USSkoval submitted a new Build:
"I hope I finish this Burb" build
Read more about this build here...
"I hope I finish this Burb" build
Read more about this build here...
CK5
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"I hope I finish this Burb" build
- Thread starter USSkoval
- Start date
Big block C20 '78 Suburban that is slated for a 4x4 conversion.
It's bone stock under the hood.
The interior is clean for the year too.
I recently installed a digital knob radio to replace the old 8-track radio, along with component speakers in the doors, which replaced some crappy old speakers that were hacked into the doors.
I've been driving it daily when I'm home and not on out-of-town jobs.
I have a set of M1008 axles for it, and the brackets for a proper 4x4 conversion. I have a crack-free K20 engine crossmember, but I don't think it will fit? I planned on fabricating a new one.
The trans will likely end up being the uncommon A833 4 speed manual with 4th being overdrive. And an np208 t-case.
I just need time home to actually work on it.
The trans will likely end up being the uncommon A833 4 speed manual with 4th being overdrive. And an np208 t-case.
I just need time home to actually work on it.
I haven't updated this in a while. Nothing much has happened yet, just a bunch of small repairs mostly. It's also been my daily driver this whole time too.
For a little while, I was running a set of '86-vintage 12.0x16.5's on a set of welded-spoke wagons. I really dig the look.
I've also pulled some loads with it:
Drove it in the snow and ice:
And I've been stuck a few times:
For a little while, I was running a set of '86-vintage 12.0x16.5's on a set of welded-spoke wagons. I really dig the look.
I've also pulled some loads with it:
Drove it in the snow and ice:
And I've been stuck a few times:
A while back, I put new exhaust on it. A Nova donated it's headers, and I used 2.5 inch pipe with band clamps so it can easily be reconfigured when a transfer case goes under it.
At the same time, I installed a factory small-body starter for a '95+ truck. The test drive afterwards didn't go so well. Launching the truck off the line resulted in the battery flopping down onto the fenderwell. So then I had to make a new battery tray and get a new battery.
The new battery tray mounts to the angle iron with some stainless button head screws, the angle iron mounts to the original tray support and original bolt holes in the fender.
At the same time, I installed a factory small-body starter for a '95+ truck. The test drive afterwards didn't go so well. Launching the truck off the line resulted in the battery flopping down onto the fenderwell. So then I had to make a new battery tray and get a new battery.
The new battery tray mounts to the angle iron with some stainless button head screws, the angle iron mounts to the original tray support and original bolt holes in the fender.
At some point, I replaced the wiper motor with a reman unit and also installed an electric washer pump. The washer pump is a big upgrade over the finicky pulsating mechanical setup.
More recently, I got sick of daily driving a truck without delay wipers. For about 20 years I've had a little aftermarket wiper delay box just kicking around, so I gave it a whirl. It works really well.
More recently, I got sick of daily driving a truck without delay wipers. For about 20 years I've had a little aftermarket wiper delay box just kicking around, so I gave it a whirl. It works really well.
Then more recently (today), I went to tighten up the wobbly driverside mirror. Turns out the PO had installed the mirror in the wrong spot, with big fat lag bolts.
Plugged the ugly hole with a rivet, in hopes of giving some strength back to the sheet metal. Installed some riv-nuts to the door for mirror mounting. This should work until it's time to tear the truck down for bodywork and paint.
Now it fits and doesn't bounce around while driving down the road.
Plugged the ugly hole with a rivet, in hopes of giving some strength back to the sheet metal. Installed some riv-nuts to the door for mirror mounting. This should work until it's time to tear the truck down for bodywork and paint.
Now it fits and doesn't bounce around while driving down the road.
Mounted up a tach today too, but it started to pour down freezing rain. I'm not into that, so I went in and waited for the race to start, lol.
A 4 wheel drive swap is still in the works, but I've now had too much time to think about stuff and I keep find myself wanting to change plans.
For the rear, I'm still thinking to use the 1 ton 14ff housing and all, with the 1-ton hangers and a shackle flip.
But up front, I'm not so sure. The truck already has a 2wd box and a D60 is going under it, so crossover steering is a given. I have some unknown 4-6 inch lift springs from my old K5. Pretty sure they are 6". I was just going to use those and set it all up like factory. But since I'm basically starting from scratch with this 2wd frame, should I just get some 2 inch lift 52's and use those? I've never run 52's up front, but I won't complain about a nice soft ride. But will it be too soft for what I do? Lots of road time, mild off roading and occasionally towing upwards of 10k or more.
For the rear, I'm still thinking to use the 1 ton 14ff housing and all, with the 1-ton hangers and a shackle flip.
But up front, I'm not so sure. The truck already has a 2wd box and a D60 is going under it, so crossover steering is a given. I have some unknown 4-6 inch lift springs from my old K5. Pretty sure they are 6". I was just going to use those and set it all up like factory. But since I'm basically starting from scratch with this 2wd frame, should I just get some 2 inch lift 52's and use those? I've never run 52's up front, but I won't complain about a nice soft ride. But will it be too soft for what I do? Lots of road time, mild off roading and occasionally towing upwards of 10k or more.
With a lot of road time and towing, I wouldn’t run 52’s.
The original plan wasn't to drive it so much, it just kinda worked out that way. But even if I can get away from driving it so much, I think it will still see the same amount of towing. It's not really often, but I do like knowing that if I need to hook up and pull something, I can without trouble.
greatwhitez71
1/2 ton status
I would avoid the 52’s unless you need the added flex for off-roading. If you’re primarily going to use this on the road the general consensus is to buy good aftermarket 47” front springs or even customs.
Everyone I talked with says the 52’s are great Offroad, but they tend to have a lot of sway on road and sag quicker over time than 47’s which were designed to hold the constant weight of an engine and transmission.
Everyone I talked with says the 52’s are great Offroad, but they tend to have a lot of sway on road and sag quicker over time than 47’s which were designed to hold the constant weight of an engine and transmission.
I'll stick with what I've got then. Just put in what I have and see how they ride, then go from there. I could swap springs with my other Burb that doesn't see road time anymore, it has some BDS springs that ride great. But they are 4 inch lift and I need 6. And I'll still need to trim. I could make it work, but probably more trouble than it's worth.
There hasn't been much happening lately, just driving the thing. The last few months have been frustrating though, lol. There's been an ongoing issue with fuel starvation that I 'might' have finally taken care of. But the biggest event was a trip to southern GA around Thanksgiving. Just a few miles from our destination, the nylon-toothed cam sprocket let go. It also bent every intake pushrod when that happened.
Upon diagnosing why it quit running, I discovered the distributor issue. I don't know how it even ran to begin with.
Upon diagnosing why it quit running, I discovered the distributor issue. I don't know how it even ran to begin with.
With the help of the local parts stores and a run up to Summit, I got it put back together. This time with a double roller and no nylon teeth of course.
On the way home, there was still a fuel starvation issue. When I found what the distributor looked like, I figured that must have been the problem. Nope! Still had fuel issues on the way home, so I made the wife pull the little trailer with her Suburban.
On the way home, there was still a fuel starvation issue. When I found what the distributor looked like, I figured that must have been the problem. Nope! Still had fuel issues on the way home, so I made the wife pull the little trailer with her Suburban.
The pushrods and guideplates also got upgraded to 3/8 in place of the stock 5/16 stuff.
Welded up the holes in the roof that the previous owner drilled for a ladder rack.
Now I can install a headliner since the PO ripped that out too. I've got the front half in so far. It's nice that the roof doesn't condensate and rain on me now.
I also got the tweak out of the bumper. It was pushed back and up on the passenger side.
I'm running out of things to do, gonna have to start cutting frame rivets sooner than later.
Now I can install a headliner since the PO ripped that out too. I've got the front half in so far. It's nice that the roof doesn't condensate and rain on me now.
I also got the tweak out of the bumper. It was pushed back and up on the passenger side.
I'm running out of things to do, gonna have to start cutting frame rivets sooner than later.
Sweet rig! Im glad you got it all back up n running after the cam sprocket fugged things up.
I forgot to say, the fueling issue turned out to be a doggone fuel filter. It was the first thing I checked when I first started having minor issues. It looked perfectly fine, no junk in the pleats or anything. Eventually I had the carb off and was blowing into the fuel inlet to check the operation of the needle/seat. The filter was plugged. Lesson learned!
I started getting the 8-leaf 56's ready to go in when it's time. One of the hangers (K30) needs a bad bend taken out of it too. I've got new bushings and greasable bolts to go in.
I was dumb and got my chisel bit stuck in one of the bushings.
3 of the 4 bushings are out. It was getting late so I called it quits. I don't need my neighbors (my dad, lol) complaining about the noise.
I was dumb and got my chisel bit stuck in one of the bushings.
3 of the 4 bushings are out. It was getting late so I called it quits. I don't need my neighbors (my dad, lol) complaining about the noise.
