91 V2500, need to make her reliable ASAP, let’s hear some tips and ideas!

[RockBottomRacing]

Long story short, I have to downsize until my wife finishes school, sold my diesel and now need my 91 V2500 Burb road ready. Got some tires for her, she runs and drives great, needs paint (another story).

Here is my plan so far, based on necessity.

Front wheel bearings
Locking hubs
front brakes
Tie rod ends
Drag link ends
Removing cat and muffler, clamping on a Flowbastard
Fluid changes all around

Now, this truck was purchased as an off-road rig only, and will still be built for that purpose, albeit a little slower and different choices for road manners (for now). I’m planning on doing DIY4X’s shackle flip n switch for the rear and 4” lift springs up front and zero rates all around so I can run the 35’s I already had for her. For now she’s gonna be on stock tires. I’m confident in the Burb as a daily, doesn’t smoke at all, shifts great, even overdrive (4L80e tee hee).

So what else should I throw in? I have a set of Doug Thorley Tri-Y’s I’m gonna install at a later date to eliminate the shitty y pipe and cracked manifolds, and I have a Vortec fuel pump on the shelf from my old K5 project. What else am I missing from the equation? Would love any and all ideas!

Thanks guys!

 

[dhcomp]

Good to see another 91 with the 4l80e!
Add a large, reliable trans cooler. Mine was great until it developed a pinhole leak, and ultimately ended up killing my trans.

The larger tires without a regear will put more strain on the trans, so keeping it cool will be key.

If it's turning into a DD, i'd pull the rear drums and inspect/readjust the brakes. And check your bearings while you are in there.

 

[jeff in co]

Axle seals, driveshaft u-joints, front axleshaft u-joints. Front ball joints, too.

Regear to 4.10's.....

 

[muddybuddy]

Big trans cooler

 

[RockBottomRacing]

Yessir! I’m currently trying to shop for a cooler, I’m probably going to switch to dual electric fans and I was thinking I’d get trans cooler with an aux fan too? I don’t plan to run 3.73’s for long trust me

Good to see another 91 with the 4l80e!
Add a large, reliable trans cooler. Mine was great until it developed a pinhole leak, and ultimately ended up killing my trans.

The larger tires without a regear will put more strain on the trans, so keeping it cool will be key.

If it's turning into a DD, i'd pull the rear drums and inspect/readjust the brakes. And check your bearings while you are in there.

 

[Keitha]

Axle seals, driveshaft u-joints, front axleshaft u-joints. Front ball joints, too.

Regear to 4.10's.....

4.10's or 4.56"s? What size tires? I've been driving with my 3.73 for over a decade, but am planning to swap it very soon. I was thinking 4.11's, but now really considering a 4.56 set instead. I run on 33's mostly highway driving. SoCal freeways cruising at 75 - 80 mph.

 

[Keitha]

And to address your original question:
- Freshen up the distributor - replace the ignition control module that lives inside the distributor (keep the original one for a spare).
- Replace the serpentine belt
- Replace cracked / dry vacuum lines
- Check the EGR valve and clean carbon build-up

 

[jeff in co]

4.10's or 4.56"s? What size tires? I've been driving with my 3.73 for over a decade, but am planning to swap it very soon. I was thinking 4.11's, but now really considering a 4.56 set instead. I run on 33's mostly highway driving. SoCal freeways cruising at 75 - 80 mph.

I have 4.10's with 35's....I think 3.56's would be better for me. It does like to downshift on the slightest grade at 75 MPH.....6500' elevation.

Update -- Sorry, my bad. Meant 4.56's!!

 

[imiceman44]

I have 4.10's with 35's....I think 3.56's would be better for me. It does like to downshift on the slightest grade at 75 MPH.....6500' elevation.

Definitely 4.56 will 35" tires no less.
4.10 with 33" does ok, but that is after I switched from 3.73.
I ran the stock tires first after changing the axles then got the 33" and running the stock 31.5" tires (265/75/16) I am considering switching to 4.56 if I don't put the bbc.
It's not bad driving around with the sbc but once you hook up anything you feel it.
It did much better with the stock tires for towing