Project: "Playing Catch Up" 90' Suburban

[garyweak84]

So this is my first real 4x4 build. I had an 89' K5 on 35's about 5 years ago and blew the trans and traded it off. But the bug had bit me and I always wanted another one. Fast forward till a year or so ago, 2 kids later and a move to Montana. I picked up this 90' GMC Suburban, V1500. She was stock with 340k on the clock It didn't start but the guy had a folder full of receipts on everything done over the last 5+ years and she looked pretty good. After one oil pressure sensor later and she ran. Here is a couple shots of her after I got it home and threw on some almost shot 33" bfg's.

 

[garyweak84]

The project was to serve to purposes, something to drive during the winter since my lowered 2wd Silverado goes about no where when it snows and something to play in the mountains. She will get wheeled pretty hard once I move back to Kansas next year and here is the reason for Project: "Playing Catch Up" My brothers 86 K5 on 38.5 SX's, d44/14bff, 4.56's, Detroit, full bedliner exterior, and so on. Then my dads soon to be finished 85 K5 frame, 87 S10 cab, d60/14bff, 5.13's, LS 5.3, th400, np205, soon to be topless, caged and only bed skins on 44 tsl's.

 

[garyweak84]

So I got to gathering parts and closing the gap as far as capabilities. Found a 14bff and d44 4.10 combo, 52's for the front to match my stock 56's out back, and some almost free 37 military tires with ford 16.5 steelies. First built some front 52 brackets and put them in with some new poly bushings. Ghetto rigged the shackle flip for now. Building a 2.5" shackle flip as we speak. Then got her further off the ground.

 

[garyweak84]

Just before lifting it I cut the "fangs" off the front fenders, built the middle section for my front bumper and moved the stock hitch between the frame rails. Then after the stage one of the lift it was time for some exhaust work. The stock cat appeared to still be on the truck and the muffler was cracked. Bought some 88-94ish shorty headers 1 5/8 x 3, necked down the collector to 2.5" and built a mandrel 2.5" y-pipe into 3" cat back with a magnaflow muffler. Amazing how restrictive the stock exhaust was.

 

[garyweak84]

Some "testing" shots after the initial lift was done

 

[garyweak84]

As of now just need to finish up the disc swap on the 14 bolt, finish painting everything on the diff. It's got a ruffstuff diff cover and the entire bottom has been ground smooth. Still has all the bolts but no more lip to snag on stuff. Need to find a temp shaft for the d44 since I loaned my brother the shaft when he broke his and won't get it back until may timeframe Still trying to figure out how I want to run my rear shocks since they're getting cut off so nothing is hanging below the axle tubes and they will need moved when I extend the wheelbase. Front shocks will get moved as well since the d44 no longer has the stock mounts.

For now I just want to get the new axles and tires under her so I can get back out into the mountains. Round 2 is already in the works with 63's out back, 6" wheelbase extended, sye with 1350 joints, long slip front shaft, clocked tcase and belly pan, and moved wheel wells with blazer removable top. Planning on keeping the bottom half of the barn doors and using kinda of a fiberglass topper style rear window. Here is driveway shot with the tires sitting in place and the rear diff waiting to be finished.

Hopefully more progress in the next few weeks, but as we all know life can get in the way.

 

[Greg Ducato]

Moving along nice! That will be a bad monster when you are done

 

[garyweak84]

I also should be picking up some of the 88 and newer style mirrors for these trucks. I'm getting the mirrors and interior switch as well!! I got all the steel tubing I need to finish the front bumper and start on the rear. Maybe a set of sliders next?

-Gary

 

[garyweak84]

I got the disc brake brackets from ruffstuff painted last night. Spent some more time on the rear diff, cut the stock shock brackets off, and almost got it ready for paint. Here's a couple shots of the shave job on the bottom of the diff. About as far as you can go without cutting and plating the bottom.

-Gary

 

[83SuperBurb]

I cant wait to get that thing back here so we can tear up some jeep trails with the fullest of full size trucks!!

 

[garyweak84]

May be picking up some 39.5 TSL's on Sunday As long as they're in good shape. This stuff is addictive. I can see this getting out of control quickly!!

 

[garyweak84]

Got off early today and scored these bad boys!!!! 39.5x15x-16.5 TSL's with black steel wheels. Things just got real!

 

[garyweak84]

I think I need to to make these fit!!!

 

[y5mgisi]

Sweet truck!

 

[garyweak84]

Got a little bit done on the rear axle yesterday. Built some new shock mounts to move them from hanging below the axle tubes. Still in the stock configuration. Also welded the tubes to the housing. Should be able to paint it and install the disc brake setup now. I also have a B&M pro stick shifter to install. This should hep fix my shifter linkage binding up when she's flexed out since it's cable operated.

 

[garyweak84]

Rear axle is painted and disc brake brackets are installed. Should have the rotors installed on the hubs tomorrow. Still need to paint the calipers and hubs as well. Other than getting some rear u-bolts I believe I have everything to complete the install. I might try to get these installed this weekend if time is on my side

 

[y5mgisi]

Good luck! Disk brake 14 bolts always bring the secksay!

 

[garyweak84]

Almost done with the rear just need to put the axle shafts in and seal up the diff cover. Shooting to do the swap this weekend

Gary

 

[garyweak84]

Well Friday night I got the rear axle off the jack stands and the wheels and tires mounted. Then Saturday I welded the spider gears into the standard "orb of traction" and got it installed along with the axle shafts. Then I sealed up the diff and that basically got the rear axle complete minus hooking up the brake lines.

 

[garyweak84]

Got a late start today because I was on daddy duty until after lunch. Started with taking out the weak 10 bolt and disconnecting everything including the brake lines. Got the new rear axle set in place and bolted up. With the tires mounted it was clear I was going to need to cut a fair amount for flexing. With the rear finished up it was onto the front. Yanked out the stock 10 bolt and hung the d44. Swapped over the steering and got the hubs and brakes on. Once I got the front tires bolted up just how much cutting was quite evident I haven't cut anything on the entire truck other than the front fenders. So the "To Do List" has some fender cutting, front axle shock mounts and lockout install on it. Other than that it was a pretty successful weekend all things considered. Going to be busy the next few days at work so maybe by next weekend I can get some flex shots.

Gary