1993 3/4 Ton Suburban Build (Solid Axle Swap)

[Kay86K5]

Been a long time since I updated anything in this thread. Been using the truck a lot for around town and hunting over the last two years. But currently this thing is under the knife right now about halfway done with a big overhaul. Once I’m done I think I’ll do an update walk around vid of it and upload it here.

 

[Kay86K5]

Well, finally got this thing done enough to get it out of the shop under its own power. Still some things to clean up and work out some bugs…but here’s a pretty in depth video showing a bunch of the things I’ve done to it (not old and new)

 

[mrk5]

I've been thinking about doing a gmt400 project next, but I haven't researched the SAS yet. Do you think you could have done this with springs that had no lift?

 

[Kay86K5]

I've been thinking about doing a gmt400 project next, but I haven't researched the SAS yet. Do you think you could have done this with springs that had no lift?

Possibly, but the biggest thing you have to think about with a low lift SAS on these is steering. If going standard crossover steering with an arm on top of the knuckle, the drag link will get close to contacting the frame on the passenger side during articulation. If you go with a newer ford axle and use they factory “Y” steering, then that might not be a big deal. I know I’ve seen a handful of guys do this same swap as me but use factory front square body springs (so would only net the 3” of lift from the SAS brackets) and made it work, but never dived into their builds enough to see their steering setups. Just something to think about

 

[imiceman44]

I was considering doing that engine swap to my 96 1/2 ton but then I found a 98 3/4 ton with the L29 so I don't need to improve on this one.
Now I am putting the 8.1 in the 89 suburban.
Still on the fence whether I use the dbw or the L29 dbc.

 

[Kay86K5]

I was considering doing that engine swap to my 96 1/2 ton but then I found a 98 3/4 ton with the L29 so I don't need to improve on this one.
Now I am putting the 8.1 in the 89 suburban.
Still on the fence whether I use the dbw or the L29 dbc.

L29 is a good motor, no reason to replace that one for sure. On the throttle body in your square burb, I now have both a DBW 8.1 swap and a DBC 8.1 swap. The big factor is getting the plugs added to the harness for the DBC setup. If going after market harness, no big deal just have them add it in (Howell does a great job with that). I will also say, DBC is way nicer for on and off throttle especially Offroad, way smoother. My blue crew cab it’s totally fine cause it’s a tow rig on the road all the time, but Offroad it’s a bit “jerky” sometimes (and it being a manual truck doesn’t help there either). But setting up DBW isn’t hard either. So just depends on what you want and your intended use I guess

 

[b454rat]

I looked thru the posts but didn't find it, which TC springs did you use? I see 3 different versions, none that match the numbers on your springs...

 

[Kay86K5]

I looked thru the posts but didn't find it, which TC springs did you use? I see 3 different versions, none that match the numbers on your springs...

I actually bought these of @GWeakland620 years ago that was originally on his SAS’d 6.5 crew cab. So I didn’t buy them new. Maybe he can chime in and give some insight on them

 

[GWeakland620]

Shooooot way too many sleeps since then. Let me cruise my SAS crew cab thread.

 

[GWeakland620]

The only thing I could find was they were 2” TC EZ rides.

 

[GWeakland620]

I do remember that I got them from ORD.

 

[GWeakland620]

^^^ Triple post

 

[Kay86K5]

Was getting a MAP and MAF code on this thing and did some diagnostics and decided to pull the harness back out…and found the problem (sorry, don’t seem to be able to post pics since I’m not a paying member anymore). But found out the main harness either got pinched or touched some hot exhaust and there were two wires that were cut…just so happen to be the signal wires for both the MAP and MAF that were cut, haha. Fixed the harness and put it back in…and the 8.1 is running fantastic now! Starts perfect, idles perfect, runs really good. I have a few gauges to get working, few other small things to button up, but it’s running and shifting really good now…so I’m happy!

 

[b454rat]

Hmm. I read thru I don't know how many of ur posts, saw the springs, but couldn't find any more info on them. I figured they were the HD's, since it road like a tank in a 1 ton truck. Summit listed 3 of the TC springs, reasonably priced, but don't really wanna buy 3 sets of springs to get the right one. I'm debating the lift between my Yukon or the black crew cab. Might do em both on the low side, since do wanna tow with the black truck. Also, my other truck is SAS'd using stock springs, and sits good, but looks like there is enough room on the pass side for the steering. It ain't gonna flex lol, so shouldn't hit anything. I'll post a pic in a sec, they is on my phone..