front of the center console. Naturally, after getting the console out of the way, the screw was nowhere to be found, although I did find a few fuses, and other random things that had disappeared on me in the past.
The screw ended up slipping down the driver's side of that carpet insert, and wedged itself under the side of the floor mat
My sister's dog was supervising, and not very well. He mostly just napped there until I made noise, or put something on the seat near him. 
Also tried to reprogram the SWC module, since the track buttons were not changing the music on my phone. Still wasn't working after a couple of tries. Tapped the track buttons on the HU, and they don't control the phone. Damnit, that's a pain. Cleaned up a bit of wire management, bundled/taped together a few stragglers under the dash, and buttoned everything up.
The screw ended up slipping down the driver's side of that carpet insert, and wedged itself under the side of the floor mat
My sister's dog was supervising, and not very well. He mostly just napped there until I made noise, or put something on the seat near him. Also tried to reprogram the SWC module, since the track buttons were not changing the music on my phone. Still wasn't working after a couple of tries. Tapped the track buttons on the HU, and they don't control the phone. Damnit, that's a pain. Cleaned up a bit of wire management, bundled/taped together a few stragglers under the dash, and buttoned everything up.
We used the Trailblazer to pull the post pounder again. You just can't match it for meneuverabilty but the price was two flat tires from what looks like nail punctures. God damned old farms and garbage that some of those old archaic people leave lying around. She's up on blocks and looks like a rez rocket right now.
Beacon
Member
Blckshdw
Moderator
During the morning commute, I noticed my passenger side HID was out. Toggled the headlight switch, and it did flicker, but went right back out. Remembered I had an old bulb laying around, so swapped that in when I got home. Can't quite say good as new, can't remember how old they are, so may be time to order a new pair just because.
Was able to remove the air filter and cover, and get easy access to the bulb, so no removing the grille. Wouldn't have been as lucky with the battery on the other side.
Was able to remove the air filter and cover, and get easy access to the bulb, so no removing the grille. Wouldn't have been as lucky with the battery on the other side.
gmcman
Member
- Dec 12, 2011
- 4,673
I figured since I have all the seats and console out, might as well keep going...lol.
Was going to wait till the warm weather anyway to repair the sunroof to help avoid broken plastic pieces during R&R.
Wasn't too difficult once the assembly was removed, took a couple hours.
All is good, cleaned out the old grease, re-greased and installed the Sunroof Doctor kit, new glass seal also.
Ready for re-install and reattaching the freaking headliner.
Was going to wait till the warm weather anyway to repair the sunroof to help avoid broken plastic pieces during R&R.
Wasn't too difficult once the assembly was removed, took a couple hours.
All is good, cleaned out the old grease, re-greased and installed the Sunroof Doctor kit, new glass seal also.
Ready for re-install and reattaching the freaking headliner.
seeing that makes me glad I don't have a sunroof.......
Also seeing a car pull up to the gas pump in a rainstorm - guy gets out with a roll of duct tape and applies it all around the sunroof
Also seeing a car pull up to the gas pump in a rainstorm - guy gets out with a roll of duct tape and applies it all around the sunroof
gmcman
Member
- Dec 12, 2011
- 4,673
What's wrong with duct tape? I have 2 rolls of black duct tape....lolseeing that makes me glad I don't have a sunroof.......
Also seeing a car pull up to the gas pump in a rainstorm - guy gets out with a roll of duct tape and applies it all around the sunroof
While a sunroof could be nice a couple times a year, I have no desire for one.
When I Iooked for this Envoy back in 02, I waited until June/July/August to get the late model 02. My criteria was:
SLT, 4WD, and 4:10 gears, and no sunroof, but the first 3 choices were trump cards.
I could not find one without a sunroof. It didn't get used much, but the tracks had solidified grease and that was surely the culprit. Had I paid attention to it maybe this could be avoided.
Seems no matter what model SUV you get now, it has a sunroof, or, basically a full glass roof.
I honestly don't see the lure but to each their own.
coolride
Member
coolride
Member
Matt
Member
- Dec 2, 2011
- 4,039
Drove 888 miles and nothing went wrong...see here: https://gmtnation.com/forums/threads/what-are-you-doing-today-part-ii.21812/page-16#post-620944
flyboy2610
Member
Friday I got 4 new Firestone Destination AT/2's. I went from stock 245/75R17's to 265/70R17's, so I had to put spacers on it. I also installed a leveling kit (2" front, 1" rear) at the end of June.
Yesterday I took it for a 10 mile drive, came home and checked the torque on the spacers, then went out and put 65 miles on it on I-80. No real road noise and handles nicely!
Yesterday I took it for a 10 mile drive, came home and checked the torque on the spacers, then went out and put 65 miles on it on I-80. No real road noise and handles nicely!
Had some weird bump steer going on..
Took it back to Firestone to have it aligned, for the 3rd time in a year, and its better, but still not quite right..
Not sure what else to do really. Either I am just being sensitive to the front end rebuild I did on it last October. Its just different. Seems to bottom out on the front easier, and its just not as smooth.
I might see if I have to track down some new Bilsteins.
Took it back to Firestone to have it aligned, for the 3rd time in a year, and its better, but still not quite right..
Not sure what else to do really. Either I am just being sensitive to the front end rebuild I did on it last October. Its just different. Seems to bottom out on the front easier, and its just not as smooth.
I might see if I have to track down some new Bilsteins.
gmcman
Member
- Dec 12, 2011
- 4,673
I just finished my repair after months of waiting, honestly was worth it. The hardest part was the headliner.
Sunroof Doctor has a nice kit...if that's all that is wrong with it.
flyboy2610
Member
Mike534x
Member
- Apr 9, 2012
- 1,019
Just filled her up with gas. After being parked for nearly a month, I was pleasantly surprised to see how easy she started without hesitation. Then opened it up on the highway for a bit, it was nice out so it was great to finally have strength to leave the house for a bit and enjoy the weather.
Cleaned up and mini detail on the Avy and she's up for sale.
www.kijiji.ca
And welcomed the new ride to the herd.
Kijiji - Buy, Sell & Save with Canada's #1 Local Classifieds
Visit Kijiji Classifieds to buy, sell, or trade almost anything! New and used items, cars, real estate, jobs, services, vacation rentals and more virtually anywhere.
www.kijiji.ca
And welcomed the new ride to the herd.
Mike534x
Member
- Apr 9, 2012
- 1,019
That thing is sharp! I love that shade of grey, and the black wheels really make that thing pop.
gmcman
Member
- Dec 12, 2011
- 4,673
Suh-weet!Cleaned up and mini detail on the Avy and she's up for sale.
Kijiji - Buy, Sell & Save with Canada's #1 Local Classifieds
Visit Kijiji Classifieds to buy, sell, or trade almost anything! New and used items, cars, real estate, jobs, services, vacation rentals and more virtually anywhere.
And welcomed the new ride to the herd.
View attachment 101863
Love that color also! Looks like you have your towing issues covered.
Nice truck bud...congrats.
Matt
Member
- Dec 2, 2011
- 4,039
littleblazer
Member
- Jul 6, 2014
- 9,267
On the TB? Drove it because she's still turn key... my baby. For the Colorado? Oil change and I jokingly asked my buddy about trading it on the 2020 LTZ minimax 1500 sitting on the showroom floor. (I call the 2.8 the babymax lol) Long story short I wouldn't have had to make up much difference.... Now if I could swap a GMT800 seat in it I'd be in business... 
All kidding aside, I have pushed the colorado way beyond its design parameters... I can say pretty confidently there is a wide margin of safety on most those parts lol. Heck I've exceeded what most 1500s can/should do. And looking back that wasn't such a great idea but we'll see what happens. Only 160k to catch the TB.
All kidding aside, I have pushed the colorado way beyond its design parameters... I can say pretty confidently there is a wide margin of safety on most those parts lol. Heck I've exceeded what most 1500s can/should do. And looking back that wasn't such a great idea but we'll see what happens. Only 160k to catch the TB.
Saturday..
Took it to the drive thru car wash, and then to my cousins house so they could meet the new little baby.
Heard some banging in the back when I got on the interstate, but she was driving ok..
Got to the cousins house, and the 3rd brake light is handing by the wires. Mounting studs are broken off, and still in the tailgate.
Sunday..
Luckily I had bought that tailgate off that XUV last year, and it had a good 3rd brake light. Swapped it out, confirmed function.
Gave it a Oil Change while I was in there. Last time it was done was Septermber 2020.
Done.
Took it to the drive thru car wash, and then to my cousins house so they could meet the new little baby.
Heard some banging in the back when I got on the interstate, but she was driving ok..
Got to the cousins house, and the 3rd brake light is handing by the wires. Mounting studs are broken off, and still in the tailgate.
Sunday..
Luckily I had bought that tailgate off that XUV last year, and it had a good 3rd brake light. Swapped it out, confirmed function.
Gave it a Oil Change while I was in there. Last time it was done was Septermber 2020.
Done.
And of course.. The wife just calls me to tell me that she thinks her truck needs an oil change. Why she couldnt tell me that yesterday!
Dadwagon
Member
My Buick finally threw up a "change thermostat now" CEL after a few months of temps staying around 185 all the time, so it was time to replace the thermostat. Removing the alternator is such a pain in the rear, that lower bolt is frustrating and everything is in the way. No bleeding involved during this project, though, and temps are back up to 201 after refilling coolant and bleeding the air out of the system. How long does it take for the system to "drink" up all it needs from the reservoir and find a happy neutral point?
About a week normally. Depending on driving habits, and how much you drive.
flyboy2610
Member
I had to replace the thermostat on the wife's '06 TB a few weeks back. Got the alternator out OK. I have a battery booster/jump start pack and an OBDII connector for it, so I plugged that in and removed the battery first. Makes getting the alternator out much easier. While they were out I decided to replace both of them, as I have no idea how old the alternator is, and the battery had a few years on it. Getting that bottom bolt back into pace on the new alternator was a PAIN! There's not a lot of room to work down there! I could feel the lower bolt go into the hole in the engine block, bu it just wouldn't "catch" to start threading! I finally pulled the fan clutch out so I would have room to work on it.
I think if I had to do it again I would just pull the fan clutch out to start with.
Why am I the only one that doesn't have problems with that alternator bolt? However, I've done it so many times, I could do it blindfolded.
Yesterday, while it was cold with a Scotch mist and drizzle falling, I installed the running boards, or rather steps, on the Sierra. Got them on Amazon a lot cheaper than the boring regular OEM flat boards (just under $500 instead of $1200). Now the Mrs can actually get in without having a workout.
And today, the floor liners and splash guards I ordered on Friday came in at the dealer. Picked them up and installed them as soon as I got home. Really different for the guards, not like the old trucks where it was just a flap of rubber. These are molded plastic that integrates into the fender flare. Kinda nice but I'm not too fussy about being made of plastic. Could be breakable in the cold. I REALLY didn't like having to drill a hole in my brand new sheetmetal for the rear ones. Had to use some paint to protect it from rust. However the fronts had a hole already there for it. Why could they do that for the rear?!? Forgot to get pics of them. Next time
Put in the armrest storage compartment organizer I received yesterday from Amazon. Even works with the lockable storage.
Yesterday, while it was cold with a Scotch mist and drizzle falling, I installed the running boards, or rather steps, on the Sierra. Got them on Amazon a lot cheaper than the boring regular OEM flat boards (just under $500 instead of $1200). Now the Mrs can actually get in without having a workout.
And today, the floor liners and splash guards I ordered on Friday came in at the dealer. Picked them up and installed them as soon as I got home. Really different for the guards, not like the old trucks where it was just a flap of rubber. These are molded plastic that integrates into the fender flare. Kinda nice but I'm not too fussy about being made of plastic. Could be breakable in the cold. I REALLY didn't like having to drill a hole in my brand new sheetmetal for the rear ones. Had to use some paint to protect it from rust. However the fronts had a hole already there for it. Why could they do that for the rear?!? Forgot to get pics of them. Next time
Put in the armrest storage compartment organizer I received yesterday from Amazon. Even works with the lockable storage.
cornchip
Member
- Jan 6, 2013
- 638
Eric04
Member
X3. I've had to pull it a couple times and it ain't even close to being a PITA. And I have a belly and sausage fingers.
Eric04
Member
Just wanna toss out an official thank you for all the fine truck porn, Moose.
Showed off the Avy to a possible buyer. Have a nibble but hemming and hawing over $1000. I was asking $12k, offered $10k and I held firm at $11k. I paid $13k for it a year ago and put a ton of money and repairs in it. That's my limit.
Matt
Member
- Dec 2, 2011
- 4,039
Previously I said I was going to the local Pull-a-part to look for a new sunglass holder but ended up gluing mine back together...it broke again yesterday.
So I went to said Pull-a-part and got a "new" one. There were 4 to choose from but only one that wasn't yellow from nicotine. This one looks like it was barely used.
So I went to said Pull-a-part and got a "new" one. There were 4 to choose from but only one that wasn't yellow from nicotine. This one looks like it was barely used.
flyboy2610
Member
Backed Snowball up onto the patio and put the rear end up on jack stands. I plan to replace the rear differential cover tomorrow, I bought a new one and painted it. Needless to say (but I will anyway) I'm going to change the fluid as well. Before removing the cover, I'll double check that the fill plug will come out, but that shouldn't be a problem as it easily came out the last time I checked the fluid level. Next Saturday I'll do the same thing to the wife's '06 TB.
Here a pic of Snowball, taken 9-25-21, the day after he got new 265/70R17 Firestone Destination AT/2's. Those aren't stock tires, they're about 2" larger in diameter. To accommodate them he got a 2" front, 1" rear leveling kit and 1-1/2" BORA aluminum wheel spacers. I love the way this thing rides!
Here a pic of Snowball, taken 9-25-21, the day after he got new 265/70R17 Firestone Destination AT/2's. Those aren't stock tires, they're about 2" larger in diameter. To accommodate them he got a 2" front, 1" rear leveling kit and 1-1/2" BORA aluminum wheel spacers. I love the way this thing rides!
Dadwagon
Member
This is the second time I've had the alternator out. It's getting that bottom bolt out that is hard for me, putting it back in is a much easier process. Just feels like it's a hair away from stripping the bolt so I go super slow.
The coolant reservoir sucked down about an inch and a half so far and I'm finally getting proper heater function. Before the A/C system would chill you to the bone when the temp was set to 75.
Finished replacing all the bushings on the right front suspension. Saved a lot of money over buying new control arms and brackets, but it was an ordeal.
There was a casualty of the job:
Tightening the front bracket bolt to "more than 195ft/lbs" with a long pipe on the end - it just couldn't take it. RIP - it survived several decades and many cars until the trailblazer killed it
Next side will be done with the Harbor Freight lifetime warranty tool. Will it survive? - stay tuned to find out.
I see a design flaw in the HFT tool and I suspect it may suffer a similar fate.
There was a casualty of the job:
Tightening the front bracket bolt to "more than 195ft/lbs" with a long pipe on the end - it just couldn't take it. RIP - it survived several decades and many cars until the trailblazer killed it
Next side will be done with the Harbor Freight lifetime warranty tool. Will it survive? - stay tuned to find out.
I see a design flaw in the HFT tool and I suspect it may suffer a similar fate.
flyboy2610
Member
flyboy2610
Member
I got the rear differential cover changed and the fluid replaced. Not too bad of a job.
Looks yummy, doesn't it?
Looks yummy, doesn't it?
Eric04
Member
I put new shoes on the old horse. I wasn't planning on Michelins but Costco had $150 off a set, which made them about the same as anything else. 