1991 Suburban 2500
- Thread starter jscusmcvet
- Start date
jscusmcvet
Explorer
Thanks, i was wondering where to start. I have seen videos on this and it is on my list. I am hoping for sometime in the coming weeks to get it done. Does not look hard at all.
jscusmcvet
Explorer
So this came in today: http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm (on sale at this time)
and ordered this: http://zoneoffroad.com/borgeson-gm-extreme-duty-steering-shaft/000935
Hoping this will get me a start on the steering wandering. I know the brace is not about that but good insurance, as my first off road trip in this big ole girl is about a month away...
and ordered this: http://zoneoffroad.com/borgeson-gm-extreme-duty-steering-shaft/000935
Hoping this will get me a start on the steering wandering. I know the brace is not about that but good insurance, as my first off road trip in this big ole girl is about a month away...
warrpath4x4
Adventurer
you would be surprised how much the frame flexes at the steering box and just adding the brace will sometimes make a huge difference in steering.
jscusmcvet
Explorer
Hoping to get it mounted up on Saturday. That would be great if it helped, extra bonus for me, as I thought it would just reinforce the area against future damage. I think the steering shaft is going to take a few days/week or so to get here. Hopefully that will be the final step in the sterring work. Never know but I hope so.
Also on Saturday need to do the work to get me 2005 Jeep LJ Rubicon ready to go up for sale... a bit of cleaning, remove the winch, take some fancy pictures...
justcuz
Explorer
I looked at aftermarket kits with Borgenson joints and decided to go with the Cherokee shaft for 2 reasons.
1. Price, wrecking yard Cherokee shafts are usually less than $20.00
2. Borgenson joints have side mounted pinch bolts that could under extreme conditions allow the shaft to slip off and
lose steering control. The through bolts on the Cherokee shaft will not allow it to slip off.
I've read about a couple instances the guys have had to weld the pinch bolts to keep then tight. Granted these are heavily used vehicles, but I would rather not take a chance.
1. Price, wrecking yard Cherokee shafts are usually less than $20.00
2. Borgenson joints have side mounted pinch bolts that could under extreme conditions allow the shaft to slip off and
lose steering control. The through bolts on the Cherokee shaft will not allow it to slip off.
I've read about a couple instances the guys have had to weld the pinch bolts to keep then tight. Granted these are heavily used vehicles, but I would rather not take a chance.
jscusmcvet
Explorer
Thanks Just Cuz. I was headed the Cherokee route and read some reviews of the borg shaft and off I went. We'll see ho wit hold up to dd/weekend expo rig. It's hardest duty will likely be in and out of my property, rough farm track.
Installed the ORD steering box brace today. Not a bad job. Had to grind a bit to clear the oil cooler lines. Doubt I will test run it tonight, but will report back regarding any difference in handling. I know that is not the object of this piece, but it makes sense that it may stiffen things up a bit.
Also looking for a set of mudflaps. Any sources?
Installed the ORD steering box brace today. Not a bad job. Had to grind a bit to clear the oil cooler lines. Doubt I will test run it tonight, but will report back regarding any difference in handling. I know that is not the object of this piece, but it makes sense that it may stiffen things up a bit.
Also looking for a set of mudflaps. Any sources?
Rovertrader
Supporting Sponsor
Hey John, just found this thread, so sorry to hear about Ann's aunt.
Glad the big girl is behaving- sounds like you are getting her sorted. I always wanted to do the Cherokee upgrade on different burbs, but never got the chance. Anxious to hear how the borg and brace upgrade help!
Enjoy!!
Glad the big girl is behaving- sounds like you are getting her sorted. I always wanted to do the Cherokee upgrade on different burbs, but never got the chance. Anxious to hear how the borg and brace upgrade help!
Enjoy!!
jscusmcvet
Explorer
Thanks for checking in Dale! Burb is doing well. The brace seems to add some stability, although I am super interested in getting the borg shaft in and seeing if it tightens things up a bit. We are in VA for the next couple days and I have to say that at this point this vehicle traveling on the highways, at 55 - 60 is as sweet as I have ever had. Barely working, loping along... quiet. I see a 2" or so lift in her future, as the front springs are pretty worn, and that is about it really.
Hope you and the family had a great Christmas.
John
jscusmcvet
Explorer
I am looking forward to seeing any pics of upgrades... Cheers, Chilli...
Thanks Chiliwak. I am sans a camera at the moment and I do not operate with a smart phone, so I will catch up when I get the camera situation rectified.
Quick update: I mounted the ORD steering box brace. Very straightforward install once I figured out the positioning. Took some grinding to miss the oil cooler lines, which ORD has noted in their instructions. My seat of the pants asessment is that it has some impact on the firmness of the steering... although I may just be getting used to it, who knows.
Up this weekend is the winch install and then some work on my jeep to get it ready to sell.
We took a quick post Christmas trip to the Virginia mountains (my little Joe loves the train museum in Roanoke) with the whole gang.... While not a real "expo" trip. the burb certainly shined in that we could all ride together in comfort. We were able to avoid interstate for the most part and the 55-60mph roads is where the ole girl shines, loping along smooth and quiet. Averaged 14.6 mpg. Total fuel cost (avg. $1.90/gal) was $45.60. Compared to the two vehicles we would have taken before we got the burb we would have spent approx. $65.55 fuel cost. So that is my justification for the day
I would like to get a locker in the rear diff before the end of January, but having difficulty deciding between Detroit and Lock Right. Comes down to money really as it looks to me like the install is the same on both. I have done lunchbox locker installs before, so I think this is something I can tackle... Either that or just drop it at East Coast Gear Supply for a day and pony up the cash.
Why a locker? While this is my DD, I also want capability to run milder trails (a step above forest roads, a step below rock crawling). For those of you familiar with Uwharrie, I want to be able to confidently tackle the Rocky Mount, Sawmill, Slab Pile, Wolfs Den, Falls Dam loop... at least have that level of capability. On a day to day basis I run in and out of my home, with 3/4 of a mile on unimproved farm track (more technical than some trails). Dry, no issues. With the rain we have had this holiday season, I just about need to drop it into 4wd on 2 sections in particular.
jscusmcvet
Explorer
Looking for a good place to mount CB antenna. Thoughts? Pictures?
M35A2
Tinkerer
Great vehicle choice, great mods and great thread.
Suggest you look into replacing the mechanical fan. Even with the clutch, it requires power to spin. Electric fans can require more power overall when they are running (stacked inefficiencies of the alternator and electric motors), but they do not run all the time for a significant net savings.
I suggest something like Flex-a-Lite as you want a good controller and a separate frame to mount the fans. Do not hang the fans off the core as today's cores will not take it and will decide to leak at an inopportune moment.
My full-size Chevy 4x4 has electric fans plus a louvered hood. It is amazing how seldom the fans come on. But some of this is because there is no hot pocket of air trapped over the motor.
You can pick up a mpg easily, possibly more, overall.
I am not sure of the requirements in your area, but if you can ditch the air pump that will be the end of another parasitic loss.
Finally, TBI motors like to run warm, so install a 200 degree thermostat. Aftermarket chips I have found to be unnecessary.
Suggest you look into replacing the mechanical fan. Even with the clutch, it requires power to spin. Electric fans can require more power overall when they are running (stacked inefficiencies of the alternator and electric motors), but they do not run all the time for a significant net savings.
I suggest something like Flex-a-Lite as you want a good controller and a separate frame to mount the fans. Do not hang the fans off the core as today's cores will not take it and will decide to leak at an inopportune moment.
My full-size Chevy 4x4 has electric fans plus a louvered hood. It is amazing how seldom the fans come on. But some of this is because there is no hot pocket of air trapped over the motor.
You can pick up a mpg easily, possibly more, overall.
I am not sure of the requirements in your area, but if you can ditch the air pump that will be the end of another parasitic loss.
Finally, TBI motors like to run warm, so install a 200 degree thermostat. Aftermarket chips I have found to be unnecessary.
'05TJLWBRUBY
Adventurer
Gee- are you my long lost distant cousin I never knew I had? You are selling your '05 LJ Rubicon to fund your Suburban for the same reasons I am building our Suburban- though I am keeping my '05 LJ Rubicon. You are thinking of running 255/85/16s- my favorite size! Just put the third set on the Jeep a week or two ago, second go on the Toyo MT's as they work so well as an all around do everything tire. Have had two sets on my Suburban prior to tearing down for the build. Hummmm....
Antenna mount? Decide on the look you're after and if you want it obvious or not- you can put it about anywhere. Front or rear bumper low profile or long, opposite side of main radio antenna with under hood mount, magnetic on roof- so long as you tune it right, don't really matter where it's at. Lots of area on the Burb to put it. Just put it where it's NOT in the way of general use and every day chores or danger of trail damage.
Wise choice going with the box brace. If you can only do one, I would do that over the weld kit simply because it ties into additional plane for more support. We just did another weld in kit recently on a buddy's rig which is great for frame repair but not enough to really stop the flex and it will crack again in the future outside of the weld area simply due to amount of force and pressure it has pushing sideways. Throw it on an alignment rack sometime and watch how much it flexes, it's crazy. The bolt in brace is great in addition to welding and added crossmember and/or boxing. We did away with the front/back by swapping a 60 under and went crossover, now working towards hydro assist. Should live long and happy after that. Borgeson is great to do away with the rag joint- I've used several on rigs in the past with good results. Adjust the box and that's about as far as you're going to get with steering feel outside of really fixing the frame flex situation. Those things move a lot without really addressing the problem at hand.
Great looking rig, interested to see where you take it.
Best of Luck,
Mike
Antenna mount? Decide on the look you're after and if you want it obvious or not- you can put it about anywhere. Front or rear bumper low profile or long, opposite side of main radio antenna with under hood mount, magnetic on roof- so long as you tune it right, don't really matter where it's at. Lots of area on the Burb to put it. Just put it where it's NOT in the way of general use and every day chores or danger of trail damage.
Wise choice going with the box brace. If you can only do one, I would do that over the weld kit simply because it ties into additional plane for more support. We just did another weld in kit recently on a buddy's rig which is great for frame repair but not enough to really stop the flex and it will crack again in the future outside of the weld area simply due to amount of force and pressure it has pushing sideways. Throw it on an alignment rack sometime and watch how much it flexes, it's crazy. The bolt in brace is great in addition to welding and added crossmember and/or boxing. We did away with the front/back by swapping a 60 under and went crossover, now working towards hydro assist. Should live long and happy after that. Borgeson is great to do away with the rag joint- I've used several on rigs in the past with good results. Adjust the box and that's about as far as you're going to get with steering feel outside of really fixing the frame flex situation. Those things move a lot without really addressing the problem at hand.
Great looking rig, interested to see where you take it.
Best of Luck,
Mike