One Piece at a Time: My 1985 Diesel Suburban

[AgDieseler]

Give Harriet some lovins from me. Our dog Katie had the same doggy ACL issues in 2013. Cost a lot to fix but she lived another, very full and slightly bow legged, seven years.
Kudos to you for giving her the chance.

Scratches delivered and appreciated. She's just now 5, and we expect has a road ahead of her similar to what your Katie had. Her trot is noticeably different already, but charming still.

Vibrant PTFE turbo line is done. Pretty cool what you can get done over a lunch hour.




David

 

[mrk5]

One of the things I like about having my crew cab parked here at the shop is that I can go out and tinker when I need a break from the computer. You can get a lot done that way.

 

[AgDieseler]

One of the things I like about having my crew cab parked here at the shop is that I can go out and tinker when I need a break from the computer. You can get a lot done that way.

Totally right. Small progress adds up surprisingly quickly.

David

 

[Babaganoosh]

Totally right. Small progress adds up surprisingly quickly.

David

Doing this I have manged to get a lot done on my truck in 2 weeks.

 

[campfire]

I just bought a disconnect for the negative so I don't have to disconnect the batteries every time I want to weld something on the truck.

This is 100% worth it. Add in a hard-wired battery tender plug if you don't have one of those yet (I can't recall). Comes in handy.

 

[campfire]

I couldn't keep a parts store starter longer than a couple of months before it would stick or start dragging. I swapped in a fancy powermaster ultra duty, and have been pleased so far

Solenoid on the bottom? Sign me up. Mine (stock position) is tucked between the warm block and the hot (non-stock) exhaust manifold. I like the ATS setup, but it crams a lot of heat into that area.

Plus, the lack of access means I can't jumper my starter when the solenoid fails. This became important a couple summers back, when the solenoid failed in the middle of the woods.

Access = more better.

 

[AgDieseler]

Working more details.

AC hard line replaced bulky rubber hose


New turbo drain flange - the previous one didn’t completely match up, and left part of the integrated o-ring uncovered








Switch Pros for the LP6s and plenty of room for the next series of lights I have planned.


Refresh of the squadrons for pillar lights


The rear still sits a tad high, so I’m probably going to pull the bottom two short leaves, and I’ll double check the front upper coil lockout positions.

It’s about time to take this to the dirt.

David

 

[mrk5]

Switch-Pro, haven't heard of that one before. Something new to internet research.

 

[AgDieseler]

Switch-Pro, haven't heard of that one before. Something new to internet research.

Huge with the jeep folk. It runs switched accessories with a solid state controller rather than relays.

David

 

[ZooMad75]

Huge with the jeep folk. It runs switched accessories with a solid state controller rather than relays.

David

It's pretty big with the overland crowd, 4runners and land cruiser types.

Pretty slick for sure.

 

[mrk5]

Huge with the jeep folk. It runs switched accessories with a solid state controller rather than relays.

David

I like gadgets too.

 

[Babaganoosh]

Working more details.

AC hard line replaced bulky rubber hose
View attachment 376575

New turbo drain flange - the previous one didn’t completely match up, and left part of the integrated o-ring uncovered
View attachment 376576

View attachment 376577

View attachment 376578

View attachment 376579

Switch Pros for the LP6s and plenty of room for the next series of lights I have planned.
View attachment 376580

Refresh of the squadrons for pillar lights
View attachment 376581

The rear still sits a tad high, so I’m probably going to pull the bottom two short leaves, and I’ll double check the front upper coil lockout positions.

It’s about time to take this to the dirt.

David

Sounds like you need to jump it.

 

[AgDieseler]

It's pretty big with the overland crowd, 4runners and land cruiser types.

Pretty slick for sure.

Just a well thought out piece of gear. I’m pretty happy with it.

I like gadgets too.

More buttons.

Sounds like you need to jump it.

I’ve checked that box, and didn’t even have to wipe after.

I’ve kept on tuning the suspension, and the rear was still just a bit perky. I pulled a couple of leaves, and also made some adjustments up front for the upper spring lockout.

Forklifts are handy.






David

 

[Chevy350Ben]

I came here looking for reference material after your suggestion on my build thread. I opened the build thread, and thought "128 PAGES?!?!?... *groan*..."

I could not have been more wrong. This probably took me a week to digest, but I regret nothing. Fantastic work man. I want to be like you when (if) I grow up.

 

[AgDieseler]

I came here looking for reference material after your suggestion on my build thread. I opened the build thread, and thought "128 PAGES?!?!?... *groan*..."

I could not have been more wrong. This probably took me a week to digest, but I regret nothing. Fantastic work man. I want to be like you when (if) I grow up.

We’re all just kids grown tall. Fortunately, I’ve been at it on this truck since 1995. I’m truly glad this build thread has been helpful to you.

David

 

[AgDieseler]

I’ve been prepping for a quick trip out to Moab for some video work, and tidying up a handful of details in preparation.

Clearanced the intake to better clear the tires.



Now the vibrant catch can is doing its full job as an air-oil separator.


The 10mm drain in the block sits a bit higher than my earlier drain flange, so the turbo wasn’t draining correctly. A new flange and drain setup has solved for that.







And I planted a new tree on the shifter farm. The column shifter link interfered with the engine oil cooler lines, so I just changed to a Lokar floor mounted cable shifter.


And a fresh PSC box. This thing is pretty nice - very crisp feel.


And the ceremonial removal of the front hangers. My neighbors hate me.






Now, I just need to pack and hit the highway.

David

 

[AugustDiesel]

12 months of consistent, persistent, diligent work is about to have a payoff well-deserved. Bravo sir. Well done.

 

[AgDieseler]

Rev4 loaded into Rev5. I’m headed your way, @fourwheelerjeff.



David

 

[Greg72]

Rev4 loaded into Rev5. I’m headed your way, @fourwheelerjeff.

View attachment 378202

David

That's going to make a lot of noise when you start the huckfest testing.....

-G

 

[fourwheelerjeff]

Delivered