My New ExPo Rig: 83 Suburban Diesel. What should I do first?
- Thread starter RoverDude
- Start date
jps4jeep
Observer
If it were me and I just bought a 30 year old truck to take out on a trail or trip, I'd go through everything and make sure everything was in tip top shape.
I personally am not a fan of the 6.2, I've had issues in the past with snapping the crank so I would look into a 12 valve swap with NV4500, then I would address suspension, bigger axles and tires. (in that order)
I personally am not a fan of the 6.2, I've had issues in the past with snapping the crank so I would look into a 12 valve swap with NV4500, then I would address suspension, bigger axles and tires. (in that order)
Rot Box
Explorer
Nice new rig 
I personally like the 6.2 great motor if cared for. If it were me I would focus on preventative maintenance. I would start by getting very familiar with the fuel delivery/return system. Get familiar with changing the filter and learn how to prime the system in the event of air intrusion and/or running out of fuel. This is a major headache if you're on the side of the road and don't know. Make sure your glow plugs and gp circuit is in tip top shape as well. Hard starts caused by either will destroy a starter and drain your batteries in no time. I usually replace the filters, lift pump, hoses and glow plugs when I've bought older diesels in the past just to be safe. Use the oem AC plugs no Autolites or Champions! Same with the lift pump no cheap parts store junk.
Check out the cooling system. Like most IDI's 6.2's build a lot of heat when worked hard. Make sure there's nothing blocking your radiator--fins all clean and clear. Check that your thermostat is functioning properly. I would highly recommend an aftermarket temperature gauge. Once you overheat a 6.2 it's all over.
Check the harmonic balancer for cracks or bulging. A bad one (common on high mile 6.2's) can/will wipe out a crankshaft. Visit http://www.thedieselpage.com and http://www.dieselplace.com for unlimited 6.2 info.
Hope this helps. Keep us posted lots of square body diesel Suburban fans on this site.
Andrew
Btw make sure that transmission stays cool as well. A large aftermarket cooler would be a smart idea especially if it is the 700R4 4 speed.
I personally like the 6.2 great motor if cared for. If it were me I would focus on preventative maintenance. I would start by getting very familiar with the fuel delivery/return system. Get familiar with changing the filter and learn how to prime the system in the event of air intrusion and/or running out of fuel. This is a major headache if you're on the side of the road and don't know. Make sure your glow plugs and gp circuit is in tip top shape as well. Hard starts caused by either will destroy a starter and drain your batteries in no time. I usually replace the filters, lift pump, hoses and glow plugs when I've bought older diesels in the past just to be safe. Use the oem AC plugs no Autolites or Champions! Same with the lift pump no cheap parts store junk.
Check out the cooling system. Like most IDI's 6.2's build a lot of heat when worked hard. Make sure there's nothing blocking your radiator--fins all clean and clear. Check that your thermostat is functioning properly. I would highly recommend an aftermarket temperature gauge. Once you overheat a 6.2 it's all over.
Check the harmonic balancer for cracks or bulging. A bad one (common on high mile 6.2's) can/will wipe out a crankshaft. Visit http://www.thedieselpage.com and http://www.dieselplace.com for unlimited 6.2 info.
Hope this helps. Keep us posted lots of square body diesel Suburban fans on this site.
Andrew
Btw make sure that transmission stays cool as well. A large aftermarket cooler would be a smart idea especially if it is the 700R4 4 speed.
bowstryder
Observer
^^^ pretty much what they said for starters. Go through the whole vehicle and do as much maintenance as you can.
Then I would make a list consisting of what I wanted to end up with, list of mods and parts needed. Then prioritize that list, start buying parts!
that is a very clean looking burb though!
Then I would make a list consisting of what I wanted to end up with, list of mods and parts needed. Then prioritize that list, start buying parts!
that is a very clean looking burb though!
1leglance
2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
I am putting a 6.2 in my 70 Burb so been doing lots of research....pretty much what was said above about simple preventive maint and the balancer.
Then just use the rig for a while and get to know it. Don't go crazy on mods until you get a feel for driving, camping and enjoying the burb. They have a ton of space inside and I love sleeping in mine without all the gear suffle I had to do on other rigs.
We love our burb and looking forward to what you do with yours.
Then just use the rig for a while and get to know it. Don't go crazy on mods until you get a feel for driving, camping and enjoying the burb. They have a ton of space inside and I love sleeping in mine without all the gear suffle I had to do on other rigs.
We love our burb and looking forward to what you do with yours.
matt s
Explorer
All the above. I would consider adding an electric inline fuel pump. I did. I only use it for priming with a jumper box. But man it works for that. I am going to wire it to a switch soon. Both a back up and an easy primer. Compared to stock I just run the electric after a filter change or whatnot and it fires right up. Without it you crank forever.
Consider going manual on the glow plugs of the controller gives you any trouble. Common mod. The controllers are spendy little items too.
Check your injection timing. Need special tools to do it exactly but most guys do it by smoke. White = retarded. Black = advanced. A 6.2 shouldn't smoke much at all. Plenty of info online regarding this. If it runs great now don't touch it.
Also don't turn up the pump. A high milage engine won't like it.
Flush the radiator you want it to stay cool.
Replace the glowplugs. If they won't pull because they are mushroomed then start reading online about how to get them out. I got lucky and pulled mine with pliers very slowly turning them back and forth and rubbing the carbon off. If they break you have to pull the heads and that sucks. The engine swap was easier than the head job. Hate to do it over a stupid glowplug.
Watch for indications of head gasket or cracked head and get it early. I lost a head, overheated then replaced the heads only to find the lower end went too. Granted that block was an unknown entity with 200 k documented and after install discovered other paperwork etc that indicated likely another 100 or more on it. But it was almost free so I ran it. New one is out of a military rig with 43k and the difference is noticeable.
Consider going manual on the glow plugs of the controller gives you any trouble. Common mod. The controllers are spendy little items too.
Check your injection timing. Need special tools to do it exactly but most guys do it by smoke. White = retarded. Black = advanced. A 6.2 shouldn't smoke much at all. Plenty of info online regarding this. If it runs great now don't touch it.
Also don't turn up the pump. A high milage engine won't like it.
Flush the radiator you want it to stay cool.
Replace the glowplugs. If they won't pull because they are mushroomed then start reading online about how to get them out. I got lucky and pulled mine with pliers very slowly turning them back and forth and rubbing the carbon off. If they break you have to pull the heads and that sucks. The engine swap was easier than the head job. Hate to do it over a stupid glowplug.
Watch for indications of head gasket or cracked head and get it early. I lost a head, overheated then replaced the heads only to find the lower end went too. Granted that block was an unknown entity with 200 k documented and after install discovered other paperwork etc that indicated likely another 100 or more on it. But it was almost free so I ran it. New one is out of a military rig with 43k and the difference is noticeable.
