ccarley's '89 V1500 Suburban Post #38: True Track install

[ccarley]

I thought this might be a nice place to store the history of my Sub. I bought it in early 2010, I thought as a second vehicle for myself (something for my wife to drive other than her Volvo), but ended up selling my Jeep Wagoneer DD and now am driving this truck.

Seller's photo:

My impression was that it looked big & burly, but needed new tires. And, judging from the photo, I would guess it was a GMC. Wrong! LOL. It sat on Pro-Comp 4" front springs, 4" blocks in the rear. Rear shocks were stock, while it looked like they used all 4 from the kit in the front. The front was scary; loose bearings, shocks missing fluid 1/2 way, and no core support body mounts made for a terrible ride home (about 2 1/2 hour drive). It started raining on the way home too, and I found that the wipers must have been original! They sucked.

We drove it for a while like this, but I removed the damaged steering damper, so it now only has one. I also replaced all the front wheel bearings, and brake pads which were overheated & cracked. Adjusted the toe-out from 2" to 1/8" toe in, and it drives better.

 

[ccarley]

We found out during our first off road trip that the front was making horrible noises. Sometimes it sounded like a tire was hitting a fender, or like the wheel was going to fall off. Turns out the stock auto-locking hubs were making most of the noise. I lucked out, and found a set of Warn Premiums for $80, new, on sale.

After installation, there was no more noise, and I didn't have to back up anymore to unlock the auto hubs

Also, since the original stock length shocks were in the rear, I decided to go with a set of Bilstein 5100's. My wife enjoyed helping install these.

We later installed a set in the front, removing the 4 worn out & leaking Pro-Comp shocks. Ride was improving, but still not right.

 

[ccarley]

During all this time, we of course replaced those worn out tires with a set of new BFG A/T's in 35X12.5X15. I am really enjoying these tires, not as rumbly as the Pep-Boys M/T's I had on my Jeep. Makes long drives enjoyable!

Since the rear was saggy, and I planned on using this vehicle for camping (primitive camping), I needed a set of rear springs. No blocks. After a bunch of research & measuring, I found that I had 56" rear springs, where everywhere I looked, they wanted to sell me 52" rear springs. 4 wheel parts said the 56's fit a 3/4 ton, but I took a chance and ordered them anyway. A day's worth of work in my driveway, and they were installed:

The rig sits much nicer in my opinion, and the ride has drastically improved. No more spring wrap either!

Since this is a big black Chevy, with some sweet chrome on it (LOL), I decided to pick up a push bar. It's a cheap JC Whitney model, and I would not recommend pushing anything with it. It's a nice place to mount my KC "fog" lights though.

We also installed a CB, since we do a lot of trips on our own, and sometimes there is no cell service in the area.

Works good, with a no-ground-plane antenna mounted on the Driver side of the rear bumper.

Here's another shot from the Cow Mountain BLM area in Ukiah, CA. Coming back from the gun range.

 

[chalet2506]

That's a very nice burb.

 

[ccarley]

My wife enjoys the look of this vehicle, and even gets out to help with the hubs:

Now, since I knew this was a Chevy Suburban, and not a GMC, I really wanted to get the correct grille. After searching, pricing, and searching, I found a grille in the Santa Cruz (my hometown) area for $100. Since that was a 3 hour drive, and I knew some relatives were coming soon, I asked them to take a look at it for me. They said it was a little cracked, but nothing major, and the guy told them they could have it for $80. So, a couple of weeks later, my Uncle shows up with a complete radiator core support, headlights, marker lights, and grille shell... WOW! But, it was painted completely flat black. D'OH! A little bit of paint remover, and elbow grease, and now it looks decent:

 

[ccarley]

At this point, I'm working on making the suspension even better. I've ordered a set of Tuff Country H.D. springs for the front, and am considering some custom shock hoop with a nice set of say Bilstein 7100's later on.

Also, the axles. I know the rear is going to give me issues, as I can already hear some play in the outer bearings (I think). It's got a gov-lock, which works well, but I don't want to risk blowing that thing up since it's a Daily Driver. The front, well, it sure looks like it could use a truss... I mean, really, the wheels are about a foot outboard of the spring perch...

The A/C still needs work too. The previous owners cut the lines when they replaced the front sheetmetal. They also "painted it themselves", which looks like they used a roller on one side, and a brush on the other, then perhaps a heatgun on the hood.

There's no photos yet, but I was lucky enough to pick up a set of Smittybilt step bars for $30 a while ago. They were more than welcome by my wife, who like myself, is a little on the short side for this truck LOL. The top of the hood is shoulder height for us!

I'm going to keep updating this thread as I can. I'm hoping the rain will stop here today (yeah, in Nor-Cal it rains in the winter) so I can replace my very bad ball joint. Not looking forward to that job, but it's got to be done, as we are planning a trip to Tahoe next weekend. Can't wait to get to the snow!

Clay

 

[ccarley]

That's a very nice burb.

Thanks! It's getting there. Definitely looks good from 50 feet

Might need a step side or K5 later, painted the same, to go with it for my wife too

Clay

 

[Burbdood 74]

Do you still have the GMC grill by chance? If so, what are your plans for it?

 

[ccarley]

Do you still have the GMC grill by chance? If so, what are your plans for it?

Well... you know... I still have it, including the core support, headlights, turn signals, etc...

I thought that someone might want it cheap The parts are a little bit on the large side to ship, but I suppose it could be done (especially the core support). Shoot me an email if interested, cbc (at) sonic.net

Clay

 

[ccarley]

I got my Tuff Country H.D. springs yesterday!

Now, I really can't wait to install them, and although it looks easy... I can't do it after work or this weekend. We're heading to Tahoe this weekend. I guess they'll have to wait until next weekend.

Still hoping for snow this weekend in Tahoe though.

Clay

 

[ccarley]

OK so after driving 4 1/2 hours home from Tahoe yesterday, I thought it might be a good time to install the Tuff Country front springs?

The job is done, finished up as it was getting dark last night. The ride certainly is better! I've got photos to post, but you might understand that I was too dirty last night to get them online.

Next step: fix an oil leak that developed while up in Tahoe. Not sure where it's coming from yet, but I fear it may be the rear main seal.

Clay

 

[ccarley]

Took today off to upload photos. Call me lazy, but working 12 hour days gets to you after a while. I guess almost a year counts as a "while"!

Driver side getting ready to come out:

My wife wanted this photo:

TC spring going in:

Yes, I fit in the wheel well. Spring installed:

Got this photo too, probably going to sell these hopefully when I sell the old front springs (and get new Bilstein's for the front, of course):

Old Pro-Comp foreground, TC spring in background. Not rust, lube covered with dirt:

I suppose this is a cool shot:

And, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Jack between spring & frame to line up the eye:

At this point, I can say the ride is night & day. Very smooth, but I believe I need bumpstops for sure now. The springs will compress a lot more, and at a certain point it feels a little "funky", hard to describe but I *think* shock angle has something to do with it too... so I'm working on that, along with bumpstops (from ORD) next.

Clay

 

[sincityvogel]

Thanks for the info on the locking hubs
That will be my next mod.

 

[ccarley]

Thanks for the info on the locking hubs
That will be my next mod.

My pleasure! If you want some more info, I took photos of the entire process. They are here, with notes:

http://carleynet.net/familypictures/album48

Today I spent some time on the Suburban, although nothing too exciting to some, I was quite excited. Since installing the new-to-me Tuff Country springs up front, I felt that on slow-ish big hits they felt like they were bending too far or something. It just didn't feel quite right on bigger compressions. So, my suspension planning had included a new set of bumpstops, along with some new shocks. I received the new bumpstops from ORD yesterday, and installed them today.

I am pretty sure they are helping! I went with the 4 1/2" competition bumpstops, and well on the same hits where I would feel the funk of the spring, I now have a much nicer feeling. The swaybar disconnect pin on the passenger side looks like it will hit the larger bumpstop, but whatever I didn't take any photos yet.

I'm hoping for a set of 5160 or 5165 shocks from Bilstein, mounted in the upper quad shock position for better control of the spring. I don't like the short shock laid back right now, although the damping is feeling better with the softer springs & bumpstop.

Now, next on the list, a new rearend. I was contemplating either spending money to fix the (spindly) 10-bolt it has now, or go with something bigger. So I was checking Craigslist, and found a 12-bolt from a K5 for $100 (or best offer). I'm going to check it out on Sunday. It's right down the road, and already pulled from the vehicle! Has the same gears that I have now, but an open diff. Seems like I should get it setup the way I want before swapping it in.

So, that's the "news" for now... Pictures to be coming

Clay

 

[63chevyll]

cool burban,

what gears are you running now, this may be a good time for an upgrade?

at this point i wouldnt get the 12 bolt, i dont think you would be gaining anything the 10 bolt doesnt already do for you.

with the 35's id be running 4.56's.

 

[ccarley]

cool burban,

what gears are you running now, this may be a good time for an upgrade?

at this point i wouldnt get the 12 bolt, i dont think you would be gaining anything the 10 bolt doesnt already do for you.

with the 35's id be running 4.56's.

Thanks!

I'm actually running 3.73's right now, and maybe it's the whole sea level thing, but it does really well & seems happy with them. I keep thinking about gearing, and have a buddy who can help me out with that too.

My rear 10 bolt right now is totally a ticking time bomb. The axleshafts clunk around, and the tires are pointing in at the top... I bet the outer bearings are shot, or the surface on the shaft is shot, or both. I thought about spending money to fix it, but for $100 for a new axle, I am not sure if I can turn it down (we'll see tomorrow).

The big thing for me is that we just spent $1000 on tires a few months ago. Going with a set of 3/4 ton axles will require new rims, and I'm not sure if 15's will clear the large brakes. I could be wrong though, haven't looked into it that much yet

Merry Christmas!
Clay

 

[ccarley]

OK Update!

The 12-bolt is in, and I have photos of the procedure, but it's howling & the gov-loc is locking on the street. So, Sunday I'm tearing it apart to replace bearings shims seals etc., and tie the fly-weights so it won't lock for my trip to Tahoe late this month.

In other news, I installed Bilstein 7100's on the front, using the factory upper "quad" mount. Data: 4" Tuff Country H.D. springs, ORD swaybar disconnects, ORD 4.5" "competition" bumpstops. The shocks are 12" travel short body, valved 255/70.

"Old" 5100 up front, what Bilstein specs for a 4" lifted full size:

7100 going in. Note the protective sleeves, very nice! The finish is way nicer too:

Finished installation:

Difference between the 5100 & 7100:

Finished passenger side:

I took it for a quick test drive, and I'm impressed. The ride is quite nice over the bumpy roads we have around here, even soaking up the nasty train tracks quite well. I'm stoked now to take it off-road! It will have to wait though until I get the rear end sorted out...

That's the news for now!
Clay

 

[63chevyll]

Cool, those shocks are nice, I've installed 2 sets, but never have had any on my own stuff. Sometimes when you have them on your own vehicle you can really tell the performance of things.
could you tell if the seemed softer than the 5100's over bumps

 

[ccarley]

After a couple of test drives, the answer is a resounding YES!

They handle the larger big hits way better; the 5100's would get stiff on larger hits, but these 7100's seem to just open right up and soak up everything. We hit some speed bumps last night, and the difference is night & day. My wife is impressed!

Clay

 

[shovelbill80]

she looks great. it always seems to more satisfying afterward when you do the work on the floor and all, just like i'll be doing in the spring.

you may want to seriously think about cutting those front fenders before you go bonkers off road though. what width rims and backspacing are they? very nice rig.