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One Piece at a Time: My 1985 Diesel Suburban

It’s mostly together. To do:
- repair intercooler top plate
- weld -4 return for steam lines
- finish accessories - PS, AC, 2nd Alt
- mount core support
- populate core support with stuff
- make engine oil lines
- make trans oil lines
- reconnect PS stuff
- test run with coolant, full heat cycle
- mount bumper
- install coilovers
- install splash shields
- install intake stuff
- final electrical route and zip tie
- adjust bump strike plate
- magnum expansion tank install
- fill cases
- load base 4L80 shift program
- drive it
- change oil and full flow filter
- put it on a trailer
- go to Moab

View attachment 408313

David
All that’s left is everything. No pressure. You got this!
 
Don't hold the coffee, UP the coffee!
I feel undercaffeinated, often.

Love the detail and thought you are putting into the build although most of it is way over my head. Can't wait to see and hear it on video!
It’s overwrought, but just right for my tastes.

I’m a hell of a multitasker, and AirPods make conference calls easy while working.

Intercooler repair done.

E1CFA431-A1B3-42CE-A67C-0E3552ED59B3.jpeg

Final details done on the fuel filters. Can’t say I love the location, but it’s the best available, and I’ll make a skid for it…later

6391F184-003D-4FF0-9308-BE6D37023559.jpeg

E64DB9FE-1DB8-4581-9930-5EE6A10B6D82.jpeg

Fancy pants turbo blanket.

0EC50E28-7CA0-4BBC-BBCE-4A23380B8264.jpeg

79242B8A-31DA-42BA-81FD-C34A8570FA01.jpeg

-4 return for the steam lines.

FB24D7A6-B966-4829-AB87-59E9E7F0A6D8.jpeg

Wrangled the core support into place.

6283A27C-98CE-4B93-A8AD-B17B1C2E0F51.jpeg

The coolant system is all assembled.

037E6B2A-D114-499E-9521-9EF6C04902EE.jpeg

I made new engine oil lines. The first set used socketless barbs and started to leak. I found a pool of black under the truck at the Pemex in San Felipe, and one while shooting those videos with Stephen. Learned my lesso…twice. Now I’m trying the braided stuff from vibrant. It’s pretty nice.

169198FA-C8FF-4D7E-99FE-6F4D96F4FFF7.jpeg

Lots of stuff off this list. More to go.

David
 
I feel undercaffeinated, often.


It’s overwrought, but just right for my tastes.

I’m a hell of a multitasker, and AirPods make conference calls easy while working.

Intercooler repair done.

View attachment 408381

Final details done on the fuel filters. Can’t say I love the location, but it’s the best available, and I’ll make a skid for it…later

View attachment 408372

View attachment 408371

Fancy pants turbo blanket.

View attachment 408373

View attachment 408375

-4 return for the steam lines.

View attachment 408374

Wrangled the core support into place.

View attachment 408376

The coolant system is all assembled.

View attachment 408377

I made new engine oil lines. The first set used socketless barbs and started to leak. I found a pool of black under the truck at the Pemex in San Felipe, and one while shooting those videos with Stephen. Learned my lesso…twice. Now I’m trying the braided stuff from vibrant. It’s pretty nice.

View attachment 408378

Lots of stuff off this list. More to go.

David
What happened to the intercooler?
And yes on the filter skidplate. 1/4” plate haha. Definitely have spare filters if you go on your trip before you get one fabbed!
 
What happened to the intercooler?
And yes on the filter skidplate. 1/4” plate haha. Definitely have spare filters if you go on your trip before you get one fabbed!
A weld broke on a brace at the top. I could not find that rattle, and it bothered me.

Yeah, I have spares. And a fair bit of plate. We’re softroading at EJS, so no Group B action this time around. I’ll probably still be on break in oil.

David
 
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A weld broke on a brace at the top. I could not find that rattle, and it bothered me.

Yeah, I have spares. And a fair bit of plate. We’re softroading at EJS, so no more Group B action this time around. I’ll probably still be on break in oil.

David
At least you found it. Any stray sound drives me nuts. I still have a hard time dealing with the coil over and bump stop cacophony
 
I feel undercaffeinated, often.


It’s overwrought, but just right for my tastes.

I’m a hell of a multitasker, and AirPods make conference calls easy while working.

Intercooler repair done.

View attachment 408381

Final details done on the fuel filters. Can’t say I love the location, but it’s the best available, and I’ll make a skid for it…later

View attachment 408372

View attachment 408371

Fancy pants turbo blanket.

View attachment 408373

View attachment 408375

-4 return for the steam lines.

View attachment 408374

Wrangled the core support into place.

View attachment 408376

The coolant system is all assembled.

View attachment 408377

I made new engine oil lines. The first set used socketless barbs and started to leak. I found a pool of black under the truck at the Pemex in San Felipe, and one while shooting those videos with Stephen. Learned my lesso…twice. Now I’m trying the braided stuff from vibrant. It’s pretty nice.

View attachment 408378

Lots of stuff off this list. More to go.

David

I’ve used the braided stuff for trans and engine oil and have yet to have either leak, so I think you’ll be pleased with the results.
 
I still have a hard time dealing with the coil over and bump stop cacophony
Those bother me less, but only because they’re supposed to happen. It’s also hard to hear that over the engine.

I’ve used the braided stuff for trans and engine oil and have yet to have either leak, so I think you’ll be pleased with the results.
Good to hear. I like how they assemble and give an aggressive crimp.

Looking at the pictures, it appears the stock location is vacant. Eh?
The box filter is gone, yes. We recognize it’s 37 years of service, and thank it for its contribution. It went to the scrapper with the engine block.

Your attention to detail is awesome. In this case that lower radiator pipe...
Gracias. It’s a lot of fun making stuff that’s extremely application specific like that.

David
 
Is that spot not suitable for the new filter arrangement?
Ah. No. The filter and pump assembly is huge. It might fit in other applications, but I’d prefer this pump push rather than pull the whole length of the truck.

We got the engine all sorted. It runs as smooth as glass. Loads still to do.

View attachment IMG_6503.MOV

David
 
Ah. No. The filter and pump assembly is huge. It might fit in other applications, but I’d prefer this pump push rather than pull the whole length of the truck.

We got the engine all sorted. It runs as smooth as glass. Loads still to do.

View attachment 408478

David
Sounds great. All tight and crispy
 

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