'02 Sierra Build thread

'02 sierra

'02 sierra

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Apr 15, 2014
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Just picked this up and joined as well. Was a ranch truck for the last 90k miles, now showing 170k on the clock.

Stats:

2002 Sierra SLE ECSB Summit White
5.3/2wd
Grey cloth/Console
G80/3.73s



Seeing how it spent many miles on dirt roads it was beyond filthy inside and out. Didn't get a pic of the inside but nothing some QTips, toothpicks, and many hours couldn't take care of. Same with the engine bay which I did snap a shot of. The Eagle1 plastic care stuff I used appears to be really glossy but it's still wet in the shot and dulled out nicely for a really clean look.



Future mods in planning are a 3/5 or 4/6 drop, GMC machined or decladded 20s or 22" Denali CKs, Chevy HD Hood conversion, Airaid MIT tube, stainless LTs and ORY, and Corvette Servo.

Not sure how to approach the progress I've already made so I'll segregate each mod or change in a series of independent posts. Not trying to post whore so if need be an administrator can consolidate them into 1 if need be.
 
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Right off the bat noticed some little problems. AC only blew on 5, driver window rolls down slow and goes 1/2 up and then stops, dirt smell is awful in truck anytime you have any HVAC going. Has Engine light on for Knock sensor banks 1 and 2. Also found a rear main seal leak and noticed the truck has a hard time starting after running for a bit and had a slight miss at idle.

Initially before anything else i changed the plugs with NGK TR55 plugs and Taylor wires. Helped with the miss but didn't totally eliminate it. Hard start problem still persistent. Through research here and GMFS came to find out the check valve leaking by in the fuel pump is the likely culprit of the hard start issue and also has a tendency to cause a miss. Also learned that if the Knock Sensor harness is faulty it will throw the codes for both knock sensor banks. So replacement sensors, harness, and updated intake gaskets are on the way.

Started off the hands on repairs by replacing blower motor resistor so now have full range with the HVAC and replaced cabin filter while I was down there. Nasty smell and dirt problem gone. Haven't tackled window yet.

Ordered an AC Delco Fuel Pump assembly which arrived today. Will also be ordering a Vette Servo to install in the coming weeks when I pull the Trans to repair the rear main leak.

 
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Pulled the factory CD deck out and got a basic Kenwood single din with USB, don't get seriously into audio so don't bash me for going cheap lol. Kenwood did happen to nuke the factory door 6.5s so that's next on the list. Disregard the dirt, this was prior to the thorough interior cleaning session.

 
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Decided I wasn't happy with the stock lighting and came across Khaos selling his retrofitted Denalis with Mori projectors and purchased them along with a set of clear corners. Got them installed and while the light output was spectacular, I didn't particularly enjoy the bulkiness of the housings. I ultimately decided to clear my factory lights and am much more pleased with them so I am gonna stay with them and sell the retrofitted ones. Hi4 mod is next on list as far as lighting goes.

Cleared stocks on and clear corners on with pass side headlight polished, now onto driver side.

 
Bought a full Magnaflow Catback off GMFS for a good deal. Installed easily in about 1 hr. Did have to replace one of the clamps but nothing major. Sound isn't necessarily loud but at least it makes a noise and as of now that's good enough. Once the LTs and ORY are purchased and installed I'm sure I'll be happy. Crappy and quick pic but you get the idea.

 
Completed High 4 mod today. Just used the yellow wire method to ground off the pass side low beam. Works like a charm. Also scored some 20" VMax/VHO wheels with GMC center caps with tires for $500 so pretty pumped about that.



 
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Wheels and tires mounted. Looks like a totally different truck. Next is lowering the rear for time being until an actual kit bought.

 
like an ecsb version of Jareds truck, going to level rear, 3/5, 4/6 then fuck it and 5/8 lol. does look a ton better tho
 
For sure on the tint Ginger.

Got the Delco fuel pump swapped and new filter in. Starts every time no issues and the slight miss at idle is gone so far.
 
After searching threads, I came to the conclusion, much like lids in LS1s, that a CAI is a CAI is a CAI. So I splurged a whole $44 on a setup.

Didn't expect a monumental change, mainly did it as a factor in supporting future mods.

It did make the customary whoosh and make my cat back note a bit different so all is well. Especially when I compare my original plan in getting an MIT tube and decided to go this route and save $100. Way I see it the gains are negligible in comparison to the savings in prices.

 
It's an eBay setup I got from a friend that was a little tentative about running it. Said he paid $70 for it initially. It was in pieces in a box. Had to assemble the shield and everything.
 
Tackled knock sensors today. Had the code ever since I bought the truck. Upon removing the intake I can see why it was throwing the code. Got everything cleaned up the best I could and threw the new sensors and harness on, built the RTV dam, threw away foam intake blocks and bolted it back together. Post install what a difference! Can really tell it was pulling timing and not running optimally before. Actually got some pinging on hard accel so I know they're working. Exhaust is louder as well so thats a plus too. Took around 3 hrs. Would've been shorter had I not had to do so much cleaning. Now time to fill it up with better gas and see what the mpg gains are as well.







 
good looking job on the sensors, under your intake was nasty looking, I used to do those a couple times a month at old job and didn't see any that bad lol
 
My guess is they're the original 150k+ mile sensors. Would've liked to clean the motor more but since it's my daily driver I was limited due to time constraints. I'm apprehensive to taking some degreaser and water to the engine now that I've seen the potential end results of water leaking by.
 
Performed brake pads swap yesterday. Nothing to note but only felt like mentioning it here because GM really dropped the ball using T55 bolts for the caliper. Had to undo the bracket on the pass side so swap the new pads in. What a PITA but all is well on the braking side of things. Although the rear drums have been reputed to brake better, for simplicity purposes I'm happy I have the rear discs.
 
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