new to site, suburban advice / pre runner

[urbanmx]

Hello,

I'm new to the site and have been doing some searches, but any links to what I'm looking for would be helpful.

I'm buying a 1990 3/4 ton suburban 350 eng. 4x4 tomorrow. I go to Baja and travel down dirt roads (nothing too radical but bad things come up fast). Just wondering what are some of the first mods I should do, basically get rid of the weak points of the truck.

 

[camok5]

I would look into buying some good shocks maybe bilsteins, because they will take a lot of abuse when doing longer high speed runs and also a good set of leaf springs to soak up the big bumps. I love my Deaver Springs they work great for jumping ( more leafs per pack ).

 

[BIG*RED]

ahh yes deaver springs..very very nice..rode in a guys 04 f250 duramax with 8 inch deaver sping lift..very very nice ride for a heavy diesel truck..but from what i was told..quite the pretty penny for them.

 

[cbbr]

Brace the steering box. Something like this

 

[Mad-Dog]

Oil coolers for the engine and transmission

Beef up the cooling system as well so she don't overheat

I'm thinking HEAT is going to be your biggest enemy out there (down here)
so that's where the smart money goes

A winch, spare fuel can, high lift jack, tow strap, flood lights, and a Marlin 30-30 rifle..

Think about survival tactics for you and the wagon...

 

[sled_dog]

I'd say frame beefing(if it were me). Our frames aren't the worst but they aren't the strongest either. A cage that ties the suspension mounts together would be a good choice. A cage alone would be a good choice for prerunner style driving.

Good shocks, springs, and yes strength the frame around the steering box.

I've heard a few say a good way to strengthen the frame is to grind all the rivets out of the crossmembers(a few at a time of course) and replace them with 7/16" grade 8 bolts. Sounds like a good idea to me. Lot of bolts to check before each run, but a stronger frame is piece of mind I say.

Oh and check all your body mounts really well. If some need to be replace, DO IT.

 

[urbanmx]

Thanks that's very helpful and gives me a good starting point. When you weld on the frame should you disconect anything like the battery so you don't mess up the computer?

 

[4trolls]

yes . always disconect the battery when welding