JJHollywood84 submitted a new Build:
Figuring it out as I go along...
Read more about this build here...
Figuring it out as I go along...
Read more about this build here...
CK5
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Figuring it out as I go along...
- Thread starter JJHollywood84
- Start date
Trying to build a hunting, camping, take to the woods family rig that is safe and reliable. I have no formal training and this forum and YouTube have been my inspiration. Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks for looking
Long story short, I was bored on deployment and looking for a new hunting and camping rig that would fit my family dogs and gear mostly comfortably..lol. I bought this Suburban sight unseen while I was in Africa with the Army for $2,400. I had a friend test it out and he drove it from Lebanon, Oregon to my home near Beavercreek, Oregon.
When I got home is when the fun started. The Burb started life as a 1500 with an auto trans and 6 lug axles. The guy I bought it from put 8 lug axles on her from a 79 camper special and put a SM 465 trans in her. All the things I was looking to do as a start were done. She had a super sketchy 6" lift with blown shocks on her, so I decided that was the first thing I had to sort out, along with the saggy headliner. I was just relieved that there was no rust on the body or under the barn doors.
When I got home is when the fun started. The Burb started life as a 1500 with an auto trans and 6 lug axles. The guy I bought it from put 8 lug axles on her from a 79 camper special and put a SM 465 trans in her. All the things I was looking to do as a start were done. She had a super sketchy 6" lift with blown shocks on her, so I decided that was the first thing I had to sort out, along with the saggy headliner. I was just relieved that there was no rust on the body or under the barn doors.
I replaced the homemade shackle flip with the ORD ones, I thought they were excellent construction and quality. I will say that the rivets were a pain to take off even with an air hammer. I just lowered the fuel tank instead of taking it all the way out.
I'm really happy with how it turned out. Once I got the new hardware in, it was a breeze putting the rest of the suspension back in.
Tackling the headliner is also on the list. I have a hard plastic liner on order as well as some new fabric. It's just a waiting game now.
This is what it looked like when I bought it. It had old 35" BFG mudders on 16.5 rims. I got some 16" steelies off marketplace and put new 33" grabber ATX to go with the smaller 4" lift
For anyone reading this, I was tackling the front suspension and have everything done except the shocks. I bought the extended shock mounts with 12" bilsteins from ORD and am having trouble mounting them and figuring it out. I've done multiple searches on this site and the internet isn't very helpful either. Looking at the PDF on ORD's website shows they chop off the bottom of the mount that is angled and bolt it to the frame. Does anyone have any experience doing this type of thing. Not sure how to mount this correctly, or if I should just try to return the extended stuff and go for the regular mount bilsteins.
They are very easy and very complex. I ran into the same struggles. There’s a few pictures in my build thread but I ended up cutting out the factory bump out in the frame and installing it over that. I had the truck sitting on the ground and compressed the shocks to about midway and then measured and mounted.
Looking good with that shackle flip. How much lift is up front
Thanks, it's a 4" easy ride. I got it as part of the kit from ORD
I'll have to take a look at it. Thank you.
How does it ride?
I want to do similar on my sub. Easy ride fronts. Longer shocks and shackle flip
Not sure yet as I haven't mounted the shocks. I had to drive it about 10 miles when I had to evacuate my house because of the fires in Oregon, but it was slow going because of all the traffic. When I drove it back at faster speeds it was super sketchy, so I just took it easy. I'm hoping the weather holds out for the weekend and I'll try to figure it out then.
Chevy350Ben
Part time mall crawler
Caveat: I've never done this before so I'm not an expert. But here is how I got the front shocks mounted:
Chevy350Ben
Part time mall crawler
I had to grind the rivets off of the brake line mount and rotate it 90 degrees then just tack welded it back on. Its a little crowded, but it works.
Interesting. Your shock placement is different than mine on the axle. I have a 10 bolt front axle which mounts the shock on the rear of the tube. I'll have to take a look and see what's up. Thank you for the pictures.
Chevy350Ben
Part time mall crawler
Mine is after a D60 swap. So I had to figure out the mount on the axle too.
So....today I was experimenting with trying to see if I could achieve full droop with my jackstands and paver system. I found out a couple of things. 1, I can't with my setup and 2, I think my exhaust is limiting my front driveshaft which in turn limits my suspension. Does anyone else have this problem? The last picture is of my front driveshaft with the truck on the ground
I've also decided to order the shocks that mount to the factory location to get me by until I can figure out everything and get the rig drivable.
The y-pipe interferes. Previous owner just cut a notch in the pipe to clear it. I installed long tubes and true duals.
