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Fun upgrades for a 2002 Avalanche

ikehle

Full Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2022
Messages
42
Hello everyone.

I have a 2002 Avalanche, and I'm on a kick to do some of the upgrades and tweaks that I've considered doing for some time. I had no idea of the heat trick for the body cladding, and I will likely give that a try this weekend. I've considered sanding and painting it (or rather having someone do it), perhaps some time.

Does anyone have recommendations for fun upgrades?

This is what I currently have:
I've been considering a lift kit, metal bumpers (https://www.ironbullbumpers.com for example), putting in a sunroof, replacing the older cloth seats with leather.

What other upgrades have you considered?
 
Always ready to see new upgrades, make sure you take pictures..

As far as the double din stereo, have you researched what is needed for 2002 do complete the conversion, Metra has a kit to make it easier. This wasn't available when I converted my 2002 and although not that difficult of a project you do have to relocate/lower the HVAC controls when using the 2003 bezel. The Metra kit may mount the HU higher and avoid lowering the HVAC controls.. Also, you will need to bypass the factory amp if you're going to use the factory wires to feed the speakers, unless your installing new amps and speakers then it's not an issue..

Good Luck

 
Hello everyone.

I have a 2002 Avalanche, and I'm on a kick to do some of the upgrades and tweaks that I've considered doing for some time. I had no idea of the heat trick for the body cladding, and I will likely give that a try this weekend. I've considered sanding and painting it (or rather having someone do it), perhaps some time.

Does anyone have recommendations for fun upgrades?
PLEASE Do yourself a favor and DO NOT Use the heat method on the cladding. If you read most threads about rejuvenating the cladding you will find that the heat method may look good but will possibly damage the cladding in time.
If it was me I would just be patient and properly prep and paint the cladding or if budget was an issue I would consider using one of the preferred methods such as Cerakote or Refinnish Restorer for best results.

You also need to know that 2002 cladding was light grey to begin with, 2004-2006 had medium grey cladding and 2007 up had dark grey/black cladding or painted.

Remember also that your AV is built on a Suburban frame so you need to look for parts that fit that year Suburban for best results if you can't find AV specific parts but being a 2002 you have lower cladding so that may affect ordering things like off road bumpers since many companies stopped making things for cladded AVs since they haven't been made since 2006.

One of the best mods I have had since 2004 is a bedslide device to help load and unload the bed without climbing into the bed.

Make sure you have a good installer who knows how to install the sunroof so you don't have leaks later down the road.

When you replace the seat covers replace your foam as well since it has aged. Many owners have used www.katzkin.com or www.theseatshop.com
 
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I just did my 2005 cladding with Solution Finish black. They also make one for grey trim. You might want to check it out. See my post under “faded cladding” earlier this week
 
I just did my 2005 cladding with Solution Finish black. They also make one for grey trim. You might want to check it out. See my post under “faded cladding” earlier this week
Awesome, thanks. my cladding is grey, and it would look so much better black. :)
 
Awesome, thanks. my cladding is grey, and it would look so much better black. :)
Then it looks like painting or spray on bedliner would be your best bet for makng your grey cladding look black since since black wasn't available for fully cladded AVs in first gen. No miracle liquid or creme will make it stay black over time. Even using paint or bedliner will not stick without proper prep work.
Good luck.
 
Then it looks like painting or spray on bedliner would be your best bet for makng your grey cladding look black since since black wasn't available for fully cladded AVs in first gen. No miracle liquid or creme will make it stay black over time. Even using paint or bedliner will not stick without proper prep work.
Good luck.
Agreed. I am taking it into a body shop tomorrow, as there are nicks and chips from over time that I painted to try to stop from getting worse. I'm going to ask the shop what they recommend, what the cost might be to do a full repainting of the plastic along with the black. I'd like to make it a deep plum crazy purple with black trim, if at all possible. :)
 
Always ready to see new upgrades, make sure you take pictures..

As far as the double din stereo, have you researched what is needed for 2002 do complete the conversion, Metra has a kit to make it easier. This wasn't available when I converted my 2002 and although not that difficult of a project you do have to relocate/lower the HVAC controls when using the 2003 bezel. The Metra kit may mount the HU higher and avoid lowering the HVAC controls.. Also, you will need to bypass the factory amp if you're going to use the factory wires to feed the speakers, unless your installing new amps and speakers then it's not an issue..

Good Luck

Wow, thanks for this. Yes, I bought a 2003 bezel, as this wasn't available for my 2002 when I did the conversion either. The 2003 bezel just never sits in there right, and the HVAC controls I've had to put washers behind to get it to be flush.

I did not bypass the factory amp at all for the radio. I've gone through a few pairs of speakers over the years, and always considered adding the under-the-seat subwoofers. I never got around to that yet. I have enough space now behind the ATOTO where an amp could sit pretty easily. Though, running actual decent wires to the speakers I always thought would be a pain.

Where do y'all often put an amp?
 
I also cracked the plastic on the instrument panel cluster. Does anyone have any idea where one might find replacement plastic for that piece?
 
Used one on ebay.. edit.. Also added pictures of my amps under the rear seat and my double din install using the 2003 bezel..

 

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The most effective way to restore the plastic is to use oil based leather dye. It's easy to apply, does a great job of restoring the color, inexpensive and last a very long time. I did mine about 9 months and it's still going strong for less than $10 on Amazon. I would not recommend heat. I've seen others attempt it and they ended up melting the plastic in spots or burned the paint.
 
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