We need pictures, lol
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Overlanding in the Chevy Avalanche
- Thread starter Durwin
- Start date
I corrected my post to say that I bought wheels and not tires. Tires will come after the wheels are paid off. I'll take some pictures of the wheels.
I want pictures of the whole eig, I'm trying to get mine ready for an overland trip and I need some ideas
This is what the wheels look like . They were on sale for $316 each. The photo on the right is misleading. The wheel is not that much larger than the 16" Alcoa that it will be replacing.
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Thank you.
2023 is going to be a big year in getting the Avalanche ready. In 2021 I drove my Jeep down to Mazatlán and I didn't have much in the way of room. In 24 I'm taking the Avalanche.
In February I'm going to take the truck into a stereo shop and have XM installed. They are going to swap out the OnStar antenna for an XM antenna used on the 03 Avalanche. Dynamat will also be installed in the doors.
In the spring, I'm having the brakes redone with StopTech rotors and a RedArc dual battery setup installed. I just bought all of the parts. I'll post photos here in case anyone needs ideas or wants to follow in my footsteps.
Durwin
In February I'm going to take the truck into a stereo shop and have XM installed. They are going to swap out the OnStar antenna for an XM antenna used on the 03 Avalanche. Dynamat will also be installed in the doors.
In the spring, I'm having the brakes redone with StopTech rotors and a RedArc dual battery setup installed. I just bought all of the parts. I'll post photos here in case anyone needs ideas or wants to follow in my footsteps.
Durwin
Auto Parts Guy
Full Member
I'm very interested in the dynomat install. I'd like to do that to mine as well. Please post some pics and lessons learned!
I've had it done with my Jeep. The most noticeable thing is that the doors feel more solid when they're closed.
Randy
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I used the Dynamat when I added the speakers to my doors. Two 12"x 36" strips to the inside, one on top and one the bottom pic 2.. Then I covered the outside where the rain shield was with the Dynamat pic 1, this was by far the best place to put it as it really quiets down the road noise. If you look at the bottom of the door you will see drain holes that allow the sound to come through and the rain shield and door panel do not do a good job. Anytime you reduce the outside noise, it's like adding power to your system.
I also added the same Dynamat to the entire floor up to the firewall insulation and then on top of that I put Themo-Tec pad that was about 1/4" I think .. Sorry I didn't take pictures of floor my phone was dead when I did it.. That also made in quieter, plus warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
I also added the same Dynamat to the entire floor up to the firewall insulation and then on top of that I put Themo-Tec pad that was about 1/4" I think .. Sorry I didn't take pictures of floor my phone was dead when I did it.. That also made in quieter, plus warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
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That looks terrific. On mine, that takes place in February.
I just sent my HVAC controls to this guy to have the inside bulbs replaced. I don't have a good soldering iron. It was $45 to have them all replaced. https://carradiobulbs.com/
I just sent my HVAC controls to this guy to have the inside bulbs replaced. I don't have a good soldering iron. It was $45 to have them all replaced. https://carradiobulbs.com/
I got the HVAC controls back. They work great. It's nice to have all of the lights working again.
I'm now working on adding XM/Sirius satellite to the truck. Since the 2002 model year only came with OnStar, the antenna has to be replaced by an XM/Sirius antenna. I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but the wiring going from the antenna to the radio isn't a simple cable. I found this out during the install. As a result, I checked E-Bay and now have an antenna and the wiring. It's from a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. The connectors on the antenna and wring are different than any connector I have seen. Now I know.
In March, I'm replacing the belt tensioners for the main drive and A/C belts and installing a heavy-duty fan clutch. All of this because the Avalanche is 21 years old now and I don't need a failure to occur in Mainland Mexico.
Now that the wheels are paid off, it's time to look at tires. I currently have 265/75/16 BFG All-Terrains. I'm thinking of 275/70/17's to fit the Method Racing wheels. I'm looking for a good sale this Spring. Below is a photo of the antenna and wiring in case anyone is also trying to add satellite radio.
Durwin
I'm now working on adding XM/Sirius satellite to the truck. Since the 2002 model year only came with OnStar, the antenna has to be replaced by an XM/Sirius antenna. I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but the wiring going from the antenna to the radio isn't a simple cable. I found this out during the install. As a result, I checked E-Bay and now have an antenna and the wiring. It's from a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. The connectors on the antenna and wring are different than any connector I have seen. Now I know.
In March, I'm replacing the belt tensioners for the main drive and A/C belts and installing a heavy-duty fan clutch. All of this because the Avalanche is 21 years old now and I don't need a failure to occur in Mainland Mexico.
Now that the wheels are paid off, it's time to look at tires. I currently have 265/75/16 BFG All-Terrains. I'm thinking of 275/70/17's to fit the Method Racing wheels. I'm looking for a good sale this Spring. Below is a photo of the antenna and wiring in case anyone is also trying to add satellite radio.
Durwin
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Here's an update.
The new belt tensioners and belts have been installed. I didn't notice the difference but the truck is more reliable now.
The new wheels have been installed. The fronts do stick out about 1" past the front fender. I don't really think that there's anything I can do about that. I also bought new BFG All-Terrain tires in the 265/70/17 size. They look nice.
The next day, I had Sirius/XM installed. A 2004 Yukon/Tahoe antenna was used. It's sort of weird not to see the OnStar antenna after so many years, but oh well. They left me, I didn't leave them. I did notice that the status light for OnStar is now red. I guess the 2G network was finally shut down. To me its a lesson on not getting stuck on the technology GM or any other OEM installs in a vehicle. If you lease, that's fine, but if you keep it for years as I do it doesn't make sense.
Next is a change of oil, changing gear oil for the front/rear differentials and then installing the new Rare Parts tie rods and Powerslot rotors. I've really gotten used to the brake pedal pulsating when I brake on the highway.
After that a RedArc dual battery system this summer.
Durwin
The new belt tensioners and belts have been installed. I didn't notice the difference but the truck is more reliable now.
The new wheels have been installed. The fronts do stick out about 1" past the front fender. I don't really think that there's anything I can do about that. I also bought new BFG All-Terrain tires in the 265/70/17 size. They look nice.
The next day, I had Sirius/XM installed. A 2004 Yukon/Tahoe antenna was used. It's sort of weird not to see the OnStar antenna after so many years, but oh well. They left me, I didn't leave them. I did notice that the status light for OnStar is now red. I guess the 2G network was finally shut down. To me its a lesson on not getting stuck on the technology GM or any other OEM installs in a vehicle. If you lease, that's fine, but if you keep it for years as I do it doesn't make sense.
Next is a change of oil, changing gear oil for the front/rear differentials and then installing the new Rare Parts tie rods and Powerslot rotors. I've really gotten used to the brake pedal pulsating when I brake on the highway.
After that a RedArc dual battery system this summer.
Durwin
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Auto Parts Guy
Full Member
Pictures or it didn't happen 
My front wheels stick out about an inch or so more than the rear also.
My front wheels stick out about an inch or so more than the rear also.
As soon as I get a sunny day here in California. Lately everything has been rain and wind.
The Avalanche got new tires and wheels.The front tires stick out further than the rear ones. My future plans had included a slight suspension lift. I don't know if that would change it or not. I now have several projects going. From ordering switches for controlling functions at the center console to getting all the powertrain fluids changed.
This summer I will removing the old Painless Wiring dual battery system and replacing it with the RedArc system. The advantage to RedArc is that most of the functions are contained in one module that will be located in front of the radiator.
This summer I will removing the old Painless Wiring dual battery system and replacing it with the RedArc system. The advantage to RedArc is that most of the functions are contained in one module that will be located in front of the radiator.
Auto Parts Guy
Full Member
The fronts sticking out further than the rear is normal on the 2500. Need some spacers for the rear if you want them to match.
Today was a steering upgrade day.
The Rare Parts inner and outer tie rod ends were installed. I can't notice a difference in steering, but the old ones were about 1" thick.
You all might want to check the axle bumpers on your trucks. One of mine was crumbling, the other one was cracked and old .Rock Auto has the GM ones. The dealership couldn't get them. Thanks Rock Auto.
The front and rear differential fluids were also drained and filled. Amsoil was put in.
After I get through paying this off, it's time to do the RedArc dual battery install. I'm also researching keys to make the front end level.
Durwin
The Rare Parts inner and outer tie rod ends were installed. I can't notice a difference in steering, but the old ones were about 1" thick.
You all might want to check the axle bumpers on your trucks. One of mine was crumbling, the other one was cracked and old .Rock Auto has the GM ones. The dealership couldn't get them. Thanks Rock Auto.
The front and rear differential fluids were also drained and filled. Amsoil was put in.
After I get through paying this off, it's time to do the RedArc dual battery install. I'm also researching keys to make the front end level.
Durwin
Check out the Suspension Max keys they offer a good range of adjustability to bring the front up level to the rear. Suspension Maxx
Wow. They seem better made than the Daystar ones I was looking at. Thanks very much Bacs22.
Durwin
Durwin
Here’s an update.
I’ve decided not to keep the Method Racing 17“ wheels and tires. They’re just too big and stick out too far in the front wheel wells.
The Alcoa 16” are fantastic. If anyone wants to buy the Method's and tires let me know.
For now I’m finishing up the suspension work and will add a Redarc dual battery charger around the holidays.
I also bought the Suspension Maxx keys. They’re better made than anything 4 Wheel Parts makes. Thanks for the suggestion Bacs22.
Concerning the Scheel Mann’s, I’m looking for someone near Kirkland WA to go to Planted Technologies to have their floors measured for the new seat brackets.
Its certainly a lot of steps to get this done.
I’ve decided not to keep the Method Racing 17“ wheels and tires. They’re just too big and stick out too far in the front wheel wells.
The Alcoa 16” are fantastic. If anyone wants to buy the Method's and tires let me know.
For now I’m finishing up the suspension work and will add a Redarc dual battery charger around the holidays.
I also bought the Suspension Maxx keys. They’re better made than anything 4 Wheel Parts makes. Thanks for the suggestion Bacs22.
Concerning the Scheel Mann’s, I’m looking for someone near Kirkland WA to go to Planted Technologies to have their floors measured for the new seat brackets.
Its certainly a lot of steps to get this done.
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