1999 Chevy Suburban K2500

GmTech14

Observer
Hello all,

hmm.. where to start... long time lurker, decided to finally get started on my build thread. I have a 1999 chevy suburban K2500. 106k miles when i got it and it's 98% rust free which is ASTOUNDING for being an Indiana car its whole life. I got this August of last year originally to DD and tow my Jeep cherokee. Well, long story short, I decided the big mud piles and rocks werent what i liked and found i was much more found of getting out in nature with a vehicle and camping. I guess at this point the suburban wouldn't be what a lot of you guys consider "expo-ing", but week long outings are all i can do at this point in time, and honestly being out for months at a time doesn't sound super appealing anyways LOL.

A little about me, I am a certified GM mechanic and Car enthusiast. If anyone on here has any vehicle maintenance or troubleshooting problems, PM me and ill do my best to help. Like i said earlier I have had several Jeep Cherokee's and accidentally stumbled on this type of "off-roading" and found it was a lot more what i liked to do. Mud and rocks are fun but for me the trip itself and getting out there is more fun. Me and a friend took the Burb to the upper peninsula of Michigan last NOV but that has been the extent of exploring i have done with it so far. Plans to go out west for a week long adventure and back up north are in the works for later this year.

So far not too much has been done for the Burb directly related to adventure mods. I have been trying to save for a house and in the process of selling the jeep and other items to get some spare cash for the Burb. Needless to say, this will be a slow build. However, i have been doing maintenance items. so far;
-tune-up (plugs, cap, wires, rotor)
-re-sealed the notorious 350 intake leak i had
-replaced front stab bar and links (were broken)
-replaced shocks
-replaced several dead door lock actuators
-new louder muffler (dont know what kind, sounds good though)

I have many plans for it but when and if it all gets done we will have to see. lol.

now for some pics (jeep pics mixed in)
the actuators i did today
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toolbox at work
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Texans Outdoors

TexansOutdoors.com
Welcome

I just joined not too long ago myself. I'm in the process of rebuilding a 99' k1500 4x4.
I just put in a new crate engine, rebuilt trans, front end a/c and evap coil, fuel pump..... I didn't do it my self but i did work a LOT of overtime.
I can't get pics to post but I'll be asking you lots of questions.
 

'05TJLWBRUBY

Adventurer
Good looking 3/4 Suburban- I love these things. What engine is in yours? You threw me with the "notorious 350 intake leak" comment- would have assumed the 454 no? Looking forward to what you do with it.

Best of Luck,

Mike
 

TeamDoty

Cpt. TeamDoty
I had a '96 K2500 w/ the TD engine... unfortunately the injection pump died and combine that with all the other gremlins associated with that engine I had to let her go. Your rig looks like a great survivor - love the Jeep too!
 

Ghostwarrior

New member
Nice suburban.. Leaky oil at intake manifold ? My 5.7 L vortex hasnt gotta at 178k and counting. Im on trans america trail with my 99 suburban lt z71 k1500.

image.jpg
 

GmTech14

Observer
So what are your future plans for it?

right now its just getting all the this-n-thats taken care of. Eventually, i would like to lift it and put 33's on there and do all kinds of stuff lol. honestly, im not sure yet! so many people here give me good ideas lol.

I had a '96 K2500 w/ the TD engine... unfortunately the injection pump died and combine that with all the other gremlins associated with that engine I had to let her go. Your rig looks like a great survivor - love the Jeep too!

I can't say i was ever a fan of the 6.5... whatre you running now? and thanks, wanna buy it ;)

Nice suburban.. Leaky oil at intake manifold ? My 5.7 L vortex hasnt gotta at 178k and counting. Im on trans america trail with my 99 suburban lt z71 k1500.

View attachment 339750

yea it was, the gaskets were ate upppp. I like your brush guard, did you make it? its good to know others have fit these behemoths on the trails!! and what size lift/tires do you have?
 
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GmTech14

Observer
well, not too much to report on the burb this weekend. I spent the morning figuring out why my jeep wouldnt start (neutral safety switch, bypassed it). From there i proceeded to clean the interior of the jeep with help from the GF. very muddy from the swamps lol. hope to get it posted on CL tom.

I did get out to Potato Creek state park to go mountain biking on this awesome day.

potatoe.jpg
 

rayra

Expedition Leader
Nice clean looking Sub. I've always liked that gunmetal color.



Been dealing with the intake gasket sort of thing myself lately, got a topic going about it which I'll update very soon since the work and photos are done. I went after the Vortec Trifecta of issues, intake gasket, knock sensors and heater hose firewall connection Ts all in the same evolution. A lot easier to do them all at the same time, especially the heater hose connections.

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GmTech14

Observer
Nice clean looking Sub. I've always liked that gunmetal color.



Been dealing with the intake gasket sort of thing myself lately, got a topic going about it which I'll update very soon since the work and photos are done. I went after the Vortec Trifecta of issues, intake gasket, knock sensors and heater hose firewall connection Ts all in the same evolution. A lot easier to do them all at the same time, especially the heater hose connections.

enginethreefer02_zpslw8fuiwo.jpg
enginethreefer06_zpsxcbbjrkr.jpg

thanks for stopping by! i assume youre referring to the 5.3 ls "vortec" engine, mine is the older 5.7. luckily, i dont have to worry about those pesky heater hose connections on mine!

time spent now will only benefit you and provide peace of mind, and im all about that!!
 

GmTech14

Observer
well, another boring weekend on the burb. Main focus is getting my jeep sold, and i have been having problems. it keeps getting flagged on craigslist for some reason. i guess people think somethings wrong with a long descriptive ad!! oh well. i shortened it so hopefully itll get sold and i can officially really start getting into my burb.
anywho, hopefully in the next 2-3 weeks ill get out to a state park and go camping. the big cross country adventure wont be til fall. lots to plan and lots to modify before then :sombrero:

today i did my last door lock. i did the RF, RR, trunk, and now LF. its nice to have them work!
pics of the lock and door
sat window.jpg
sat lock.jpg
then i went a little crazy and replaced a peanut bulb in the door
sat bulb.jpg
feelin froggy still today and got the front 2 windows tinted with 30%
sat tint.jpg
lastly did the burb's favorite thing to do
sat gas.jpg

I am happy with the tint. didnt want it crazy dark and it matches the rear very well.
decent saturday morning i suppose...
 

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