Suburban!
- Thread starter ccarley
- Start date
4cruzer
Adventurer
My brother and I drove an '88 diesel Sub around in central america for 7 months, then drove it back here and sold it... there are pics all through the website; but if you want some of the truck before we rallied it look at the pre-trip posts from November 2009.
http://whereeaglesdare.org/
http://whereeaglesdare.org/
ccarley
Adventurer
Say, it looks like you recently went to the Lost Coast! I love that area, and was wondering how that road looked in the winter!
I'll keep looking through your site, cool photos by the way.
Thanks,
Clay
ccarley
Adventurer
Thanks Joe,
It is pretty clean, although I just found out (don't know how I missed it) that it's not a GMC, but it is a Chevy. No biggie, right? The previous owners seem to have changed at least the front fenders & grille, possibly the hood as well. The fenders say "Silverado" with a 20 above it, but the doors say 1500. The title does in fact say Chevy on it, not GMC. Oh well.
Clay
ccarley
Adventurer
Yesterday I "only" worked 9 hours, so I was actually home "early" and was finally able to take a closer look at this thing. I'll get some more photos tonight (another early day).
I adjusted the steering box. I know, you are not really supposed to adjust a power steering box, but this was bad. I put several turns on the adjuster before it touched anything. Now, the steering actually auto-centers like it should! What a difference!
I crawled underneath (not too hard, I'm short, and the hood comes to my shoulder) and removed the beat up steering damper. Left the "good" one attached for now. I inspected the leaf mounts, and it appears that they are not as tight as they should be, which could also contribute to poor steering performance. After a test drive, the steering is indeed better, but still needs some work.
The oil looks good, not like it was just changed, but it's clean. I'll be hitting pick n pull soon for a dash panel, as this one is a bit broken. Probably to install a stereo. The whole lower right corner is missing, as well as just above the steering column.
That's it for now. More to come later.
I adjusted the steering box. I know, you are not really supposed to adjust a power steering box, but this was bad. I put several turns on the adjuster before it touched anything. Now, the steering actually auto-centers like it should! What a difference!
I crawled underneath (not too hard, I'm short, and the hood comes to my shoulder) and removed the beat up steering damper. Left the "good" one attached for now. I inspected the leaf mounts, and it appears that they are not as tight as they should be, which could also contribute to poor steering performance. After a test drive, the steering is indeed better, but still needs some work.
The oil looks good, not like it was just changed, but it's clean. I'll be hitting pick n pull soon for a dash panel, as this one is a bit broken. Probably to install a stereo. The whole lower right corner is missing, as well as just above the steering column.
That's it for now. More to come later.
ntsqd
Heretic Car Camper
Highly suggest installing the Autofab.com steering box brace or it's copy from ORD. Mine has it. Yours may have the later GM brace & gussets as did mine, this brace goes well past those. If you have the OE engine oil cooler then the hoses will want to rub on the bottom edge of the brace. I slit a short piece of 1/2" pipe to fit over the edge and tack-welded it in place.
Yours should be the single air cleaner stud version of the TBI. The tall air filter can lid from earlier 1 tons will fit on the existing lower piece with an extended stud. That slightly less than doubles the size of the air filter element, and still clears the hood.
Take the time while the headliner is out (R&R is a simple though time consuming job - recommend a good cordless screw driver!) to install some of the home store sourced "Reflectix" insulation. I used upholstery headliner glue to adhere the insulation to the underside of the roof metal itself. Just that made a huge different in interior temperatures and in noise. Once the headliner is put back in place you won't know that it is there, but you can tell the difference.
Yours should be the single air cleaner stud version of the TBI. The tall air filter can lid from earlier 1 tons will fit on the existing lower piece with an extended stud. That slightly less than doubles the size of the air filter element, and still clears the hood.
Take the time while the headliner is out (R&R is a simple though time consuming job - recommend a good cordless screw driver!) to install some of the home store sourced "Reflectix" insulation. I used upholstery headliner glue to adhere the insulation to the underside of the roof metal itself. Just that made a huge different in interior temperatures and in noise. Once the headliner is put back in place you won't know that it is there, but you can tell the difference.
I guess that I'm too honest to be a good salesman. And red doesn't appear to be a popular interior color. Same state as the OP.Is that still for sale 2YEARS later? What is wrong with people? Buy it!
Ummm... which of the states is granola? I can think of a couple of contenders
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ccarley
Adventurer
Thanks for the additional tips. A steering box brace seems to be a great idea, especially with the tire size this thing has at the moment.
I did take a look at the one you have for sale, ntsqd, but I gotta say that even the drive to San Jose & back took a complete day for us. Being in Northern California isn't always a good thing (especially with the rain lately).
Indeed this engine does have the single stud for the air cleaner; good idea about the taller element! It's also missing the ductwork from the air cleaner to the grille (or fender?), which I would like to install as well. Lucky for me, these are eaiser to find at pick n pull than my Wagoneer, so I'm hoping to make a trip there soon. Just need a list before I go!
Thanks,
Clay
I did take a look at the one you have for sale, ntsqd, but I gotta say that even the drive to San Jose & back took a complete day for us. Being in Northern California isn't always a good thing (especially with the rain lately).
Indeed this engine does have the single stud for the air cleaner; good idea about the taller element! It's also missing the ductwork from the air cleaner to the grille (or fender?), which I would like to install as well. Lucky for me, these are eaiser to find at pick n pull than my Wagoneer, so I'm hoping to make a trip there soon. Just need a list before I go!
Thanks,
Clay
Grim Reaper
Expedition Leader
A second for the steering brace. You will be surprised at home much that tightens up the steering feel even on the street. GET THE SNORKLE PRONTO! sucking the under hood hot air really eats the power and economy. My 75 jimmy did not come with one. I put an air cleaner and factory snorkel from a 85 on it and it fixed a ping problem as well as gained a full mpg.
matt s
Explorer
Before you go after other things, check the basics. Tie rod ends and ball joints first. IF they are good then check on that drop pitman arm, it makes a big difference on the bump steer. I would also mention the leaf mounts, but it sounds like you're on top of them.
I really found out what was going on with my steering by putting it up on a lift and rocking the tires, the amount of play was scary.
I really found out what was going on with my steering by putting it up on a lift and rocking the tires, the amount of play was scary.
ntsqd
Heretic Car Camper
I don't disagree with base-lining it at all, but I don't consider adding the steering box brace to be a modification. It falls into the Preventive Maintenance category AFAIC. The goal of the brace is to prevent frame cracks. Tightening up the steering feel is just a welcome bonus. If there were tires bigger than 35's on the truck I'd be suspicious of frame cracks already being there. Even at 35" they could be there if the truck has been used hard.
ccarley
Adventurer
Alright, I have an update.
As I'm suffering through a cold, I still got under the front end yesterday to check things out. The driver's side U-bolts were not exactly tight. I had my wife turn the wheel inside while I checked everything out underneath. The steering box brace I think is going to be a welcome addition. I'll be checking the ball joints & tie rod ends out today, but as of right now the steering is perhaps 250% better than it was!
While I was (suffering from sinus pressure) underneath the truck, I attempted to check out the tags on the diffs. I didn't find any, so I guess I'm going to have to use the old manual method to find the gear ratio. Oh yes, it passed CA smog yesterday, so that is quite a relief! It is making some squeaky sounds from the front brakes, so I will be taking care of those today (before they get too bad & dig into the rotors).
My wife & I took it over to Kragen & Pep Boys yesterday afternoon, since she wanted to get it something. While at Kragen, we saw the blue one that I was looking at a few weeks ago. At Pep Boys, she saw the same family in the store, and as we went outside... there it was again. How coincedental! I didn't have a chance to talk to the new owners, but I have a feeling I'll be seeing them around.
Oh, one more big thing that needs addressing. One of the reasons I got this vehicle was for the A/C. Sadly, it has one hose & one tube that are not connected. I will be going to pick n pull to look for a grille, but may need assistance with where these hoses go. I'll get some photos today for sure (the rain has stopped!).
Thanks! I appreciate the help.
Clay
As I'm suffering through a cold, I still got under the front end yesterday to check things out. The driver's side U-bolts were not exactly tight. I had my wife turn the wheel inside while I checked everything out underneath. The steering box brace I think is going to be a welcome addition. I'll be checking the ball joints & tie rod ends out today, but as of right now the steering is perhaps 250% better than it was!
While I was (suffering from sinus pressure) underneath the truck, I attempted to check out the tags on the diffs. I didn't find any, so I guess I'm going to have to use the old manual method to find the gear ratio. Oh yes, it passed CA smog yesterday, so that is quite a relief! It is making some squeaky sounds from the front brakes, so I will be taking care of those today (before they get too bad & dig into the rotors).
My wife & I took it over to Kragen & Pep Boys yesterday afternoon, since she wanted to get it something. While at Kragen, we saw the blue one that I was looking at a few weeks ago. At Pep Boys, she saw the same family in the store, and as we went outside... there it was again. How coincedental! I didn't have a chance to talk to the new owners, but I have a feeling I'll be seeing them around.
Oh, one more big thing that needs addressing. One of the reasons I got this vehicle was for the A/C. Sadly, it has one hose & one tube that are not connected. I will be going to pick n pull to look for a grille, but may need assistance with where these hoses go. I'll get some photos today for sure (the rain has stopped!).
Thanks! I appreciate the help.
Clay
ccarley
Adventurer
xpndbl3:
Ah indeed, there are GREAT drawings of the A/C components there. Thanks!
Here's some photos I took today:
Front Axle (I took the upper damper off, it was hitting the tie-rod):
Engine overhead:
Part of the A/C issue:
Front Interior:
Looking waaaay back:
It's clean, but man it sure needs little knick knacks to make it right.
Ah indeed, there are GREAT drawings of the A/C components there. Thanks!
Here's some photos I took today:
Front Axle (I took the upper damper off, it was hitting the tie-rod):
Engine overhead:
Part of the A/C issue:
Front Interior:
Looking waaaay back:
It's clean, but man it sure needs little knick knacks to make it right.
ccarley
Adventurer
Got a package yesterday:
We'll be installing those in the rear, as well as replacing the O2 sensor, & other tune-up items this weekend
Looks like on the front, if I want to keep the "Quad Shock" configuration, I'll need to order some 5125's in the correct lenghts/ valving. Bilstein does list a single shock (per side) part number, and I'm tempted to just go with those. Haven't decided yet, but the rear needed shocks, as the ones on it now look stock-ish.
Clay
We'll be installing those in the rear, as well as replacing the O2 sensor, & other tune-up items this weekend
Looks like on the front, if I want to keep the "Quad Shock" configuration, I'll need to order some 5125's in the correct lenghts/ valving. Bilstein does list a single shock (per side) part number, and I'm tempted to just go with those. Haven't decided yet, but the rear needed shocks, as the ones on it now look stock-ish.
Clay