I like the gray one!
CK5
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Suburban advise/opinions
- Thread starter izzy1776
- Start date
Why would you swap out a perfectly good 3/4 ton front?
The difference between a 3/4 and 1/2 ton 10 bolt is the outers and brakes. No need to swap the axle at all.Now, the rear, maybe, if you can find a 14B full floater with matching gearing that bolts up (i.e. out of an older K20 pickup/Burb.) You'd still have to fiddle with the parking brake cables and whatnot.
I heartily recommend finding the truck you want up front, not trying to Frankenstein one
-- A
Well it kind of sounds like I will be wanting to swap axles under one regardless of if I buy a 1/2 vs 3/4 ton. At the very least the front axle on the 3/4 ton. Also it seems like the 1/2 ton has the better tranny. And unless I suck at craiglist (which is not unlikely) all of the good 6.2's out there are either haggard or out of my range of both price and distance. I am leaning towards barn doors for both aesthetic and function reasons but it will not be a deal breaker. I've found these two also and have asked the seller for more info on both.
http://goldcountry.craigslist.org/cto/4637441818.html
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/4652842520.html
I was told the gray one is only non-oped because "grandpa doesn't drive anymore." I already want to name it "The Silver Bullet"
Better trans in the 1/2 ton? its a 4 speed in the 1/2 ton, but, its far from a stronger trans.
If you go 91, you get a 4 speed 4l80E in teh 3/4 ton.
Even if you are going to swap front axles, i'm still a big fan of starting with the 3/4 ton.
That 3/4 ton you posted looks good, but will be a 3 speed turbo 400 trans, so strength is there, but efficiency won't be.
Obviously, you can't spend money you don't have, but i'd think long and hard about your budget.
You can easily blow your budget in an axle swap, or mods of the same type. Hell, even new tires will close a gap close to $1000 in value.
Also, at $2k, in the CA market right now, you are RIGHT on the edge of getting into a nice 91 3/4 ton, vs a mid 80's. That $2700 black rig is posted is TOTALLY worth the extra $700. You will easily spend that getting a lot of the $2k trucks into the same running condition.
http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/4600627095.html
If you can expand your budget to the $2500 range, i think you will do a lot better. I paid $2150 for mine i think, a few years ago, 200k on the clock, no issues.
Just want to make sure you don't try and go cheap, and have it cost you in the long run.
454Sub
5/8 ton status
Seems to me barn doors rust out less than tailgates on the pan areas too.
And I honestly would just search for a 3/4 ton with whichever motor you desire and be done with it. Its much easier than swapping parts around and so on. Now I am not a fan of the SF14 that will come with it, but the 4L80E more than makes up for it, and a 4.10 geared FF14 is as common as air.
And I honestly would just search for a 3/4 ton with whichever motor you desire and be done with it. Its much easier than swapping parts around and so on. Now I am not a fan of the SF14 that will come with it, but the 4L80E more than makes up for it, and a 4.10 geared FF14 is as common as air.
Ned Kelly
1/2 ton status
I have to agree with some points that were brought up. I think it would be well worth your time to find a 1991 straight axle 3/4 ton with the 4l80e. You'll have the best of both worlds....old school straight axle robustness and simplicity, with and easy D60 front swap if your so inclined...and new age beefy 4L80e overdrive. It doesn't get much better than that.
Alllllllrighty then! It time to be patient and wait for the right rig to appear. Some sh*t went down yesterday around the homestead that have forced my plans to change a little bit but I am still gonna be on the lookout for one. Thanks again for all the info/opinions/and telling me not to be a dumba$$, lol.
If you aren't afraid of a possible project, go snag this:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4664626341.html
I'd assume in any non-driving vehicle that a 4l80e rebuild may be in order, in the $1500 range.
Besides that though, it could be a diamond in the rocks.....
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4664626341.html
I'd assume in any non-driving vehicle that a 4l80e rebuild may be in order, in the $1500 range.
Besides that though, it could be a diamond in the rocks.....
This guy is off his rocker in terms of price, but maybe he made a mistake.
Can't hurt to call. And laugh when he says he's firm at 8k.
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/4665205353.html
Can't hurt to call. And laugh when he says he's firm at 8k.
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/4665205353.html
desertrat67
Hawk Driver
Where were you 3 years ago when I sold my 90 1500 for 2100 with a 1 ton driveline and slip yoke elimitator with a 6.2, 700R4, 39.5 Iroks and a 4" lift?
Just messing with you. Look around and see what you can find. I know it has been said before, but you can find a deal. i got the truck above for $2150 without the D60 and SYE. I added those. So, essentially I got a 3/4 ton burb with 39.5s for 2150 delivered to my door. Keep your eyes open and it will fall into your lap.
Just messing with you. Look around and see what you can find. I know it has been said before, but you can find a deal. i got the truck above for $2150 without the D60 and SYE. I added those. So, essentially I got a 3/4 ton burb with 39.5s for 2150 delivered to my door. Keep your eyes open and it will fall into your lap.
The advantages to the 1/2-ton are the better ride and improved fuel economy, if you get the overdrive tranny. So they are a good choice for light duty. If the rig will tow, get a 3/4-ton for sure.
The other option that hasn't been discussed is a body swap, if that's something you might be up for. I have seen lots of 2x4 subs with mint bodies (I think they were only sold in Texas or something
). But look into what a rusty 2x4 rig would sell for...
The other option that hasn't been discussed is a body swap, if that's something you might be up for. I have seen lots of 2x4 subs with mint bodies (I think they were only sold in Texas or something
). But look into what a rusty 2x4 rig would sell for...
The other option that hasn't been discussed is a body swap, if that's something you might be up for. I have seen lots of 2x4 subs with mint bodies (I think they were only sold in Texas or something
I see how this can be a good option in other parts of the country, but in CA, this makes NO sense.
Almost every truck on the market is rust free.
And when you can pickup a running/driving rust free truck for $2k, i doubt you could do better on a body swap, unless your labor is worth NOTHING to you.
I e-mailed the guy with the black one. It is still for sale and he has added interior pictures. If I could get it to Alaska I would buy this thing!
That one is the ticket. I bet you could get it for less than $2700, but if he is firm, it would be worth that.
Do it.
I would jump on it if I could get down there and bring it back. I am a teacher and don't have leave until Christmas and that is being used to take our granddaughter to Disney. I hope someone who will appreciate it can pick up this gem.
Why not find someone local that is willing to pick it up and put it in storage until then? Then drive it home from disney!
Colby lives close to reno.....
I'd offer to go look at it this weekend, but think i'd earn some demerits from the girlfriend if i spend 1 day of our anniversary weekend trip to tahoe driving to reno to look at a truck....
Where's the original poster?
Will someone thinking about driving down from Alaska to buy this truck convince you its a good buy?
Will someone thinking about driving down from Alaska to buy this truck convince you its a good buy?
I'm curious how this works out.
Of course I'm a little partial when it comes to the Burbs.
I've had experience with most of the parts associated with both the 1/2 and 3/4 ton versions.
The barn doors are my preference by far.
1/2 ton axles will work with the smaller tires but when you hit the back country you don't want it to be the weak link.
My 3/4 tons lasted for years and didn't get swapped to 1 tons until I destroyed my front.
I also prefer the OD trans but it does benefit greatly with some upgrades, especially moving the weight of the big Suburban.
Good luck with your search!
They are a very versatile rig to start with.
Of course I'm a little partial when it comes to the Burbs.
I've had experience with most of the parts associated with both the 1/2 and 3/4 ton versions.
The barn doors are my preference by far.
1/2 ton axles will work with the smaller tires but when you hit the back country you don't want it to be the weak link.
My 3/4 tons lasted for years and didn't get swapped to 1 tons until I destroyed my front.
I also prefer the OD trans but it does benefit greatly with some upgrades, especially moving the weight of the big Suburban.
Good luck with your search!
They are a very versatile rig to start with.
Barn doors for sure - tailgate windows are always mucked up. Dirty tracks, slow motors, window drags. PITA.
