Project Z-71

[BadChevyZ-71]

2001 Chevy Silverado LS 1500 Z-71
Engine- 5.3L

Most Current Photo:

Current Modifications:
37x13.5R17 Toyo Mud-Terrains
17x9 Incubus Off-Road Wheels
6" Pro-Comp Full-Drop Suspension Lift
3" Performance Accessories Body Lift
Torsion bars cranked just enough to level truck
Bilstein 5100 Shocks
1 in 2 out Flowmaster Exhaust
K&N Drop-In Air Filter
Line-X bedliner
Diamond Plate Toolbox
Bully Billet Grille
Painted Bowtie Black
Optima Yellow Top Battery
N-Fab Nerf Bars (Painted with Rustoleum Bedliner Spray)
Cobra 29 CB with Sound Tracker and Weather Channels
102" Whip Antenna with Chrome-Plated Spring Mount.
Cheap Sony Xplode CD Player
LEDs in cluster, map lights, dome light, door lights, floorboard lights, and license plate lights
2004 Chevy Tahoe Full Center Console (Painted black)
Rustoleum Bedliner spray front and rear bumpers, fender flares, fender liners, and nerf bars
Sylvania Silverstar Bulbs (9006)
Overhauled Transmission (New torque converter, master overhaul kit, new clutches, new steels and corvette servo)
Transgo HD2 Shift Kit
Tru-Cool Max Transmission Cooler
New Windshield
New Duralast Gold Alternator
New GM Right Front Window Regulator
AutoCraft Silver Battery - 800CCA
Idler Arm Bracket Welded and Reinforced

Next modifications I'm doing:
- Valve Cover Gaskets (Have part need to install)
- True-Dual Flowmaster 40s with new Stainless Steel Tips
- Cover King Tactical Seat Covers
- Volant Air Intake System
- 60" Hi-Lift Extreme Jack with Mounting Hardware
- 17x9 Steel Wheel for my Full-Size Spare
- 42" Curved Lightbar with Strobe Function
- (x2) LEDs Light Bars for the rear bumper
- GM 14 Bolt SF or FF with 6-lug adapters, 4.88 gears front and rear, and a locker (Not sure which locker yet)
- Black Bear Performance Tune




The beginning: When I first got the truck back in 2006.

First time mudding:

Woops:

After getting the shock mount fixed, I figured it was time to upgrade.....6" Pro-Comp Full-Drop Suspension Lift with MX6 Adjustable Shocks and Front Driveshaft.

Rear Done:

Eric (Another tech I worked with) helping me with the lift:

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

Front suspension and differential out

Going back together

Alignment

305 Goodyear Wrangler AT/S with 6" Pro-Comp Lift

Shortly after I picked up and install 35x12.5R16 Super Swamper SSR Radials

35" SSRs with 6" Pro-Comp Lift

Random fun times with the 35" SSRs:

At the beach with family (My brothers old lifted GMC next to mine and my cousins old burb next to his 2500)

Leaving the local mud hole after a day of fun

Playing at the local mud hole (lot of water this time)

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

After all the playing with the new lift and tires I ended up with this. Ended up putting a new radiator in and flushing the coolant system.

Cobra 29 CB with 102" Whip Antenna

After 4 years or so riding on the SSRs I finally wore them out and added some more to truck. The previous Christmas my mom had got me a 3" Performance Accessories Body Lift for my truck and now I had a good reason to put it on.

I also picked up (x4) 37x13.5R17 Toyo Mud-Terrains, (x4) 17x9 Incubus Off-Road Wheels, and some N-Fab Nerf Bars.

Worn 35" SSR on stock 16" wheels next to new 37" Toyo MT

Getting everything installed

After

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

So after getting the new tires, wheels, lift, and nerf bars put on I had to test it out. So I met up with another tech I work with and his wife and we went did a little trail riding in the Osceola National Forest.

Had a great time on the trails and the new tires performed great. Cruised the trails, played in a little mud and water, and even climbed over several down trees on the trail.

Just a picture I took of my truck as a storm was rolling in.

A show-n-shine event that a local Jeep club was putting on. Anyone can come, but it was mostly Jeeps. Still had fun showing off the truck and relaxing on the beach.

The show-n-shine happened to be on my birthday so later that day I picked up some LEDs for the interior. Big difference and a must do to any interior. Got to give them the big test when taking our usual trip to TN for Christmas break.

Before:

After:

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

Before:

After:

View from the drivers seat

Up in TN at my grandparents house. Cold, but no snow....yet.

Here comes the sleet and snow...

Packed up and heading back to FL.. Snow stayed on the truck for almost 3 hours/to the TN/GA line before melting completely off the truck

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

I still have a lot more to add, but I'll continue either tomorrow or sunday.

 

[MYT HI]

So clean. interested in more

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

Once it warmed back up again, I got back to work. The grill shell had seen better days so I figured it'd clean it up a little bit.

Before:

During:

After:

Next I decided to clean up the faided bumpers and fender flares. So I picked up several cans of Rustoleum bedliner spray. The previous pictures shows how the front bumper looked before.

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

Before:

After:

I also sprayed the fender liners too, but didn't take any pictures of those.

So I had noticed a difference in how my truck was driving and felt something was wrong with my suspension. Sure enough I had a blown shock. So I figured it was time to upgrade to something better.

Old Pro-Comp MX6 Shocks

New Bilstein 5100 Shocks

Yeah, I know....I need to clean up and paint my frame. It's on the to-do list.

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

So the lid on my fold down center console broke, which was my sign to pick up what I've been wanting and that's a full center console out of an 03'+ Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban. So off to the junkyard/u-pull it lot I went. Wrong color, but found one and for a lot cheaper than e-bay. After a little TLC I had it ready for install. I ended up cutting out one of the cubbys to fit my Cobra 29 CB. Fit nice and snug and can still hear it without an external speaker.

Truck torn apart

Console prepped and ready for paint

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

Check engine light has been coming on and going off and after checking trouble codes it needs knock sensors. So I picked up two GM knock sensors and intake gaskets. Got those replaced and used RTV sealant to go around the boots to help prevent water/moisture from getting to them. Also put in some new NGK V-Power spark plugs, A/C Delco plug wires, Imperial Severe Duty Fan Clutch, Moog Upper Control Arms with Ball Joints, and did an alignment.

Got the light to go off and the truck was running great and one day on my way home from work I noticed a tapping noise while driving, but it seemed to be under the seats. My friend came over, who also took mechanic classes at school with me, and after a little bit of diag the front driveshaft had just enough play in it to tap the shifter cable bracket on the transmission. I removed the front driveshaft and had it sent out to one of the local driveline shops to be inspected. Found out the CV Flange Yoke was bad and the u-joints weren't far behind. So I had them install a new CV Flange Yoke and three new u-joints. Brought it back home, cleaned it up, painted it, and re-installed it.

So being the only one in the family with a full size truck and plenty of tie-downs I'm always getting calls to help move stuff. Took this picture as I was helping family move bins out of a storage unit. 3 bins high, 3 bins wide, and 2 bins deep. No problem....

After 4-5 years of having the 37" Toyo Mud-Terrains. I didn't correct my alignment in time to save my two front tires. So I picked up (x4) more 37" Toyo Mud-Terrains and now have (x2) full size spares as soon as I get wheels for them.

After a nice storm passed by. That's my brothers WS6 behind my truck...it's mean too!

Then took this one the other day, while it was raining.

That's the build of my truck so far. I have lots planned for it so I'll try to update the thread as stuff is done to the truck. I'm also looking into possibly picking up an 01'-05' Chevy Tahoe 4x4 next year too, which will also be built up.

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

So October of last year, I started to notice slipping in 3rd and 4th gear and kept going in and out of OD. Wasn't bad, but being I was getting married on Dec.14th and was taking the truck to TN for our honeymoon, I had to get it fixed. So I got on Amazon and ordered some parts, went to wal-mart and picked up some parts, and then called a local transmission parts warehouse and picked up some parts, and even called GM and picked up some more parts!! I figured if I'm going to do this I'm going to do it right while it's out.

Parts I picked up:

Super Overhaul Kit with new clutches and steels
Corvette Servo
Transgo HD2 Shift Kit
Tru-Cool Max Transmission Cooler
Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil and Fram High Mileage Filter
Rain-X Wiper Blades

After I get the transmission out I'll have my torque converter swapped out for a new one and I'll pick up a new rear main seal and valve cover gaskets from GM.

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

After work, I got a repair order wrote up for my truck and brought it in. I then spent the next couple hours pulling the transmission out. The first couple hours I was working on my own, then my fiancee, my mom-in law, and father-in law came up to the dealership and brought me some bbq for dinner and waited till I finished it up. I took several pictures and then they took several pictures. I got the transmission out and on a stand and pushed the truck back outside. Also found out that transfer case fluid is nasty so it's getting flushed and the rear brake pads are worn down to about 15% life left so looks like I'll be doing those things too.

Oil Leak/Rear Main Seal:

Fighting with the torque converter bolts:

Transmission is out!

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

I dropped off my transmission with a GM Tech who has been doing GM transmission work for 15+ years. He pulled the transmission pan off real fast before I left. Fluid was clean, but you could see a little clutch material at the bottom of the pan, which I was expecting. So a couple days later he called me back and said he has it apart and recommends me replacing the input sprag due to how many miles I have on the truck. So Friday I picked up a new torque converter and an input sprag. If I get a chance I'm going to try and drop off the input sprag tomorrow at lunch. If all goes as planned I'm hoping to have my transmission back by the end of the week. I still have to get my transmission cooler installed, which is next on my to-do list. Along with pick up some new rear brake pads, rear main seal, and transfer case fluid.

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

Last Thursday I spent a couple hours after work removing the factory aux transmission cooler and installing the new Tru-Cool Transmission Cooler. I had spent an hour or so the day before looking at how other people had mounted their transmission coolers to get an idea. Friday, I pushed the truck back into the shop and got to work. I wanted to use the factory style fittings and factory transmission lines for the transmission cooler instead of the barbed fittings, hose, and hose clamps that came with the Tru-Cool Transmission Cooler. One of the transmission lines pretty much lined right up. I had to undo and move the other line a little farther to the outside for it to fit. Then I pulled my rear brakes apart turned the rotors and installed new pads. Rotated my tires in an “X” pattern and set the tire pressures. After that it was getting late so I called it a night. Saturday, I went back in a little after lunch. I re-sealed the cam sensor as oil was leaking past it. The GM tech who re-built my transmission said to check that before I put my transmission back as it can leak oil too and make it look like the rear main seal is leaking. Replaced my rear main seal and got started installing the transmission. A couple hours later I finished up. I also flushed the transfer case too as the fluid was nasty. This past Wednesday I went to double check my fluid level and check for leaks. Fluid was full but noticed a slight leak where the transmission line goes into the radiator. Pulled the line, pulled the fitting out of the radiator, inspected, and ended up replacing the o-ring seal that is inside the fitting the line snaps into. No leaks. Going to double check everything again tomorrow just to be sure. Truck runs great though. Going to do an alignment hopefully next week and hopefully order a new GPS. Anyways enough talk, here is a couple pictures I took.

Input Sprag and Torque Converter

Factory Aux Transmission Cooler (So small)

Removed

Little black paint clean up

Factory next to Tru-Cool

Tru-Cool Installed

Rear main seal, rear brake pads, gasket that goes between transmission and transfer case, new torque converter bolts, and fluid for the transfer case.

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

Tru-Cool with lines installed.

Camshaft sensor oily and dirty.

Before:

After:

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

Just purchased a Garmin Nuvi 2757LM. It has a nice 7" screen, lifetime map updates, and was rated 4-4.5/5 stars on several different websites. I had an older Garmin Nuvi, which was a great GPS, but with a small screen and maps from 2010 I figured it was time to upgrade. I'm busy this week due to Thanksgiving, but hopefully next week I'll do an alignment to my truck. After that the modifications will slow down till the beginning of the new year. I'm getting married Dec. 14th and will be taking two weeks for honeymoon/vacation so the truck will be seeing easily 1,000+ miles round trip. I'm sure I'll take pictures of my truck during the trip so I'll probably update this thread then too.

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

So the past couple weeks have been crazy. The weekend before my wedding I did an alignment to my truck (set the toe) and did the latest software and map updates to my new Garmin Nuvi GPS. The day before my wedding I spent a couple hours getting my truck all cleaned up and ready for the trip to TN.. Had an amazing wedding day, everything went real smooth, and it was just a blast! Now time for the honeymoon, we packed up the truck and took off to Pigeon Forge, TN. We rented a cabin on the side of the mountain. Everything went nice and smoothly on the way up other than I realized how bad I need to re-gear my truck when going through the mountains on I-40. So re-gearing got moved up on the list of modifications to do. Anyways, we stayed a couple days in the cabin, had an amazing view, nice and relaxing with little to no stress, which was nice. Headed back to FL on friday. Just in time for getting a Christmas tree and decorating the house with lights. Enough talk here are some pictures....

My new GPS!

New Garmin Nuvi 2757LM next to my old Garmin Nuvi 255w

Washing for the trip

Packed up and ready for the trip

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

Dec. 22-

Couple pictures from the trip....

Mountains in sight!

Going through the mountains on I-40

Bush's Baked Beans Visitor Center!

Our Cabin

Looking out the screened back porch at my truck

Our view of the mountains from the cabin

 

[BadChevyZ-71]

March 21, 2015-
Right after my honeymoon trip I was following a semi and had a rock or something fling back and put a nice small crack in my windshield. So I had my insurance take care of that and I ended up getting a new windshield for free. Man what a difference! Not long after that I noticed my charging/voltage going back and forth between 14v and like 9v then one time I even caught the battery light come on once. So I picked up a Duralast Gold Alternator with a nice warranty. Got it installed and runs like a champ now. I had a Bass Pro Shop card from that someone got us as a wedding gift. There isn't any Bass Pro Shops around me so I got online and ordered a Maglight Mount with part of the card. I've yet to install it, trying to figure out a good place to mount it. This past week I picked up a right front window regulator and both valve cover gaskets from GM. The right front window finally died, it'll roll down, but when rolling up it'll go about half way before I have to help it up. Also noticed my valve cover gaskets leaking so I'm replacing those too. Got a lot of work ahead of me, but now that it's warming up I'll be outside tinkering a lot more. Tomorrow I'm going to go look at an 04' Tahoe Z-71 to possibly add to the family. So we shall see how that ends up.

Enough talk here is a couple pictures...

Old Alternator

New Alternator

Quick picture of the 2004 Chevy Tahoe Z-71 I'm going to go look at tomorrow.