One Piece at a Time: My 1985 Diesel Suburban

[ashman]

Ah, chassis swap. That makes a lot more sense than what I envisioned you doing. lol

Speaking of which, I have an 07 Suburban sitting behind my shop right now...

 

[KirsL]

Then, the suburban and a yet-to-be-purchased LB7 or LLY or LM-whatever duramax and its chassis will get married. In Texas, I can delete everything and continue to register it as an 85.

David

Duramax swap. I like it.

What's the plan for the built 6.5 then?

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Sooooo I'd imagine some kind of completely custom IFS and not the shitty GM torsion bar with 4" of travel?

 

[Chickntrk]

Sooooo I'd imagine some kind of completely custom IFS and not the shitty GM torsion bar with 4" of travel?

That’s what I was thinking, seems like a downgrade otherwise. If anyone can pull off a cool IFS build it would be David though

 

[rksjd8420]

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[AgDieseler]

I am enjoying my stock 2500 suburban right now

Same here with the LB7.

Ah, chassis swap. That makes a lot more sense than what I envisioned you doing. lol

Speaking of which, I have an 07 Suburban sitting behind my shop right now...

My entire concept was using a 2500 HD chassis and powertrain, but I never really even thought about a suburban frame, though it might have some distinct advantages since a similarly sized body is going on it.

Sooooo I'd imagine some kind of completely custom IFS and not the shitty GM torsion bar with 4" of travel?

Torsion bar free, just like the charger.

There are some great kits out there that build off the GMT800 pickup points, and I would pull from those catalogs. Definitely 4WD.

I so want to pick your brain on the ifs setup, I have envisioned a ttb front end square for years. The desert racer in me has always wanted a low COG.

My brain is pretty small on this stuff. TTB sounds like a decent value way to get huge travel, and the fab is pretty well understood. When I was in Baja, a few ford blazer dudes had some rad setups that ate the terrain. I’d run it, but not on my dad’s truck.

What's the plan for the built 6.5 then?

Not sure. I’d like to maybe snag a run-around truck or elco’ or something else light. The waggy definitely gets an LS.

David

 

[Babaganoosh]

Same here with the LB7.


My entire concept was using a 2500 HD chassis and powertrain, but I never really even thought about a suburban frame, though it might have some distinct advantages since a similarly sized body is going on it.


Torsion bar free, just like the charger.

There are some great kits out there that build off the GMT800 pickup points, and I would pull from those catalogs. Definitely 4WD.


My brain is pretty small on this stuff. TTB sounds like a decent value way to get huge travel, and the fab is pretty well understood. When I was in Baja, a few ford blazer dudes had some rad setups that ate the terrain. I’d run it, but not on my dad’s truck.


Not sure. I’d like to maybe snag a run-around truck or elco’ or something else light. The waggy definitely gets an LS.

David

Understood my dad thought I was nuts for putting a solid axle under his, but he knew it’s what I wanted and eventually loved it.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

Long travel ifs at least?

So 6.5 stuffed in an elco with ttb is my takeaway...

 

[Babaganoosh]

I can guarantee it will be long travel ifs with coilovers and maybe get portals. As big as this girl is a 3 tube bypass would help slow her down making her faster.

Call me nuts but hear me out

 

[Wes Harden]

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All that engineering and no high pinion ?

 

[AgDieseler]

Finished gutting the interior, including the dash pad. Roof accoutrements are off. Winch is out. One seat is back in.



Last time I did this was 1999.

David

 

[ZooMad75]

Frame swap? Ifs? Dirtymax? What?

The truck holds legend status in my mind as much as other notable rides like blasphemi, project x and the crusher Camaro. Which I understand aren’t trucks, but equally significant builds I’ve followed for a very long time.

They have all held different forms through the process and some brought some serious discussion like when project x was electrified. And as much as I liked certain forms of each car and wanted them to stay the same, their owners/caretakers felt the need for the vehicle to continue to evolve. Some may hate it. But in the end the vehicle moves into its new form to inspire others on what can be done with one of these trucks.

To say I’m a fan the big booty version is an understatement. Seeing that in person float over stuff at speed and then crawl like a beast is amazing. But also knowing the skill and thought that will be stuffed into it will be equally amazing and be better all around for the intended purpose of extended range travel and camping (notice I avoided the overused word of overlanding).

I’m excited to see the new phase develop.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

If time, space and money were no issue I’d say start over with an IFS Burb and preserve this one.

 

[Babaganoosh]

If time, space and money were no issue I’d say start over with an IFS Burb and preserve this one.

But then again it wouldn’t be Dads old hot rod.

 

[AgDieseler]

Frame swap? Ifs? Dirtymax? What?...Some may hate it. But in the end the vehicle moves into its new form to inspire others on what can be done with one of these trucks.

It's all about making each vehicle in the fleet do something specific without too much overlap to the other. The LB7 tows and does daily duty, the suburban is all about camping, and the waggy will be the dedicated trail rig. The charger doesn't do anything right now except cost money.

The objective is to keep and use them all and enjoy each one for what it's best at. Originally, I built the suburban because it's what I had. That's probably what a lot of us did. After 30 years, what I landed on is a heavy and tall camping truck that's too precious to tear up, and yet much too precious to leave parked. Also, it's a core part of the Willomet business, and it'll be time to recreate it in another couple of years. I think I've just figured out the new spot where I want to land.

And for a guy that loves to build, I can bring my dad into this process and it's another thing we'll enjoy together.

notice I avoided the overused word of overlanding

But, bro!

If time, space and money were no issue I’d say start over with an IFS Burb and preserve this one.

But then again it wouldn’t be Dads old hot rod.

Exactly.

David

 

[KirsL]

An 80s G body with the 6.5 would be a sweet runaround vehicle.

I've come to a similar conclusion with my stepside. Yes, I'll continue to build it and drive it. But it has far too much sentimental value to destroy four wheeling.

Can't wait to see the upcoming changes!

 

[AgDieseler]

Off to my buddy’s shop for fender work.





David

 

[imiceman44]

Off to my buddy’s shop for fender work.

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David

Clearancing?

 

[AgDieseler]

Clearancing?

Repair and high lining. It's the baja way of expanding the fenders to match the 40s at full bump, but nicer. We'll maintain the factory lip all the way around.

David

 

[AgDieseler]

Neal is well underway.

He’s expanded the core support opening to fully expose the LB7 intercooler. My 2016 remake failed to think ahead, and I stuck with the original small opening.









AMD sent some fenders that we could cannibalize to make the wider opening. The original fenders will hang on my shop wall, while the OE white ones get carved up and supplemented by the AMD pieces.





I'm about to have to head back out to Texas Square Bodies to source more rear quarter material.

David