One Piece at a Time: My 1985 Diesel Suburban

[AgDieseler]

First round location has full bump set at frame interference. That’s too far up for 40s and a stock core support and body.



I pushed the bumps out, and am planning a simple extension of the bump landing.


It will stuff, but you can’t steer. I tried this with a friend’s fresh 37, and it fit very nicely. I don’t think this is a problem for anyone with 38s and under.


New max bump. The tires clear and turn. I’ll space the bump down and change the shock ends to the +2” version.












New bump CAD




Ride height reference. I’m close to settled on 5-5.5” of bump travel, and about 1.5” shorter than the leaf setup. I’d rather have dents on the bottom than on the top.




David

 

[AgDieseler]

And other details addressed - steering shaft reoriented, and I pulled the Magnum for a once over before the next seven years and 50k miles.











David

 

[mrk5]

You've had a Magnum 7 years? I didn't know they'd been out that long.

 

[AgDieseler]

You've had a Magnum 7 years? I didn't know they'd been out that long.

I take that back. I got it in early 2014, so just over six years.

David

 

[mrk5]

Still longer than I realized they'd been around.

 

[ZooMad75]

Still longer than I realized they'd been around.

He's an early adapter to new technology.

 

[bmxbryant9]

Yes! Zig zag steering! That is awesome

 

[jkroberts]

Looking good man! I vote for no fenders and stuff that axle as high as it will go!

 

[AgDieseler]

He's an early adapter to new technology.

I’m totally comfortable referring to a 205 as new technology!

Yes! Zig zag steering! That is awesome

Just a little bob and weave. The Borgeson stuff is super nice to work with.

Looking good man! I vote for no fenders and stuff that axle as high as it will go!

No fenders. Axle forward 4”. Tube out the core support. Reshape the footwell. Move the intercooler. Clock the turbo. Probably move the steering box. I think that would do it.

It’s coming along, and I feel like I’m getting close.

David

 

[AgDieseler]

It’s all details.

My good friend and my codriver for this year’s Trail to SEMA, David Demoise, wrangled the 14FF truss and it’s at Tribe16 now getting gears and a Detroit.


Back at the shop, Rev1 can mounts are built and on.


Clearance for engine crossmember tooling.


This is absolute full stuff, with 1/2” of clearance between the tire and the body and core support at max turn.


Ready to burn.


The collection of gussets I’ve been fabricating, and are now ready for installation.


These are my favorite. They extend the rear hoop landing farther down the side of the frame.


Late night burn session.


The passenger side gets done today, leaf packs are on order, new rod ends from King are on their way, and a huge order of stainless and aluminum tubing is inbound from Vibrant.

Forward.

David

 

[Fastereddie]

It’s all details.

My good friend and my codriver for this year’s Trail to SEMA, David Demoise, wrangled the 14FF truss and it’s at Tribe16 now getting gears and a Detroit.
View attachment 353999

Back at the shop, Rev1 can mounts are built and on.
View attachment 353997

Clearance for engine crossmember tooling.
View attachment 353991

This is absolute full stuff, with 1/2” of clearance between the tire and the body and core support at max turn.
View attachment 353992

Ready to burn.
View attachment 353993

The collection of gussets I’ve been fabricating, and are now ready for installation.
View attachment 353994

These are my favorite. They extend the rear hoop landing farther down the side of the frame.
View attachment 353995

Late night burn session.
View attachment 353996

The passenger side gets done today, leaf packs are on order, new rod ends from King are on their way, and a huge order of stainless and aluminum tubing is inbound from Vibrant.

Forward.

David

Looks badass!

 

[frankin5]

Pure poetry!!!

 

[max 02]

Magic!

Awesomeness to look at for sure!

 

[AgDieseler]

It’s been a busy two weeks of cycling and testing. Let’s catch up.

My MIG still works. You can see the spot where I got distracted by a spark that burned through my shirt.




It’s a very tight fit at absolute full articulated stuff. I’ll probably shorten the limit straps slightly to account for stretch and mitigate interference of the tire tipping in.


That’s about 3/4” at the intercooler...


...and 3/4” at the trimmed core support...


...and 3/4” at the upper fender opening...


...and 3/4” at the steering box.


It all fits. Barely.

David

 

[AgDieseler]

Also worthy of note, 224 lbs of 65” leaf springs arrived, and I began reassembly of the power steering.





David

 

[Truckman4life]

I'm assuming an inner fender is not gonna work in that 3/4" space you have?

 

[AgDieseler]

I'm assuming an inner fender is not gonna work in that 3/4" space you have?

Certainly not the original ones. I’ll make a new set.

David

 

[Truckman4life]

Certainly not the original ones. I’ll make a new set.

David

Oh good, can't wait to see how that goes. I hate it when pre-runners and such eliminate the inner fender.

 

[mrk5]

How much lift in those rear springs?

 

[AgDieseler]

How much lift in those rear springs?

They're a "perky 5" setup for tension shackle.

David