1-ton 4x4 Suburban

[6.2Blazer]

A guy in our club is looking at a Suburban for sale.........the seller claims it's an '81 1-ton 4x4 (454, th400, 205, 60/14FF). Did this ever exist from the factory? I didn't think they had a factory offered 1-ton Sub, or a 454 in a 4x4???

Just trying to get some background info on this vehicle. I also realize the drivetrain could have been swapped in over the years.

 

[az-k5]

GM never offered the 454 in a 4x4 until the mid 80's. A sub has never been made in a 1 ton version. It is possible to find a 454 in one (by chance) but the D60 was a pure swap.

 

[k5redneck]

3/4 ton with a big block yes. most likely the 60 was swaped in.

 

[ratzila]

I've got a 3/4 ton converted to 1 ton. The factory did not build 1 ton burbs. Also I swapped in a 454. The old body style 2wd did have 454s but not the 4wd. The 92 & up sub you can get the 454 in 2 & 4wd.

 

[Ddragggon]

After a long drawn out argument with another member about 2 years ago, the determination was made that:

• Factory did not produce a "stock" bigblock powered 4x4 Suburbans, but many dealers, and aftermarket companies optioned them in.
• Factory did not produce a "Stock" 1 ton suburban ever, but Many dealers optioned heavier duty equipment, and rebadged them with 30 series badging.
• With enough money, you could get an olds 455 powered K30 dually suburban from a dealer, if you were inclined to spend that much money for them to do the conversions for you.

It may be dealer optioned as a bigblock, K30, but it's not factory built as a K30. It would have been built as a K20 with a D60 front, and possibly a BBC on the rolling chassis, but sold as a K20, with someone else putting the "Custom Deluxe30" badging on the side.

Protip: BBC's do NOT slot into a K series frame as easily as most people would have you believe... I learned this one the "Fun" way.

 

[mountainexplorer]

I have an '81 1-ton 4x4 454 Suburban. BUT, I made it that way. Originally it was a 3/4 ton 4x4 with a 10-bolt front, Semi-Floater 14 bolt rear, 350/TH400/NP208. Now it has a 454/SM465/NP205, 14 bolt full-floater rear and Dana 60 front.

Might have him make sure it is a 205 in it. I've had lots of people say their rigs had a 205 or even a Dana 60 and they actually had a 203 or 208 or a Dana 44.

 

[chevy_addict]

Protip: BBC's do NOT slot into a K series frame as easily as most people would have you believe... I learned this one the "Fun" way.

What problems did you run into? I'm contemplating a BBC into a K10 Suburban....


Dave

 

[85burbanator]

were in ohio are you? im trying to get rid of my suburban. email me at [email protected] for more info.

 

[slimyjaime]

Sorry for being nitpicky, but it's against forum guidelines to post things for sale in the Garage. Please use the For Sale board. Thanks.