SUBURBICON, Urban Escape Vehicle.

[D Rat]

Let the transformation begin, about a month ago while looking for a suburban for another build we came across this, it's a 1989 2wd 2500 completely rust free with a small dent in the driver side door, clean interior and even the windshield is in good condition including the factory tinted glass.

Best part is it was 5 miles from my house and only $500.00.

The idea is to build an expo rig that can go anywhere we want to go and take everything including the kitchen sink.
The parts that I already have so far.
Dana 60 with limited slip and 52" springs for the front.
ff14 bolt with locker and 56" springs for the rear.
6.2 diesel with a gale banks turbo.
Np203 and a np205.
Warn 8274 winch.
All kind of parts from diy4x and ORD.

 

[mckustomfab]

I loved the Crewbicon build, cant wait to see what you do with this one.

 

[Greg Ducato]

Subscribed, cant wait to see it come together! What kind of frame differences are there between the 2wd and 4wd that will need tending to on the conversion?

 

[D Rat]

Subscribed, cant wait to see it come together! What kind of frame differences are there between the 2wd and 4wd that will need tending to on the conversion?

There's a difference between the two but nothing that would stop me from doing it again.

 

[D Rat]

After two hours in the shop this is what I have, don't know if its that easy or I have striped to many of these trucks.
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After dropping the Abomb in place I set a bare block in place.
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Started working on the cross over steering from Kurt at DIY4X.
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Installed the ORD engine cradle.
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Did a little fab work to get the 2wd and 4wd motor mounts connected.
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Rolled the Dana 60 into place along with 52" springs packs.
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After one of my many phone calls to Kurt at DIY4x I decided to move the steering box forward one inch by placing my ORD backing plate forward and drilling the new holes.
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Stacked washers between the backing plate and the steering box and welded it all up and ran a drill back through the holes.
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Steering lines up much better now.
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Reinstalled the radiator support, lined up the mounts and drilled all 16 bolt holes for the A bomb, one drawback that I have found with the 2wd frame.
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I have the two inch holes drilled for the bushings and need to pull the tranny to drill out the 8 bolt holes.

 

[livid4dirt]

Wow, you don't mess around! Good progress.

 

[GWeakland620]

Yeah, I'm in!!!

 

[Greg Ducato]

Wow! that was quick

 

[mckustomfab]

That is pretty much the exact way i was going to do my R30/V30 swap but i never could make my springs work with the ABOMB. So i just found a rolling chassis. Killer progress it looks great!

 

[D Rat]

The front end is done for now.
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Removed the running boards while I was at it, not only looks better but much safer for me.
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Having a removable bed when having to remove riveted spring mounts would be priceless right now.
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[treborjm87]

Can't wait to see where this goes!

 

[kellyjohn]

Quick work....

You manage to get plenty done in a very short time.

I'll keep an eye on how this progresses.

 

[jekquistk5]

In for future updates. Looking great so far!!

 

[skunked]

nice progress

 

[D Rat]

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The old brackets are out and the new ones are in along with the FF14 bolt with locker/
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Looks much better now with the lift, it now sits 8" higher than a stock 2wd.
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[82355]

Nice. Bobbing at all?

Martin

 

[y5mgisi]

Off to a good start.

 

[shady]

guess i'll have to watch this one too

 

[D Rat]

Bobbing ?? who me, what did you hear, now why would I do that.

Nice. Bobbing at all?

Martin

stay tuned

 

[D Rat]

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Couldn't help myself from slipping on my 40s to see how it looks with real rubber on it.
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Now then what could I do about the departure angle.
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Going to take the weekend off and run down to the Off road Expo and get some ideas and possibly some more parts.
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