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Difference in a '90 and'91 Suburban?

WJACKSON11X

WJACKSON11X

1/2 ton status
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Location
Madison,GA
I'm looking at two different Suburbans that I found.

First one-1990 Chevy Suburban 1500 4X4, 137,000 miles, completely stock. I'm guessing 350/700R4/241? White in color with maroon interior, Was a California truck most its life. Asking $6500

second one- 1991 Chevy Suburban 1500 4X4, 185,000 miles, completely stock. 350/4l80/241?
Dark grey with fairly new paint, grey interior, power mirrors, also ex-Cali truck, Asking $5000

I'm leaning towards the '91 due to price and the fact that it is a '91. I will have to make a road trip to get either one.

Isn't the only difference in the two, being that the '91 has the 4l80e? What are the advantages of that transmission?
 
Not real positive on it, someone else will know for sure but I thought the 4L80e was only in the 3/4 tons.

As far as 185k miles, it's almost done as far as engine and transmission are concerned, unless they have been replaced already. I got 225 out of my engine and a bit less out the the first transmission, and I don't beat on my stuff and change fluids regularly.

Same with the fuel pump as well, 130k or so on those I have seen.

*not factual information, just personal experience and observance from friends and other peoples vehicles with similar setups.
 
The 1990 and 1991 will both have a 700R4 if they are 1500 series trucks. Both have a 241C transfer case, 10 bolt 30 spline axles, VSS driven speedometer. Not a lot of differences between these besides the mirrors, both desirable trucks in my estimation.
 
Double check that the 1991 isn't a 3/4 ton. Those prices seem crazy high.

Martin
 
Thanks for the clarification. I'm pretty sure the '90 is a 1500. I also thought the price was a little high. I should be getting some more pics of it today from the owner. I wouldn't pay $6500 for it anyway.
 
The prices are a little high but if the trucks are super clean then that may be the reason. We used to be able to buy these trucks, even a couple years ago, for $1500-$2500 in nice shape. Between hunters cutting them up, the scrap boom of recent years etc. they are becoming quite uncommon and nice units continue to escalate in price. I would gladly pay the asking prices if the trucks were clean and ran good, some areas of the country are more fortunate to have these in abundance, get them while you can I say.
 
Both are supposedly "in great condition" according to the sellers. I'll know a little more this afternoon hopefully. Unfortunately, I only have pics to go by since they are both about 4-6 hours from me. Can't find anything locally thats not beat up or rusted.

I will keeping the body stock. I will be adding a small lift and possibly 1 tons, maybe just a 8 lug 10 bolt in front.
 
You guys would crap yourselves if you knew how much I paid for mine then if $6500 is too high. :doah:

Of course it was in a lot better condition and 9 years ago through a car lot with high interest rates though...:doah:
 
As already mentioned: the 4L80e was only available in the 3/4 ton 1991 Suburban. The 1991 you mentioned states a 1500 with the 4L80e - so there is an inconsistency there. If it is a 3/4 ton 1991, then I would opt for that one just because of the trany.
In the 1/2 tons, there really is not much of a differenc at all.
 
Yeah, if the 1991 is indeed a 3/4 ton with a 4L80E, then it wins hands down.

Martin
 
After confirmation, both are 1500's. Still waiting on pictures from the sellers. I'm still leaning towards the 91 for some reason. I'm not liking the maroon interior of the 90.

Here is the '91




Here is the '90

 
Nice trucks. 2=3 years ago, I paid $1.700 for my '90 3/4 ton, w/a 4 spd....167K on the odo.

It has since made the truck to the per-sif-ic 2X (CA, Death Valley, Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Monterrey...on this trip, San Diego, CVA-41)....tis a slow cruise at 3K RPM (about 70-75).
 
Stinky said:
Nice trucks. 2=3 years ago, I paid $1.700 for my '90 3/4 ton, w/a 4 spd....167K on the odo.

It has since made the truck to the per-sif-ic 2X (CA, Death Valley, Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Monterrey...on this trip, San Diego, CVA-41)....tis a slow cruise at 3K RPM (about 70-75).
Click to expand...

It's crazy how much prices have changed. I got the guy down to $4800 on the '91. The other guy wanted $6500:eek1: for the white one. I didn't even make him an offer. I wasn't really wanting that one all that much.

I was supposed to pick up the grey one this past weekend, but we were unable to get our schedules together. I'm hoping I can make a deal on a 91 crewcab that I've got my eye on:D. If I can make a deal, then I won't have to worry about the suburban deal.
 
4xcrazy said:
As far as 185k miles, it's almost done as far as engine and transmission are concerned, unless they have been replaced already. I got 225 out of my engine and a bit less out the the first transmission, and I don't beat on my stuff and change fluids regularly.
Click to expand...


Just to add my 2cents..still on the orig 350 in my '88 w/o any sort of rebuild or major work and runs just fine nor burns or leaks any oil. NOW.. the 700r4 is a diffrent story, has been rebuilt 3 times and and the 208 has been rebuilt once. Oh yea, I have 394k on the clock. I tribute this to all the documented and regular maint my father-in-law did to it since it was new.
 
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