Aquired a 1991 Suburban V2500 - Looking to build a trail/wheeling rig.

[Suburban V2500]

Hello all.

I recently aquired a 1991 Suburban V2500 from a good friend who is terminally ill.

Id like to build a trail/wheeling rig thats family friendly.

I have rear quite a bit on what people are doing already, but would like some clarification from those who own them.

I see talk of doing 54" front leaves. Im interested in what strong front axles swap without width modifications, as id like to swap axles and do crossover steering. I already have a 14FF with 4.56's for the rear.

Id like to lift approx 8" and clear 37's easily.

Its currently without engine, so im going to go through my stash of engines and see whats there. Will likely end up with a cam/carb/headers LQ4 6.0 and a TH400/NP205.

So heres the goal here, I dont want to spend a fortune. Im very fab saavy and work at a leaf spring and suspension specialty shop, so I can do alot on my own. This is a tribute for a friend to use this truck as he intended to someday, but with 3 kids and a home to maintain, I dont want to dump 15k in a truck to play in here and there.

That said, I want it to be robust and reliable, hence the rear axle swap to a 14FF, swap to something better up front (high pinion D60?) The Stock rotating assy on an LQ4 is hearty, so the engine would survive just fine with no question. TH400's are strong.

Can somebody offer some input on the 54" front springs, and who makes decent springs at a fair cost, and all the odds and ends involved with doing a proper lift on this truck?

Thanks for any advice and input!

Ryan

 

[rayra]

Greetings and welcome aboard.
You probably want to speak with Larry / Project 'Polar Bear'
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...ear”-1989-V2500-Suburban?highlight=polar+bear

And there's at least 3-4 other guys posting here that should know exactly what you need, they should be along soon, sorry I can't recall their names right now.

 

[jeepdreamer]

I can't see how you'd need 8"s of lift to clear 37s. My 89 has used 3" springs up front, 1 ton springs out back with a 2"block and clears 35s (315s) perfectly.


Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[justcuz]

If it has a factory 205 and you intend to keep it you need to find a Chevy or leaf spring Dodge Dana 60.
52" front springs are preferable to 54" springs. S-10 and Dodge Dakota are common. They also are shorter in front and move the axle forward away from the firewall.

 

[underdrive]

If it has a factory 205 and you intend to keep it you need to find a Chevy or leaf spring Dodge Dana 60.

This! The HP D60s have the differential on the driver side, while your factory-style t-cases are passenger-drop. D60 out of a 3500-series GM truck in the '74-'87 (up to '91 if it's a crew-cab) should be nearly a direct bolt-on in place of what you got now. '93-down Dodge 350 D60s are also set up for leaves and passenger-side-drop driveline, I may be able to provide you with some measurements if you need them.

Of course if you're planning on a "doubler" setup then you can do GM NP203 range box to bolt to your TH400 and just have the rear adapter set up for a Ford NP205 t-case, this will put your front driveline on the driver side and allow you to run a Ford HP D60 (available in both leaf springs and coils with radius arms) or one of Dodge's 4-link versions.

Gotta ask tho, why TH400? Yes it's strong but it's a pig on fuel... Stick a 5-speed in its place, or if you want an automatic they do make mechanical controls for the 4L80E so you can run them without a PCM, both will give you an OD gear for less fuel consumption till you get where you wanna go play.

 

[chilliwak]

Welcome to the site Suburban. I look forward to seeing what you do to your `Burb´! The Suburban is an excellent platform for an expo rig as I am sure that you know. To answer your questions better we need to know how much heavy wheeling you will be doing. A Dana 60 is great but not necesary unless you want to run huge tires or do crazy wheeling. As you already work at a suspension shop you probably have most of what you need close by. As someone else has already posted Larrys Polar Bear Suburban is probably the sweetest rig on here and he is very helpfull as to info and what to do. I look forward to seeing pics of your rig and what upgrades you decide to do. Cheers, Chilli..

 

[justcuz]

I'm pretty sure a 1991 3/4 ton Suburban had a 4l80E and NP241 t-case from the factory.

You need a leaf sprung passenger side driven Dana 60 and a 14 bolt full floater.

Buy a B52 spring mount kit and the springs I mentioned above.

Buy a shackle flip for the rear.

Check driveshaft lengths and drive it.

A 6.0 would be a great engine in that vehicle.

Mind your spacing between the flex plate and torque converter, even though the engine and trans bolt together there is a difference in the spacing I believe.

I agree with Chili if you stay with 35" tires, with 37" tires I would recommend a Dana 60 over the factory 10 bolt front axle (which is just as strong as a Dana 44).

Personally I would stick with 4" and 35" tires. They will go anywhere they fit with this combo.

 

[Bojak]

Welcome aboard. Congratulations on joining the square body brotherhood. Its more of a cult but no kool-aid. So .......let's see it. Show us what you are working with.