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4X4 burb good buy or not???

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77crewcab

1/2 ton status
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Okay I am finally ready to step into the 4X4 world. (heavenly music fills the air) Here is the deal i have bought a couple 2wd burbs in the past 6 months for drivers and for donors of engine and trans etc. Now a guy at work offered to sell his burb to me. It is an 86 3/4 ton, 350/700/unkown tc, all stock suspension just simple A/T tires, rear a/c PW/PL. Interior is mint other than drivers seat, all accesories work. Has the typical issues like guages and some switches not working, one window motor is starting to stip some gears. Engine and trans run really good and strong, haven't engaged the tc as the front driveshaft is taken off (supposedly for better mileage) but I have been assured that it works well. Also it has the auto locking hubs. Exterior has poor paint but no major damage. He is asking $750. So good deal or not? BTW I have a parts suburban that I can use to fix most of the small problems like seat, guages, switches, window motor etc.
 
doesn't sound too bad. i would be sure to check out the front diff tho. since it has hubs, it doesn;t matter if the front driveshaft is there or not for better gas milage, if the lever isn't in 4wd it doesn't turn. you'll also be better off without the automatic hubs.
 
Sounds like a good deal to me. Around here (Denver area) that would probably list for at least $1500. I'd do a quick check on a nearby craigslist and see what people are asking; should give you a pretty good idea of the local going price.
 
77crewcab said:
Okay I am finally ready to step into the 4X4 world. (heavenly music fills the air) Here is the deal i have bought a couple 2wd burbs in the past 6 months for drivers and for donors of engine and trans etc. Now a guy at work offered to sell his burb to me. It is an 86 3/4 ton, 350/700/unkown tc, all stock suspension just simple A/T tires, rear a/c PW/PL. Interior is mint other than drivers seat, all accesories work. Has the typical issues like guages and some switches not working, one window motor is starting to stip some gears. Engine and trans run really good and strong, haven't engaged the tc as the front driveshaft is taken off (supposedly for better mileage) but I have been assured that it works well. Also it has the auto locking hubs. Exterior has poor paint but no major damage. He is asking $750. So good deal or not? BTW I have a parts suburban that I can use to fix most of the small problems like seat, guages, switches, window motor etc.
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Good deal. Does it have 6 or 8 lugs?
 
It is an 8 lug axle. What TC should it have in it? I know pretty much what to look for as problem areas on these trucks but is there anything I should check that is 4X4 specific? I know the 4WD works and there is no problems with it. I have seen it Monday mornings after the weekend outings and it is covered in mud and dirt. But for what ever reason he takes the front driveshaft out during the week thinking it will save on mileage. So you are saying that with locking hubs it shouldn't be a problem? I am new to the $x$ side of these trucks so please give me a minor crash course.
 
77crewcab said:
It is an 8 lug axle. What TC should it have in it? I know pretty much what to look for as problem areas on these trucks but is there anything I should check that is 4X4 specific? I know the 4WD works and there is no problems with it. I have seen it Monday mornings after the weekend outings and it is covered in mud and dirt. But for what ever reason he takes the front driveshaft out during the week thinking it will save on mileage. So you are saying that with locking hubs it shouldn't be a problem? I am new to the $x$ side of these trucks so please give me a minor crash course.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure what year T-case went to 241, otherwise its probably 208. If you buy it, get the WARN premium locking hubs, way more valuable than the ~$120. Leave the WARNS in "free" and T-case in 2H, mileage won't get any better than that. Later on, you'll understand the how and why.
Read, read, and read some more.:D
 
roadnotca said:
I'm not sure what year T-case went to 241, otherwise its probably 208. If you buy it, get the WARN premium locking hubs, way more valuable than the ~$120. Leave the WARNS in "free" and T-case in 2H, mileage won't get any better than that. Later on, you'll understand the how and why.
Read, read, and read some more.:D
Click to expand...

Okay thanks! I am thinking I will go ahead and get this one and use my 89 2WD as a parts truck for a TBI swap, and also for the small stuff that needs to be fixed on the 86 4WD and then use the engine, trans, and suspension from the 2WD burb for the 60 SWB I just got. What kind of mileage should I expect, and about what should I gain with a TBI swap?
 
Okay a little update here. I finally got a chance to take a good look at the burb and it was a little dissapointing. It turns out to be an 86 6 lug 1/2 ton with a 350/700 and I am guessing a 241tc with 3.42 gears. Stock 31x10.5 tires. Everything runs good trans shifts smooth. Is it still a good deal?

I did notice that the front springs are pretty weak and are bending back on themselves. Looking at them from the side they look like a frown instead of a smiley face. So what are my options on fixing them buy just new front springs or should I look for a lift kit (4in max) I don't really need extra height just want to make sure the springs are in good shape. This will only seen dirt roads and open fields when camping/hunting so I don't need anything extreme. I will also be using the burb to pull a 5K camper so want to keep that ability. Any tips on spring packages?
 
Just FYI, stock chevy front springs have a negative arch.
I thought the springs on my burb were fubar'd too, but after looking at other trucks, I realized they are all like that.
Well, until you lift them!
 
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