Fred Williams
Brand Manager, Petersen’s 4Wheel & Off Road
Our friend's '98 two-door Tahoe, affectionately known as Princess, had been sitting derelict in her driveway near our office for over a year. Our friend had gotten a newer four-door for daily driving and wanted to keep the '98 for weekend adventures. She asked us how best to spruce up the white truck, and we figured it would be perfect for a simple lift and tire rehash.
As one of the last fullsize two-door SUVs, this Tahoe is sort of rare, but it's also a great vehicle for backwoods weekends, beach cruising, and hauling stuff for home projects. We headed over to the 4Wheel Parts Performance Center in Redondo Beach, California, for a two-day spa treatment like no other.
PhotosView SlideshowRehash Worth It?
Taking an old truck like this to 4Wheel Parts for a lift and tires will cost you around $4,500, including nearly $1,000 in labor. But what did we gain? The frame ground clearance went up about 61/2 inches from the same truck on 31-inch rubber without a lift. The ride is noticeably different, with some very soft steering, meaning we'll probably need to address old steering components soon. Worry about vibration seems unfounded with our truck, but could be addressed with a CV front driveshaft if it arises later. Princess definitely looks more adventurous. The shiny new shoes and taller, more respectable stance make her ready to explore lands beyond the castle.
