'93 Suburban - Chillin' Out!
- Thread starter TheOtherSide
- Start date
TheOtherSide
Observer
Yeah the 14B Semi float has some serious beef to it. With the ARB and drums etc... it's got to be close to 400lbs. I'd be pretty comfy running some bigger tires out back, but then comes the issue of strength with the IFS.
As for the strength of the IFS... I'm not going to be rock crawling by any means... and I'm more than happy with how my IFS has handled the few trails I've done so far. I'm not heavy on the skinny pedal as my goal is "drive it out at the end of the trip".... there is no way I'm going to dump a ton of $ on a solid swap as this set-up is awesome for an Overland setup.
TheOtherSide
Observer
- rear bumper with tire, fuel & propane tank carrier (8lb propane tank for camping)
- front bumper with winch... and dual batteries
- rock sliders
- low profile roof rack
- after the above are done... full rear leaf packs
- Slip yoke eliminator
- keep maintaining it....
That's it. No plans to ever go bigger... there is no need for the purpose I've built it. I'm very happy with it. Sometimes I dream of a little more torque from the motor... but if I go down that road, it should have a diesel swap.... haha...
TheOtherSide
Observer
Some towing/camping photos. Was pretty funny pulling into the campgrounds with a lifted truck.... not a common sight. Lots of looks... no idea what they were thinking though... haha...
All these pics were from out Summer 2010 family vacation... keep in mind this is trailer full hook-ups camping, not intended to be compared to Overland Camping.
Leavenworth, WA KOA Campground
Winthrop, WA KOA Campground
Osoyoos, BC Cabana Beach Campground... our favorite place on the beach!!
With Trailer in tow... just south of Omak, WA... kids needed a break BADLY... so we pulled to the side and they were trying to get the truckers to honk their horns. You know... that arm pulling gesture that you do to get them to honk for you as a kid.... still works!!
Pulled in for a quick break at Bromley Rock Provincial Campground & Rest Area. Tip for anyone.... Don't pull into the Bromley Rock Rest Area with a trailer.... took a 40 point turn to get turned around.
Parked in the old western style town of Winthrop, WA... snapped up a Burban pic!
So there are some towing and non-overland pics of the truck for ya. Hauled great... just overheated the front brakes a bit early in the trip as I was setting the trailer brakes.... but other than that, flawless 2 week trip.
All these pics were from out Summer 2010 family vacation... keep in mind this is trailer full hook-ups camping, not intended to be compared to Overland Camping.
Leavenworth, WA KOA Campground
Winthrop, WA KOA Campground
Osoyoos, BC Cabana Beach Campground... our favorite place on the beach!!
With Trailer in tow... just south of Omak, WA... kids needed a break BADLY... so we pulled to the side and they were trying to get the truckers to honk their horns. You know... that arm pulling gesture that you do to get them to honk for you as a kid.... still works!!
Pulled in for a quick break at Bromley Rock Provincial Campground & Rest Area. Tip for anyone.... Don't pull into the Bromley Rock Rest Area with a trailer.... took a 40 point turn to get turned around.
Parked in the old western style town of Winthrop, WA... snapped up a Burban pic!
So there are some towing and non-overland pics of the truck for ya. Hauled great... just overheated the front brakes a bit early in the trip as I was setting the trailer brakes.... but other than that, flawless 2 week trip.
TheOtherSide
Observer
So thought I'd share a very odd failure in the rear brakes. We were on the Whipsaw trail... don't remember where the failure could have happened... but after I climbed this:
I hit the brakes... and they were extremely soft... and went to the floor. So I jammed under the truck like this
and found the right rear to be leaking brake fluid pretty badly out of the drum. When you're that far out of civilization, no point in pulling the wheel off and checking things. I cut the hard line with a set of side cutters... which stopped the leak.... folded over the brake line and pinched it off with a set of vise grips. Then strapped the vise grip to the axle. We topped up the brake fluid which thank goodness didn't totally empty out, so there was no air in the system. Brake pedal was firm... held pressure etc... so we continued on with 3-wheel brakes... being very careful on all decents and planning escape routes while driving at all times.
Another pic of working on the truck and some of the group brainstorming with me
When I got home and pulled the right side apart, I found the brake shoe to have collapsed... like a weld broke or something... then causing the wheel cylinder to pop apart and leak fluid. So I replaced both side shoes, cylinders and spring kit... and it's all back to normal now, but no idea what caused the failure.
The collapsed shoe, sorry, camera phone pics:
A good shoe to compare
And a random photo for you
The shoes got warrantied... but the rep stood there like I failed to tell him how I abused the truck to cause this... sorry man, being 39 and with the kids in the back while exploring, I drive safely and smoothly... but he still doubted me... bugger.
Odd failure... I think it was a manufacturing issue with the welding at that spot.
I hit the brakes... and they were extremely soft... and went to the floor. So I jammed under the truck like this
and found the right rear to be leaking brake fluid pretty badly out of the drum. When you're that far out of civilization, no point in pulling the wheel off and checking things. I cut the hard line with a set of side cutters... which stopped the leak.... folded over the brake line and pinched it off with a set of vise grips. Then strapped the vise grip to the axle. We topped up the brake fluid which thank goodness didn't totally empty out, so there was no air in the system. Brake pedal was firm... held pressure etc... so we continued on with 3-wheel brakes... being very careful on all decents and planning escape routes while driving at all times.
Another pic of working on the truck and some of the group brainstorming with me
When I got home and pulled the right side apart, I found the brake shoe to have collapsed... like a weld broke or something... then causing the wheel cylinder to pop apart and leak fluid. So I replaced both side shoes, cylinders and spring kit... and it's all back to normal now, but no idea what caused the failure.
The collapsed shoe, sorry, camera phone pics:
A good shoe to compare
And a random photo for you
The shoes got warrantied... but the rep stood there like I failed to tell him how I abused the truck to cause this... sorry man, being 39 and with the kids in the back while exploring, I drive safely and smoothly... but he still doubted me... bugger.
Odd failure... I think it was a manufacturing issue with the welding at that spot.
Life_in_4Lo
Explorer
nice photos and truck! I really like that bodystyle GM suv.
Is there a rear disc conversion you could do? Seems like GM has an endless supply of compatible parts out there. Glad it was an easy trail fix!
Is there a rear disc conversion you could do? Seems like GM has an endless supply of compatible parts out there. Glad it was an easy trail fix!
TheOtherSide
Observer
This one? The one I call: Battle of the Burbs! (note the ladder on the other side of the silver burb for his wife to get in?)
. That is one of the reasons i enjoy your thread. Keep up the good work!
TheOtherSide
Observer
Went out this weekend with the whole family... everyone had a good time... truck did well again!!
My new wallpaper
Poser photo
Couple more photos showing the lack of torsion bar cross member hanging down..
:smiley_drive:
My new wallpaper
Poser photo
Couple more photos showing the lack of torsion bar cross member hanging down..
:smiley_drive:
TheOtherSide
Observer
Yep.... they're in the plans.