Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Just a little update on a pending small mod ...

I received some gloss carbon fiber vinyl wrap today. My intention is to wrap the front bumper lower valance with it so as to upgrade from that hideous textured plastic nonsense. :)

Might take me a week or so to get around installing it, but pics will be posted when I do.

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Hi Serge,
Do the tire sensors from the orginal rims fit in your current rims? Also who makes that grill and did it come with the lower grills in the tow hook area?

I'm just plotting my plan of the attack on my impending purchase. :D

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

I didn't use the tpms from my 18s on my 22s ... I bought the 22s as a package with tpms, chrome caps, and tires already mounted, and I sold my 18s the same way. But as far as I know the tpms are the same on all those wheels, but I always double check these things at the dealer's parts dept.

The grilles are from Grillcraft who make a very high quality product. They are the only quality aftermarket grille option for the Tahoe Hybrid as the non hybrid grilles will not fit our trucks. They make them in both stainless steel mesh like I have (SW Series) and in black and silver mesh (MX Series) ... although the black one tends to get lost on a black truck. The lower (tow inserts) are one part and the upper two grilles are another part.

http://www.grillcraft.com/applicatio...id.aspx/3/752/

The SW series is pricey but can be found for less at other vendors than Grillcraft, the MX series is the budget version.

Hope that helps a little. :)

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Btw, I posted these on the other thread but I'm also posting them here so that all my mods are on one thread for easy reference ...

Spare kit with optional 22" hoist (bottom of pic):

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100050...13188853960001

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100050...13188854170001


Spare tire kit installed:

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100038...13189652620001

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100050...13189650560001

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Thank you, that helps a lot. Now the hardest part will be deciding on the SW series or the silver MX series.

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

She's been in for scheduled service and to sort out a couple of small warrantied fit & finish issues, so I took the opportunity while she was there to have these two accessories installed:


1. Wheel Theft Deterrent System (Inclination sensor) PN: 17800432

http://www.gmaccessorieszone.com/app...t=250&type=jpg

2. Vehicle Security System (Shock Sensor) PN: 17800431

http://www.gmaccessorieszone.com/app...t=250&type=jpg

They work seamlessly with the existing alarm system.

Cheers!

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Just a little heads up on the security accessories above ...

Make sure the dealer sets the shock sensor at a reasonable level. If not something as seemingly innocuous as a rain shower will set it off and it will go off if you try to remote start.

There's a little volume type knob on the side of the shock sensor module (attached under the steering wheel assembly) which sets the sensitivity level. Turn it all the way down and keep increasing it incrementally remote starting every time. Find where the threshold is for the remote starter setting it off and set it slightly less sensitive.

Works like a charm though. :D

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

I have the shock sensor turned to very sensitive. it works fine with me. dealer installed.

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Well mine was also dealer installed along with the inclination sensor.

I haven't gone through the entire range yet to see how much it will tolerate ... all I can tell you for sure is that when it was set on max, heavy rain made it quick hit the horn as a warning and the remote starter set it off.

Right now it is set on minimum ... but it might turn out that I might be able to turn it to almost max without the remote start setting it off.

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Installed the "step shields" accessory today:

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100050...13207037000001

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100050...13207037110001

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

New properly tinted tails and rear 5/8" wheel spacers:

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100050...13210390780001

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100050...13210390870001

I absolutely love the tint shade, and the spacers although difficult to detect, do make a difference. Right now the edges of the tires line up perfectly with the edges of the running boards front and rear.

And yes the quads are out ... they'll be back in next week with an upgrade. :)

Cheers!

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

For her second birthday she had a day at the spa ... :)

Exterior includes:
5 step paint protection: ( gentle wash, clay bar, light scratch removal, polish, apply a polymer paint sealant, and a final detailed inspection) Creates a dazzling shine and long lasting paint protection. Tires and wheel wells are cleaned and protected. Bugs and tar are removed. Exterior trim is cleaned and conditioned. Door and trunk jambs are polished.

Interior cleaning includes:
A thorough cleaning and conditioning of leather seats, dash, console, door panels, air vents. Carpets, mats, upholstery and headliner are gently and thoroughly cleaned. Every nook and cranny is meticulously cleaned to give the vehicle a like new appearance.

Cloudy day today so pics not the best, but there you have it. :)

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100050...13213892840001

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100050...13213893010001

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100050...13213893730001

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100050...13213893430001

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Quick Q in case you guys know the answer to this.

How integral are the brakes on these vehicles to the regenerative system?

The reason I ask is to try and figure out if a big brake kit (Wildwood/Brembo) modification is possible/advisable?

Are our calipers tied into the hybrid system?

----------------------

ETA: All I can find on the RBS is:

The regenerative braking system works in concert with the hydraulic braking system. The system uses a brake pedal emulator, which provides progressive resistance as the pedal is depressed. This consistent pedal feel is very much like that of a standard hydraulic braking system in operation.

... which doesn't tell me much.

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

If I'm correct you don't need to step on the brakes to regenerate. when you release the throttle it start the process.

Saying this, the regenerative part of the system must be in the trans.

There is nothing attached to the brakes. Just the abs system.

You can upgrade the system but......the master cylinder is electrically operated.
Will it have enough juice to move more piston in a bigger caliper ?
That Will be my question when upgrading.

Hope this guide you in the right way.

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Ah thanks TH ... I'm so bad with mechanical stuff I always assumed that somehow energy dissipated as heat in standard braking systems was somehow reclaimed and stored through some connection to the brakes themselves. But if i understand you correctly, you're saying that the system uses what one would call 'engine braking' (like when one downshifts a manual transmission to slow down the vehicle) ... am I getting this right?

Insofar as the power required to use a big brake kit I will look into it.
Would it be fair to say that my variables would be identical to those of a non-hybrid Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade?
Meaning if I find a kit specifically designed for GM full size SUVs, compatibility/fitment will translate to our trucks?

Thanks bud.

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

yes and yes. "Regenerative Braking
The energy associated with a car in motion is called kinetic energy—the faster a car moves, the more kinetic energy it has. To slow down or stop a car, you have to get rid of that energy. In a conventional car, you use the friction of your mechanical brakes to stop, turning the kinetic energy into hot brakes and thereby throwing away the energy. "Regen," or regenerative braking takes over some of the stopping duties from the friction brakes and instead uses the electric motor to help stop the car. To do this, the electric motor operates as a generator, recovering some of the kinetic energy and converting it into electricity that is stored in the battery so it can be used later to help drive the vehicle down the road"

Mechanically speaking upgrading the brakes in your Tahoe will be the same as in the Gas counterparts.

Points to have in mind are the Electric Servo brake system. This is the system that make so many reviews in the magazines about the "feel" of the brake.

Is not as progressive as the hydraulic counterpart. We just get used to our brake system now. But when we 1st took them, I made ppl in the truck kiss the wind shield everytime....lol

Now my advice is to upgrade to bigger but lighter 2 parts composite discs and 4 or 6 piston callipers.

http://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKits/Bra...20Disc%20Brake

I have Baer in my race truck and Willwood in my 69 camaro Protouring. Both are great products.

But again, if I ever upgrade the Hybrid brakes I'll go with Willwood.

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Oh man, I could own this truck for 20 years and I'd still learn new things about it every day.

Plus my pitiful knowledge of mechanics, combined with my catastrophic understanding of the laws of thermodynamics, had me confusered. I just figured the heat from the brakes boiled water, generated steam, that the leprechauns (cause they are hybrid green) shlepped to mah motor and stuff, and voila, HYBRID!!!

I guess what really confused me is that regenerative braking seems to have actually nothing to do with brakes ... which is odd cause they use the same word. But just goes to show you that you cant judge a word by its letters. :D

Thanks bud ... I honestly appreciate the knowledge.

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Okay so I've been a thinkin' ... :D

I'm not gonna drop $4k on a big brake kit ... like TH mentioned it's not as if the brakes on these trucks are poor.

But the dull calipers are bugging me behind the chrome rims. After having read and been told great things about G2 epoxy caliper paint I was ready to pull the trigger on some gloss black to simply match the color of the truck.

However they have a green color paint which almost exactly matches the color of the two hybrid 'H' on the side of the truck above the wheel wells. Now, I would normally never consider having green calipers as 99.99% of the time that's a sure ricer fail ... but in this unique case, because of the existing green elements already on the truck I thought it might tie the whole thing together nicely.

What do you guys think ... will it be too much?

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

So it's almost been a year since I've owned her and I was thinking of all the mods that have been done to date ... so I made a list. :)

Interior:

- GM wood center console bezel
- GM center console organizer
- GM sill plates
- GM step shields
- GM inclination sensor
- GM shock sensor
- GM 2-Way advanced remote
- GM Cargo Security Shade
- GM Roadside assistance package
- GM First aid kit
- Weathertech 1st, 2nd, and trunk floor liners
- Vanity, Dome leds
- RAM iPad cradle

Exterior:

- GM CK375 wheel/tire package
- GM Spare tire addition
- GM Oval running boards
- GM Chrome handles
- GM LTZ door moldings
- GM Escalade rear bumper cover assembly
- GM Escalade mirrors
- Billet 5/8" rear wheel spacers
- Putco rain guards
- Resonator delete and added dual exhaust tips.
- Grillcraft Hybrid upper and lower stainless steel grilles
- Smoked 3rd light
- Tinted tail lights
- Ami All Sales Black front bowtie
- Painted black rear bowtie
- 50% tint on front windows
- K&N air filter
- Led puddle, license plate, reverse, turn signal lights
- Custom headlight quad retrofit with 'flash to pass' highs and switchback led drl/turn signals
- Custom Hybrid rear badging

To be continued ...

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

wow awesome list! i thought these hyhoe/yuhoe trucks were kind of dead due to their low sales numbers in the market. But it is nice to see a true enthusiast making these vehicles still desirable.

Was thinking of picking up a used unit but not sure what to look for along with model changes over the years or TSB on them.

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Hi Phil, and thanks for the kind words.

No too many changes over the few years the GM full size hybrids have been out.
In general it seems preferable to stay away from the 08s as they tend to have a few issues that got ironed out later on. Starting in the 10 model year the nav unit got slightly upgraded with usb and bluetooth. In 11 they moved the resonator eyesore from behind the bumper to the same place it is on the Escalades and Denalis. Cosmetically there have been almost no changes from the 08 to present. I'm not aware of any TSBs but one can easily find out what they are by creating an account on http://www.alldatadiy.com or by contacting GM.

I'm extremely happy with mine and average around 17-18mpg in the city and 23-24 hwy.

Cheers! :)

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

new for 2012
http://media.gm.com/content/media/us...brid/2012.html

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Eight projectors ... :D

Upper 2: 5000K bi-xenon hid with option switch form dual to quad.
Lower Inner: Upside down halogen projector for daytime flash to pass.
Lower Outer: Hollowed out projector with LED DRL/TS switchback


http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100056...13234600350001

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100119...13236323440001

Duals:

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100119...13235825800001

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100119...13235826320001

Quads:

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100119...13235826920001

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100119...13235826490001

Dual low beam:

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100119...13235831030001

Dual high beam:

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100119...13235827480001

Dual no glare ... :)

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100119...13235827990001

Random:

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100119...13235827310001

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100119...13235828300001

I gotta try and find a spot with no lights to take better pics of the low/high beam output. I never realized how rare total darkness actually is. :)

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

So the time has come to move on from the hyhoe ... I've pretty much done every tasteful (i hope) mod there is to do so boredom is setting in.

Anyhoot, I've started unwinding said mods and selling bits off before I trade her in. Some small accessories are already gone, escalade mirrors too. I have commitments from folks to buy the escalade rear bumper, the front grilles and the tinted tails/3rd.

I'm now selling a custom painted front valance in 'the market' here and another forum. I'll soon also list my complete set of Weathertech DigitalFit liners and my chrome running boards. Eventually the spare tire kit and my quad retrofit headlights will be for sale as well.

I'm looking to buy a set of hybrid 18" rims at a good price so I can take the 22s off, although I haven't decided if I will keep them for the next vehicle or sell them ... I suppose it depends on what I end up buying.

It's all a little bit sad because given the time and effort to make her look this way I came to grow fond of the ol 'gal ... still, I hope to have as much fun with the next ride as I did with this one.

If anyone wants any of this stuff let me know. I'm not rushing through this cause it's still going to be a few months till I'm ready to pull the trigger on the next one.

Cheers!

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Sad to hear of the teardown. I did the puddle lights to LEDs that you suggested and they good great. Next will be the interior festoon lights. Although your headlights will likely be too pricey for me, I'll watch to see when you sell them. They look great.

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Hyhoe
Sad to hear that, but I am just wondering why are you stiping it down instead of selling it as is with all your options after spending all this money and time on it?
any specific reason why you are planing to get rid of it?

Thanks

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Hi Guss,

It makes no sense to sell it with all the mods. It adds little to nothing to the trade value, and sometimes it can even hurt as folks like their vehicles factory. This way I'll recover 60-70% of the accessory costs and get fair trade value for the vehicle.

As far as what is next I am not sure yet, but chances are I'll stick with a gm suv ... although to be honest, I'm not sure I'll stick to the hybrid's eccentricities. :)

Cheers!

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Hello, new to the forum and a recently purchased 2008 Tahoe Hybrid. HyHoe I sent a PM. Thanks!

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Hi R,

I'm driving around atm, I'll give you a call in a couple of hours when I get home.
It'll be from a 917 area code no.

Cheers!

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Thanks Serge for your reply :)
Keep us posted, enjoyed your feedback in this forum
Regards
Guss

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Well, pretty much every mod has come off the truck and has been sold except for the wheels and retrofit because I haven't listed them yet.

Bumper, valance, handles, moldings, tail lights, grilles, mirrors, bowties, lettering, spare tire kit, sill plates, and some other stuff all gone and she's almost back to stock. :(

The only thing that's still up for sale right now is my running boards: http://www.ebay.com/itm/320823287995...9#ht_500wt_950

I really need a new truck now ...

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

great Job Serge,
Just curious where did you post your items for sale other than this forum?
do you have a total cost for all your add on options ?
Thanks again and good luck in yoru next truck :)

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Hi Guss,

Most of the stuff was listed and sold to fellow members on tahoeyukonforum, a few bits on CL, and one on ebay. But the TYF folks have been there to see my build from the beginning and know how well I look after my stuff so they jumped on much of it. :)

I spent about $8500 all in by the time all was done ... it looks like after I sell my wheel package and my retrofit I will recover somewhere between $5500-$6000, which I'm thinking is alright at the end of the day. I may actually keep the wheels on the truck to see if it will help sell her at a better price that may make leaving them on worth it. Even without all the mods, if all one did is add the wheels and exhaust tip it makes the truck look twice as good. Those puny 18s really don't do these trucks justice.

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Aaaand the boards are now sold. :)

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

I honestly don't know how you find the time and energy for all this.

It's cool but wow!

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Thanks Serge for your your reply,
what is CL??
Thanks again

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Craigslist. :)

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Thanks Serge :)

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

Well, I haven't sold the HyHoe yet but I did buy a new (to me) truck. :)

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100127...13263985580001

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100127...13263985590001

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100127...13264016230001

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100127...13263985600001

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100127...13263985610001

http://gallery.me.com/soulsea/100127...13263985620001

I know I know, I'm a fuel wasting devil. :D

Re: 09 HyHoe
 

this hurts.

If I was your father I'll give you some serious time out !!!!

Nice Truck dude. Love the interiors (colour and refinement)

Is that a 6.2L?? OMG, Get a tune, a cam, heads, and..........behave my self :(

Get it level on the back, or lower it 3-5" better :)