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Buying a Suburban and need some opinions(UPDATE-BOUGHT ONE)

1000 no more.

Squares are very easy to buy. And I agree only 100 miles is a bit scary. What if the cam wasn't broke in right. Or it develops a leak. Was is rebuilt with......new gaskets or new parts also.

The fact that the 454 even needed a rebuild on a tow rig brings up questions.
 
Thanks for everyone's input on the situation. I did some more research and looking on Craigslist and I found one that I'm going to buy one this weekend. Yes, it is 10 hrs roundtrip, but I found a really nice one for $2500. 1988 2500, 454/TH400, Has 129k on it with fresh paint, seats redone, carpet replaced, rear A/C, and barndoors. Now I can't believe I was willing to pay that much for the other one:eek1:

I'll post some pics of her when I get her home. Plans are to convert it to 4wd eventually. I will probably enjoy the 2wd comfy ride for awhile though. Here are some pics that the seller had.



 
Were you set on a 454, or why didn't you just buy a 4x4? I would have looked for a 1991 V20.

Martin
 
It would seem that buying a small block 4x4 and swapping the engine would be easier. However, it seems like most of the clean straight old Burbs I see are 2WD. Maybe because everyone in the North bought 4x4s for winter driving and all the 2WDs were southern tow rigs. So between massive bodywork and an engine swap OR a 4x4 conversion, the latter does seem easier.
 
I was originally looking for a 4wd 1500 but almost impossible to find one locally that was in good shape. Most had body damage, rust, and the interiors were junk. I did find one, but it didn't have barn doors, which was a deal breaker. I found quite a few 2wd's that were clean and the idea of having one with a 454 was nice.

I've got the skills and tools to do the swap, so that wasn't too big of a deal and I also already have everything to convert it over.
 
We left out Saturday morning to make the 13 hr rountrip journey. We arrived in Mississippi around 12:30 to take a look at the suburban. Everything looked good and the test drive was great. Plenty of power, smooth shifting, and interior was as clean as I expected. Made the exchange and loaded her up on the trailer to make the trip home. Here are a few pics of the journey and some of the truck.
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On the coast
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Loaded up for the ride back
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Finally back in Georgia
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The Good
-strong drivetrain
-14BFF
-clean interior
-straight body
-new gas tank and fuel pump
-new starter
-rear AC

The Bad
-cheap paint job
-tires are dry rotted
-one small rust spot in rocker (quarter size)
-AC blower does not run
-power steering leak(who's doesn't)


Going to clean up the undercarriage and fix a few minor things, mostly cosmetic stuff. I have a parts truck to repair the blower and replace power steering pump. I've also got tires to put on it. The thing rides like a boat! So smooth going down the road, but man does it like the petro! Luckily it will not be a daily driver. I would go broke trying to keep gas in her.

We also named the old gal. We stopped at the Waffle House on the way. Our waitress was named Darlene and was good looking for a Waffle House waitress. So what better way to name her, Darlene.
 
good looking truck!:waytogo:
 
There's just something about red & white square bodies that make them look good :waytogo:
 
Thanks guys. I think I'm going to keep this one and make the 4wd conversion. I'll start a build thread when the time comes. Like I said it has some minor things that need to be done. Going to start on the blower situation tonight and see if I can figure it out. Seems like the blower may be locked up. When I turn the switch on, the lights dim and I hear a humming noise. Luckily removing the blower is a piece of cake on these things. Then on to the power steering pump and trying to get rid of the spongy brakes.
 
Be aware that factory 4x4 hardware does not readily swap over on a 2x4 truck.

The frames ARE different, you will need to do a lot of custom fitting.

The engine mount towers are higher in a 2x4, you will need a new engine crossmember

the riveted mounts for the front end of the front springs have a different hole pattern.

the tranny hump sits lower on 2x4's, you will need to create "clearance for the the t-case...


It can be done but it won't be a bolt in affair. There are a few great threads here from folks that have successfully done it.

I'm looking forward to watching your progress. :waytogo:

FWIW I have a 90 'burb I was planning to swap to 4x4, but one popped up in the classified section I couldn't pass up.
 
I know the conversion won't be simple, but I'm lucky enough to have the tools and the skills to do it. I will be using a DIY4X A-bomb bumper center to help with the new spring mounts and probably just fabricate a new crossmember. I will more than likely use lift springs in front instead of the 52's since it has a BBC. Not sure if the soft 52's will be good for the street with the weight of the big block. They were fine on my Jimmy.

The biggest hurdle will more than likely be the transmission. I will either need to find a 4wd 400 or rebuild mine with the proper output. I do have a completely rebuilt NP205 from a Th350(figure 8) that has modified shift rails and never been ran since rebuild, but from my understanding, there is no way to make it work with a 400. Any input or suggestions on that? I may just end up selling the 205 and put in a np241 or 208.

As far as the trans tunnel goes, I will probably do a body lift so I don't have to cut the tunnel. I could take the one out of the Jimmy and use it I guess. Any input on that situation?

I probably won't start on the conversion until after the first of the year. I still need to tear down the Jimmy and get the 1 tons sold out of it to help fund "Darlene".
 
looking forward to your build up :waytogo:
 
Jimmy has a lot less body mounts than a Suburban. I would only do a 1" body lift.

Martin
 
82355 said:
Jimmy has a lot less body mounts than a Suburban. I would only do a 1" body lift.

Martin
Click to expand...

I was referring to the trans tunnel out of the Jimmy, not the body mounts. If I decide on a body lift, it will only be a 1" lift. I'm not a huge fan of body lifts, but I think in this situation it will help out a lot.
 
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