04 2500 suburban build

[60beforetruck]

Front springs and axle are in. I left the springs bolted to the axle and used a pallet jack to slide the assembly under the suburban. Went pretty smooth. I also got the steering box swapped from over. PSC with hydro assist.

 

[fl0w3n]

Dang, that was a bummer when I saw your flop from FSI
Glad to see you rebuild!

Any reason you didn’t want to just do a cab swap or fix the Duramax?

 

[60beforetruck]

Dang, that was a bummer when I saw your flop from FSI
Glad to see you rebuild!

Any reason you didn’t want to just do a cab swap or fix the Duramax?

I had a cab lined up before I made it home from Utah. Thought about new cab, front clip and flat bed. I always wanted a Duraburb and I just found the right suburban. Same year, color, and trim package. Your bed is warm when you go to bed in the suburban. Truck was comfortable but, it was cold sometimes when you first get in.
I also like how you don't see a lot of lifted suburbans running around.

 

[60beforetruck]

Before I put the shock hoops in I replaced the motormounts, both sides where busted. Replaced the stock manifold with a set of JBA shorty headers. Also went ahead and replaced my plug wires with a set of accel ceramic.

 

[fl0w3n]

I had a cab lined up before I made it home from Utah. Thought about new cab, front clip and flat bed. I always wanted a Duraburb and I just found the right suburban. Same year, color, and trim package. Your bed is warm when you go to bed in the suburban. Truck was comfortable but, it was cold sometimes when you first get in.
I also like how you don't see a lot of lifted suburbans running around.

Right on. I can relate, I’ve got an 02 Duramax ZF6 and I’ve got an 02 Suburban 2500 but it’s got the 6.0.
I may someday follow in your footsteps.
I’ve always waffled back and forth on lifted burbs after gmt400... the rear proportions just seem kinda off... but there’s a lot of awesome things about a Burb like you mentioned.

Curious, what was your plan for the cab and registration/vin, were you going to switch to the new cabs vin and registration or keep your original? I also have wondered about cab swaps, my Duramax has 350k miles on it and it’s a WT strip model. I’ve wondered about swapping a newer cab on, but I need to keep my original VIN for smog reasons.

 

[60beforetruck]

Right on. I can relate, I’ve got an 02 Duramax ZF6 and I’ve got an 02 Suburban 2500 but it’s got the 6.0.
I may someday follow in your footsteps.
I’ve always waffled back and forth on lifted burbs after gmt400... the rear proportions just seem kinda off... but there’s a lot of awesome things about a Burb like you mentioned.

Curious, what was your plan for the cab and registration/vin, were you going to switch to the new cabs vin and registration or keep your original? I also have wondered about cab swaps, my Duramax has 350k miles on it and it’s a WT strip model. I’ve wondered about swapping a newer cab on, but I need to keep my original VIN for smog reasons.

I was just going to use my old VIN and not worry about it. Georgia is easy to deal with. I also live in a emission exempt county.

 

[fl0w3n]

I was just going to use my old VIN and not worry about it. Georgia is easy to deal with. I also live in a emission exempt county.

Gotcha. I’m sure it’s exponentially more complicated in California. I’m mainly worried about if I ever went to sell it.

Look forward to seeing it when it’s done!

 

[FBJR]

Gotta follow this.

 

[60beforetruck]

Got the shock hoops and front shocks installed. Bilstein 7100 series. Also pulled the transfer case from the duramax and pulled the front slip yoke eliminator out to put in the 246.

 

[60beforetruck]

Ran up the road to Transfer Case Express and picked up a fresh 246. While I was there they installed the slip yoke just so I wouldn't have to break the case apart again. Nice knowledgeable crew that I would do business with again.
Got the case installed and then my rear springs arrived. 8 week lead time from Atlas. At first I thought I could run my duramax rear springs or have them re worked. Not happening. Duramax spring 64" suburban is 60, so I ordered new rear springs. Worst part of the spring is the fuel tank on drive side frame rail is blocking the front spring bolt. No big deal just undo the tank straps and hope that the tank is not full.
I also swapped in the AAM rear from the Duramax. This thing is a giant compared to the stock 14 bolt. You can feel the weight just rolling it around. The tracking bar bracket near the passenger side spring pad will most likely need to be reworked. I will also have to redo the u bolt plate/ airbag pad.
With any lift new drive shafts are in ordered. After 8" of lift and rear end swap, the new drive shaft is 2" shorter then the stock one. First time I ever put a shorter drive shaft in a lifted truck.

 

[RedF]

Looking good! Are you going to drive it before the engine swap?

 

[Tiki]

Id go lower but looks great

 

[FBJR]

What rear spring are those? I just got deavers for my 06 dmax that's getting a lift next month.

 

[fl0w3n]

What’s the tire size in those pics?

 

[60beforetruck]

Looking good! Are you going to drive it before the engine swap?

Yes, I want to play wit the big block a little.

What rear spring are those? I just got deavers for my 06 dmax that's getting a lift next month.

The rear springs are 8" Atlas premium ride. They are a soft spring but, I run air bags so it is kind of nice.

What’s the tire size in those pics?

The tires currently on the truck are 37x12.50x20 SSR. They really measure out at 35". I have a set of 38x14.5x20 I run some times. You can stuff the 35 into the fender if your not careful.