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Waking a sleeping burb.. first steps?

DavidVT

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I want to get a parked burb back on the road, where do I start? Details below. thx

Well, over two years since first posting here, my 91 3/4ton 4x4 suburban continues to spend most of it's days parked over a rubber sheet in the field. It was last legally on the road in maybe 2003. I am the original owner.

My 99 diesel ram is just about at the point where it will no longer pass inspection due to body rot. So the irony of all this is that the 91 is going to get a good look over to go back on the road.

The burb is stock with the exception of a set of headers that were installed in washington state before driving back to vermont. They have rotted out along with the entire exhaust before it was taken off the road.

'Big blue' is started and run up and down the dirt road at least once a year. The rubber sheet on the ground is my attempt to keep the grass from touching the frame. The body is pretty good, just rot inside the rear wheel wells. The paint has been falling off for years. At one point I sprayed the roof with cans to slow the surface rust. One front fender is crinkled where my wife semi-rolled it on an icy road (blew out a side back window at the same time but that was fixed). The rear barn door latch has been unable to open for years. Not rust, something broke and I can't get the doors open. I notice several of the door latches are starting to stick in the open positions.

I have come into a tiny bit of mad money and thought this would be a good project when the snow melts... I figure get it running and legal first. Then decide to sell it towards a replacement of the dodge diesel or dump the dodge and just keep big blue forever... I remember the burb was really thirsty with that california 350. I would love to see that cummins in big blue but I have to be honest that I am strong in computers not heavy duty mechanical.

Thoughts?
 
Drain the tank and pour newer fuel in there did the thottle valve give you any trouble? i had it with my dads blazer wich was parked for around 3 years, an oil change would be good if you are going to run it more often, tune up basically, chech the brakes my dads were a bit touchy i guess from rust and stuff inside the drums/calipers.
 
Get som fresh gas in it, change the fluids & filters, t-stat. Give the brakes a good once over, including the lines. Grease all the fittings, take her for a ride, see how she does.
 
Pull the plugs out and spray some marvel mystery oil down the cylinders. Then take a breaker bar and rock the crank bank and forth a little bit.

Change the fuel filter, air filter, oil, and fuel.

Pull the wires off the fuel injectors and crank the motor over to prime the oil. Then hook everything back up, give her a shot of starting fluid to give her a hand and let her rip.

PS! GET THAT CUMMINS IN THAT BURB!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I have a 86 ...I start it every couple of months & move it around the yard.


It's getting a new motor and a rebuilt tranny as soon as the weather breaks..they are sitting in the garage as we speak.:thumb:
 
Thx all!

Sounds like I just need to get to it. Thanks for the encouragement.

As to the Cummins, the sad truth is that a few feet from the 'big blue is an 01 Cummins on a pallet with 27k miles from a wreck. 100 feet from that is the still running but rusted out 99 ram oil burner. Yep two cummins going nowhere and one proud old hungry 'burb eager for a heart transplant.

I have read numerous threads on the transplant and still feel it is beyond my skill set or ability to hire (let alone find) someone else to do it for me.

who knows, one of these lottery tickets in my pocket might do it....... :)
 

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