Urban 'Burban

[Boyink]

Hey all. I've been lurking here for a bit while shopping for the next rig.

I currently have a 2008 Toyota Sienna setup for camping (details here) - basically platform bed, pull out kitchen, solar, battery, fridge, awning and a bunch of storage. It's been a good rig, but mileage is hitting 230K+ and while I know it could last another 100K miles I wanted to start working on the next build - something we could go a bit more rustic on. I won't poke the "are we overlanders" wasp nest, we just want to be able to explore more BLM land, gravel roads, etc. I also wanted something that could tow a small travel trailer, so we could have a basecamp with potty, shower, AC, and heat.

After considering every possible option under the sun I came back around to the Suburban platform. It's not quite as big on the inside as the Sienna (longer, yes, but narrower, lower, and lacking the deep trunk space the Sienna has after removing the 3rd row seats).

After watching BAT, eBay, FB, and the classified forums here this clean '00 popped up and was only two hours away. It's got 175K miles on the 6.0, the rear hatch, almost-new Michelin 265's, and an older but nice Kenwood/Garmin stereo/nav system. An inspection didn't turn up anything serious so we adopted it.

I didn't get the vehicle history other than Carfax showing regular oil changes, but someone loved this truck. Wheels are like-new shiny, no rips in the seats, and drives very tight.

The build plan isn't anything too extreme. No plans for a lift or any exterior racks/bumpers. The solar panel and awning on my Sienna will move over at some point. Interior-wise I'll start with a shallow platform bed and a rear kitchen/chuckbox to house the fridge. If we need more storage I'll look at adding a side unit on the drivers side, but I don't like the builds that block the entire passenger side window.

First order of business is some general detailing, new headlight lenses, replace the missing radio antenna, paint the roof rack, etc. I've already done some debadging since these photos were taken.

Oh, and personalized license plates. Three choices:

AGDBRBN
ROUS
STAYPUF

 

[Kingsize24]

Looks like a great foundation, and the LS platform is generally pretty bulletproof. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Nice ride. I'm partial to GM, and definitely partial to the old big Blazer/ Jimmy, Tahoe/Yukon, 'Burban SUV group.

I'm intrigued, though. 175K on a GM vs 230K on a Toyota...you are almost in the same territory there.

I'd get it to a transmission shop and have that checked out first. Its ling been an Achilles Heel for GM, at or about this mileage.

Other than that, looks clean. I was angry at the GMT800's when they came out, as they never offered a 2-door like old Blazers and Jimmy. But they grew on me and I like the k2500 Burbans and the z71 Tahoes. Theres a lot to like about this generation

Watching.

 

[NevadaLover]

Nice ride. I'm partial to GM, and definitely partial to the old big Blazer/ Jimmy, Tahoe/Yukon, 'Burban SUV group.

I'm intrigued, though. 175K on a GM vs 230K on a Toyota...you are almost in the same territory there.

I'd get it to a transmission shop and have that checked out first. Its ling been an Achilles Heel for GM, at or about this mileage.

Other than that, looks clean. I was angry at the GMT800's when they came out, as they never offered a 2-door like old Blazers and Jimmy. But they grew on me and I like the k2500 Burbans and the z71 Tahoes. Theres a lot to like about this generation

Watching.

175k on an LS engine is only middle aged, so many LS are running around well into the 300k range and beyond!

And a 3/4 ton GM with a 6.0 LS will have the 4L80E HD transmission, much better internals and cooling than the 4L60E transmissions.

I'd say this was a very good purchase based on the description, good job to @Boyink!

 

[crazysccrmd]

You spelled bourbon wrong.

 

[Boyink]

I'd get it to a transmission shop and have that checked out first. Its ling been an Achilles Heel for GM, at or about this mileage.

I didn't get much history with the truck, but the exterior of the transmission looks fresher than the rest of the drivetrain.

I'm intrigued, though. 175K on a GM vs 230K on a Toyota...you are almost in the same territory there.

Yea, it's probably more that my old-skool, "cars are junk by 100K miles" head just can't wrap my brain around going 250K+. Historically I've held onto cars too long and they leave my ownership on a flatbed. Wanted to be ahead of the curve on this one, and get the next rig I wanted vs. what was convenient in a pinch.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

I didn't get much history with the truck, but the exterior of the transmission looks fresher than the rest of the drivetrain.



Yea, it's probably more that my old-skool, "cars are junk by 100K miles" head just can't wrap my brain around going 250K+. Historically I've held onto cars too long and they leave my ownership on a flatbed. Wanted to be ahead of the curve on this one, and get the next rig I wanted vs. what was convenient in a pinch.

Yep. I've had two GMT400 Big Blazers and a 2nd gen WJ Jeep Grand Cherokee leave me on flatbeds. The Blazers, one was over 300K, the other was close to that but rear frame rot. And those were 30 gallon tanks right between the rear frame rails. It was time.

This looks really good AND comfy.

 

[AbleGuy]

Nice rig. It’s hard to find these Burb’s at affordable prices with lower mileage.

And Ya know, you could put a pop up roof on that (Colorado Camper Vans conversions), maintain decent mpg’s, and really expand your camping environment. 🤔

 

[Boyink]

And Ya know, you could put a pop up roof on that (Colorado Camper Vans conversions), maintain decent mpg’s, and really expand your camping environment. 🤔

Yea....at a cost of 1.5 - 2x what I paid for the 'burb.

We're not going to be hardcore with this - for that level of investment I'd rather just buy a small travel trailer with shower/potty/AC/heat to tow. We could drop that somewhere with hookups then use the Suburban for more rustic daytrips and overnighters.

 

[1stDeuce]

Nice 'Burb! I wouldn't worry about mileage if that's a desert truck, especially if it's obvious someone loved it. That 6.0L will run forever, and if the trans got regular service, it shouldn't have issues either.

If the trans hasn't already been rebuilt, I'll warn you that the typical failure for that generation of the 4l80 is that reverse starts slipping... The General put too short of a low/reverse servo pin in them and with a little wear on the bands, they don't have enough travel to clamp well. Any decent trans shop (or decent backyard mechanic) should be able to put a longer pin in it and solve the issue and it'll be good for another 200k miles. Shuddering in reverse at higher throttle is the tell... If it starts shuddering, get out of the throttle immediately or you'll cook the band beyond use. I had a truck with this problem and my solution was just to use low range if I knew it was going to be a hard push in reverse. No more shudder, no need to fix if you keep it from shuddering.

Check the glove box and see if it's got the G80 code. Rear locker that I have come to appreciate. If it does, you can google that but don't let the nay sayers sway you to fear, mine have been great. 14FF or SF rear axle? Ether is probably fine. FF allows option of a fairly easy full locker if it doesn't have G80...

 

[Boyink]

Hey thanks for the tranny info. Good to know what to look for.

It's not a desert truck - near as I can tell it's been In AR all its life, then I dragged it to Tulsa.

Checked the RPO codes - it has the G80 locker, FF, and 4.10 gears.

 

[phsycle]

Nice! I love that gen.
Urban Burban 😂
Urburban 🤣

Good luck with the build!

 

[Boyink]

Thanks! We currently live downtown Tulsa so it's a parking ramp queen while I get it sorted. How I'm actually going to build the camper part is a mystery yet. Might be at the local Maker's space.