1991 Suburban 2500

[jscusmcvet]

I own a Sub, a full size 4x4 pickup and multiple Jeeps. The Sub is indispensable.

Different uses I suppose. I do not think I can reasonably keep both.

Still a great position to be in. When I drive the jeep, I love it. When I drive the Burb, I love it. Yesterday afternoon we tooled up the road 35 miles or so to check out a growing downtown area. Taking the 2 lanes, cruising at 55, even in this old girl with her rattles, squeaks, etc... it was still quiet enough to chat and comfy enough that if felt as if we were going 30.

So yeah, leaning toward the Suburban hard right now. A successful weekend of projects helps that out for sure.

 

[justcuz]

If you get a rear locker installed before your Winter Safari, your decision will become harder or easier depending on how the Suburban performs.

 

[jscusmcvet]

If you get a rear locker installed before your Winter Safari, your decision will become harder or easier depending on how the Suburban performs.

Truth. I began wheeling, like many, without a locker. But it has been since 2004 since I have wheeled an unlocked rig... and I have never wheeled anything this big. Excited for the challenge. We are lucky enough to live way out in the woods and on some of my "test" areas, I am impressed with the flex of the stock (although worn) suspension. Also the traction, which I am guessing comes from the weight. However, on wet mud/clay, off camber... there is a weebit more tendency for this rig to slide in the downhill direction... more so than the jeep or than my wife's Tacoma. Learning curve headed this way...

Edit: I did have a LR Disco for a brief period a few years back ad that did not have a locker. Wheeled it twice with good results.

 

[Gravel Slinger]

...every time I pull up beside a jeep at the stop light, I need to glance over to see if its the highschool punk that dosent know what a transfer case is, that "cool guy" with his midlife crisis, or barbie herself.

LOL! Yep exactly.

 

[jscusmcvet]

When I got home from work today my Borgeson steering shaft had arrived. I took advantage of what little light we had left and removed the old steering shaft and cleaned things up a bit. A couple questions for those of you who have done this before:
1 - Does the ujoint on the steering box get pushed onto the splined shaft all the way so that the slines on either side of the original pinch bolt groove are covered, or do you just cover the first set of splines?
2- When you cut the hollow part of the shaft to length, when installed should the shaft be completely extended? Does it matter if it is not?

I have read over the Borgeson instructions a bunch of times and also searched here and on CK5. Just want to make sure I understand correctly with something as important as the steering.

Luckily I still have the Jeep so I can take that to work in the morning.

Thanks,

John

 

[M35A2]

When I got home from work today my Borgeson steering shaft had arrived. I took advantage of what little light we had left and removed the old steering shaft and cleaned things up a bit. A couple questions for those of you who have done this before:
1 - Does the ujoint on the steering box get pushed onto the splined shaft all the way so that the slines on either side of the original pinch bolt groove are covered, or do you just cover the first set of splines?
2- When you cut the hollow part of the shaft to length, when installed should the shaft be completely extended? Does it matter if it is not?

I have read over the Borgeson instructions a bunch of times and also searched here and on CK5. Just want to make sure I understand correctly with something as important as the steering.

Luckily I still have the Jeep so I can take that to work in the morning.

Thanks,

John

The splines should be all the way in (both sets). Pinch bolt in between.

I am not familiar with cutting anything. You want the two pieces telescoped and with good support. As long as the outer has room to collapse over the inner why would you cut it? The shaft is shipped collapsed to save on shipping and is extended quite a bit to install.

BTW, the pro tip to remove the old steering shaft is to cut it and remove the two halves separately. Reason is that the ends (steering column and steering box) usually are seized in place (as well as the slip joint) and trying to remove the old shaft intact can get you to kill the lower end column bearing or even, sometimes, hurting the box. This way, instead of simultaneously dealing with three seized components at the same time, you only deal with two separately and alone, and the third (the slip joint) becomes irrelevant.

 

[jscusmcvet]

Thanks for the response. The shaft is too long to fit otherwise, and the instructions say to cut it, I was just unclear as to what the normal amount of collapse "ability" needs to be.

Thanks,

John

 

[jscusmcvet]

Thanks for the response. The shaft is too long to fit otherwise, and the instructions say to cut it, I was just unclear as to what the normal amount of collapse "ability" needs to be.

Thanks,

John

I called Borgeson this morning. They were very patient and helpful. They recommend hat shaft not be full extended, as there is movement of the slip joint back and forth even when it is attached. So this evening should include cutting the tubular part of the shaft (also confirmed by them) and bolting it up... I need a smiley for fingers crossed.

Also I have been having a few starting issues. About 40% of the time I crank the key, get the "click" but no turn over of the starter. I back off the key and try again and it fires up. I checked wiring connections and it all looks/feels solid. Second issue is sometimes, not every time, when cold starting, it fires up and then within 15 seconds or so stumbles and the engine dies. Start up after is a bit rough, and usually takes mashing the gas pedal.

Thoughts?

John

 

[warrpath4x4]

not every time, when cold starting, it fires up and then within 15 seconds or so stumbles and the engine dies. Start up after is a bit rough, and usually takes mashing the gas pedal.

Thoughts?

John

mine would run like crap when I started it up and wouldn't idle correctly, my problem was the temp sender for the computer (front of intake manifold), has nothing to do with your temp gauge.

 

[M35A2]

I called Borgeson this morning. They were very patient and helpful. They recommend hat shaft not be full extended, as there is movement of the slip joint back and forth even when it is attached. So this evening should include cutting the tubular part of the shaft (also confirmed by them) and bolting it up... I need a smiley for fingers crossed.

Also I have been having a few starting issues. About 40% of the time I crank the key, get the "click" but no turn over of the starter. I back off the key and try again and it fires up. I checked wiring connections and it all looks/feels solid. Second issue is sometimes, not every time, when cold starting, it fires up and then within 15 seconds or so stumbles and the engine dies. Start up after is a bit rough, and usually takes mashing the gas pedal.

Thoughts?

John

You have a TBI motor, correct? Perhaps the IAC (Idle Air Controller) is sticking. Replacements are inexpensive and if yours is original at worst you'll end up with a spare.

 

[jscusmcvet]

Thanks guys. After researching a bit today, I checked the EGR and it seems to be working. I went ahead and replaced the MAP sensor. Seems to be running smoother... in my mind anyway. M35A2, it is a TBI and I will be replacing the IAC tomorrow and Warpath the temp sender as well.
I completed the install of the steering shaft. All seems good there. Took a good bit of work to get it on. Test drive was very nice. Steering wheel not quite aligned anymore, but no biggie. Interestingly the windshield wiper switch now will not work properly, lost all delay function and needs a good wiggle or two to stop wiping. I will dig into this tomorrow.... sigh...

Pics maybe tomorrow as well.

 

[jscusmcvet]

Hooked up 12v for the fridge today. Ran from the fuse box I mounted by the battery, down the frame rail and up into the back. fridge fits and runs fine... working on securing it. Secured the stock trailer hook up... Also did some more work on my trailer... mounted a contico box, wired and put the battery in it. Good day, now off to see what Ann has lined up for me.

John

 

[justcuz]

I was going to suggest locking the steering column in the straight ahead position and adjusting at the box spines. As I recall the pinch bolt may go through one spine off either way at the box. That's what I did with the 93.
I have never had much trouble removing the steering shaft, sometimes you may have to drill through the plastic the factory installs, to get them to slip together.
The Suburban will slip off camber more due to increased weight higher on the chassis than the Jeep. It is an adjustment you make in the seat-o-meter. The locker and a bit more skinny pedal to maintain forward momentum usually fixes it. When on a club run just make sure the guy ahead of you does not stop and leave you stuck in an off camber position in muddy ground. Wait for him to clear so you get a straight shot through the spot.

 

[jscusmcvet]

I was going to suggest locking the steering column in the straight ahead position and adjusting at the box spines. As I recall the pinch bolt may go through one spine off either way at the box. That's what I did with the 93.
I have never had much trouble removing the steering shaft, sometimes you may have to drill through the plastic the factory installs, to get them to slip together.
The Suburban will slip off camber more due to increased weight higher on the chassis than the Jeep. It is an adjustment you make in the seat-o-meter. The locker and a bit more skinny pedal to maintain forward momentum usually fixes it. When on a club run just make sure the guy ahead of you does not stop and leave you stuck in an off camber position in muddy ground. Wait for him to clear so you get a straight shot through the spot.

Thanks Justcuz. Went off on a trip to town tonight and the Burb is running well. I have also been using it on the farm a bit, which is helping me learn the ins and outs of this large vehicle. Excited to take I ton the first offroading adventure in a couple weeks for the BRE Winter Safari.

 

[matt41482]

Are you running dual batteries? I seem to remember you having a portable battery box. I just got a fridge and trying to decide what route to go.