Need help with a decision....

[botomgun]

Hey, all....New to the forum, but feel that it is the right place to solicite some advive. I have a 96 Tahoe that, after 2 years, I am considering some changes to. Mostly due to desiring a new paint job, but also because I have a hard time keeping my hands still. I'm surprised I made it this long. Anyway...I need opinions on which way to go with the exterior. I bought it stock. Here it is after I bought it:



I recently stripped the badges and molding off thinking I am going to go for the blacked out look. So far:



If I go with the total black out I figure it will look like this (minus the wheels):



After removing the molding, I am not sure I like it. It looked great, and I think classy, stock with molding on. I like the look of the blacked out version (thanks, PS) but not sure I will like it as much as the original. I don't want to spend too much just to have it turn out that I don't like it. I had to remove the moldings anyway as the chrome was pretty much gone after 12 years and the fender molding was full of door dents. Plus I will be repainting next year. Both are easily replaceable if I decide to go back, but the bumpers could set me back a few dollars.

Looking for opinions and welcome them all. I realize each has their own taste, and in the end I will make my own decision, but feel free to voice yours!

 

[wreckless123]

For some reason I like them stock and that is not usually the case with me and my toys.. Uaually I like a truck debadged but not so much in this case. I guess because the Tahoe was ment to look classy and not sporty..

 

[boostaholic]

I loved my limited without the side moldings, the guy I sold it to has since painted the marker lights all black at my recommendation and it looks 10x better. Now he just needs to lower it and buy a blower

 

[botomgun]

Thanks...I dig the fog lights in the bumper! Agree with the marker lights.

 

[chevyrider]

I loved my limited without the side moldings, the guy I sold it to has since painted the marker lights all black at my recommendation and it looks 10x better. Now he just needs to lower it and buy a blower

What kind of wheels are those? I think they look good.

 

[Mike97]

I like the stock look, but prefer fender flares to the chrome strips on the wheel wells.

I kinda like the side molding, but not if the chrome is peeling. If I were you I'd go with the blacked out look at this point since you've come this far with it.

 

[LAP TOP GAMER]

The blacked out stealth look is awesome!

 

[Slammed]

Well I am in the same boat as you except mine is a 99 however looking at yours I like the blacked out look

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

black it out! i'd do it to mine but its not black... haha

 

[BigBlackBurban]

[/QUOTE]

Sweet, That's the look I'm going for. Where did the front bumper come from? BTW did you happen to sell your truck to Darth Vader? LOL

 

[boostaholic]

It's a 2000 limited so it came with the police brakes, bumper with integrated fogs like the z71, deleted moldings/roof rack, 16" ronal wheels, bigger trans cooler, power steering cooler, 2 tone leather, and all the goodies (except a transfer case). I really miss the truck as it ran like a champ and I did alot of mods (especially the stereo) but I wanted something more than 2wd for colorado and had to resort to a lowly 02 denali. Wheels were the stockers powdercoated black. Some more pics cuz I miss her

Paint was like glass when I sold it, buddy did a fantastic job on the detail. I had a magnaflow catback painted black, k&n fipk, granatelli tune, and a magnaflow y-pipe that made the most difference. Needless to say I liked doing powerslides and burnouts.

 

[Trend Setta]

I'm not a fan of the side moldings...Happy they're in the trash I love the all black look..I'm trying to get mine like that, just need to get my rims painted/powdercoated ...and boostaholics old ride looks like something from the C.I.A or something...def murdered out

 

[chevyrider]

I was looking at a granatelli programmer as well as some others, do you have any oppinions on this or suggestions ?

 

[Black96]

i like the fender flares painted to match the body it looks sharp and seems to fit the body well

 

[botomgun]

Thanks for the inputs.....I also like the blacked out look, but need to decide if I am going to like it for the long haul. As I stated in the original post, I do like the classy look of the stock original. Maybe if I put the molding (just black, no chrome) back on that will help. I did a PS of black stock wheels, also. Didn't look too bad. It's on the other compter, though. Powder coating in Hawaii is pretty high. Probably just as easy to get new rims.

 

[Mike97]

Sweet, That's the look I'm going for. Where did the front bumper come from? BTW did you happen to sell your truck to Darth Vader? LOL

A few of us were discussing this bumper in another thread. There are some part numbers posted in there if you are interested in ordering one...

http://www.tahoeforum.com/showthread.php?t=887&page=2

 

[BigBlackBurban]

A few of us were discussing this bumper in another thread. There are some part numbers posted in there if you are interested in ordering one...

http://www.tahoeforum.com/showthread.php?t=887&page=2

Thanks I am looking to run a different front bumper.

 

[Slammed]

could you please post the process and products you used to remove the moldings and ect please and thanks I think this is what my hoe needs to look hot and sexy

 

[botomgun]

Contrary to many other posts that discussed the use of either fishing line or a credit card, I used a razor blade to get the moldings off. Carefully, of course...I also used the razor blade to get the majority of the left on tape strip off. After that I used a bug and tar remover. Many, many coats of bug and tar remover. This was crucial in not being too aggressive and scratching the paint. Each layer removed a little bit at a time. Patience is the key. I also used my wifes (shhhhh) Pampered Chef scraper. It was soft enough not to scrath the paint. In hind sight I might have tried a 3M removal product.

 

[botomgun]

I have decided to contiue with the black out look. Thanks to all who contributed an opinion. Now I am down to deciding on a wheel. Below are two ideas (not neccessarily the exact wheel, but the style and color). Either black:



or chrome:



Currently I like the chrome. They just seem to finish the look. Plus the wife likes them (which makes purchasing easier).