New rig, gonna be a slow build. 88 Suburban

[rparker762]

So, I have an 84 K5 Blazer on a 6" lift and 35s. I have decided the only things I dont like about the Blazer is the difficulty accessing the back seat due to the way the passenger seat tilts and the fact that when trying to access the cargo area with the top on is a chore. Here it is as it sits now:

So a deal came a long that I felt I could not pass up. A buddy's brother had a spare 88 GMC Suburban lying around :Wow1: and offered it to me for a song, (traded a rifle for it).

So I now have a excellently running Sub with a TBI 5.7l, access to the back seat AND barn doors for easy access to the cargo area! It has a couple cosmetic issues but those will be fixed down the line:

Still researching but so far: TBI 350, 700R4 with a shift kit, 208 t-case, 10 bolts f/r with 30 spline axles and a possible govloc, Nexen 31" ATs (a really nice tire)
The plan was to swap the axles, suspension and tires off the Blazer onto the burb (6" and 35s) BUT I dont think I want to go that high. The burb is also gonna be a family vehicle and the height will make it difficult for some to get in.

So the plans:

2 to 3" lift and 33" or equivalent tires
Drawer system for the cargo area
Rack for the roof
Spare carrier on rear bumper

I figure with the mild lift, 33s and careful driving, I can go almost anywhere I want offroad, still have fun, and still have an awesome DD.

Since I have only wheeled mud tires and 35s, I would like recommendations on tires. The wheels are 15s and can easily be replaced but I want good riding / wearing tires. I am thinking of going to 16 or 17" wheels as well.

 

[saveitforsunrise]

looks nice, id go with a 16 inch wheel, iits getting impossible to find a 15 inch 33 anymore, and also look into getting a 14 bolt under the rear, my tahoe is down at the moment fo rear end failure

 

[locrwln]

^^Gotta agree, if you do nothing else, find at least a SF14 bolt and put it under the rear. There are few rear axles that were/are under spec'd for the vehicle and a 10bolt under a burb is one of them. Especially if you are going to put larger tires on it and take it off road. Too much weight and too much stress for the rig.

Looks like a great score though.

Jack

 

[Zimnij Volk]

Looks like a great score! Subscribed.

 

[roostercruiser]

find axles out of a 3/4 ton suburban not from a blazer. you can find 14 bolt FF with 4.11 at least in junk yards for cheap. and put at least Dana 44 in the front.

 

[roostercruiser]

my burban came with 10 bolt up front and a semi 14 out back. i swapped out both axles cuz it couldnt handle the stress and breaking.

 

[rparker762]

So I took the burb out on a small trip today, basically a shakedown run. Nothing off road but just a cruise around the city looking for issues. I did find that at part throttle at slow speeds, as in a parking lot, if I let off the gas and apply the brake it seems like it wants to die and one time it did stall. It fired right back up though and it doesn't do it when driving at normal speeds. Also, the tranny shifts extremely quickly but it doesnt seem to lose any power, such as being in too high a gear. I was told it had a shift kit in it and it was used to tow. From a stop, the tranny will be in 3rd gear just past the opposite crosswalk. I also found it is extremely easy to speed in this beast. I only need to apply the smallest amount of pressure to the pedal once going to maintain speed and I still have to let off to slow down cause it will creep faster Overall I am pleased with the burb. But now I have a couple questions that I cant seem to find the answers to anywhere.

One, the sticker is missing that tells how much of a charge the AC system takes. I have the dual AC system. Anyone know?

Two, does anyone know what the idle speed in park and neutral is supposed to be? My truck idles between 900 and 1100 rpm in park and neutral and about 600 in gear.

Thanks for the tip rooster, Ive already started looking and I have been following your build from the beginning.

 

[DT75FLH]

Its around 84oz for the front and rear a/c IIRC (on r-12). its quite a lot.

idle sounds right. cold mine will idle at 1000, and drop to 600 in gear. When I first got the truck it would not idle when warm. the IAC was bad "they stick sometimes" replaced it and it now starts, idle fine.

also. if your only going to run a 33" tire with a mild 3" lift and not rock crawl with it then a front 10 bolt should be fine. My burb had a 10bolt with 8lug outers on it to match the 14 bolt ff in the rear.

I am now running about a 3" lift with 285/75/16 tires. it has 4.10 gears in front with a detroit, and the front axle I got from a buddy that has a welded carrier with alloy shafts and ctm joints .

with the 33" tires the 4.10 gears are a perfect match. it rides like stock and the speedo is now dead on.

 

[hillbillyjake]

x2 on the 10 bolts living with 33's. with careful driving they will serve you well.

i would start with the fuel filter to deal witht he stalling. probably the cheapest possibility

have you checked the gear ratio? you say that it seems like it shifts real quick and doesnt lose any power when it does. it soulds like it is geared very low. just a thought. good luck with the build.

 

[rparker762]

No pics today because everything I did is simple stuff. I installed 2" blocks in the rear to assist with the sag. I was going to move the tranny cooler inside the grill but I cant find anyone that makes the special zip ties to attach it. I did find out that the truck has an oil cooler and a rather large one. Also found out the gear ratio is 3:73 and the rear does have a govloc. Overall a slow but good day. Oh I did notice the orange fog lights are KCs and my buddy had a matching set of 100 watt KCs that I tossed on there.

 

[rparker762]

Well I've come to a crossroads. I wanted the Burban to address the issues of rear seat and cargo access that I had with the Blazer. But after driving the Sub around all day Sunday, I'm not sure its gonna be the best choice for me. I am a Chevy guy trough and through but I am finding it mediocre at best. Mileage wise it is slightly better than my Blazer. I was getting 6 to 7 mpg in the Blazer and I'm getting about 10 to 12 in the Sub. Sub has dual AC, Blazer didn't. Power wise, the Blazer and Sub are about the same. I honestly think I jumped the gun on this one. At this point I am thinking of changing the 31x10.5 15s out for 285/75/16s and then trying to sell it. The interior is decent though the 3rd row is missing. I will be tinkering on it over this weekend and I hope something changes. My next option is a 01 F250 with the V10......

 

[bfdiesel]

I would stay away from the ford v10 and 5.4 v8 they launch spark plugs. It is easy enough to drill out and bushing, but out on the trail it would really suck. Being a chevy fan if that happens you may never drive another ford again.

 

[rparker762]

So the Ford thing is out the window but I might have another option. Though I really dont want to get into payments, we just had a nice 03 Dodge Ram SLT 4x4 with the 5.7 Hemi roll into the dealership. Body is pretty much straight save for some AZ pinstriping but I'm a detailer so its nothing a wet sand and buff cant fix. Only other problem is it has 20" in wheels and tires. Runs great, drives great. My only other experience with Dodge was my wife had a 99 Dakota and that thing was a beast.

A gratuitous pic.