Still thinking of overhauling my 97 Tahoe...

[Lazarus Long]

150,000 miles, very little rust, but there are things the need to be fixed, other things I would like to make better. It is in too good of shape to get rid of, and wouldn't get anything if I sold it. I bought it new, so it's more valuable to me than any buyer, so...

 

Things to fix:

* Driver seat needs reupholstered

* Fan control for heat/AC is going bad, just does on and off now.

* There is some seepage in the engine. The mechanic suspects Moisture is getting in the engine when it sits overnight, so it starts a little hard. Once started it runs perfectly.

 

What I would like to do, and don't know if it makes sense or is possible:

 

*Better brakes. From my research, this is a big job, it isn't just the brakes, but is also wheels and axles also, as the 1500 series wheels and axles are undersized, and the bolt pattern different compared to heavier duty equipment.

 

* better steering. Of course it has the old recirculating ball gear, which had lots of slop, doesn't track straight, etc. I've replaced worn suspension parts over the years, including the steering gearbox a couple times due to leaks. It tightens up the steering temporarily, but it never last long before the sloppiness returns.

 

Are there better front suspensions/steering gear that can replace the old system? If better brakes require replacing lots of stuff anyway, I figure I should look into it.

 

Tahoe is 4 wheel drive, which also complicates things. It probably doesn't make sense, but I'm wondering if anyone else had thought about it.