91 Burban build thread

[joshthemule]

And so, another build thread is started but will this guy finish... I don't expect many lookers at this point but the pictures will start coming. To start with I have my partially built 1991 GMC Suburban


The donor is an 85 CUCV that I just picked up.

the end result is:

An axle swap (14BF & D60 with 4.56)
High steer with redneck ram set up (I think that's the best I've found but I'd be interested in putting it together myself If I could figure it out.
New drive line with double-cardan-style joint.
I'd eventually like to do the disc brake conversion on the 14B but that requires a TC brake and that requires a SYE and that requires another drive line. I'd like to do it now but that's just not in the budget.
I've also just bought 12 H1 double beadlock wheels with the HWMMV tires on them. I'm going to recenter the ones I'll keep and sell the rest.

That's all the big stuff. Then comes the armor. sliders, rear bumper with tire carrier and a roof rack. I'm trying to figure out how to do all that without buying a bender. I have a lot of tools but I don't have a welder yet. I'm limited to a 110 volt because of the service in my garage. I think it will work fine for the stuff I'm doing. I think if I bevel the edges enough on the things I'm joining, I'll be able to create some pretty strong welds.

Well, I might start pulling axles out tomorrow. I'll try really hard to bust out the camera when I'm covered in sweat, bloody knuckled, and really pissed at the rust nuts.

Later

P.S. I've got a second CUCV (including the axles) that I'm parting out to help fund the main project. PM me concerning that if you are interested. I don't want to fill this thread with "can I have this" and "how much for that" stuff.

 

[y5mgisi]

Sweet! Can never have too many burb builds!

 

[HDOFFROAD]

Hey bro, I can't see the picture. I'm sure the Blue OX is going to keep getting badder and badder.

Jeremy

 

[joshthemule]

So, my hopes of getting some work done this weekend were set aside when my 4 year old son broke his leg horse'n around on the elliptical machine in our friends basement. Its a complete break two inches below the knee. We go see a specialist tomorrow so the truck is on hold for a couple of days.

I'll be post'n pics of the project next week I guess but here's my little hero instead.

 

[gone huntin]

I keep telling you people that exercise is bad for you, see what happens when people use exercise machines? J/K, give him a big "get well soon" for us, and don't be tryin' to lift his wheels....yet.

 

[joshthemule]

Well, with my son laid up, its been slower than i thought. I got all the cinder blocks and wood to prop the truck up but the jack I had wasn't big enough so I'll go back tomorrow with my floor jack. I leave the truck at work because its much more secure and less of an eye sore.

I took some pics of the CUCV today just to get you excited about the axles I'm pulling out of it.

 

[joshthemule]

Got a little more done in the way of dismantling my CUCV this weekend. My little man takes a lot of attention so the work is slow. I got the axles pulled out Friday afternoon. It took every ounce of five guys to load them in my truck.




So I got home and realized I had just me and my son with a broken leg to get them unloaded. Well that was all the excuse I needed to run over to Harbor Freight and grab an engine hoist. Got back home and put it together. It took a little maneuvering but it was pretty easy to get them out with the hoist.


So of course, My little helper had to do some lifting

 

[joshthemule]

So here they sit. I've got some parts to buy:

For the 14B;

Spring perches, drive shaft, new lug nuts, brake lines.

For the 60

Red neck ram assist, pass side steering arm for cross over and a drag link. 78 ford 4 inch drop pitman arm.

Money, Money, Money

 

[MTBLAZER89]

Cool build man. I will be watching the progress.

 

[joshthemule]

Slow but sure I'm getting work done. Today, I spent a few hours knocking off the spring perches and shock mounts. Then a little grinding and they are pretty smooth. So I need to buy my perches and new shock mounts. I was looking at ruff stuff specialties but does anyone have any recommendations for tabs and brackets like that.


My plan is to mock it all up under the burban then support the buban with the axle in place but without the perches welded. Then I'll use a bottle jack under the pinion to adjust it to the right angle. I figure if I aim the pinion right at the TC output, it will allow for a degree or two of twist which piont it at the double cardan joint while at cruise. What do you guys think? Once I get it mocked up, I'm going to measure for the new drive shaft then tack the perches before I pull it out and fish it up.

 

[kgblazerfive]

Pretty much all the advertisers on here sell tabs and perches and stuff thats who I used. I welded mine the same way set it in there then moved for angle, I think I went a little high but it works.

 

[johnnychimpo]

I got my perches from Kert, he built them with an extra inch of height. Super stout & a good price.

 

[desertrat67]

Looking good Josh. I take it you PCS'd to VA? I would have taken the driveline out of the CUCV if you were still in TX. I will keep an eye on this to see how yours turns out and what ideas I will steal for mine. later

ryan

 

[joshthemule]

yup, I'm living the life of a VIP unit. After two deployments its a pretty nice break. Keep your head low over there and let me know if you need anything.

 

[desertrat67]

Thanks, and enjoy your break.

The truck looks great, by the way.

 

[tiny2085]

Looks like a sweet ride man - are you going to lift it any more ? new wheels and tires ?

 

[joshthemule]

I'm going to stay with the 6 inches for now. I obviously can't use my currnet wheels cause of the axles so, since I'm in the military and access with be rather easy, I'm going to run 16.5 rims and 37" wranglers off of HMMWVs. They are a really rugged tire. I'm not sure they will be very sticky on rocks but they should last a pretty long time. We'll see. I think the 37"s will be a good size for the 4.56 gears. I'd still like to be able to tow a small trailer every now and then. I did the RMP calculations and it should land my back to approximately stock revs per mph.

 

[kennyw]

I have a lot of tools but I don't have a welder yet. I'm limited to a 110 volt because of the service in my garage. I think it will work fine for the stuff I'm doing. I think if I bevel the edges enough on the things I'm joining, I'll be able to create some pretty strong welds.

Getting good penitration will be your biggest challenge. What transmission are you running? If you have a TH400 and a gas motor the 37's with 4.56 gears will be good for the highway, but not so great offroad.

 

[joshthemule]

Yah, I know I'll have to take my time on the welding and bevel a lot of edges.

My motor is a 6.2 diesel with a banks sidewinder turbo. The tranny is a 700R4 (recently rebuild) driving a NP241. I don't think I'll have much problem off road in the low range. I won't be in the mud unless I have to. It does good in low right now with 3.73s and the 35s so it will be like heaven to me with 4.56s and 37s.

 

[kennyw]

The diesel will like that combo better... looks like you will be close to 2000 RPM at 70 mph and you should have enough torque to handle things off-road.