Another 1991 Suburban

[sean257]

Daughter's suggestion won out. After all it is a truck for back roads, woods and adventures, so no need to pretty it up. Body will stay beat to crap...

When we picked it up from the sheriffs department after they recovered it from where the thieving bastards ditched it

Drove it back to our home from the lake (200 miles) to figure out the engine problem. Engine problem is only at idle/low rmp. Was fine on the highway at 75mph.

I bought the $5 app for my tablet (torque app) and a $15 wifi obd connector, and after all of this time, it appears that I have bad o2 sensors.?

On this series of pics you can see the bank 2 o2 sensor go flat line, then drift up to 1v telling the ecm that it is running to rich and the ecm responding by cutting the fuel trim 30%. while its doing that I can hear/feel the engine having it's problem.

 

[sean257]

So I changed the bank 2 o2 sensor, and all seems to be well. I'm going to go ahead and change bank 1 also, because it also does it, but not nearly as often.

I haven't decided if I am going to drop another $500-$1k on another used winch yet or not. I only used it one time to unstick myself. I used it a few time for yard work, but that was just because it was there. I'm trying to get it back functional on the cheap. New forward lights for the rack, but not the two side lights as I never really used those either. New front bumper, and maybe just a Bluetooth speaker for a stereo. Undecided on that, because I'm not sure if it will be loud enough to hear with the windows down.

Bumper:

Now I just need to add the front bumper lights, and re wire all of the off road lights, and I'm all set!

 

[Yroundrdn]

Wow, great job on the bumper. Hope they find those Pr!ck$ who took you're ride!

 

[MTCK]

Man that sucks about the thieves but at least you figured out the O2 sensor problem. Good looking bumper.

 

[aardvarcus]

I had similar intermittent low idle stumble/die issues on my 8.1l in my 2500HD last year, acted like it wasn't getting fuel. Tried bulk sensor replacement including throttle, pedal, O2, etcetera. I am pretty sure it ended up being the Camshaft position sensor, low on the front of the engine. Replaced that and I was back in business, problem went away. If you have any more issues, you may give that one a try.

 

[chilliwak]

Glad to see you back Sean and sorry to hear that your truck was stolen. The new bumper looks great:drool: and hopefully you will get it back into the shape you want after the theft. Thanks for posting up. Cheers, Chilli...

 

[kojackJKU]

Brutal....I would kill whoever stole anything off me. Awesome square body...hope you get her back in one piece.

 

[superbuickguy]

All of my expensive, not-full-coverage rigs have a SPOT wired into the vehicle (and they have a battery backup) in a place that cannot easily be accessed but has a clear view of the sky. Steal my rig from me and you'll beg me to call the cops. It costs $100 a year to be monitored by satellites. I can't recommend them enough (and I get nothing for referring either).

 

[Yroundrdn]

All of my expensive, not-full-coverage rigs have a SPOT wired into the vehicle (and they have a battery backup) in a place that cannot easily be accessed but has a clear view of the sky. Steal my rig from me and you'll beg me to call the cops. It costs $100 a year to be monitored by satellites. I can't recommend them enough (and I get nothing for referring either).

That is a GREAT idea! With all the $$ we put into these rigs that would be a great way to not only get it back but also get the parts back. Not to mention the fun that goes along with recovering your own rig. Given the capabilities of these things, we should be able to get a 200lb 6' object and shovel out to some very remote areas ROFSheriffHL:

 

[sean257]

I ordered a Spot. Thank you! I like your thinking Yroundrdn...

I've been driving it all week with no problems, so I guess it was that simple.

I went ahead and redid the intake plumbing, copying the work done by others on here already using the 4" spectre stuff.

Installed new stereo system. Got to be able to hear over all of the road noise! Luckily most of the wires were still there, I just had to splice some RCA ends on.

New lights on the front bumper

All ready to go back to exploration and fun duty!

 

[sean257]

I had a chance last summer to really find out about the power available from the 8.1. I mean it will drag me down the highway and up and down hills great compared to the 5.7 obviously, but last summer I borrowed our neighbors sea doo jet boat. I ended up clogging one of the jets about 16 river miles from home on a 102 degree day. With only one engine we couldn't plane out and we weren't interested in a 5mph ride if avoidable. We also had a jet ski with us, so I took that back to the house at good speed to get the burb and the jet boat trailer.

Well the place to pull the boat out didn't have a ramp, just a rock creek bank kind of like this

No problem. I pull out on the bank, turn around and back the trailer in the creek. Pull the boat on, secure, and start to pull out. Except it doesn't really move. ****. In 4H, wheels are not spinning, just revving up and not moving. Ok, not enough power/gear. Switch to 4L, turn on the ARB locker, try again. Similar, but not we are inching forward, RPM's up, tires maybe spinning a hair faster than we are moving if at all, but again we are moving so I just keep at it. After what seemed like a while, the tires hit packed rock and we started to move a lot. Slowed down and pulled up near the road. It turns out I was participating in a full on tractor pull LOL, and had dug a trench, the width of the trailer, about 1000' long and 1-1.5' deep. I know, diesels, bla bla bla, but I'd say I made full use of the 8.1's 450 ft/lbs or whatever it has. Unfortunately, it was hot, and I was on a mission, so I have no pictures.

Neighbors boat was fine, and unclogged still runs 60. Trailer mightt have got a few more scratches.

Jet boat hair

I mainly have posted questions and build updates here, but we have had fun since this thing has been built.

ATV observation deck

Exploring abandoned places

Creek and river banks

 

[sean257]

It has also been the sled hauler/snow playing truck and jeep hauler

Back when the body was still mainly in tact. lol

It would be pretty cool to take it with up on our first trip to the southwest, but we'll be flying and driving a rental SUV. I'll have to not smash up the rental.

 

[FBJR]

Great build up there Sean.

Glad you got it back and it looks like a new pass door is on there too.

What app and obd wifi item that you got?

 

[chilliwak]

It has also been the sled hauler/snow playing truck and jeep hauler

Back when the body was still mainly in tact. lol

It would be pretty cool to take it with up on our first trip to the southwest, but we'll be flying and driving a rental SUV. I'll have to not smash up the rental.

So awesome to see you rig out there again sean! I like the pics and the fact that your rig survived the theft and is out rocking again. Good on you mate. I love old Burbs..... Cheers, Chilli...

 

[tgdoumit]

great thread! love these square suburban builds. gives me hope that i will get mine done someday