Picking up an 88 Burb, what to watch for

[won-ton]

well, i'm slowly turning to the dark side. i'm gonna be trading my 89 3/4 ton pickup for a burb here pretty soon, and this will be my first OBS truck. i need something a little shorter, more manuverable, more secure interior etc. i really like the solid axles too. what are some key areas that these trucks have issues with?

the burb is an 88, 1500, 350/700r4, 4" rancho lift, 35s, roof rack and otherwise completely stock looking. its done minimal towing, and mostly been a camping rig according to the p/o

i know the steering box likes to crack the frame.
i know the transfer case bolts like to divorce themself and crack the tranny/tcase housings on 700r4s

what gear ratio does it most likely have? all i plan to do is add an engine oil and trans oil cooler, a baby 14 bolt with arb, and real shocks (probably 2.5s). its not gonna be a crawler or anything, just a long distance mobile shag palace for me and my lady...

 

[dhcomp]

i need something a little shorter, more manuverable,

Never heard a burb being smaller and more manuverable.

just a long distance mobile shag palace for me and my lady...

Now THAT is a reason to buy a burb.

My first concern is that it is a 1/2 ton. I think the burb alone, stock, is too heavy for the half ton stuff.

The 700r4 trans will be your weak link, along with the 10 bolt rear. Front axle is basically the same as the 3/4 ton, just different outers.

Stock, you probably have 3.73 gears in a 1/2 ton.

I woudl buy it, buy some 3/4 ton running gear, swap the rear axle and outers on the front axle to 8 lug, and run it.

The trans will be weak, but if built right with a good cooler, can serve the purpose.

 

[Burbdood 74]

As said above, 1/2 ton running gear can be weak, but if your'e not running on rocks, you'll be fine. The issue with the frame cracking is only a problem when you throw on big tires and hit the trails hard and heavy. If it's been treated easy, then you shouldn't have a problem. If you do have a crack in the frame, there are companies out there that sell repair kits and braces.

I've got an 88 1/2 ton Sub and I love it. It's got a TH350 instead of the 700R4, but that doesn't bug me that much. I think that oil coolers were an option on these year rigs. Mine came with one so you might be in luck there. If you get a good tranny cooler, that 700 will live a long time.

Post up some pics of the Sub when you can so we can see it. We love pics here.

 

[dhcomp]

Put the steering brace in whether or not it is cracked. Better to prevent than repair. And they DO crack with just light street use.

 

[Mountain_man]

Watch for rust depending on location, Get good shocks. don't keep cheap junk ones or you'll be going down the road feeling like your fillings are falling out. Run over a piece of gum and tell what flavor it was. Update interior to what you want in it and drive the crap out of it.

 

[won-ton]

You are only allowed to post URLs to other sites after you have made 15 posts or more.

guess you all will have to wait till i post a little more lol

i don't think the 700r4 is that bad of a trans. i have one in my 3/4ton pickup with 230k on it, and it still doesn't have any problems. that truck has hauled more than its fair share of loads. the only cooler the one in the burb has is thru the radiator tho so i'll have to get on that asap.

and a burb is smaller and more manuverable than a extra cab long bed

care to elaborate on the rust issues? where are the trouble spots? keep in mind its lived in california so probably won't have issues, but its still good to know where to look...

are the 8lug d44 rotors any larger than the 6 lug? are the calipers the same too? i'll probably just throw a hydro boost on there and keep it 6 lug. i don't think i really want to change that much.

i'll swap out the 10 bolt when it breaks, which given my driving style, shouldn't take too long

 

[jimmy88]

Rust: body mounts, rear inner fender seams, tailgate hinge support, rockers.

 

[dhcomp]

i'll swap out the 10 bolt when it breaks, which given my driving style, shouldn't take too long

I would replace the rear before it breaks. Breaking a clip style axle, and losing the shaft/wheel/hub assembly tends to be devastating.

 

[jonathon]

I wouldn't worry about rust in California.. just make sure if you take out on the beach you wash the underside off real good. Also keep the fender corners from being packed full of mud. That is probably the number one fender killer in the northwest is mud packed in the fender corners. Saw a late 70's pickup that had rusted through and moss was growing in the rust hole

 

[GOLIATH1990]

Sounds like you have some good plans for the burb. Definitely post up some pics when you can