Project Polar Bear: '89 V2500 Suburban

[campfire]

I think he needs a lawyer.

Perhaps (though I was assuming that the insurance claim has already been run through several layers of legal counsel). I just meant that reliving the anger is good for nobody.

 

[Larry]

That's a crazy story, man.

But life is too short to stay mad about things...

Hehe, Bullspit! Now you sound like my wife.....unless she is mad at someone

Damn.

sexual act on a child too. What a POS.

Yes, what a POS. His day will come

Let me first, start off with, DAYUUUUUUM. That was the exact opposite of what I was expecting. I figured they caught this (fill in the blank__________), and that he'd be in jail and you with a little cash in your pocket for the damages.

But, it still doesn't surprise me on the outcome. This country, all over, is getting worse every second. Sorry to hear that justice wasn't served. But I do believe in Karma and he will get his one way or another.

And this is a very awesome build. I'm going the 7.4 Vortec route but I would have no problems doing a build with the 8.1 Vortec. Thanks for all the write-up on these projects.

On a side note, glad you got over it.

Nothing wrong with a L29 Vortec 7.4L. Those are my second all time favorite engines. I'd rather have one of those than a "LS" engine by a long shot.

I think he needs a lawyer.

Nah, no lawyer. May need one later once I run across this guy though

Perhaps (though I was assuming that the insurance claim has already been run through several layers of legal counsel). I just meant that reliving the anger is good for nobody.

It is good for me though. I can be a really spiteful SOB


In other Polar Bear news, my wife's Impala is in Zoomad's dealership for warranty repairs so she is driving my Malibu while I am cruising the Polar Bear this week. My 4 year old daughter loves to ride in the "Burban car" because she can see everything from up there. This morning after dropping her off at PreSchool she said "make sure you pick me up this afternoon in the burban car. I like riding in it!".

 

[Capt Ron]

Nv4500 done!

Well, she is done and I am extremely satisfied with the results! A NV4500 is far from a sports car transmission but compared to the SM465 it certainly is. It is amazing how just a transmission alone can change the personality of a vehicle.

Got the right super juice this time. He felt bad and let me have it for $18 per bottle. Thanks for catching that Nick. I should have known better being the bottles were different but this guy has never let me down so I typically do not double check what he gives me.

Before

After I used the 205 shifter boot and bezel left over from the K10 after it got a twin stick

It took all day yesterday to install the ACC carpet! Damn Burbs have a 1000 holes to cut through the carpet and jute plus the ACC carpet is about 8" too big all around where it must be cut to fit. What a time consuming pita to replace the carpet from barn doors to firewall.

Same knob I used on the K10 a few years ago when it got a NV4500. For some reason, I knew it was a good idea to buy two knobs!

I put about 30 miles on it tonight and have to run some errands in Canon City tomorrow so that should be a good shake down run for it. So far so good….no leaks, vibrations, rattles, etc.

Now, it just needs more power! Might have to get busy and do something about that

Ok you held out on us a little bit here, Umm 241 shifter mods? Any pics? I am doing the research so hoping you can fill in the blanks.

 

[Larry]

Hehe, apparently I didn’t get pictures of the shifter assembly mod but it is super simple. Once you layout your NV4500 shifter hole drop the 241 shifter assembly in its hole and you’ll see where the top corner of the 241 shifter will need to be trimmed. If you are using something other than the OEM GM NV4500 shifter bezel you may not need to trim the 241 assembly at all. I only had to trim because I wanted to use the factor GM trans boot and bezel. Make sense? I'm home this week and next, you can always call me if needed

****
I forgot to add that the metal NV4500 boot bezel will lay on top of the 241 shifter assembly a tad plus you will need to trim the trans boot metal bezel slightly as well so it will lay flat on the 241 assembly. It will all make sense once you start laying out the pieces.

 

[Big Ray]

Been wondering where you been Larry. Haven't seen ya in a while. Hope all is well.

 

[Big Ray]

P.s. every time I see an Avalanche for sale I wonder if it has an 8.1 in it lol

 

[Kay86K5]

P.s. every time I see an Avalanche for sale I wonder if it has an 8.1 in it lol

If it's a 3/4 ton avalanche, then yes it has an 8.1 in it.

 

[Larry]

Been wondering where you been Larry. Haven't seen ya in a while. Hope all is well.

Yeah, I am still around… Just busier than a one-legged cat burying turds on a concrete driveway. About all my play time allocation and attention span can handle these days is Instagram

I have a new project that I’ve been meaning to create a build thread on but haven’t gotten the time yet. Soon!

 

[campfire]

I didn’t get pictures of the shifter assembly mod but it is super simple

@Capt Ron, I have pictures of this mod in my blazer thread. I hacked up the huge stock NP208 bezel and put an SM465 boot on the NV4500.

I'm not saying you should hack it the same way I did (It's ugly), but the in-progress shots may help you visualize what needs to be done to make the shifters fit. It's easier than it looks. I also have pictures of fitting the NV3500 in my burb. That's a significantly tighter fit. I think I'll be using boots like Larry did. You'd hafta cut the stock bezels quite a bit to make that combination work.

 

[Capt Ron]

@Capt Ron, I have pictures of this mod in my blazer thread. I hacked up the huge stock NP208 bezel and put an SM465 boot on the NV4500.

I'm not saying you should hack it the same way I did (It's ugly), but the in-progress shots may help you visualize what needs to be done to make the shifters fit. It's easier than it looks. I also have pictures of fitting the NV3500 in my burb. That's a significantly tighter fit. I think I'll be using boots like Larry did. You'd hafta cut the stock bezels quite a bit to make that combination work.

Thanks, I will check it out.

 

[Earldub21]

Hey man great build. I am doing a GEN VI 454 swap in my 1989 Suburban with a NV4500. I am looking for headers that will clear the external slave cylinder. Let me know what brand and part number if you still have that information available. I know it has been awile since you posted this. Thanks man any help would be appreciated.

One small update…..Got the headers back from my powder coat buddy yesterday. They turned out great! I’m still about 4 to 6 weeks away from install as I still have a lot of install bits and pieces to collect. It is time consuming (and expensive) to collect everything as I use all new parts and pieces when I do swaps like this. The only parts that won't be new is the 2 year old Denso starter motor and the existing power steering pump that I will be reusing from the 5.7L.

 

[Larry]

Hey man great build. I am doing a GEN VI 454 swap in my 1989 Suburban with a NV4500. I am looking for headers that will clear the external slave cylinder. Let me know what brand and part number if you still have that information available. I know it has been awile since you posted this. Thanks man any help would be appreciated.

Thanks! The ole Burb is still plugging around. Spends most of its time lounging around in the garage. So, the headers are Sanderson Shorties BB8-P. I'm usually a header hater but these have been great. No leaks so far and its been almost 5 years.

 

[Earldub21]

thats awesome thanks man i appreciate it.

Thanks! The ole Burb is still plugging around. Spends most of its time lounging around in the garage. So, the headers are Sanderson Shorties BB8-P. I'm usually a header hater but these have been great. No leaks so far and its been almost 5 years.

 

[2Dogs]

All,
Prepping for my 8.1 swap -

Before you continue reading I do acknowledge that this is not a 'parts lookup thread'

I am going to use the CU774 radiator as discussed here. It looks like I can get a variety of shrouds but I am having a hard time locating the 'cap' pictured below. It looks like the GM part number is 14039948 (out of production) - I need to confirm that for a search and/or find a place to order. I do not have any local junk yards (I miss them, part of the benefits of living in California ).

Thanks for any help here!

 

[Larry]

All,
Prepping for my 8.1 swap -

Before you continue reading I do acknowledge that this is not a 'parts lookup thread'

I am going to use the CU774 radiator as discussed here. It looks like I can get a variety of shrouds but I am having a hard time locating the 'cap' pictured below. It looks like the GM part number is 14039948 (out of production) - I need to confirm that for a search and/or find a place to order. I do not have any local junk yards (I miss them, part of the benefits of living in California ).

Thanks for any help here!

View attachment 317770

I think any build thread is basically a parts look up thread

Ya, the pieces for the big radiator are not being repopped that I know of but you’re in luck as the shroud and upper cover were used on CUCV K30’s and Blazers so I bet if you find someone that specializes in CUCV parts like Boyce Equipment or Bornforadventure on IG you’ll probable score what you need. These big CU774 radiators were used on anything with a 6.2 diesel, most chassis cabs with big blocks and many 1 ton duallys with a big block but not all 1 tons got this radiator. I got the brackets, shroud and upper cover from an 85 1/2 ton long bed 2wd with a 6.2L diesel

 

[2Dogs]

Thanks Larry!

I will expand my search with CUCV suppliers. Maybe I will run a WTB post on CK5, offer hourly rate/finders fee for a junkyard run for someone

 

[campfire]

Thanks Larry!

I will expand my search with CUCV suppliers. Maybe I will run a WTB post on CK5, offer hourly rate/finders fee for a junkyard run for someone

I think I have an extra of those in my spare parts pile if you don't find one locally. I shouldn't say this in Larry's thread, but the radiator works fine without that cover. So it's not REALLY necessary.


But I would never say that in Larry's thread.

 

[Larry]

I think I have an extra of those in my spare parts pile if you don't find one locally. I shouldn't say this in Larry's thread, but the radiator works fine without that cover. So it's not REALLY necessary.


But I would never say that in Larry's thread.

Exactly, probably would cool just fine without it but sure looks incomplete and shitty without it too. The cover also helps from dropping tools down in there between the radiator and A/C condenser

 

[ZooMad75]

Hillbilly Wizard is another CUCV parts outfit that sells these. He knows what he has and charges accordingly though. I found my cover at a local yard up in Denver. They are out there.

 

[2Dogs]

Tried to order from them, e-comm site was not working so will call tomorrow.