I recently bought a 1991 GMC Suburban 1/2 ton 4x4 that has a 6" lift and 36" tires on 15" rims.
Stock 350, and automatic with 133k miles + (20% x unknown mileage it has been on 36's) No power anything, the radio doesn't get any stations, the gas gauge only works between 1/4 and E (but that is the most important range, so I am not going to fix it), speedo is 20% off, and the third row passenger side seatbelt doesn't retract. It cost $1,900.00
We don't go on expeditions, or use our vehicles to camp out, but my 5.5 year old daughter and I like to go explore and sometimes make trails in our smashed up little 84 CJ7 that we keep at the lake. The economy being what it is, there are some developments around the lake that barely got started, or are on hold so I am helping them knock over the small trees this making it a touch easier for them when they finally get going and clear the land completely... Now that my 1.5 year old boy can go + my wife + my friend and his kids, I decided we could use something bigger to haul everyone, and take short trips on the expressway to some of the creeks and rivers (the Jeeps handling is sketchy to me at 70mph) that are within an hour or so. Most of the time it will just be parked at the lake next to the jeep waiting for us to abuse it, so I am not worried about daily driveability, mpg, or any of that sort of stuff.
Since I work at a steel fabrication shop, I am having some fortifications made, and a roof rack just for fun. I will probably use the roof rack as a patio where I can sit in a lawn chair and watch the kids. In genreal my plans are to make sure it is relatively safe, comfortable, and not lose my headlights and grille when I purposely run into a tree or something.
Please offer any advice you have for me to achieve my modest goals!
I put some photos in the Suburban photo thread, but I will add progress pics here.
New to us:
First mod - Rattle canned the wheels black:
I bought a casette to iphone thing at walmarts for $5 as a fix to my radio that cant find a station.
I also downloaded a speedometer app, so I don't have to do math to figure my speed (although it is almost an even 20%)
Front bumper progress:
It is sturdy 3/16"
Stock 350, and automatic with 133k miles + (20% x unknown mileage it has been on 36's) No power anything, the radio doesn't get any stations, the gas gauge only works between 1/4 and E (but that is the most important range, so I am not going to fix it), speedo is 20% off, and the third row passenger side seatbelt doesn't retract. It cost $1,900.00
We don't go on expeditions, or use our vehicles to camp out, but my 5.5 year old daughter and I like to go explore and sometimes make trails in our smashed up little 84 CJ7 that we keep at the lake. The economy being what it is, there are some developments around the lake that barely got started, or are on hold so I am helping them knock over the small trees this making it a touch easier for them when they finally get going and clear the land completely... Now that my 1.5 year old boy can go + my wife + my friend and his kids, I decided we could use something bigger to haul everyone, and take short trips on the expressway to some of the creeks and rivers (the Jeeps handling is sketchy to me at 70mph) that are within an hour or so. Most of the time it will just be parked at the lake next to the jeep waiting for us to abuse it, so I am not worried about daily driveability, mpg, or any of that sort of stuff.
Since I work at a steel fabrication shop, I am having some fortifications made, and a roof rack just for fun. I will probably use the roof rack as a patio where I can sit in a lawn chair and watch the kids. In genreal my plans are to make sure it is relatively safe, comfortable, and not lose my headlights and grille when I purposely run into a tree or something.
Please offer any advice you have for me to achieve my modest goals!
I put some photos in the Suburban photo thread, but I will add progress pics here.
New to us:
First mod - Rattle canned the wheels black:
I bought a casette to iphone thing at walmarts for $5 as a fix to my radio that cant find a station.
I also downloaded a speedometer app, so I don't have to do math to figure my speed (although it is almost an even 20%)
Front bumper progress:
It is sturdy 3/16"
Last edited:
