1987 V20 Suburban 350TBI/SM465

[Wes Harden]

Check Off Road Design's new kevlar/poly bushings as an up grade to your new stock springs.
Bilstein 5100's for shocks.
You can get the zero rate from them too.

 

[fordmas]

That’s just what I was doing

 

[fordmas]

In looking at front springs, I see 3 and 4 leaf packs. I'm assumed the 4 packs are for K30s and will be stiffer? The only weight a plan on adding in the front is a bumper, winch, and 2nd battery. Am I good with a 3 leaf or is a there a reason to go with 4?

 

[stan1688]

Wow, that thing is clean! I think you’ve already made up your mind, but I’ll echo what Martin said about the tcase. A 208 will be perfectly fine. I look forward to following your progress.

 

[fordmas]

Well I have my replacement front springs and shackles, zero rates, bushings, and shocks ordered. Kilmat arrives today. Tint on Saturday. Tires after I get the suspension parts installed.

I'm starting to look at seat options for the front. Is it as simple as finding some bucket seats and installing some universal seat tracks in the floor? I'd love to be able to recline a little and slide myself back a bit. I've searched around on here and see folks dropping in different GM and after market seats so it hasn't been too clear.

 

[fourwheelerjeff]

Well I have my replacement front springs and shackles, zero rates, bushings, and shocks ordered. Kilmat arrives today. Tint on Saturday.

you ain't wasting no time

 

[fordmas]

you ain't wasting no time

Not a bit. Only have 30 days to get it inspected and registered and 3 of the tires won't pass inspection. There is no date on the out of state title so I could get away with longer but I'm also not keen on driving around on those tires.

Plus its getting hot as hell out so I'm looking forward to a little climate control.

 

[fordmas]

Well this doesn’t look right.

 

[Wes Harden]

Well at least you know the code is legit

 

[fordmas]

It does seem likely. Got both sensors replaced the the codes cleared

 

[fordmas]

i just ordered the springs this morning…that was quick

 

[fordmas]

I was repairing the coolant overflow track and checking for more leaks underneath the front end and came across a few drops of oil dripping off the front pumpkin. It looks very wet…is this just going to be the seals where the drive shaft comes in?

 

[Wes Harden]

Check that vent is open. Hose connected to a fitting in diff case, check both ends, and fitting. If plugged you might get lucky and the leak will stop, when unplugged. If the seal is the original it is probably hard, and may not work any more.

 

[fordmas]

Any thoughts on this noise? It goes away when I push the clutch in and comes back when it’s out. Is that normal for an SM465 or is my throw out bearing going bad? Or something else?
View attachment trim.8BB3AF31-83AB-443D-827E-31556CA0B799.MOV

 

[Fastereddie]

Any thoughts on this noise? It goes away when I push the clutch in and comes back when it’s out. Is that normal for an SM465 or is my throw out bearing going bad? Or something else?
View attachment 381255

Sounds like the transmission needs oil.

 

[fordmas]

I've noticed that when I hit bumps in the road, the front end bounces around a bit which led me under the front end. I know the front springs are saggy and the shocks are likely old...replacement springs are sitting in the garage and I'm waiting on my replacement shocks from ORD. But I noticed the steering stabilizer is banged up. The picture doesn't show it as well but the tube is flattened somewhat. I don't see any cracks or fluid leaking out but wan't y'alls thoughts on if this should be replaced.



I also noticed that the factory bump stops are closer than I expected to the springs. I know this will change with the replacement springs, zero rate, and new shackles but it just seems like not a lot of travel.

 

[max 02]

That’s normal for the bump stops with factory old springs.
The stabilizer id change even if it still works ok it looks like shit.

 

[fordmas]

Alright so we had a huge thunder storm last night with really high winds. Went out to check the truck this morning and found standing water in the cargo area. Looks like it came in from the top of the doors based on the water streaks. I’ve got new door and window seals for everything coming from Summit but I decided to pull up the vinyl and the nasty moldy insulation in the back. Floor has some rusting causing the pain to flake up but doesn’t look like it’s gone through the body anywhere. Is this just a simple sand it down, prime and paint deal? Also noticed the seam in the wheel well is separating a bit. Anything I can do there?


Lastly, what the heck are these called?

 

[ZooMad75]

Those are rain gutters.

Before painting anything I would wire brush the are to get most/all if the scale up and then hit it with a rust converter. Por15, or extend. Anything to neutralize the rust prior to painting.

 

[fordmas]

Those are rain gutters.

Before painting anything I would wire brush the are to get most/all if the scale up and then hit it with a rust converter. Por15, or extend. Anything to neutralize the rust prior to painting.

Thanks for that info @ZooMad75. I knew what they did, just not what to call them when looking for parts. They need new gaskets behind them.

Wire brush makes more sense on removing the rust vs sanding. Had no idea rust converters were a thing but that's pretty slick. I plan on installing Kilmat in the back before putting flooring back down. I guess I could do the rust converter, then maybe a rubber sealant (saw Por15 had some) to keep moisture out instead of paint, and then the kilmat, then flooring. The plan is to do this for the whole interior but I'm just starting at the back given its current situation. I wonder if I could/should do that rubber sealant over the kilmat in places where I'm not putting flooring...