This thread will document the build of my 1997 Chevrolet Suburban K1500 Budget Overland Build.
In July of 2015 I was browsing Craigslist looking for an inexpensive Chevy 4x4 to replace my dying 99 Tahoe Z56. It had begun to nickel and dime me and was literally rusting away. I stumbled on the following ad:
This ad really intrigued me because they said the truck has almost know rust and I figured I could sway the rear from my rusty Tahoe. (More on that mistake later). I contacted the seller and they sent me some more pics. Apparently the seller had purchase this truck on ebay. He lives in Indiana an purchased the truck in Michigan. While driving the the truck home it broke down in Toledo, where I live. The left the truck here in Toledo in storage, drove home and advertised it on craigslist.
After seeing these pics I made an appointment with the seller to look at the truck. I could tell from the pics that the truck was filthy but solid and no visible rust. Actually, from the pics I could tell where they had stored the truck,it was less than 2 miles from my house. I drove over to the Uhaul Self Storage lot I recognized from the photos and gave it a look through. The truck had real potential. I met with the seller the next and checked the truck over very carefully.
Drivers door needed pins
Power steering hose need replace
Front leather seats both in bad shape but all electrics worked.
Engine sounded good but Flowmaster was very loud.
Professionally installed alarm with remote start.
Under carriage show now sign of have been exposed to road salt. Dusty and dirty but no rust underneath.
No rust I could find on the body, some pealing paint on the hood and roof but basically not bad shape.
I made a deal for the truck and paid $625.00 for it.
After 15 months of slowly making changes this what it looks like today.
In the coming posts I'll show you what I've done so far to get to this place and what I plan to do in the future.
In July of 2015 I was browsing Craigslist looking for an inexpensive Chevy 4x4 to replace my dying 99 Tahoe Z56. It had begun to nickel and dime me and was literally rusting away. I stumbled on the following ad:
This ad really intrigued me because they said the truck has almost know rust and I figured I could sway the rear from my rusty Tahoe. (More on that mistake later). I contacted the seller and they sent me some more pics. Apparently the seller had purchase this truck on ebay. He lives in Indiana an purchased the truck in Michigan. While driving the the truck home it broke down in Toledo, where I live. The left the truck here in Toledo in storage, drove home and advertised it on craigslist.
After seeing these pics I made an appointment with the seller to look at the truck. I could tell from the pics that the truck was filthy but solid and no visible rust. Actually, from the pics I could tell where they had stored the truck,it was less than 2 miles from my house. I drove over to the Uhaul Self Storage lot I recognized from the photos and gave it a look through. The truck had real potential. I met with the seller the next and checked the truck over very carefully.
Drivers door needed pins
Power steering hose need replace
Front leather seats both in bad shape but all electrics worked.
Engine sounded good but Flowmaster was very loud.
Professionally installed alarm with remote start.
Under carriage show now sign of have been exposed to road salt. Dusty and dirty but no rust underneath.
No rust I could find on the body, some pealing paint on the hood and roof but basically not bad shape.
I made a deal for the truck and paid $625.00 for it.
After 15 months of slowly making changes this what it looks like today.
In the coming posts I'll show you what I've done so far to get to this place and what I plan to do in the future.
Last edited: