Orange Crush - 1988 GMC Suburban

[The Butcher]

The Butcher submitted a new Build:

Orange Crush - 1988 GMC Suburban

I'm building this for some friends of ours who use this truck at their home in Telluride. It's been a great people hauler for them, but it's definitely in need of some cosmetic TLC, and I've talked him into doing some modifications for a better ride and drivability. What started as him wanting just a paint job (color change) has turned into a fun little project that I hope to actually complete in a couple of months.

Plans for this build:

• Color change paint job to "Orange Crush". This is the color he wants, thus the name of the build.
• Blast and coat the undercarriage.
• 4" ORD lift.
• 35" Toyo ATIII tires.
• 16x8 wheels (probably Method Double Standard)
• 4.88 gears.
• Steering box brace.
• Front winch bumper with winch.
• Rear bumper.
• Side steps.
• Stereo (nice to have, but might max out our budget before we get there)

Read more about this build here...

 

[The Butcher]

Got the truck back to the bodyshop to begin teardown. Since the truck will have fresh paint we are probably not going to put some of the old chrome back on (wheel arches, front grille, etc.), and since the grille is still in good shape we might just paint that black or grey.

 

[Truckman4life]

Nice rig to start with. Should look awesome in orange. I have always wanted an orange square. Might do my crew cab that way some day or I'd love a round eye 'burban.

 

[The Butcher]

I'm curious as to how the orange is going to turn out on this size of a truck. You'll definitely be able to see it coming!

 

[The Butcher]

The burb is pretty much torn down and ready for bodywork now. Got the tires mounted and balanced on the new wheels. Should be a good looking set up on the truck.

 

[The Butcher]

Bodywork is done, and primer shot on the body. Doors getting primed today. Hoping to shoot color next week. Probably looking at another 2-3 weeks to complete paint and put it all back together. Should be done about the time the springs arrive from ORD and the bumpers arrive from Logan Metal Fab.

 

[The Butcher]

Unfortunately most of the progress pics got taken in HEIC format, and I can't figure out how to convert them. Here are a few shots of it mostly reassembled. Still needs a few days of reassembly, and then polish, but it's getting there. Should have the suspension, bumpers, winch, steps, and lights installed in the next couple of weeks. I wasn't 100% sure of the orange color, but it actually looks pretty darn good in person. The black out of the trim helps for sure.

 

[Truckman4life]

Love it! Orange and black is my favorite. I think I need a big ass crew cab dually in Orange with a black flatbed. My kids would love an orange truck too.

 

[The Butcher]

Love it! Orange and black is my favorite. I think I need a big ass crew cab dually in Orange with a black flatbed. My kids would love an orange truck too.

Thanks! It has turned out much better than I expected. Wasn't sure about the orange, but I really like in person. The owner is very pleased, so that's what matters!

 

[The Butcher]

Lift, Bumpers, Winch, Lights, Tire/Wheels installed. The ORD 4" lift rides like a dream, and with 4.88 gears now it really scoots! Back to the body shop for final reassembly and polish.

 

[Truckman4life]

Lookin good! Love the bumper.

 

[The Butcher]

Yeah, I'm really pleased with the quality of these bumpers. Took a long time to get them, but they are really nice.

 

[The Butcher]

A few more pics.