Project “Polar Bear”: 1989 V2500 Suburban

[Larry]

Sorry for the late reply guys as I’ve been away on my annual week-long Desert Off-road Trip. Details on that coming soon.

I had one a 3/4 ton with the 350 cid it was a beast better truck I ever drove in a blizzard. And those captain chairs wow. Yes you got an awesome rig there

Thanks! I do love those captain chairs and console. So much so, I have them in both rigs. Very comfy for old school technology

I've been reading this post for a while now and love the info. I love the 8.1 platform and have learned a lot from you. Right now I am in the process of installing a heavily modified 8.1 in my 1970 Chevelle SS. And swapping one into my 1958 Apache 1ton dually. Once I figure out how to post pics I will post some. Thanks for the great build info.

Sounds like some neat projects. If you’re on Facebook there is a group dedicated to all things 8.1L called “8.1L 8100 496 Vortec Info Swap Classifieds”. It is a typical FB Group with a bunch of BS but some good info and great builds if you are willing to separate the straw from manure. I stopped following it because there is too much manure and 18 year old kids that want step by step instructions to put an 8.1 into just about anything. There are a couple old Chevelle’s, Impalas, Biscayne’s and tons of trucks there. A lot of people are discovering 8.1Ls as a much cooler swap than the typical LS engine

Man Larry, you should get some sort of prize for making all of these first time posters sign up just so they can post on your threads. I guess it just goes to show how cool your rigs are and how many people still like older trucks(really I just mean Chevys). Great stuff!

LOL, thanks…. You know, I am actually quite surprised how many first time posters stop by this thread.

And one teaser pick from Desert Trip 2017 on the Devil's Racetrack in the San Rafael Swell. A very hard Code 14 landing

 

[chilliwak]

Thanks for the cool:Wow1: pic Larry. always good to see your old Chevy out there kicking it in the trails..

 

[Burb One]

Love it!

 

[Sponge]

Hey Larry! A couple questions for you if you don't mind! Do you have any experience/opinions/advice with XJ steering shaft conversions? Second question is what do you run for engine cooling fans. I will admit I didn't search the thread but I do believe the blue truck has the steering conversion! Thanks Kyle

 

[Larry]

Hey Larry! A couple questions for you if you don't mind! Do you have any experience/opinions/advice with XJ steering shaft conversions? Second question is what do you run for engine cooling fans. I will admit I didn't search the thread but I do believe the blue truck has the steering conversion! Thanks Kyle

No sir…..no first hand experience with an XJ steering shaft. I’ve read where a lot of people use those I-shafts on older GM products with great luck. I decided to go with Borgeson I-shafts on both the Suburban and K10. Probably need one for my Silverado HD as it has the typical GMT800 steering shaft clunk going on again too.

As far as the fan, I’m not much of a fan of E-fans in something this big and heavy. E-fans are great for around town hot rods but not for something like these. I personally cannot stand the sound of E-fans whining either and they put a pretty good strain on the electrical system. GM has been using E-Fans on 1500 series trucks and SUVs for about 10 years now but they still use mechanical clutch fan drives on 2500 series trucks on up with gas and diesel engines. There must be a reason why they keep the mechanical fans on the HD trucks….

The fan clutch I run on the this Burb and the K10 are big fan clutches from Workhorse W22 motors homes, which are basically GM medium duty truck fan clutches. They make some noise (more of a roar than the constant 10,000 RPM annoying whine of an electric fan) and rob some power but even at 3 MPH with the A/C blowing on a hot day they never get hot. You can hear the fans in my Youtube videos where the two trucks almost even sound like medium duty trucks roaring along, which doesn't bother me any

 

[bigT74]

Larry

Desert trip looked like fun! I am in need of a little guidance trying to locate the Saginaw AC compressor relocation bracket you mention on CK5 8.1 swap forum. All GM dealers and workhorse dealers say they cant get anymore and junkyards look at me like I'm crazy... any guidance you can give is greatly appreciated!!! PM at your convenience sir. thank you in advance!!!

Christian

 

[Larry]

Larry

Desert trip looked like fun! I am in need of a little guidance trying to locate the Saginaw AC compressor relocation bracket you mention on CK5 8.1 swap forum. All GM dealers and workhorse dealers say they cant get anymore and junkyards look at me like I'm crazy... any guidance you can give is greatly appreciated!!! PM at your convenience sir. thank you in advance!!!

Christian

Thanks! Yeah, Desert Trip 17 was fun! Can't wait till next year

Yesiree, I’ve been hearing that the 12558927 A/C – P/S bracket has been drying up. The Workhorse EPC shows them at Zero in stock and discontinued. From what I hear, GMSPO shows the same and PSI has not had the need for that particular bracket on the 8.8L so they have not revived it yet either. Unfortunately, the 8.1 accessory brackets are not common with any other big block as the mounting to the cylinder head is much different. Your only option is to try to find them through salvage yards. LKQ would be the best place to start since they the biggest foot print in the used part world. I’d be looking for a 01/02 Chevy/GMC G-van application with an 8.1L as that will assure you get the correct brackets. Basically, any other 8.1L application BESIDES a Silverado/Sierra is the correct one. My thread on CK5 also lists a few other vehicles that use them as well.

The other option would be to start shaking trees on the “8.1L 8100 496 Vortec Info Swap Classifieds” group on Facebook. I see a lot of brackets being exchanged there.

Good luck!

 

[bigT74]

I will dig out my LKQ login, hopefully it still works from when i was a body tech! thank you very much! BTW a google search has 2 of your threads in the top 10 for 8.1 swap!

 

[bigT74]

Larry,

I figured you would want to know I found a resource for the saginaw brackets and the correct alternator bracket. They've got right at 40 complete bracket sets for the saginaw pump as well as 20 COMPLETE!!! L18's in stock most under 40k miles with the correct brackets etc. the company is a Workhorse RV junkyard. PM me if you want the contact info (not sure what sort of rules i'm breaking for advertising a company i dont work for?) either way I am not a member on the board you posted the swap info and I wanted to pay it forward helping others out. My apologies for the brief hijack!

thanks!
Christian

 

[chilliwak]

The truck is looking great as usual Larry. Any thing new to update? Cheers, Chilli...

 

[Larry]

Larry,

I figured you would want to know I found a resource for the saginaw brackets and the correct alternator bracket. They've got right at 40 complete bracket sets for the saginaw pump as well as 20 COMPLETE!!! L18's in stock most under 40k miles with the correct brackets etc. the company is a Workhorse RV junkyard. PM me if you want the contact info (not sure what sort of rules i'm breaking for advertising a company i dont work for?) either way I am not a member on the board you posted the swap info and I wanted to pay it forward helping others out. My apologies for the brief hijack!

thanks!
Christian

That is interesting as I was not aware of any yards that specialize in Workhorse parts, especially that many. I know there were about 25-30 brand new chassis that were totaled about 13 years ago during a flood at one of the RV builder’s plants in Elkhart, IN. Not sure where those went but they would have been 0 mile units although the engines were pretty much rebuild cores after being submerged in water for a few weeks. Wonder where this place got all their units? It is possible this place also bought our old stock and yard mules from when the Workhorse plant closed in 2012. I’m good on 8.1 brackets and bits but post up the info. It’s not an advertisement, just sharing info.

The truck is looking great as usual Larry. Any thing new to update? Cheers, Chilli...

Thanks chili! Nothing new to report other than I had to drive it to Boulder a few weeks ago on a business trip as my daily driver was in the body shop for hail damage repair. Ran the Burb over 300 miles back and forth up and down I-25 85-90 MPH in one day and got 11 MPG. At one point I looked down at the speedo app on my phone and I was going 94 and just keeping up with traffic South of Denver. It felt like it was only going 70. It makes me laugh how well this old rig tootles down the highway keeping up and passing traffic. Got a lot off dirty looks from lumberjack bearded man-bun wearing flitboys driving Prius’s and Leafs in Boulder though. That town has totally been Calforniacated

 

[chilliwak]

That is interesting as I was not aware of any yards that specialize in Workhorse parts, especially that many. I know there were about 25-30 brand new chassis that were totaled about 13 years ago during a flood at one of the RV builder’s plants in Elkhart, IN. Not sure where those went but they would have been 0 mile units although the engines were pretty much rebuild cores after being submerged in water for a few weeks. Wonder where this place got all their units? It is possible this place also bought our old stock and yard mules from when the Workhorse plant closed in 2012. I’m good on 8.1 brackets and bits but post up the info. It’s not an advertisement, just sharing info.



Thanks chili! Nothing new to report other than I had to drive it to Boulder a few weeks ago on a business trip as my daily driver was in the body shop for hail damage repair. Ran the Burb over 300 miles back and forth up and down I-25 85-90 MPH in one day and got 11 MPG. At one point I looked down at the speedo app on my phone and I was going 94 and just keeping up with traffic South of Denver. It felt like it was only going 70. It makes me laugh how well this old rig tootles down the highway keeping up and passing traffic. Got a lot off dirty looks from lumberjack bearded man-bun wearing flitboys driving Prius’s and Leafs in Boulder though. That town has totally been Calforniacated

Funny waht you say about those hipsters Larry. I always had visions of a Prius with 44 inch tires and a big block tucked in there some where doing donuts at the mall crashing over all the vehicles it could encounter. Oopps, is that not the plot of a new Hollywood movie? Anyways glad to see your rig is running right. Please post any pics of your rigs for us all to get a little inspiration. Cheers, Chilli..

 

[Larry]

Well, I did a thing this weekend. I’ve mentioned in other threads how down I have been on late model GM vehicles and how fond I am of late model RAM’s, especially the Waggy! With my lease car coming due to return it was good time to give a waggy a try. Don’t worry, the K10 and Polar Bear Suburban aren’t going anywhere.

This waggy is a bit rare as it is an ordern pattern 22P with power adjustable pedals with memory, leather interior but without the Rambox and Sunroof. While the Rambox is cool I wanted the open bed in case one day the waggy carries the K10’s Phoenix camper.

I’ve barely have a 100 miles on it but so far I am really impressed with it. The 6.4L is no 8.1L in the power department but it does alright. Still getting used to the small high rev’ing engine to get any snot out of it. Certainly more powerful than the previous 5.7L Power Wagons though. The larger cab will be much nicer for long trips with the family and travel trailer. The Suburban pulls the trailer great but it is still a 40 year old design vehicle and not the most comfortable either. Momma hates the exhaust smell of the Suburban but didn’t give me a chance to get a pair of catalytic converters on it to clean it up for this summer’s trips.

Well, here is the new addition….

 

[Nosferatu49534]

I love the body style for sure.
Enjoy.

 

[BigTex]

Looks great Larry. You should name it Simon. Every time i hear the word Power Wagon, i think of the old Simon and Simon TV show!!