98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

So I sold my 2DR 2WD Tahoe a few years ago and regretted it. Every once in a while I'd poke around on Craigslist hoping to find another nice one. Unfortunately, good ones are very few and far between, at least here in So Cal.

But a couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon one... I had to look past the odd aftermarket grille and lights and the cheap chinese 22" wheels and tires, but once I did, it had service records dating back to 2000, the body was nice and clean and other than the bolt-on "bling" it was pretty much unmolested. I'm a fan of the barn doors so that was another plus in my book. So it came home with me

Plans are for taking it back to mostly stock, a static drop and an interior refresh. Interior freshening will include Escalade door panels, console, cluster, gauge surround and steering wheel.

Some "before" pics of the exterior are attached. I'll try and update as I go along.

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

Tried peddling the 22s on CL and eBay but no takers, so I gave them to my local wheel and tire shop in exchange for balancing. mounting and alignment of some 454ss wheels and Astro Van center caps. Tires are 275 / 60 / 15 Cooper Cobras.

I'll be putting the wheel well moldings and "1500" emblems back on too. I picked this stuff and an OEM grill up at the junkyard. (If you haven't figured it out yet, I like the stock-ish look..).

As you can see, the tail lights are also aftermarket, but they are new and are pretty similar to the OE look so I'll probably keep them

To be continued...

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

The taillights are good. I'd leave them too. They're the best looking aftermarket tails for these trucks.

That grille, man... Whoever designed that nasty thing should be shot. That is uglier than the alien eye grille they made back in the day. As soon as you get that replaced, you'll be on your way.

It's amazing how much better it looks with those SS wheels versus those cheap 22s.

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

I agree on all points. When it comes to the grille, one that gives that one a run for the money is in post #448 & #449 in the 2dr/2wd pic thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...398911&page=18

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

Looks like a nice find! Can't wait to see you take it in the right direction.
Glad the wheels & grille are being ditched quickly :lol:

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

very cool! i prefer a stock look myself. if this turns out anywhere near as nice as your brown two-tone pickup, it will be fantastic!

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

Thanks guys for the kind words --

I don't want it to look "custom" -- I want it to look "How it should have come from the factory". Since I'm using all OEM GM stuff (454ss wheels, Astro caps, Escalade interior, etc) it should hopefully come together that way

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

Stock grill and new stock lights ...

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

Escalade Steering Wheel -- 'Scuse the dirty a## carpet .. I'll be fixing that soon enough

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

Whooo hooo! That face looks much better. :lol:

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

More --

2" static drop all around...
wheelwell moldings back on...
some paintless dent repair ...

Needs the "1500" or "TAHOE" emblems and then I'm ok with the exterior...

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

The interior is another story tho.... It is filthy. Seats are exploding... carpet is nasty. sun visors are droopy... dash and door panels are slathered in armor all ...

but help is on the way!

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

Looks good man. What about the gas door?

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

thanks man.

yeah, i forgot. i gotta fix that too. quick trip to the junkyard where I can hopefully find a nice pewter truck to pull a stock gas door...

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

Great job on saving this Tahoe!
I too like the stock/lowered look of the 2-dr 2wd tahoes,...

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

You are doing a great job. These year 2dr Tahoe's are so great!

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

I didn't catch it in the first pics you posted, but it caught my eye in that last one. I figured it wasn't your style (not mine either). Keep up the good work. :chevy:

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

Looks awesome! I'm in.

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

Thanks guys. I'm hoping to get to the junkyard this weekend to find a couple missing pieces. After that I will get started on the interior

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

Interior --

So a while back I found someone parting a 99 Escalade on CL. I went out and grabbed the steering wheel, instrument cluster, dash surround, center console and door panels.

Today I popped the instrument cluster and dash surround in. Then, after having cleaned, prepped and sprayed the parts with SEM Medium Gray, I got the console and door panels back together.

some pics --

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

Door panels off and ready to be reinstalled. I do have the perforated inserts from the Escalade -- need to glue them

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

And the console --

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

Hopefully I'll have some time tomorrow to start tearing into the rest of the filthy old stuff !!!

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

love your tahoe,...

Re: 98 2DR 2WD Tahoe Refresh
 

looking good...does the SEM paint match up nicely to the original gray?