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Looking for Suburban tips

Burbdood 74

Burbdood 74

Giver of not a single damn...
Joined
Jan 12, 2008
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Location
Billings Montana
Hello everyone! My name is Dan and I have decided to sell my 86 Ford F-250 4X4 and come back to the Bowtie. My wife and I are tired of putting big $$ into a rat-hole that never seems to stop breaking parts and she and I have decided to get a 1990 or 1991 Suburban. It's new enough to have all the modern goodies, but old enough that I don't need a PhD in computers to fix it.

This 'Burb is gonna be an all around camping, hunting, mudding, friend and family hauling, grocery getting beast. I already have the missus convinced that we NEED a 4" lift and 33's, maybe 35's for it and I'm working on a winch bumper and winch for it, (I'm not holding my breath). I really like the idea of sleeping in the back of it when we go camping because we camp in bear country and in my opinion, a tent is just like gift wrap to a hungry bear.

So what kind of things should I be looking for? Should I get a 3/4 or a 1/2 ton? Are there any problems Suburbans are noted for? I had a 1990 K-5 that drove me nuts because it developed a low idle problem that I never did fix after 6 months and $1000 and I don't want to repeat that again. The only "must have's" for it are the TBI 350 and automatic tranny. I don't really need A/C or power locks/windows, but I won't turn them down either.

And I know that I'm not going to be getting great mileage with a 7000lb Sub, but what kind of mileage could I expect to get with mild driving? Keep in mind I'm used to getting 8mpg's in my F-250 with a 460, so anything will be an improvement.

Thanks in advance!
 
If I could go back before I bought my Burb I would have bought a 3/4 ton, just for a little extra strength in the axles and probably lower factory gears. I have an '85 with 33's and straight flat highway mileage is about 11-12 mpg, but 'normal' driving for me usually averages out to around 10mpg. I love these Burbs and when mine rots out I'll get another. :laugh:
 
Definitely get a 3/4 ton. The 1/2 ton trans/running gear is barely up to 35's in a light blazer, not enough in a heavy burb. The 4x4 burbs never came with a 454 back then, so its not like you sacrafice gas mileage by getting a 3/4 (did i just talk about mileage and suburbans in teh same sentence?) But then again, only the 1/2 tons got overdrive except for 91, see next point.

If you can find one, DEFINITELY try and get a 91. Only year for a 4l80e trans (4 speed overdrive) in a 3/4 ton. Awesome trans. 90 and older got the th400, great trans, but no overdrive.

My 91 with stock tires/4.10 gears gets almost 15mpg on flat freeway. How sweet is that? If you have any other questions, feel free to ask....i spend a lot of time looking into this junk before i bought mine.
 
I agree 3/4 tons are much better. I love my 1/2 ton burb but if it had stronger axles it would be sweet. 33s or 35s are my fav sizes. Still can drive em anywhere and not pay in the gas department. Good luck Hope you find one.
 
Well, I have got what you described. I haven't decided for sure, but I'm considering selling my Suburban. It's a '90 GMC V1500 that has 3/4 ton axles, 4" of lift and new BFG 35's. It's also got a Warn winch bumper and an 8274 winch. I love my Suburban, but I really need a 4 door truck.

suburban on 35's.jpg
 
Hey, thanks for the replies so far guys. It looks as if I'm gonna go hunting for a 91 3/4 ton Sub. Now if I can just unload my Ford I'll be good to go.

If I were to only find a 1/2 ton Sub that'd be ok, 3/4 ton running gear should just bolt right in without much cussing. And around here, I have contacts at 2 of the local pick-n-pull "treasure mines". My wife thinks I'm crazy when I talk about working on a new Suburban when my truck is driving me crazy with all the repairs. But as I tell her, there's a line between "having" to work on something and "wanting" to work on something. And a Suburban is definitely a "want to" project.
 
Friend just bought a '90, really wanted a 3/4 ton, but of all that were out there, he said the vast majority were 1/2 tons. :(

So might be a BIT difficult to find one, but if in little hurry, might find just what you are looking for.

I'd have to agree, 1991 with the 4L80E has got to be the way to go if you can find one. That late in the game, I doubt you'll find a Suburban that ISN'T power everything, AC, etc.

For reference, he paid $2200 for it, IIRC 135K miles, no body damage, one of those custom aftermarket conversions with new paint, interior with all sorts of lights, "fancy" console, etc. No modifications other than those that are cosmetic. Rear air, rear barn doors, about all I can think of that might affect price.
 
Since you're getting 4WD, the only motor is a 350. The 454's only came in 2WD 3/4 Burbs. Easy.

If you're gonna get a 3/4, hold out for a '91. The 90's (and before) have the TH400, which is a three-speed auto. The '91's are the first year (and only in this body style) with the 4L80E, a four-speed auto, i.e. overdrive, and therefore better mileage.

With a TBI motor and not towing, you should see mid teens on the four-speed, maybe high teens depending on gearing and tire size. Note you'll lose some fuel economy with bigger tires even if you correct the speedo (remember it's electronic for 90-91.)

I seem to recall getting low teens with my (1990, i.e. TH400) 3/4 Burb.

I'd say definitely get the 3/4; while they ride a bit stiffer it's not really noticeable (not like my dually when the bed is empty). Towing and carrying capacity is greatly improved... granted, you'll get a semi-float 14b, which IMHO you should immediately replace with a 14BFF, but anything's better than a Burb on 10 bolt axles.

Also a 1/2 ton Burb will have the much-maligned TH700R4 tranny. While it's possible to get them rebuilt well, it's equally possible to have them rebuilt every 30-50k by idiots, so if you get a 1/2 ton, plan on a tranny rebuild and find a good shop.

The longer wheelbase makes it a bit smoother than a Blazer, and yet it's actually easier to turn than you think -- the rear axle is farther forward with respect to the back end than on a K5. (Note this does mean you have serious "junk in the trunk" though, when you're backing up that tail end needs wider clearance :haha: )

I can't think of any issues specific to the Burb; basically, they're a four-door Blazer with all the same benefits/issues (the rear-wheel-only ABS, which sucks and should be disconnected, the weird electronic "DRAC" speedo, etc.)

Also, IMHO, hold out for barn doors. The tailgate window is nice to roll up and down when you're INSIDE, but getting stuff out from the back at the soccer game or campsite SUCKS :( If I'd kept my Burb in the divorce I woulda converted it to barn doors (now that I have a welder... it's not, I don't believe, an easy bolt on in later years as it was earleir on.)

Anyway, my .02 as a past Burb owner and general bowtie nut.

-- A
 
You're really a barn door fan? I hate them. You can't pack it up as high, and everythign falls out when you open the door.
 
I agree with the barn doors. You also have the choice of the 6.2L in the 4x4's. I have an '89 3/4 ton with a 6.2L. I wish I would have held out for a '91 w/ od. It is one thing that I need to change on my truck.

I disagree about ditching the 14 bolt sf. Nothing at all wrong with it.
 
dhcomp said:
You're really a barn door fan? I hate them. You can't pack it up as high, and everythign falls out when you open the door.
Click to expand...


I had a 2dr tahoe with barn doors and it kicks ass. I do deliveries and unload/load the back several times a day. Id never want the tailgate, it makes it so you cant reach that far into the back of the truck so you have to climb in every time. pita. A co-worker has a sub, with the seats down, and the side doors open and the barn doors open, i can reach almost every part of the bed, without crawling in there, kinda nice.
 
Look for "Silverado" with barn doors. SBC350 with 4L80E, wow, good combination for K2500.
That actually may be the ultimate dual purpose K-Suburban.
 
WOW!, I just found a 91 1/2 ton Sub for $4000 in great shape. I asked the salesman how much he'd take cash and he said, "$3900". I guess he really likes that particular Suburban because he's had it on his lot for 3 months and with an attitude like that, he's gonna have it a lot longer.

I'm getting excited to get a Sub now. My truck just embarassed me for the last time today. I almost got stuck in 4" of snow in a parking lot in 4 high. I had to go uphill just a bit, but come on!!! Combine that with the fact that I filled the tank on Sunday and I had to fill it up again today and that really makes a man feel like poo. :angry1: I'm not impressed with this Ford at all.
 
snuffy74 said:
I'm working on a winch bumper and winch for it, (I'm not holding my breath).
Click to expand...
These are only $465 , and a winch can be had for around $450.
Just show her this pic...she`ll go for it.
11675069670091997420299.jpeg
 
Dafey said:
Isn`t 91 the last of the straight axles?
Click to expand...

Straight fronts, yes indeedy. 1992+ Burbs and Blazers/Jimmies are IFS.

The pickups are where it gets stupid; the regular pickups had their last straight axle in '87 and got IFS for '88 (and an extended cab, new that year) ... but the crew cabs and various related things (cab-and-chassis trucks) kept the old body style through '91 like the Blazer/Burb. (You could ALSO get *new-style* cab-n-chassis in that time ... oy.)

-- A
 
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