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The Great Smaug

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I got to say this is one of the reasons I love this site. We got a tale of two Burbs going on here, with @campfire switching rides days before a big trip and getting help and encouragement from @AgDieseler who's got his own burb getting upgraded before a major trip too. The two builds share common ground as they are both 6.2 turbo 2500 Burbs, but the way they are getting done can't be more different. It just shows that really there is no one set path on how something can get done. It's an interesting mix. I'm following both and I'm not a diesel guy. I just appreciate the ingenuity of how each is tackling their own set of problems.

Keep up the good work guys!
 
Blue85 said:
You know you're furthering my theory that most Suburban pictures are taken at gas stations...
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:haha: :rotfl:

In the last 3 years, almost every picture of this Suburban out-n-about has been taken at this exact gas station. :rolleyes: I wasn't even buying gas this time, it's just the most convenient troubleshooting spot. It has enough empty parking lot to whip a U-turn with a semi truck. So I set about doing figure-8 turns to see how the suspension handled. Seems tight so far. The wandering might be as simple as me not being used to the extra body roll. No sway bar at this point.

I have enough parts to eventually rebuild the front end, but I might throw in the new steering stabilizer, just in case. I have enormous amounts of extra volume now. Not sure how to fill it all. :eek1: :thinking: :popcorn:
 
I can say this...the burb doesn't rattle my bones crossing the railroad tracks. And though it has a little tire noise at highway speed, it's not shuddering like the Blazer does. So it's 2 steps up in the suspension department. I have 2 new 5125s on overnight shipping from Summit, which should keep it from bottoming out. I haven't felt it hit yet, but my zip tie tells me I'm close. It started with 3" of up travel, which is already more than any of my saggy trucks had before. So I do think we're bound for a much smoother ride. :saweet:
 
ZooMad75 said:
I got to say this is one of the reasons I love this site. We got a tale of two Burbs going on here, with @campfire switching rides days before a big trip and getting help and encouragement from @AgDieseler who's got his own burb getting upgraded before a major trip too. The two builds share common ground as they are both 6.2 turbo 2500 Burbs, but the way they are getting done can't be more different. It just shows that really there is no one set path on how something can get done. It's an interesting mix. I'm following both and I'm not a diesel guy. I just appreciate the ingenuity of how each is tackling their own set of problems.

Keep up the good work guys!
Click to expand...

Woohoo! Thanks, Rob. The encouragement makes a big difference, especially when time tables are cut this close. Every day feels like it's going to make or break the whole shebang.

Yes, we're building similar trucks in wildly different ways. I'm even reusing some of his table scraps. Or trying to, anyways. ;) If in doubt, his work is always at least twice as nice as mine. :bow:
 
I pulled the drivetrain out of the Blazer this week, and it was a reminder of how my work quality has improved. The workmanship on this truck is just better than that one. Fewer corners cut, fewer junkyard parts reused. And the Blazer was better than the Stepside.

So, maybe in a few years I'll have reached where David is now. Or maybe not. But it's been a fun journey regardless. So much to learn, so many skills to perfect, and so little time to do it.

:popcorn:
 
ZooMad75 said:
I got to say this is one of the reasons I love this site. We got a tale of two Burbs going on here, with @campfire switching rides days before a big trip and getting help and encouragement from @AgDieseler who's got his own burb getting upgraded before a major trip too. The two builds share common ground as they are both 6.2 turbo 2500 Burbs, but the way they are getting done can't be more different. It just shows that really there is no one set path on how something can get done. It's an interesting mix. I'm following both and I'm not a diesel guy. I just appreciate the ingenuity of how each is tackling their own set of problems.

Keep up the good work guys!
Click to expand...
Maybe I can get mine underway before either one of them is tired of it.
Mine is a 2500 td 6.2 as well
 
campfire said:
Do you still have that tailgate hardware?
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I have all the stuff I told you i have.
Still not accessible.
I am really sorry about that.
I am in the process of cleaning up my way to the shed, but my daughter has 3 more days before school starts and then I will concentrate on that.
Work is a little more manageable now so I can spare some time every day to get closer.
 
imiceman44 said:
I have all the stuff I told you i have.
Still not accessible.
I am really sorry about that.
I am in the process of cleaning up my way to the shed, but my daughter has 3 more days before school starts and then I will concentrate on that.
Work is a little more manageable now so I can spare some time every day to get closer.
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Ok. I now have a surplus of manifolds instead of a deficit. But I'm still interested in the other items, whenever you get to it. I hope to be mounting the new tailgate within a month, while it's still warm enough to paint.
 
The proportioning valve "trips" when there is an imbalance of pressure front VS rear...this can be caused by a multitude of things--air in the lines,a leak,failing rubber hoses internally...
Define "flaky"....pedal seems hard sometimes,pulls to one side,etc..?
 
I have noticed recently that places like Autozone and NAPA have the tailgate hinges and trunions in the aisle. What diameter do you need? I have something.
 
diesel4me said:
The proportioning valve "trips" when there is an imbalance of pressure front VS rear...this can be caused by a multitude of things--air in the lines,a leak,failing rubber hoses internally...
Define "flaky"....pedal seems hard sometimes,pulls to one side,etc..?
Click to expand...

A couple of times I've pressed the pedal and gotten almost no response. Other times it locks up quickly (as a 1/2-ton with hydroboost should). When the valve tripped I had no front brakes (by design?), but the rears were weak enough they couldn't slide. The truck stopped, but it wasn't good. Those are 13" drums, they should have no problem locking up. The rear is completely empty, even.

I had Autozone order a new M/C, but it won't be in until tomorrow. I also picked up a replacement for my brand new front brake hose. It's long enough that it's rubbing the tire. :doah: Hafta loop it twice this time instead of once. I have the 4" exhaust hung and clamped, but I'm short one 4" u-bolt (also a special order item since I bought the only one they stock :rolleyes:). Hafta weld up 2 more couplings at the shop.
 
I tried and failed to drive the truck to work today. After 1/4th mile or so it started losing power badly. Power, of course, is something that a 6.2 can't afford to lose. ;) I limped it back home at 40MPH. Acted exactly like a plugged fuel filter, with occasional power surges. I opened the drain and brown fuel came out. So I grabbed the 2 gallon can outta the Blazer and dumped it into the tank to dilute the crud. I made it a full mile this time before turning around again. Grabbed the car and a 5 gallon can. I'll flush the fuel system out tonight.

Fuel gauge read 1/4 tank after I added the 2 gallons (slightly less before that). I know there's three years' worth of condensation, rust, dirt, etc. I put in a pint of Seafoam and some Howe's a few days ago. The fuel leaks were bright green before yesterday's test drive, and now they're all brown. Not sure how a gentle 6-mile trip can stir up debris, but that's my guess at this point.

The good news is that I have 15 spare fuel filters for this truck. I figured I would never run out, but putting on 3 filters in 1500 miles makes me wonder. :rolleyes:

Kinda wishing I had filled the tank last night. Hindsight, eh?
 
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