My "New to Me" Suburban...A Very Very Long-Term Build

[Singbush]

I've been lurking in this section for some time now. With the plans next year including a 3rd child and possibly a dog, I knew the 'ol Liberty CRD wasn't going to meet our family's requirements. I loved that little Jeep, it brought both of my sons home from the hospital.

All that being said, here's what I ended up with. A 2002 Suburban K1500 LS w/95k miles. I wasn't really looking for one this new, but I couldn't pass it up for the price. I never knew this body style came with a coil spring rear suspension. It's fairly base with leather being the only real option. It has 3.73's and no rear locker, no skids, but like I said the price made it too hard to pass on.

As you can see, I've got some work to do. I've already removed the "chrome" door trim and the rear tail light covers. Next, on the to-do list is to find a home for the 20's.

I've searched many times on here for anything similar. Only one thread on a 05 Yukon XL. Anyone have any experience with these Suburbans?

Plans for the future include: 285's (most likely the new BFG Rugged Trails) on 16" wheels. Grill guard removal, Daystar leveling keys, and who knows from there.

Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks,
Mike

BTW, guess I need to change the Screen Name and Avatar.

 

[Rovertrader]

I know what you mean- the 'burbs are hard to beat. I had a '83 3/4T w/ 50k miles that I sold a couple months back, bought a M101 trailer that I was setting up for camping gear, etc. Anyway, missed the 'burb, found a '91 3/4T 2/owner in Ca for not much more than I would have in the trailer when done- and only 110k miles!! So, here I am in Memphis headed home from Ca in my new 'burb!!
Welcome aboard, and enjoy!!

 

[dy_lon]

I love suburbans... My recomendations, ontop of your leveling and wheel/tire combo:

Pull the running boards off, good replacement head light bulbs, additional back up lighting (rectangle fogs from wal-mart, autozone,etc.), a decent bug out kit including all of the basics (first aid kit, fire extinguishers, etc). Rubber floor mats for bad weather, a good tune up and change all the fluids.

I'm guessing this is a 5.3L? It is a strong engine and can make good power if you want to.

-Dylan

 

[hillbillyjake]

+1 on the 5.3. check out some of the tahoes on here fro ideas. most everything will work on the burb. search for 02tahoeMD and get teh check book ready.

 

[Singbush]

Trust me. I am very familiar with 02TahoeMD's build. That's what I'm going for, only slightly bigger.

Yes, its a 5.3L. Biggest difference I've noticed so far is the a/c will absolutely freeze you out. Oh, and the 12mpg v the 25mpg the Liberty got. Oh well.

 

[Singbush]

As I get closer to the next step I find myself with more questions than answers. Wheels and tires???

I originally was thinking 285's on 16in wheels. But there seems to be a decent supply of factory 17in alloys cheaper than any aftermarkets. So, now I'm pondering 295's on factory 17in wheels.

Any thoughts??? I realize tires will be more expensive.

Tire choices are the new BFG Rugged T/A's, Nitto Terra Grapplers, and BGF A/T's. In that order. Any thoughts or experiences ?

Also, any experience with the Daystar leveling keys??

 

[Singbush]

Oops. I forgot to ask... On the subject of tire sizes: does anyone have any experience with 255/85/16's? Who makes tires that size? BFG KM2's and Cooper's, is that all? Any experience or recommendations on a that size tire on a rig the size of a Burb?

Thanks again
Mike

 

[Rovertrader]

I run the 255s on my Rovers and the burb, great size and fit. They also make a 255/80-17 if you want to use the 17s. Lots less issue with rubbing as it is near one inch narrower than 285s.

 

[Crazy Al]

Had to register to comment on this. You should go 17" at a minimum for your rim size. Then you'll have an easy brake upgrade.

GMT800 to GMT900 Brake Upgrade

 

[Singbush]

I was thinking something like this...

 

[matt24601]

We've got 285/70/R17s on our 2004 Suburban Z71. I had slight rubbing once in an off camber turn with the stock height. I'm planning on a 2" spacer/torsion bar key upgrade shortly. I'll try and get a picture up tomorrow.

 

[Singbush]

A picture would be awesome. I haven't seen any Burb's with that setup yet.

@Al- I read that whole thread. That was GREAT info! My breaks do feel weak. That looks like a perfect solution.

BTW, the wife just gave me the go ahead to start some mods. I'm sooo excited.

Mike

 

[Crazy Al]

Glad it helped.

I run keys and 2" spacers with 285/70r17s on a 2000 Tahoe. The only rubbing I experience is just plastic in the fender wells.

 

[Singbush]

Al, any pics?

Anyone have experience with steelies? The rep @ 4wheelparts said he wouldn't put steel wheels on a burb b/c of the weight. He said no steel wheel is truly round and the weight of the burb would not be a good combo. I was actually thinking about the FJ steelies. Can anyone weigh in on the "advise" I was given?

 

[Crazy Al]

Last one is me next to an ML430.

I don't know anything about going to steelies, I went the cheap route to get away from my 16" stock rims, bought a set of Avalanche 17" Z71 rims off someone who wen't to 20s. Got the set for $140, so cheaper than buying actual new rims. I've seen them powder coated and that will probably be the route I take since I can still step up my tire size with my current rims, and I'd rather spend the money on other things than new rims at this time. I'll leave the center caps normal though.

Edit:
If it helps, my front end sits at 38.5" from ground to fender running through the middle of the tire, and my rear sits at 39". I still need to order longer shocks, and I plan to replace my rear coils with Z71 coils (my truck is an LT) to help with the payload of all the gear as I add it.