Diesel Suburban- what to start with?

1

1speedlos

Observer
Hey everybody,
I'm new on here, and have some questions about getting into a Suburban as an Expo rig.
After reading Colorado Ron's build thread, and seeing the Subbins and other diesel 'burbs, the wife and I are pretty fired up, and looking for guidance.
What to look for in a base vehicle?
We're set on diesel, and we're not interested in creature comforts. I'd rather have 3/4 running gear, a solid front axle... durability over comfort. And I'm reasonably sure that I'll be swapping in a 12v Cummins eventually.
I'll fab up body armor (Ron's given me some great inspiration!)
So after that disjointed ramble, what're your opinions on what to start with? Year, model, etc...

Thanks,

Los
 
Jacket

Jacket

2008 Expedition Trophy Champion
Welcome to Expo! Aspiring to the amount of armor and steel on Ron's Suburban is a lofty goal:elkgrin: , but it all starts with an inspiration.....:safari-rig:
 
P

pete.wilson

Adventurer
Hey

I would personally look for a older model up to a 91 which was straight axle (non-IFS) to begin with and in a 2500 series (3/4 ton) and have it powered with either the 454 or a good 350 (if you plan on putting a diesel in it). I admit you will need to look in the southern states to get a clean one. The next two newer body styles are good but you would need a solid axle install to replace the IFS front end and is quite expensive. I have had a number of suburbans including an 89, 91 and a 94. I would still have the 94 if it wasn't for the gasoline BS this summer.

Pete Wilson
 
1

1speedlos

Observer
Oh, I hear ya!

Jacket said:
Welcome to Expo! Aspiring to the amount of armor and steel on Ron's Suburban is a lofty goal:elkgrin: , but it all starts with an inspiration.....:safari-rig:
Click to expand...
I don't know if my aspiations are quite that high, but it definitely is an inspiring 'Burb!
Thanks for the welcome. There's an awful lot of great vehicles and info on here- I'm really glad I found this site.
 
ntsqd

ntsqd

Heretic Car Camper
I have a '91 FS in CA.

I considered a diesel conversion, but ultimately decided against it. None of the transplant options were attractive to me and I was put off by the semi-poor rep of the OE diesel engines. Still, given that, my own choice would have been for the GM 6.5td with an aftercooler.
 
G

Guinness44

Adventurer
Get an already diesel Sub. Those years at least have clearance. If its not charged, you could ad a Turbo (a local fellow did).
The 6.5 seems to have a bad rep. Truth is, they are rather hard to kill, but as with any other powerplant, maintenance, and some attention. (IF 6.5s were THAT bad, our soldiers, would walk a lot.)
 
ujoint

ujoint

Supporting Sponsor
Don't pass up a later model sub, since an aftermarket solid axle swap isn't out of the question. The diesel models are rare.
 
M

mrstang01

Adventurer
I'm starting with a 94 half ton, got it really cheap, or I would have started with a 3/4 ton version.

Michael
 
Colorado Ron

Colorado Ron

Explorer
Hope you dont mind me chiming in!:victory:

Thanks for the compliments on the burb. If it was me, and my wife agreed, I would most certainly have started with a late 87-91. You can find a diesel, but they are not too common. The comment about our soldiers walking alot, well that why they drive in packs. I know a soldier that works on them, and they are down all the time. My PERSONAL expierence is not good. I tried everything in the book to make them work dependably. I had the 6.5Turbo. I would steer clear. For me here is the ultimate setup. 87-91 FI with a Manual tranny. You get four leaf springs, solid axles, fuel injection, tough tranny, and great engine. SOLID platform to start. Just so you know, Mine had NONE of that. Its taken months, but it has all that now! My wife hates the older body style and talked me into the 94. If would have been all up to me, I would be driving a 87+.

PS--Even if you find a half ton, one ton axles are plentiful and bolt in!
 
ntsqd

ntsqd

Heretic Car Camper
I hope I don't cost myself a sale by saying this, but I've no love for the '91's front clip. Those fenders don't stand up the way my '79's did. I kept the whole '79 front clip in anticipation that I might swap out the '91's front sheet metal. The '91 headlights are also puny. Finally finding a rare set of 150mm H4's made them livable, but they're still not as good as the 7" H4 lights that my '79 had.

That said, 87+ is the way to go for the main body for their increased rust resistance. My '79 had terminal cancer or I'd have never replaced it.

I put the 3/4t front brake parts on the '91's front axle. Very simple swap, about as difficult as repacking the front wheel bearings. The rear is another easy swap so long as you chose the right 14bff donor. Mine came from a Sub. I sold off the one from the '79 as the donor I used was recently rebuilt with a Detroit installed. There is an issue in the p-brake cables though. Different generations employed different cable configurations.
 
ntsqd

ntsqd

Heretic Car Camper
Depending on the thought and parts put into it, I don't see the 700R4 as a weak link. There will be those that point out that the auto isn't as easily field repaired as is a manual. I don't go to those places where such extreme concerns would weigh so heavily. Comes down to individual choice, there is no single right answer.
 
Colorado Ron

Colorado Ron

Explorer
I agree its personal choice. But for aurgument sake the stock 700R4 doesnt come close to the strength of the factory manual in same model burb.

And, there is no way I would put a 700R4 behind a diesel. If his future plans call for a diesel, might as well save a step.
 
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