 This month's upgrade to Project Kickin' It doesn't even show from the outside, but it was definitely on the top of the list of "must do." The 1998 Tahoe's front brakes were so bad that we even went in to our local GMC dealer to see if perhaps there was a recall to correct the vibration. No recall applied to our particular vehicle, so we knew at 48,000 miles, it was time for a new set of pads at least. And from the screaming sound of metal on metal, it was unfortunately probably going to mean rotors as well. With a very heavy box from Performance Power Group happily stowed in back, we turned to one of our favorite shops, and previously best-kept secret; in fact, we hesitate to reveal their name here, because they are hard enough to get time with already. Located on North Rancho in Las Vegas, conveniently only blocks from Off-Road.com headquarters, half the shop is the "serious" business - Auto Brake & Clutch, and just the packed schedule six days a week speaks for their reputation.
But the secret is in the other half of the building - the "Kool" side. The Kool Guys Shop, to be exact. Tony paid his dues working in his father's shop for years, and now runs the side of the operation that specializes in off-road and performance modifications. They don't advertise - they don't have to. In fact, you probably wouldn't even know they exist, unless you follow the SNORE desert racing series and happen to notice the Sportsman class winner in a dark red Ford Bronco II. Or maybe you're a regular at Dumont Dunes and have seen a bright orange Chevy Blazer screaming up the hills, nitrous powered of course. THAT is Kool Guys, and they are some of the lucky few that just happened to turn their favorite hobby into a thriving business. After waiting patiently for a break in their schedule, we took Kickin' It in for a little loving care - actually, it was several days of grinding, pounding, wrenching, and cursing. But that's the lift kit, and we'll get to that in the next installment! The brakes were a breeze. I must admit that with this Project we are turning to a shop to do work that could be done at home by anyone even mildly handy with the tools. We discovered that with the K&N Fuel Injection Kit last month, and that is certainly the case with installation of new brakes. However, this project needed to proceed forward at a pace that didn't take into consideration one person that was NOT in fact handy with tools (me), and one person that did not have two hours in their week to deal with it (the spousal unit). And besides, it afforded me the opportunity to pass through the sacred portal - "Employees only beyond this point." This was the realm of MAN, testosterone oozing from every power tool and girlie calendar, discreetly hidden inside lids of tool boxes or on the backs of bathroom doors. By the end of the week, even I was ready to grunt! I was tolerated by most, welcomed by a few, and learned from all. Everyone should take time to see a commercial shop in action - it makes you a little more understanding of the seriousness of using your husband's $45 Mac Tools chisel for removing carpet glue from old concrete - with the assistance of a hammer. But I wander... Basically, the brake job was just that - the story here was exactly WHAT brakes we were putting on. Factory brakes are fine for standard use, long easy trips on the freeway, daily driving in town, etc. Our Tahoe will see some towing time, and with the addition of bigger wheels and tires, we will be putting additional strain on the brakes. (How many of you consider that as you shoe-horn on those 42" Super Swampers?!) Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/OffRoadDotCom
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