Truck Refurbish

[matttahoe53]

So I?ve been on the fence for a while about whether or not to sell my long owned 2 door Tahoe or spend the money to have it fixed back to new.

Mechanically the vehicle is in great shape and have done the following: 383 GM crate engine, Race Car Dynamics 6? lift, Off Road Design shackle flip, 14 bole semi-float rear differential, 35? tires, dual batteries, custom front and rear bumpers that were built over 10 years ago and I will replace. The only issue is the rear main seal has a small leak and sometimes the drivetrain doesn?t spin when first shifting to drive and the engine just revs. Otherwise, everything works and has been replaced/upgraded over the years.

What I am looking to do is bring back the interior to new, maybe remove the aftermarket sunroof that was put in by the prior owner, have a panel of switches for current and future accessories, repaint/remove dents add fender flares and bumpers. I have had this truck for a long time and want to fix it up to keep for years to come. This is not a show car but something I drive and use. I am open to doing some custom work but the overall goal is above.

Any suggestions on where to take this project? Maybe a place for the interior and another for the exterior?

Thank you

A pic from several years ago
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250422/aa9120efdf41634a23ac179cec2febac.jpg

[BPTactical]

I would try to find a donor vehicle for the interior and other OEM components- the rest of it nibble away as time & money allow.
You mention the fabricated bumpers- fabs aren’t cheap and as lions as they are structurally sound get them powder coated or Line-X finished.

[rondog]

My opinion - if it's paid for, fix it up! I'm keeping my paid-for 2014 Silverado until hell freezes over, or I win a lottery.....repairs/fixes/upgrades are much cheaper than payments.

[hurley842002]

That rig is sweet! Those were the 4x4?s to have when I was in high school. I would keep it, or let me make an offer on it lol.


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[matttahoe53]

I?ve made the decision to keep it but seem to be struggling to find someone that is willing to do it. I?d at least do the interior myself if I had a proper work area.

[eddiememphis]

A good body man is worth more than his weight in gold.

They are usually booked for years and their prices reflect that.

Modern body shops are usually R&R places that have very few guys that own hammers and dollies and know how to use them.

They replace parts, they don't fix them. When I was selling parts, the returns were insane. A fender with a small ding would get sent back because no one knew how to fix it.