My "new" 97 Sub.. Newbie questions

[97sub]

I just got my new 97 Sub 3/4 ton with FF 14 bolt rear and vortec 454. I did transfer a Warn 16.5ti winch over to it from my pick up. So now, I have a couple of newbie questions on the next best step is for my daily driver and moderate trail truck (at least hoping so). With the winch out of the way, I have a limited ammount of cash, under $1,500 allotted by my wife to upgrade the truck. The dealer did mount some crap but brand new tires (off brand, more street tread). I may put the skinny mud tires from my dually on it.
My questions are, should I leave the rear axle alone and ARB the front? I would like to do something to both axles, but for now until next fall...? We do live in MN and get a considerable ammount of snow and ice and I have heard stories of detroits and lockrites (don't know the difference) making horrible occurences in slick conditions.
What are your thoughts? I also thought about a lift but it really does nothing for trails except larger tires there again, nothing to plant traction to the ground.
Why a suburban? I have 6 children and want to get them into trail riding as my dad did with me when I was young. Not the best trail truck I know, but good for now.
Thanks for your help.

 

[tRustyK5]

I never found the Detroit to be bad in the snow. Even an open diff will let both rear tires spin in the snow kicking the rear out. With the Detroit as long as you drove it normally I found the traction to be better, and the driveability to be better than open.

You could ARB the 14 rear too, those are now available.

Rene

 

[us74k5]

I would say put a selectable locker in the rear, and good tires. Don't lift the IFS. I have a 99 k2500 w/ 454 and 14ff. Has good A/T tires on it. Its my wifes rig mostly, but once we get her a new traverse I am going to SAS it. (probably like 5 years down the road).


Or I will roll it as an excuse to part it out (and keep the 4l80e for my blazer).

 

[97sub]

Thanks for the replies so far. I see I'm going to have to invest in the forum instead of being a peeping tom. I also thought about a solid front axle and saw some inexpensive kits on the web but the cost of an axle rebuild.... that plan is on hold for quite some time. I guess since the the tires have less than 1,000 miles on them, I could get something on craigslist. Hmmm..... Atr's or MTR's and beadlocks with a locker.....
My goal is to get it to trollhaugen in WI for the Memorial day weekend event.

 

[us74k5]

Just keep it as stock as possible for reliability, maybe do a small body lift if you need a little extra clearance for 33's. I think i speak for everyone when I say do not lift that IFS.

 

[Avery4jc]

I hate to rain on the new truck parade but that's far from a good starting point for a low buck wheeler. With a SAS you'd be in business but obviously that's $$$.
I have an '00 K3500 and I have a hard time keeping the front end happy and it's stock height on some 33" AT's.
Maybe keep that one bone stock as your nice dd/tow rig and invest in an older suburban.... you could find one with a 454 and it'd already have a solid front end.


But then again if you're handy maybe doing a SAS would be a viable option for ya' if you really want to wheel it.

 

[us74k5]

If he is just going to go down some trails that in all honesty most stock 4x4's could do, he will be fine. Light foot, and keep up the maintenance.

 

[97sub]

Yeah, I figure on just getting the kids to some remote sites on some fire trails and wash out roads. I want them to appreciate the outdoors and skillfull driving getting there. Nothing extreme, I don't want to scare the crap out of them.... just yet. That is my fondest memory of my dad and our CJ5... going to WI each year. Until he started going up the nasty hills that I was so scared. . I want to find my old 85 K5 I built before I got married. That would be the better suited trail truck. But for now, just go further than other guys around here down the trail and still be able to drive it home.
My old 85, I got stuck twice, put winches front and rear.... never used either winch in the 3 years I've owned it after. Same with my sub. At least I get to pull out lifted badd as* trucks in the ditch from our recent snow storm.
Again, thanks for the replies.