BeaterBurb Build

[LBK TX BeaterBurb]

...and so it starts. The BeaterBurb Build is underway.

I picked up a '91 Suburban on the cheap back in May. The truck runs really strong with a fresh trans; just a solid old Suburban - bone stock, ugly, MIA white paint (I think clear coat was optional back in the day), towed behind an RV. Not a spot of rust anywhere in the body. None whatsoever. It's been a Texas truck since new and seemed to have spent most its life in the Austin San Antonio area.

I am planning a mild build. Intent is to create a highway-camping-dirt bike recovery rig that will function as base camp for my two-wheel excursions (base camp is Eureka Colorado, between Silverton and Animas Forks). I've been doing parts collection all summer and now she is in the paint shop.

Here are a couple pics as I found it marooned by the south loop highway in Lubbock Texas. It looked sad and lonely so I brought it home for $1000.

List of planned mods to follow.

 

[muddysub]

Nice find man, yeah the paint was a joke back then.

 

[Greg Ducato]

Nice! I've been sniffing around for one just like it for my next build, looking forward to more details as it progresses.

 

[LBK TX BeaterBurb]

First thing that had to go was the 270 lb Ranch Hand bumper that was welded solid to the frame. Not sure what it was for other than functioning as a solid steel energy transfer. Next to get jettisoned was third row seating and seatbelts.

 

[LBK TX BeaterBurb]

I found a set of 15 x 8 rally wheels here in Lubbock and had them powder coated gloss black. Caps and rings from LMC. Loaded them with some fresh BFG rubber right off the rack.

 

[Big Ray]

 

[Greg Ducato]

Very nice! What lift are you going with?

 

[LBK TX BeaterBurb]

Very nice! What lift are you going with?

Going with a 4" TC Easy Ride with rear springs; no blocks. Sourced them from SD Truck Springs out of Long Island.

My goal is a soft ride. I looked at the spring rate charts and I searched this forum extensively; I proceeded on the collective recommendation that TC EZ was the softest ride in the 4". I am sure this is debatable by some or many, but what is not (per this forum) is that the Rough Country lift was the roughest ride. Stayed away from that.

It is all stacked in the shop waiting for paint to finish...

 

[LBK TX BeaterBurb]

Taking it back to the metal.

 

[LBK TX BeaterBurb]

Picked up various parts from the powder coater. Front and rear bumper brackets & receiver hitch. Nice to handle freshly coated steel when it is still warm. Progress.

 

[82355]

I like it.

Martin

 

[LBK TX BeaterBurb]

Laying down some primer. Wet sanding on deck.

 

[63chevyll]

Nice burb. But your gonna have to change the name. It won't be a beater here soon

 

[LBK TX BeaterBurb]

I will stipulate that new chrome bumpers, back-to-metal new paint, new plastic grilles, bezels and lenses are all cosmetic improvements to my truck. By definition they do not improve functionality. That said, I am pursuing the completion of the cosmetic restoration, alteration, and improvement FIRST; if I don't get that done early in the project life, it will likely never happen. Once this is complete, I can ignore the cosmetics of the rig and focus entirely on the functional build. This focus on build functionality and the process of pursuit of the intended purpose of the truck will proceed into infinity with no distractions and no possible completion date.

Following is a first-pass list of the FUNCTIONAL alterations on deck for Whitey:

1) 4" Tuff Country EZ Ride w/rear springs & (6) SX8000
2) 33x12.50-15s on rally wheels w/ BFG ATs
3) All new Moog bearing surfaces in the front end.
4) Gear change w/all new bearings & seals on factory10 bolts, front & rear
5) Make A/C blow cold air
6) On-board air
7) Fuel-cell electric generator

So, that ought to keep me busy for a while. Any suggestions on the ratio of the gear change?

 

[y5mgisi]

Subscribed!

 

[Greg Ducato]

If I was gearing the truck I would go with 4.56's This will put you just under 2300 rpm in overdrive at 70mph which is enough rpm to pull the truck well at that speed and the low gearing will really help to get the truck rolling as well as off road.

 

[LBK TX BeaterBurb]

Priming and wet sanding...

 

[LBK TX BeaterBurb]

If I was gearing the truck I would go with 4.56's This will put you just under 2300 rpm in overdrive at 70mph which is enough rpm to pull the truck well at that speed and the low gearing will really help to get the truck rolling as well as off road.

Thanks for the advice! Do any of you have a particular favorite gear ratio-tire size conversion table website?

 

[Big Ray]

I strongly recommend swapping out the rear axle to at least a 14 bolt semi-floater. They're on the 3/4 ton rigs...

it's much stronger than the 10 bolt. No reason to drop any real $$$ in the rear 10 bolt. The 14 bsf came with 3.73 and 4.10's, and are pretty cheap $$$ wise...

 

[y5mgisi]

Agreed.

4lo.com for the gear/tire size chart.