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Looking at a Sub.

Gorillajeep

Gorillajeep

1/2 ton status
Joined
Sep 7, 2006
Posts
240
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3
Location
Myrtle Beach, SC
I have three K5's (74,75,and an 84) and the Fully size chevy bug has bitten me hard. I am currently looking at an 85 Suburban. It has been fully worked over. New motor, 409? big block, worked/beefed up 700r4/208, 4.56 gears. I want it to be my weekend support and tow vehicle for the '74 K5 my trail truck, it will see some DD use as well, maybe. It's currently running 35x1250x15 MT on it. I would like to put MT's back on it but it's not set in stone. I am also not totaly set on the 35's, I can go smaller if y'll think that would be a better idea.
I am looking for any advice on size or type of tire. I like the BFG MT's, and the GOODYEAR MTR's, but I am open to options like Nitto's, Toyo's or Hankooks. Any advice would be greatly appreicated. When I get it I will post up a few pic's.
Thanks
James
 
You said it's a big block with a 700r4/208 so I'm guessing they swapped out the engine? The only BBs available that era are 454. The 409 (as in factory 409) was a different block. It will probably be OK with 35's and 4.56s, and hopefully the trans is built up enough for the task. I wouldn't recommend using OD when towing unless you're going downhill. I like the BFG M/T's, and a couple friends are really happy with their Nitto Terragrapplers. I actually run Remington Wide Brutes on my tow rig, because they're pretty cheap and have a very heavy carcass to resist punctures and abrasion. Now about your rim size, you don't have 10bolt axles on that thing and expect to tow with a big block in it, right? The 10B rears are notorious for eating the carriers when towing, besides the weakness of the axles themselves and the small bearings, semi-float design, etc. I'd want at least a 14BSF if not a 14BFF.
 
Mybe it's a 406 30 over 400 sb? Have you seen it or just got info on internet or add. Either way not the original motor.
 
Gonna Sell My Suburban

I am going to sell my 1998, 3/4 ton, 4WD, 454 Suburban.

I have gone completely through this truck since I bought it a few years ago. It is set up to tow anything you want to tow & be a great & comfortable long range traveler. Everything mechanical that needed done has been done.

I just don't need it as I have a new truck.

No Rust, No Damage Interior & exterior in great shape for a 10 year old truck.

Reply to [email protected] if interested & I will send details... BTW, it is in Texas..

Thanks,

Supergas
 
Thanks for the replys guys, I know a little bit more about the truck now.
It's an 86 body and frame
The motor is a BB chevy, I do not know how to tell what it started life as, The previous owner said it was a 402? or 409? It's not a 454 or 396. It some sort of truck motor that came in the Super Cheyenne. The motor is mildly build RV cam, headers.
The tranny is a 700r4 it had kevlar clutches and the corvette servos. IT was built to be behind the BB.
The axles are a 44 and 12 bolt, 4.56's and posi units front and rear, apparently.
It has a 4" lift, unknown brand blocks in rear.
Running 35x12x15 BFG MT's the first version. (They are 13 years old) running on 15x10 wheels.
It has an aftermarket front bumper (WARN I think) but it's a Mile marker Hydrolic winch.
Here are some pic's
P1020430.jpg

P1020431.jpg

P1020432.jpg

P1020433.jpg

P1020434.jpg

That is what it looked like when I got it. I have repainted the front grill, head light bezels, and wheels Black. It looks a lot better now.
 
Someone correct me if I'm wrong but, that doesn't look like an 86' front clip. Should have stacked headlights with the running lights behind the grill. I guess they could have easily swapped a different front clip/grill onto the 86' body.:dunno:
 
You know, I thought that too, becase this head light set up is the way my '81 was. My brothers '84 have the stacked head lights. IDK, for sure the title say 86.
 
That's what I was thinking. Early 80's grill. He probably made one good truck using a couple different trucks.

I wish my seats were in that good of condition. Looks like they have been re-upholstered.
 
It has the work truck front end. My 86 k5 had the same front end. It was a strip down power company truck and even had a stock 12 bolt in the rear.
 
Matt J. said:
Someone correct me if I'm wrong but, that doesn't look like an 86' front clip. Should have stacked headlights with the running lights behind the grill. I guess they could have easily swapped a different front clip/grill onto the 86' body.:dunno:
Click to expand...

Okay, you're wrong.

The dual headlights were an option on all 1981-1987('91) Chevrolet pickups, Blazers, and Suburbans. The 1981-1982 used one style with turn signals in the bumper. The 1983-1984 used another style, the dual headlight version had turn signals behind the grille, and a thin body colored stripe in the middle of the grille. The 1985-1988 used a third style, the dual headlight had the turn signals behind the grille again, but had a thicker body colored stripe in the middle of the grille. Then the 1989-1991 used a style that tried to duplicate the 1988-1993 K1500(etc) body style grille, the turn signals were under the headlights whether it had dual headlights or not.

Martin
 
I had that style of headlight grill combo factory on my old old 87 k5 i use to have. That is a base model trim package.
 
82355 said:
Okay, you're wrong.

The dual headlights were an option on all 1981-1987('91) Chevrolet pickups, Blazers, and Suburbans. The 1981-1982 used one style with turn signals in the bumper. The 1983-1984 used another style, the dual headlight version had turn signals behind the grille, and a thin body colored stripe in the middle of the grille. The 1985-1988 used a third style, the dual headlight had the turn signals behind the grille again, but had a thicker body colored stripe in the middle of the grille. Then the 1989-1991 used a style that tried to duplicate the 1988-1993 K1500(etc) body style grille, the turn signals were under the headlights whether it had dual headlights or not.

Martin
Click to expand...

Well, I stand corrected. Good info there....

I'm surprised that I've never seen that style grille on a burb yet. My 86' has the dual headlights with the turn signals behind the grille.

IMO, it looks good. I just didn't think it was correct for that year.
 
That's an incredible hulk.......of coolness!! :D Just don't park that deep in the forest or you might be searching for awhile. :p:



I would give my left nut for that roof rack. I had one like that on my K-5, (smaller of course), and I'm dying to get one for my Sub.

Can you give me the dimensions on that rack? I'm thinking it won't be that hard to fab one up for "Fillmore".
 
12 bolt/D44 in a 86? should be a 10 bolt factory front and rear. Must have been swapped out. The BB is probably only going to be id'd by the block casting #. Other wise measure the bore and stroke to find out positively.
 
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