Offroad-Adventure-Travel.com Suburban Build

[Colorado Ron]

OverlandJourney.TV Suburban Build

Havent had much time lately but thought you guys might be interested in this build. So just some quick pics and some updates on the official buidup suburban for my website www.Offroad-Adventure-Travel.com

As you guys know, this is how it started out: A 94 Suburban 3/4ton 4x4 with a 6.5 Turbo Diesel and 4L80 Auto. Loaded with all the options for its day.

First thing we did was add a 3 inch body lift:

Next we started the fab work:

Building a winch bumper to carry a Warn M15000 and trying to keep it up close for the best approach angle:

 

[Colorado Ron]

As you can tell from pic above, I also ripped off the old steps. We are fabbing up some sliders as soon as winch bumper is complete.

Back to the bumper. We used a plasma cutter to cut all the pieces out of flat stock:

Tacked the top pieces into place. We wanted to keep as much approach angle in front of the tires, so that took a little thinking and tinkering:

Tacking more pieces into place. I believe this is the best tire clearance without loosing front end protection:

 

[Colorado Ron]

Pulled bumper back off and welded it up:

We were going to take it down and have it painted, but being in a hurry to get ready for the Expedition Trophy, we sanded and painted in the shop:

 

[Colorado Ron]

Sliders

Next was the sliders. I decided to weld them directly to the frame as we will eventually tie both bumpers and sliders into an exo cage with a roofrack.

As you can tell these brackets are sturdy!

 

[Colorado Ron]

Siders installed:

 

[Colorado Ron]

Front bumper and winch installed:

 

[Colorado Ron]

Swampers

Now most know that I bought a set of Super Swampers. These are the SSRs in 35/10.5/16s:

And here they are installed:

 

[Colorado Ron]

Thats enough for tonite.

Soon to come:

--HO injector install
--Onboard computer with touchscreen
--A pillar guage pod
--2m and cb install
and much more

What you guys think so far?

 

[BogusBlake]

Nice!

You do some good work. Is that lower part of the bumper (between the winch and the corners) boxed in too, or is it more like a valance?

It would be cool if you put boatside plates on your sliders where you already have those angled up pieces. You could put some speed holes in them so they don't accumulate water.

Ill be watching this build for sure!:chowtime:

 

[Colorado Ron]

Nice!

You do some good work. Is that lower part of the bumper (between the winch and the corners) boxed in too, or is it more like a valance?

It would be cool if you put boatside plates on your sliders where you already have those angled up pieces. You could put some speed holes in them so they don't accumulate water.

Ill be watching this build for sure!:chowtime:

If you look closely to the pic with the guy sanding the bumper on the floor, you can see the 2 inch square tubing we used. So the front pieces are flate plate with 2 inch square supports and braces. This makes it stronger, yet lighter than using 1/4inch plate throughout.

I did think about boatsiding it, but we were trying to get it ready for Expedition Trophy and running out of time. Now that that didnt happen, I may go back and do that.

 

[HMR]

:Wow1:

 

[kodiak1232003]

VERY, VERY NICE.

quality work!

i really like that body style suburban, and with those thin 35"s, it looks just right...

regards,
brian

 

[robert j. yates]

Now most know that I bought a set of Super Swampers. These are the SSRs in 35/10.5/16s:

And here they are installed:

Just curios Ron....do you have any plans on beefing up the front end (ifs and diff) to accomodate those swampers?

 

[Colorado Ron]

Just curios Ron....do you have any plans on beefing up the front end (ifs and diff) to accomodate those swampers?

Well Ive been trying to find out more info on that, but seem to be coming up short on answers. I saw the article on the Petersen 4x4 site about them not having much luck with it. I just dont know yet. That decision is still up for debate. I do have a Dana 60 front sitting here that I can use if the IFS doesnt work out. I dont think the IFS will hold up to the future engine swap-hint:cummins.:jumping: :Mechanic:

 

[Nullifier]

Man those step by step pics of the front bumper build take me back tot eh 10 days I had in the shop fabbing my front bumper for the yota. Looks like great work. Did you tie in the corner of the bumper to the frame as well or is it just supported by the main mounts at the end of the chassis rails.