New 1989 GMC Suburban project

[hidesertwheelin]

Well my old Suburban has way to much rust, smog, and electrical problems. Decided to buy this suburban and start over. It's a 89 V1500 SLE. It has either 119k or 219k or higher I guess, but it runs really well. Just bought it this morning in the mountains and drove it home 35 miles through the hot *** desert. Anyways it's a 350,auto, and rear AC :costumed-smiley-007. t looks like it may gave been painted with a paint brush. The flat black is a little to gangster for me, but whatever. The only think I'm not big on it that is has a tailgate (manual window at that) instead of ambulances doors. Oh well, I only paid $1500 for it, so I can't complain to much.

My build plan it to take the parts I want off the old Sub and install them on this one, and then part out and junk what is left of the old one. Looking at moving over the axles, front suspension, roof rack, dual batt set up, winch and modified winch bumper. My old one has a shackle flip, but I plan on going with 4" springs in the rear with a zero rate. This will be more of a expedition/camping/family hauler mobile. Still have not thought of a catchy name for it yet, maybe I will let my oldest daughter name it.

Link to old build thread.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/26617-1990-Suburban-project?highlight=hidesertwheelin

Pics of new burb.

 

[919jackass]

i like it.

 

[magik235]

Excellent find.

 

[fidelity101]

That interior is swank!

 

[hidesertwheelin]

Crap, I forgot I started this thread. I've just been updating the one in the Suburban sub-forum. Well here are the updates.

I finally did something with my suburban, built a sleeping platform/storage area. We used 3/4" plywood for the sleeping platform, 1/2" plywood for the drawers, 2x8's ripped down for the frame. Still need to decide if I am going to use stereo carpet or just paint it, or finish it some other way. I do plan on using carpet in the drawers at least.

We started off with by making a raised platform to the drawers would clear the tailgate.

Then we added the frame for the drawers and storage areas.

Next we added some bracing to it

We used casters instead of drawer slides. It works pretty well for being cheap as all hell.

Here it is completely build.

A third battery is going to be mounted in the wheel well, and then the false floor will mount the inverter and blue sea fuse block.

Needed to add a few inches to my feet didn't hang off the end. So we came up with this. A small panel that flips out and extends the sleeping area.

Complete with all the storage cubbies open.

Some under platform storage also.

 

[hidesertwheelin]

Got the front bumper mounted tonight. Had to do a little surgery with the angle grinder, sawzall, and dremel, but it fits awesome. Next I have to mount my Warn M12000 winch and get a couple of lights for the front. I also need to figure out some recovery attachment points for the front bumper. I have a set of H1 bolt on recovery shackles I can bolt to it. Anyone has any recommendations for some small LED off road lights that are cheap?


Here are a few pics of the bumper. I'll try and take some more in the daylight tomorrow.





And here is a picture from the internet of the H1 Shackles I own.

 

[hidesertwheelin]

Added a few 12v outlets to my center console. Still need to wire them up.

 

[hidesertwheelin]

The winch is almost mounted. The bracket is made and just needs to be welded to the bumper.

 

[hidesertwheelin]

Finally got my center console wired with w blue sea fuse block and 4 12 volt outlets and my cb.

 

[Greg Ducato]

Nice, those will come in handy.

 

[izzy1776]

Where did you pick up the parts for that setup. Would like to steal the idea a bit.

edit- Im confused, are there two different threads for this?