My 1991 Suburban V2500 Build (ideas welcome)

[asmith]

I purchased this Suburban from Craigslist. First thing I do when i get a new vehicle is start browsing the forums for ideas. Wow was I impressed on the fan base of this vehicle.

This is how I brought her home. Some how i made if from Riverside to Fort Irwin with really bad tires (one popped as i pulled in the drive way!:Wow1


First order of business . . . new tires. Bought these for 200 bucks


Started going through the truck doing the normal maintenance oil, spark plugs, cap and rotor. Scrubbed the interior and also purchased weatherstripping for all the doors (needed that before i washed the outside).
Also pulled the headliner to fix the sagging. Seeing if i can save it, don't really want to order a new one.

Pulled the front seats and console to really get her clean.


So my plan is make it a travel/expedition capable vehicle.
4in lift normal ORD stuff. (which front springs are best)
Hydro boost
14 BFF
8.1L swap (lots of ?s)

Sorry for the long post. Been browsing for a while and have a bunch of questions :sombrero:

Thanks Andrew

 

[warwgn]

With a suburban I vote 6" lift to give more clearance in the center and compensate for the long wheelbase.

 

[FJRanger]

Cool, I love these vehicles and while I'm and landcruiser fan I keep finding myself looking at the pre 1993 2500s for a Cummins or 6.5 swap.

 

[Kaisen]

Rethink the 8.1L swap..... If you're going that new, do a 6.0L. But you might just want to do a 454 with the TBI (from a 1988 to 1995 C/K)
The 8.1L is a big heavy motor that isn't necessarily outperformed by the lighter, newer, less esoteric 6.0L

 

[asmith]

Thanks for everyone's replies. Just went and picked up new rotors pads and calipers for White Dragon :ylsmoke:. Thought i give EBC yellows' a try. I've had good luck on green stuff for cars. So we'll see.
@ warwgn as far as the lift i think i will go with the 4" so its not to difficult for the wife and baby to get in.
Most likely the swap will depend a lot on what motor I find.

 

[bfdiesel]

Nice burb. What drivetrain does it currently have? 350/700r4/np208? 4" lift will be plenty just keep a skid plate on the t-case or get a np205. 52" spring swap in the front with ford shock towers seems to get a lot of love, if you want to just bolt in some springs call ORD and they will hook you up they have a lot of experience and happy customers. Hyrobrake booster is the way to go, any gmc booster should fit and your master should bolt right up to it. For a 8.1 or other big motor swap you should look at getting a one ton axle under the front too. 60 front and 14bolt ff or a dana 60-70 for the rear. Cross over steering is a good idea too since you are going up 4" and will have room for it.

 

[asmith]

The drive train is TBI350/4L80e/241c 10bolt /14BSF. Where is a good place to get skidplates?

 

[huntsonora]

This would be a great thread to go through for ideas!

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...ear”-1989-V2500-Suburban?highlight=Polar+bear

 

[BBslider001]

This would be a great thread to go through for ideas!

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...221;-1989-V2500-Suburban?highlight=Polar+bear

I second that! I also pulled my interior the same way back in Oct when I got mine. I pulled the carpet too and power washed it at the car wash. A dirty pig owned it before me, but it got it looking like new. Nice Burban! Have fun with it!!

 

[cop car]

you lucky bastard. 1991 is the only hear for the 4L80 in those. i had to settle for a 1988.

do bumpers, rock sliders, 4 inch lift, up to 37s and youll be golden. i have 315/70/17s off a H2 on mine currently, with 4in of lift it would be outstanding, very capable yet not lose on road manners.

imo people trade marginal offroad capablity upgrades for a lot of highway driveablity. expecially in an expo vehicle you are going to be on roads and dirt trails the most, for lots of miles. so keeping on road driveablity and comfort is important.

 

[Scrib]

You have a great baseline to start with - congrats!

 

[txfactor76]

I wouldn't do anything to the drivetrain. That's a pretty stout setup as it is, and you should be able to find parts on shelves around the world. Seriously.

Just a couple bolt-ons will really wake up that tired 350. Think Vortec heads/intake, mild cam, headers and it'll be an easy 400hp.

May I ask why you want to swap to the full-float 14-bolt? Also, I would try to avoid 37s if you're going to keep the front 10-bolt and plan to do some mild wheeling. The 4in lift and 35s would be a great combo; maybe just add a Detroit locker to the rear.

 

[asmith]

Just some small stuff to post. First I installed a new head unit and front speakers because there was none

Rotors and calipers will be tomorrow.

On a sad note i don't thing the previous owner knew how to take out the front speakers or something.


@BBslider Mine wasn't too bad, but previous owner used the truck as storage. Plus it gives her that newish feel :smiley_drive:

@ cop car I originally was looking for H2 takeoffs but no luck . . .

@ txfactor I may end up keeping the 350 for awhile just passed smog, but it does feel a little tired (172xxx on the clock).
As far as the full float from what I've read hear its the way to go for durability. First truck for me, so learning as I go.

 

[asmith]

Got the interior put back together. So i figured i would take the truck out and go shooting :ar15:


Not much flex but that will change


Good times

 

[Erik N]

Leave it stock. It really is capable enough as is. Lift kits scream insecurity IMO. Pics of my '88 and '96 2500's.