1988 Suburban "MOBY"

[tgdoumit]

a few pix:

that is a very powerful little magnet right there on the end of that wobbler.


it'll hold that bolt quite firmly and stay put after the job is done.


there is one upper hinge bolt that has to be accessed from the inside. a rubber grommet for the dome light pin wires doubles for this purpose.
also, it's easier if you move the ductwork out of the way.

 

[justcuz]

Where did you get those little magnets? I use magnets on the bottom of my oil filters to help the magnetic drain plug catch any ferrous metal floating around in the engine. I lose the filter magnets occasionally on washboard roads.
Something stronger would be great.

I try to keep my hinge pins well lubed to avoid doing this job. Door alignment does take time and patience, I cheat a little by using wood door shims to hold to door in place. I've seen others router a slot in a 2x4 for the door bottom and use a floor jack.

 

[tgdoumit]

the magnets came from a crafts store. there were 12 or 16 of them stuck to a card. i dont remember the mfg.

10-4 on lube. this rig spent many years in someone else's care before i happened upon it this spring. been spending some quality time fixing little things that could have been prevented.

the door is lined up pretty good now but not good enough.. too high

Where did you get those little magnets? I use magnets on the bottom of my oil filters to help the magnetic drain plug catch any ferrous metal floating around in the engine. I lose the filter magnets occasionally on washboard roads.
Something stronger would be great.

I try to keep my hinge pins well lubed to avoid doing this job. Door alignment does take time and patience, I cheat a little by using wood door shims to hold to door in place. I've seen others router a slot in a 2x4 for the door bottom and use a floor jack.

 

[tgdoumit]

hey kids,
just checking in to let you know that this is still happening. talking to myself here too, kinda recording progress for posterity...

managed to save a few bux up and find some motor mounts from. Diesel Conversion Specialists. https://www.dieselconversion.com/blog/cat/conversion-overviews/post/GM-Chevy-1978-1999-Diesel-Gas/ they also had a regulator for the alternator too.

They are more of a ford swap vendor/ shop but also take care of folks who like gmc trucks too. something they are coming out with soon is a high mount a/c bracket system which means i won't have to monkey with the frame rail t
just for air conditioning...

Geno's garage had all the seals i wanted for pre engine install. i am still waiting on these as they were shipped friday. the motor will get new oil pan,crank and timing cover seals. it will also get a nice coat of cummins turkey turd tan paint. i dont know why this excites me, it does and I'm not going to fight it.

it was nice to see you guys, thanks for looking, quit pulling your sister's hair and get that kitten out of your pants...
laters

 

[justcuz]

What are your front axle plans with the Cummins install?

 

[tgdoumit]

i want to do the ford dana 60 thing. i haven't researched it for the suburban yet but anything is possible, right?
going for the drivers side drop.

i have a dana 80 for the other end that i am considering putting in too....

 

[Bojak]

Updates?

 

[tgdoumit]

Updates?

i have gathered some items for the swap but have been working on the kid's rig...
chomping at the bit to finally get started on my own project, it's been a busy summer.
i am really excited about my build.... hoping sooner than later.

 

[tgdoumit]

time to die!
Moby started right up! all excited like to be reborn with a 12er! after months of sitting there waiting we took a hot lap and went into the head of the line inside.


how about a before pic of the rig before i do bad things to it... it's difficult for me to pull a nice one apart...


the young fella on the left bought the engine, t400 and t-case from me. his dad came up and started the engine and heard it run a few days before. needless to say they were pretty happy with their find. i let them have the set pretty cheap since he's just starting out. pay it forward surely it has happened for me a few times. i also gave him the wheels and 33's too. he was a happy boy!


there you are all gutless and empty... so sad.
i have some minor things to do with the motor as in replace some gaskets etc. it has 200k on it but runs like a top.

thats all for right now. still working on the kid's XJ. its coming together and if you guys are good i might post up a link!

thanks to all the veterans. thank you.....

 

[rayra]

man that whole read gave me the willies. Gone thru it all with my '85 C-10. Flashback city. Right down to the Performer manifold.

Q-Jets are 'easy' with some carb rebuilding experience, but the necessary adjustments and linkages are critical. Also, they've been hacked on for so many years that you have to look our for the right-sized jets, stripped screws, etc and they ALL leak fuel in a dribble down the intake after a couple thousand miles, as the epoxied jet access drilling on the bottom fail. And they ALWAYS fail. You'll know when your idle goes to crap. Edelbrock has a great equivalent-replacement, 600cfm, but the bowl / jet setup is designed with no bottom penetrations. It CAN'T leak in the same way as a Q-Jet. Get one if you can in your State.

 

[tgdoumit]

Thankfully carbs are now just a mere memory and I don't plan on ever monkey with one again😊

 

[chilliwak]

Cant wait to see more pics of your build there Tg. That is going to be one nice `Burb´..:Wow1::Wow1::drool:

 

[tgdoumit]

Cant wait to see more pics of your build there Tg. That is going to be one nice `Burb´..:Wow1::Wow1::drool:

me too!!!!
actually it's been a really busy time here it seems. just like with every other build here there's not enough time, money or will power on the weekend to do anything.

but...

tomorrow morning i am going to pick up a 77.5-79 ford high pinion dana 60 for me to have under my cummins swapped suburban!
yeah, pretty excited about that chunk.

why not stick with the passenger side drop?
i don't want to.....

but??? it's cheaper that way!
yup...

no, i will be different in an inconceivable more expensive way because i am hard headed and i kinda know what i want.
actually there is room for it on the right side with an exhaust.. but i don't want to fight it. same reason i don't sleep wif three big dogs and two cats on my bed... i like room to spare.

looks like i may have takers for the 14 bolt (SF) and 10 bolt. one has a gov lock and they both have 4.10 gears. plus another fella licked the gen 2 dodge dana 60 i have to claim it for himself... there's just too many axles around here right now!

ill get you guys something to lookit here tomorrow if i remember.

be nice to your sister, santa's watching and tell your mom hi!

 

[chilliwak]

It will be interesting to see how you put it all together TG. I am looking forward to seeing pics of your build...:Wow1:

 

[tgdoumit]

As promised, a pick from my 2 hour road trip.
Dana60 high pinion off a 1978 ford 3/4 ton w/ snowfighter package. (Wewt!)

Looks to be in very good condition.