Need Opinions - Stuff For My 2004 GMC 2500HD

[Backlash]

I know the feeling! I have zero car payments and the enjoy working on cars, so for me it's an easy choice.

 

[BigRedBryan]

I know the feeling! I have zero car payments and the enjoy working on cars, so for me it's an easy choice.

View attachment 1175797

Yep, that is a great feeling! I just got my interior all redone after it got stolen by some shitbags. Next this week is a complete drivetrain service and new tires.

 

[sintax]

Here is the list of what I have repaced so far:

* Radiator, hoses and thermostat
* Powersteering pump and cooler
* Hydroboost
* AC system complete and actuator door
assemblies.
* Water pump
* Serpentine Belt and tensioner
* Brakes and rotors all around
* Tires and new GMC center caps.
*Tie Rods, inner and outer
*Pitman arm and Idler arm
*Upper and lower control arms with ball joints and bushings.
*Shocks
* Added Tow Mirrors

I still have a little play in my steering, so will try adjusting the lash. If that doesn't work, I will replace the gear box.

Now I might as well change out all the lights, the Gear box, and a preemptive fuel pump replacement. Good lord. I guess I am committed for life to the old beater. LOL.

Your list is looking like my ToDo!

Thermostats stuck open on the way to the river on Friday. So I ordered up some AC Delco replacements from Rock. I also jumped on the Mishimoto Black Friday sale and grabbed a set of silicone hoses for it. I wanted to do a coolant and hose swap anyways since I’m at 140k now on my 07 Classic.

The one I’ve been putting off is rebuilding my front end.

I have a 2010 OEM hydroboost unit on my shelf, just waiting on some downtime

 

[BigRedBryan]

Your list is looking like my ToDo!

Thermostats stuck open on the way to the river on Friday. So I ordered up some AC Delco replacements from Rock. I also jumped on the Mishimoto Black Friday sale and grabbed a set of silicone hoses for it. I wanted to do a coolant and hose swap anyways since I’m at 140k now on my 07 Classic.

The one I’ve been putting off is rebuilding my front end.

I have a 2010 OEM hydroboost unit on my shelf, just waiting on some downtime

Make sure you check your water pump while you have all the coolant and hoses out of the way.

 

[Backlash]

Make sure you check your water pump while you have all the coolant and hoses out of the way.

At that point I would just replace it for peace of mind. $100 or less. No sense in not doing it.

 

[sintax]

At that point I would just replace it for peace of mind. $100 or less. No sense in not doing it.

Make sure you check your water pump while you have all the coolant and hoses out of the way.

Solid point, I’ll grab one.

 

[BigRedBryan]

At that point I would just replace it for peace of mind. $100 or less. No sense in not doing it.

Delco has gone up unfortunately in price, but yeah it's definitely worth doing, the worst part about that job is the LBZ fan and shroud.

 

[bowtiejunkie]

Here is the list of what I have repaced so far:

* Radiator, hoses and thermostat
* Powersteering pump and cooler
* Hydroboost
* AC system complete and actuator door
assemblies.
* Water pump
* Serpentine Belt and tensioner
* Brakes and rotors all around
* Tires and new GMC center caps.
*Tie Rods, inner and outer
*Pitman arm and Idler arm
*Upper and lower control arms with ball joints and bushings.
*Shocks
* Added Tow Mirrors

I still have a little play in my steering, so will try adjusting the lash. If that doesn't work, I will replace the gear box.

Now I might as well change out all the lights, the Gear box, and a preemptive fuel pump replacement. Good lord. I guess I am committed for life to the old beater. LOL.

In 2008/2009, I put what amounted to $6k into a 1997 S-10 repairing/replacing suspension/manual transmission/new GM ZQ8 wheels/tires/brakes/radiator/AC Compressor. Even pulled the engine to fix the rear main seal leak. It was my work commuter which scored me auto mileage. Ran it until late 2017 or about 70k miles, then bought a new commuter. I never regretted dumping that coin into it.

You have a nice truck. Definitely worth putting money into considering the cost of a new one.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

I have had them on about a year now. I really like them. Noise is subjective, but to me they aren't noisy at all (but I have always run mudders on my trucks). I don't notice any difference in noise from the all season tires tires that were on the truck when I bought it. For me, I would definitely buy them again.

I haven't driven in mud, sand, or snow yet. I am curious to see how they do.

I have Toyo AT3 on my Yukon. It sees quite a bit of snow and it just eats it up. Very surefooted.

I carry chains in the winter (so cal mountains) but have only been forced to chain up by caltrans and never needed chains with these tires otherwise.

As for lights, if you have gotten the headlights clear or replaced them, I’d recommend going Diode Dynamics or Precision LED for some bulb options for low, high and fog if you do a lot of driving on unlit roads/highways. It’s not just more light but more light where it needs to be and not where it doesn’t. (Note LEDs are not DOT approved in low beams, but the right ones are simply brighter without violating the light pattern of stock). GM headlights perpetually suck at putting out good light.

 

[Racey]

Oh, and thanks for noticing. LOL.

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You can buy replacement headlights for super cheap for those years. Like under 200 for all the lights in the front. Polishing them never lasts as the scratch coating is gone once they're polished

 

[Havasu blue label]

You can buy replacement headlights for super cheap for those years. Like under 200 for all the lights in the front. Polishing them never lasts as the scratch coating is gone once they're polished

Dealer price under 400 upper and lower lights

 

[hman442]

You can buy replacement headlights for super cheap for those years. Like under 200 for all the lights in the front. Polishing them never lasts as the scratch coating is gone once they're polished

Some Headlight refinish kits (BG comes to mind) has a spray can of "UV Clear" in the kit, and they give a3v year warranty. But, you are right, the lights for these trucks are inexpensive

 

[USMC2010]

I did aftermarket lights in the front last year, they look cool, still undecided about the light pattern. I have the stock ones but haven't polished up and sealed yet.

 

[sintax]

Yea, I did the Amazon specials about 4 years back, and they’re shitty again. I really don’t see the point in spending good money on them, they just fail after 3-4 years anyway. I’ll just grab another $200 set and slap em in.

 

[RogerThat99]

I have Toyo AT3 on my Yukon. It sees quite a bit of snow and it just eats it up. Very surefooted.

I carry chains in the winter (so cal mountains) but have only been forced to chain up by caltrans and never needed chains with these tires otherwise.

As for lights, if you have gotten the headlights clear or replaced them, I’d recommend going Diode Dynamics or Precision LED for some bulb options for low, high and fog if you do a lot of driving on unlit roads/highways. It’s not just more light but more light where it needs to be and not where it doesn’t. (Note LEDs are not DOT approved in low beams, but the right ones are simply brighter without violating the light pattern of stock). GM headlights perpetually suck at putting out good light.

I will replace all the lights next. I bought a Low High Fog all on board from Fleece Engineering the other day ($23.99). I haven't installed it yet, but it is just a circuit board you put under the relays for the lights. It had great reviews.

I will probably keep stock lights with better bulbs. I do want to get the all clear lights (without the orange/amber sections).

 

[RogerThat99]

You can buy replacement headlights for super cheap for those years. Like under 200 for all the lights in the front. Polishing them never lasts as the scratch coating is gone once they're polished

I have tried polishing mine already, they looked good, but not great. You are correct, they only last a couple months, especially in the summer.

 

[Hammer]

Just put 37’s on her…. Prolly going to add HD (cognito) tie rods and look into steering upgrades. I know someone a few pages back bought a steering kit.
(Old pic)

I’d like to put a coil over conversion on it and ditch the torsion bar set up. It’s already lifted, I don’t need the shock hoops. I wonder if it is as simple as buying coil over shocks to length?

It’s not a daily driver. It’s cheaper than a new truck and I like the fact that I own it. Lol.

I’d like to use it in the desert/sand and not break anything(snowball effect is creeping in) .

 

[Hammer]

Just put 37’s on her…. Prolly going to add HD (cognito) tie rods and look into steering upgrades. I know someone a few pages back bought a steering kit.
(Old pic)
View attachment 1176581

I’d like to put a coil over conversion on it and ditch the torsion bar set up. It’s already lifted, I don’t need the shock hoops. I wonder if it is as simple as buying coil over shocks to length?

It’s not a daily driver. It’s cheaper than a new truck and I like the fact that I own it. Lol.

I’d like to use it in the desert/sand and not break anything(snowball effect is creeping in) .

Done deal

 

[RogerThat99]

Looks Great Mike!!

 

[RogerThat99]

I have found light kits with all the lights, including taillights, for $247. It doesn't include the fog lights though.

I really want to all clear/white lights up front (no amber sections), but I haven't been able find those in a kit.

 

[ChrisV]

New tires and coated the wheels black. Love this truck.

Does anyone sell a seat wrap kit? Definitely needs new cloth.

 

[77charger]

Upgraded the trans cooler to this tru cool. Old one was a derale 8x11 size inline with factory cooler did pretty good but still got warm on big grades and windy days.dropped 25-30 degrees over old set up.(also think the factory cooler was getting plugged) definitely worth upgrade if towing

 

[RogerThat99]

New tires and coated the wheels black. Love this truck.

Does anyone sell a seat wrap kit? Definitely needs new cloth.
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Nobody notice your seats, when you are towing that boat.

I saw online somewhere that someone had bought new seat covers. I will try to find it. You want cloth, correct? I also know my dad bought them from he dealership...but pricey.

 

[RogerThat99]

Upgraded the trans cooler to this tru cool. Old one was a derale 8x11 size inline with factory cooler did pretty good but still got warm on big grades and windy days.dropped 25-30 degrees over old set up.(also think the factory cooler was getting plugged) definitely worth upgrade if towing View attachment 1180776

That makes a big difference. I put a bigger cooler on one of my diesels. I also put the bigger pan that was finned aluminum. It mad a huge difference.

 

[77charger]

That makes a big difference. I put a bigger cooler on one of my diesels. I also put the bigger pan that was finned aluminum. It mad a huge difference.

When I first out the derale on it dropped 15 degrees never went over 210 at most upgrades cabover and towing boat but last few years it’s creeped up even after trans rebuild. Guys told me my stock one is probably plugging up or getting restricted. Should have just done this from the start.

 

[RogerThat99]

Your list is looking like my ToDo!

Thermostats stuck open on the way to the river on Friday. So I ordered up some AC Delco replacements from Rock. I also jumped on the Mishimoto Black Friday sale and grabbed a set of silicone hoses for it. I wanted to do a coolant and hose swap anyways since I’m at 140k now on my 07 Classic.

The one I’ve been putting off is rebuilding my front end.

I have a 2010 OEM hydroboost unit on my shelf, just waiting on some downtime

Here is the problem. Now that I did all that, I might as well do a preemptive fuel pump change. I also think I am going to change the steering gearbox.

Once I do that, i might as well replace all the lights.

Once i have new lights, I better replace the grille sureound.

Once all that is cleaned up, I would need to have the truck buffed out and detailed.

It is never ending. LOL

 

[BIGRED9158]

New tires and coated the wheels black. Love this truck.

Does anyone sell a seat wrap kit? Definitely needs new cloth.
View attachment 1180744 View attachment 1180745

You need methods on the trailer to match

 

[RogerThat99]

Update on my tires. I have Toyo AT III tires for 3 years (11,000 miles on them). I noticed he other day, that two of the tires have cracks on the tread face, just inside the outer lugs of the tread. The cracks go all the way around the tire. I have never seen this happen, on a 3 year old tire. I am going to have to replace the tires, and I won't be going with ATIII again.

I am going to call the tire shop and see if, by chance, Toyo will do anything.

 

[sintax]

Upgraded the trans cooler to this tru cool. Old one was a derale 8x11 size inline with factory cooler did pretty good but still got warm on big grades and windy days.dropped 25-30 degrees over old set up.(also think the factory cooler was getting plugged) definitely worth upgrade if towing View attachment 1180776

Cool to see this thread pop up...

so I had to go through this as well, my trans cooler lines were leaking at the ends by the cooler. So I took the opportunity to put new lines and put in a new trans cooler as well. I went with the Fleece AN lines and a Setrab Series 9 25 row cooler.

I'll post up some pics for those interested

 

[ChrisV]

Cool to see this thread pop up...

so I had to go through this as well, my trans cooler lines were leaking at the ends by the cooler. So I took the opportunity to put new lines and put in a new trans cooler as well. I went with the Fleece AN lines and a Setrab Series 9 25 row cooler.

I'll post up some pics for those interested

Please do

 

[sintax]

Please do

done!

 

[DLC]

Cool to see this thread pop up...

so I had to go through this as well, my trans cooler lines were leaking at the ends by the cooler. So I took the opportunity to put new lines and put in a new trans cooler as well. I went with the Fleece AN lines and a Setrab Series 9 25 row cooler.

I'll post up some pics for those interested

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Was that a kit?

Thats a clean upgrade!

do you have a link?

 

[sintax]

Was that a kit?

Thats a clean upgrade!

do you have a link?

Not a kit per se,

I bought the parts...

Cooler lines - https://www.alligatorperformance.co...on-cooler-lines-06-10-gm-6-6l-duramax-lbz-lmm
Cooler - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011FPOCC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Bracket - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TO681DE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I modified the existing support w/ some nutserts + used some angle alum to fab up some lower supports for the cooler.

 

[DLC]

I need to do this….

Thank you for posting!