1998 Chevrolet Tahoe LS9

HIGHLIGHTS

LS9 Engine Swap - Factory Correct Install With 700+HP
45,000 Mile, Original Paint Truck
Built To Top Specification Throughout
Hardened and Significantly Upgraded Drivetrain

SPECIFICATIONS

VIN - 1GNEK13RXWJ374352
Engine – 6.2L, supercharged, dry sump, V8
Gearbox – 4 Speed Automatic
Drivetrain - Front Engine, RWD/4WD

PRICING INFORMATION

Price - SOLD

OVERVIEW

Yep, the LS9 Tahoe is back.

We helped sell this truck in 2018 - you can see the previous listing here when the truck had 35,000 miles on it. The truck traded hands again in 2020, and we acquired the truck again in March 2022 - thinking, hey, this is the right thing to use as a shop truck! Well, the problem is that it is too nice with original paint and interior in exceptional condition, and frankly too powerful to run around town as a shop truck.

So 2,000 miles and a year later, it now has 45,000 miles on it, and we have serviced and detailed it again to prepare for sale. New tires, fluids and filters, spark plugs and some other misc. items, the truck is ready for a new home.

The story of how it all began follows…

It all started with the purchase of a one owner, 4WD, mint condition, 1998 Tahoe with only 33K miles on it back in 2012. Then came the discussion – what to do with it? What is the flat out most ridiculous thing we can do with it? What is in the GM parts catalog for crate motors this month? And the Tahoe LS9 swap was born…

The previous owner had a long running relationship with Titus Will Chevrolet in Olympia, WA and as such, he had their top technicians tackle the bulk of this GM parts bin swap. A factory fresh dry sump LS9 motor was ordered and mated to a new 1-ton transmission that was further built for the job. The genius of the dealership handling most of the install was the access and knowledge of all the interchangeable parts. This work was conducted in late 2012 and early 2013 and backed up with a thick stack of invoices.

The goal all along was to build something that never had to apologize or be babied. The quality of components and details are evident throughout, and the cost of the parts and labor is eye watering. Every single area of the mechanicals has been rebuilt with new or better parts. The rear end is a custom Dana 60 with 35-spline axles and a Detroit locker to get the power down. Traction bars were custom fitted during the break in miles, as it was determined that some assistance was required to keep the rubber planted in full throttle launches.

Custom work for the swap was handled by Wicked Fabrication in Auburn, WA. Wicked is well known for a number of custom builds, and had no issue bringing all the details together on the Tahoe. They were also involved with sorting all the bugs and details of the swap over the next 1000 miles of break in and use.

Brakes were upgraded front and rear, and larger wheels were needed – back to the GM parts bin for some late model 20” alloy wheels at all four corners, and then the suspension was lowered just enough to give the truck the look, but also increase the handling. When the largest sway bars on the market were not enough, the team just made a custom set for the truck – because of course they did – the whole project was like this.

The specification list follows, but truly is just an executive summary of the incredible work and invoices on this truck:

Engine

LS9 - 6.2L Supercharged Crate Motor from GM
Factory Dry Sump system retained
Lingenfelter pulley and ECU kit
Custom headers and full flow exhaust system
Oversized cooling system – BE-COOL
Spanky’s Rod Shop – Wiring Harness, Cruise Module, dealer serviceable as factory Corvette ZR1 electronics with all GM plugs
Spanky’s Custom Fuel Injectors

Transmission

GM 4L80E – 1-Ton, Strengthened
Billet input shaft
Performance shift kit
TCI Maximizer torque converter
TCI Forged flexplate
Oversized Transmission Cooler

Driveline

Dana 60 Rear Axle - Shot peened 3.73 R&P, 35 spline axles, Detroit Pro Locker (rear end rated for 1000+HP applications), Billet main caps
Front Axle - GM performance 3.73 gears and bearings, Driveshaft Shop - Level 5 half shafts, strengthened main caps

Suspension

Lowered with Superlift components
Custom traction bars on rear axle
Custom sway bars

Brakes/ Wheels/Tires

BAER Brakes at all four corners with cross drilled and vented discs – 14” Front, 13” Rear
20” Late Model GMC alloy wheels with fresh Goodyear rubber all four corners

Why We Love This Truck - Really the same reasons as when we sold it back in 2018….

Total sleeper that is overbuilt. Starting with a one owner 33K mile truck back in 2012, the drivetrain now only has 12,000 miles on it (45,000 total chassis miles). With the swap properly handled by top shops, it oozes quality and details in person. We absolutely fell in love with this truck when it first came through in 2018.

You want to do a 200-foot burnout at every stop light? Ok, no problem.
You want to sit in traffic for an hour with front and rear A/C blowing cold? Ok, no problem.
You want to tow your ski boat to the lake? Ok, no problem.
You want to surprise all the Mustangs in town? Ok, no problem.
You want to run errands all around town – Costco, Post Office, Home Depot, Starbucks, Post Office again, Taco Time drive thru, more traffic, and back to the shop? Ok, but can we do another burnout first? Ok, then no problem.

You can put this Tahoe in “D” and just mash the pedal any time you want. It just hooks and goes. Need a little chirp to let those around you know you are here? Mash the pedal. Want to do a burnout (is there a theme here?) – just give it a little brake and half throttle and then let her go. So wonderfully overbuilt, you are unlikely to break it.

The truck will literally sit in traffic for hours and never break a sweat. This alone is an aspect of the truck we love. It is so damn tough, it just does not care. And as our good friend said – “There’s nothing kinky about it.” It just starts, runs, and drives the way you would expect if the factory built a hot rod like this.

Offered with us again today with a clean CarFax, clear WA title, and a stack of invoices, this truck is ready for the next chapter. Please come pick it up and lay down some rubber on the way out of our parking lot. Then go tow your ski boat to the lake for the afternoon, haul it home in traffic, and maybe the occasional burnout with the full family on board.

Please call Jason at +1-206-355-7727 for more information on this LS9 swapped Tahoe for sale.