'90 Suburban Expo-style Build

[colokevin]

So I recently bought a 1990 GMC V1500 Suburban for $1500. It has a recently rebuilt 350, new 31" tires, new radiator and came with a spare disassembled 700R4. The interior is shot, the paint is fugly, suspension is sagging and bouncy, it has surface rust on the roof, but very little cancer and relatively straight sheet metal. She has lots of little "annoyance" gremlins but drives without any problems so far.

My plans for it are to build it pretty heavy duty, but will be using it mostly for expo-style trips with the family and as a general "adventure-mobile" for wheeling, rafting, climbing, skiing trips. My goal is capable and reliable, but I won't be thrashing it too much. I'm thinking D60 front, 14 Bolt rear, 6" lift, 37" tires, 203/205 doubler, not sure on engine upgrade. I'm coming from a Jeep background, so this is definitely a learning process. I have lots of questions. Here's my specific plan.

Phase 1: Fix gremlins and revamp interior
-Remove all the carpet, cracked trim and rubber
-Fix various fluid leaks
-Fix electric issues
-DIY4X dash with lots of gauges and switches
-Tuffy center console
-PRP/Mastercraft/Corbeau front seats
-Reupholster 2nd row seats
-LizardSkin then Linex whole interior??
-Stereo & CB

Phase 2: Lift kit (keep stock axles/wheels/tires for now; upgrade to D60/14 bolt ASAP.)
(Front)
-DIY4X B-52s
-ORD's FUSH or DIY4X's Front Shackle Hanger
-6" Tuff Country springs
-Bilstein 5125 shocks?
-Greasable front shackles
(Rear)
-ORD 4" shackle flip with 2" Tuff Country springs
-Greasable suspension bushings
-ORD 6" Supershackles
-Bilstein 5125 shocks?

Phase 3
-Swaybar disconnect
-Steering box brace
-Frame repair kit
-Totally Naked Offroad front winch cradle with wings
-Sliders: TBD
-Rear bumper/tire carrier: TBD
-Paint

Phase 4
-Dana 60 front
-14 Bolt rear
-203/205 doubler with triple stick
-Rebuild 700R4??
-37" tires??

Phase 5
-Expedition Mods
-Rear drawer system
-Bed platform
-Dual batteries
-Water storage
-Extra lighting

Any tips/thoughts/suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[rbgerrish]

Sounds awesome and well thought out. Do it!

 

[82355]

They are loud and obnoxious inside after you remove the interior.

Oh, and pics.

Martin

 

[Deuling]

 

[kgblazerfive]

Do my build minus the cutting of the body and it will work out great.

56/63 springs work great on a burb rides like a caddy.

 

[skunked]

the B52's and 6" TC springs will be more lift than your looking for (assuming your talking about 52" springs.


Crossover?

 

[D Rat]

the B52's and 6" TC springs will be more lift than your looking for (assuming your talking about 52" springs.


Crossover?

If you look at my build, it has the A bomb, does the same as the b52s with stock 52" springs and 39" tires, more than enough for 37s.

 

[colokevin]

For the lift I want to keep the CG as low as possible, while clearing 37s and having decent articulation, without a body lift. I definitely want 52" springs up front. I'm not going to swap in my rear springs because they're trashed. So I should just go with stock 52" rear springs in the front? No lift springs at all?

Crossover eventually, but not until I install the D60 down the road.

I've already stripped out all of the carpet and plastic trim except for the front row. No headliner either. It is definitely loud, so I was thinking about putting down a coat of LizardSkin Sound Control (DIY spray-on equivalent of Dynamat), then a professional Line-X on the whole interior. I'm not sure about 2 different spray-on coatings, but the LizardSkin owner says it should be fine.

Also, I've been working with Kert on my dash. He's been super patient with me. Lots of gauges and switches on the way.

 

[skunked]

If you look at my build, it has the A bomb, does the same as the b52s with stock 52" springs and 39" tires, more than enough for 37s.

exactly

For the lift I want to keep the CG as low as possible, while clearing 37s and having decent articulation, without a body lift. I definitely want 52" springs up front. I'm not going to swap in my rear springs because they're trashed. So I should just go with stock 52" rear springs in the front? No lift springs at all?

Stock 52's should be enough with some trimming. You could always add an EZ inch if needed.

And I mentioned the crossover because it wasn't on your list and IMO that's more important than the doubler. Might want to think about a locker too.

 

[kgblazerfive]

56's work better IMO, less work to put in.

I second the crossover more needed then the doubler

 

[hidesertwheelin]

Any updates?