Abusfullofnuns Suburban going long in the rear

[Abusfullofnuns]

Abusfullofnuns submitted a new Build:

Abusfullofnuns Suburban build- Rolling for now

I finally upgraded to a premium account, so I guess it’s time to start a build thread. Strap in, I’m going to bring you up to speed.

I picked up an 88 Suburban this December. I’ve always liked Squares, but never really considered searching for one. I ran across this one on expedition portal and it had a lot of things I liked(I’ll detail the mods later), and seemed to fit the bill for what I wanted even though I was just window shopping. I was looking for something reliable and cheap to work on that could get my girls, dog, and camping gear/mountain bikes into the woods. I exchanged at least 40 emails with the guy and got a pretty good feeling from the owner. He was a lot more negotiable than I expected, and I ended up owning it.

On to the truck…..a 1988 Sierra Classic 2500 with 18K on the odometer. I’d lean toward it only rolling over once. I flew out to Albuquerque, dipped into CO for some boarding, and then drove it home. 85-90mph a lot of the way across TX, OK, and AR and turned in right at a calculated 12mpg across the 1500 mile trip. The low mileage 6.0 LQ4 and 4L80E made the trip bearable.

View attachment 225982

Read more about this build here...

 

[Abusfullofnuns]

Got into some pretty good snow in CO and realized this thing sucks in winter weather. About the time I had the ass end in a pretty sweet 45mph drift, I realized why the PO mentioned the chains a few times when he found out I’m was headed to Wolf Creek

 

[Abusfullofnuns]

I made it home in one piece, but it was painfully obvious on the way across the US that the steering needed some attention. The truck already had a xj steering shaft swap, and I traced the issue to the box and drag link. Those were my first order of business, and were an easy swap with all the room a Square abides. Next up was a headlight upgrade, because even with new glass lamps I didn’t approve. Decided to give the cheap Amazon LEDs a chance and am very impressed three months into them.

 

[Abusfullofnuns]

I also needed to get some seats in the second row. The Burb had a full size Truck Vault that took place of both rear rows of seats. It has two locking drawers and seems to be well built. I removed it and cut the end off, as well as, 14” of length. I reinstalled the box and found some seats and brackets out of a choo choo model to keep my girls separate. Here’s a pic as I reassembled the Truck Vault.

 

[Abusfullofnuns]

Onto the upgrades and drivetrain I got with it, and I’ll detail the plans as we go.

-2007 6.0 and 4L80E currently with 55K
-K&N filter with a prefilter
-Pacesetter headers into a single flowmaster muffler stainless (unfortunately welded front to back)
-Has a speartech harness and original tune that has been touched up some to include two speed fan control
-2 speed Taurus fan and volvo relay set up
-Custom shroud and aluminum radiator
-Dual Diehard AGM Platinum batteries with a Hellroaring isolator and switch and Blue Sea power cut off
-York 210 onboard air compressor - rebuilt, and connected to a manifold with coalescing filter, regulator, pressure relief valve, check valve, pressure sensor, and air chuck. Uses Little Shop Manufacturing mounting bracket and idler pulley. Need to figure out a tank for it.
-Auxiliary fuse and relay box under the hood for all accessories
-Custom interior switch box, wired to the relay box
-Has the modern A/C set up but the rear air has been pulled. (wouldn't mind adding it back, not sure what's gone besides the hoses)
-NP208
-10-boltfront axle, Eaton E-locker, 4:56 gears, Milemarker manual locking hubs(have some warn premiums to go on)
-14-bolt rear axle (semi floating), Eaton E-locker, 4:56 gears
-ATX AX18 PTFE-coated rims with 35x12.5x17 BFG KM2 mud terrain tires
-Rough Country suspension lift (coming out, details later)
-Custom built front bumper, mounting tabs for lights, winch mount, shackle/D-ring mount
-Superwinch EPi 9.0 winch with 3/8" synthetic Viking winch line and abrasion guard + hawse fairlead
-Custom built rear bumper with dual swing outs on heavy duty spindle hinges, DeStaco latches, shackle/D-ring mount (spare tire on one swing out, dual gas can carriers on the other)
-Custom frame sliders
-Custom roof rack and basket
-Truck Vault(actually pretty trick)
-LEDs throughout dash and interior
-Hitch(still needs gas tank protection)

I'll probably leave under the hood alone....although I have access to a supercharger from a truck for a good deal. Not sure how it would fit and really just trying to forget that it's there. I do have the TNA LS crossmember and mounts stockpiled. More on that next.

 

[Abusfullofnuns]

Next things next....
The suspension is a 6" rough country kit. It rides like dog poo and doesn't handle great. I did get a chance to wheel it and definitely got the front end into a bind and couldn't turn.

That got me started on crossover steering, and I've gotten everything together I need minus the drag link and pitman arm. I also have a steering brace in waiting.

For front suspension I'm going with the b52 kit and will probably combine a couple of packs to take a swing before ordering custom springs later. I also have the FUSH kit and shackle to install as well.

Rear suspension I've got the ORD 4" flip kit and diy4x usdr shackles to install with a set of 56s.

I haven't decided what shocks but leaning toward Bilstein 7100s for the front and 5100s for the rear. I really need some guidance on which rate and which length on a suburban with armor and a Truck Vault.

 

[Abusfullofnuns]

The interior has been removed and lined with sound and heat barriers before being reinstalled. The stock insulation was removed. I want to change the seats and repair the dash. I'll probably fill and wrap the dash to avoid buying one. I replaced one PW motor and have one more slow one to do. I'll need to figure out a console for the inverter and cup holders. I'm a stereo junkie so that'll be anoner project too.

The clear coat is literally falling off now that it lives in the humid south. I need to figure out my long term paint plans quicker than I thought.

The only other thing on the horizon is a gear reduction. I'm leaning towards a NWF ecobox, but I've got a bunch of rivets to knock out before I can think about that part of the drivetrain.

 

[Abusfullofnuns]

I think that brings us up to speed and the above mentioned rivets. I need to order two pair of ez inches, a bunch of greasable bolts, drag link, body lift (have mounts and hardware), and other odds and ends. Once I get that stuff I can get started on the suspension resurrection. I've neglected to order everything out of procrastination of the bigger project. Hopefully this thread helps to hold me accountable for progress.

Suggestions and comments welcome.

 

[obijuank5]

Good looking burb. My only suggestion is to avoid the 52s up front and just go with some of the better brand springs or ORD custom springs. I've had all of em and I'm back to procomp 6" springs in my dedicated rock crawler. More firm on the rates but that doesn't sacrifice the ride or flex. It does help it not be so floppy. Even with expensive shocks.
DO however upgrade your front shackle hanger and relocate that forward a bit.

 

[Ned Kelly]

DO however upgrade your front shackle hanger and relocate that forward a bit.

Got a pic of that on your rig? I never even considered that until you mentioned it. How far forward did you move it?

 

[superbuickguy]

nice square.

 

[stockk5]

Wow thats a clean burb! I agree, 52s might be too flexy on the road for this big truck.

 

[obijuank5]

I have moved my axle pretty far forward an needed to do this. But when I put it back closer to stock it seemed to ride pretty well. I would say a shorter shackle for your use as well.

 

[Truckman4life]

I have my shackle in that same location with the ORD heavy duty shackles. I am running shorter 67-72 springs currently so with the front in the factory mount I had to move the shackle to get it to work. It also moved my axle forward a bit. Thinking of doing 52s or if I can swing it ORD custom springs or maybe just some 4" lift packs. I love your suburban. I might upgrade to something like that in the future when my boys all get too big to fit all of us in the blazer.

 

[Abusfullofnuns]

nice square.

Wow thats a clean burb!

Thanks guys. I've never bought a vehicle that someone else started a build on, but I've been surprised with the quality and how clean the frame and drivetrain are at this point. The only thing I didn't like was all the stickers. I got them all removed pretty quick after making it home.

I love your suburban. I might upgrade to something like that in the future when my boys all get too big to fit all of us in the blazer.

Thanks a lot. The girls are only 4 and 6 but they love the Burb. They beg me to pick them up at school. They love that all the boys are jealous. Funny stuff.

 

[Abusfullofnuns]

Good looking burb. My only suggestion is to avoid the 52s up front and just go with some of the better brand springs or ORD custom springs. I've had all of em and I'm back to procomp 6" springs in my dedicated rock crawler. More firm on the rates but that doesn't sacrifice the ride or flex. It does help it not be so floppy. Even with expensive shocks.
DO however upgrade your front shackle hanger and relocate that forward a bit.

I agree, 52s might be too flexy on the road for this big truck.

Thanks for the advice.

This is exactly my fear and why I hoped that I could stiffen them up with another donor pack. Would you guys use the B52 kit and go with custom/aftermarket springs in 52"? Or scrap the longer spring all together?

Primarily going to be mall crawling and dirt roads for camping. 10% - 20% trail rig and not going to get too crazy. I'm more likely to buy a buggy or something to wheel hard at this point. I do want to be able to take it out and be fairly capable when I have that itch.

 

[skunked]

If you don't want to drop the coin on some high end springs I would recommend the tuff country springs in stock length. Then beef up the rear hanger with a FUSH kit and some beefier shackles.

 

[dremu]

Second (third? Seventeeth?) against front 52"s. They're great for rock buggies when you want insane flex, but for a truck that sees street time and/or speeds above, say, 30MPH ... not so much. This is the voice of experience

As to what you SHOULD use, IMO, do it once, do it right. Take your truck to the scales and get weights for both front and back axles. Then (and only then, as he'll ask about the weights ) call Stephen @ ORD, and decide on off-the-shelf lift springs or their custom packs.

-- A

 

[superbuickguy]

Sometimes I need to put my 'square' translator in place. Why, you may ask? in the 4x4 world 52s normally refer to the tires you see on rigs traveling on the glaciers in Iceland (and don't tell me you don't immediately think of that )

As for springs, what springs are in the front - there is a world of difference between softride/ez-ride springs and all the rest. I get that you should check and make sure that your shackles are tending towards the back of the rig at rest - but if the springs are long enough, then the number or shape of the springs can make a huge difference. I can even illustrate. I had a square with 4" rancho springs and my brother roundly complained at how tough it rode (and it did) - he then criticized that I was "paying extra money" for softride springs.... until he rode in it. Softride even knows this is a thing because they sell just springs without bushings so that you can swap softrides for harsh-riding springs.

but with no pictures - I've no idea whether or not that's an issue. I think the PO value priced some things, so it would make sense he went with $400 Rancho system vs. $800 softride if he didn't know better (the bare springs are only about $150/ea from any of the online retailers)

 

[blazinzuk]

I think I'm the only one who had zero issue with my front spring swap. They weren't 52s but 56s

I did start with a one ton pack but IMHO my rig rode great. Did it have body roll? Yes. Did it have an unmanageable amount of body roll? No.

My complaint against stock 52s or 56s is the alarming rate at which they wear out.

I usually get 18 months before they are completely trashed. No good for a build like yours.

A good lift spring will do a good job until you can swing custom springs. Tuff country EZ ride or BDS.

Several builds on here like yours to look at. The one I always point poeple to is Daisy. That's @muddysub build of his burb.

I don't know if you have the skills or cash but linking it up front would also be awesome.