69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Hey guys, I've been around here a while just never said much. Thought I would start a thread on my burban. I've had it about about 6 months and drove it around every now and then. Well I sold my duramax and have decided to do a few things to the burb and drive it. I traded into it this suburban, I've had my 71 truck for about 10 years now and love these style trucks.

Anyway to get ya up to date on it. It's a 69 k10, 4x4, 4 speed, Rockwell t-case, factory 292.

Had 350 swapped into it which runs great. New fuel tank and lines, new dash pad, new rubber floor mat to the cargo area, all the gauges work except speedo.

Im trying to do this as cheap as possible so I'm trading for most of the parts I have.

So far I've traded for camper special 14 bolt/ dana 44 combo, got a free 700r4 and mating t case (208?) and I've swapped for a 454 with 50k on it.

The 700r needs rebuilt so I plan to do all the upgrades to it to try and make it last. Is it possible behind a stock 454 with an rv cam? It will be towing my boat about 100-200 miles every weekend and drove to work daily. I don't plan on wheeling it or beating on it just driving it.

I've bought disc brake brackets from ruff stuff industries for the 14 bolt, and the power brake booster adapter from captain fab on here.

How direct is a 454 swap where the 350 is currently? I plan to keep the 350 for the wife's 62 her grandpa gave her.

Here's the pictures if they will work, I'm probably going to post 90% of everything from my iphone so bear with me

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Hmm not sure how to post more than one pic at a time

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

I had a 402/700R4 combo in my swb '67 stepper. It worked great. Two years later I decided to change things up a bit and when I disassembled the transmission, I was surprised at the amount of damage. I've since decided that the 700R4/4L60/4L60e doesn't really like the torque of the big block. Long term it's not the best solution.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Cool Burb. X2 on not using the 700r4. I know guys put em behind bb's but I wouldnt take a chance. If you can get over the initial cost of the stand alone computer/controller, the 4l80 is a great choice. Im not much of a 4x4 guy but I think with different mounts and towers that 454 will drop right in. If its anything like its 2wd sibling you might consider grabbing the clamshell mounts from a 70s or 80s rig. Obviously a tranny mount would have to be sourced or fabbed up.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Thanks guys, I guess I'll just put the 700r in the shed for a later project maybe. I plan to do some sort of larger scale swap in the future so I'll probably just leave it 454 4 speed for a couple years. How good is the Rockwell t case? Boat anchor or leave it until I do a swap?

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Looks like you have a Rockwell t-case. Good in the day, but a 205 is the better choice. If your burb is anything like mine, you also have closed knuckle front axle. Also good in the day, but better choices from the 70's. Going big block, I would suggest getting a roller from the late 70's or early 80's and make a swap of the running gear.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

I've already got the dana 44 and 14 bolt 3/4 ton combo waiting to go in. Getting away from the closed knuckle and drum brakes. I know the 205 is top choice, might try and find one anyway and swap it in. Didn't want to unless I really needed to.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Finally got around to workin on the burb last couple days, I started last night and pulled the front clip and a few things off the engine to prepare for the 454 swap.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

After I pulled the bumper off

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Where I quit last night

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Got it out and steam cleaned the frame/ engine bay

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Forgot picture

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Got the 454 in after 3 tries, it's a tight squeeze

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Forgot picture again

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Where I got to tonight. Got mostly everything together. Headers I ordered are a no go so I'm probably just going to put the manifolds on it so I don't have to mess with the clutch linkage. Hopefully get it running tomorrow if I have a couple hours to work on it.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Love the look of the BB in there and sure it'll be fun. Any guesses on gas mileage?

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

If it gets 10 I'll be happy. My 71 averages about 6 so I'm not picky on fuel mileage

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Better picture pre accessories

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Forgot pic

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Good progress!!

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Thanks, hope to have it running in the next couple days. Have to try and find manifolds..

To anyone reading. I need a ps bracket for my 454

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Didn't have much time to work on it today, got the plug wires routed and trimmed. First time I've actually took the time and made my own wire set.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Ran into a minor/ major road block tonight. I've got to move the entire drive train forward an inch. Already holes in the frame by the engine crossmember. So I'll just have to slide everything and re still holes for the transmission crossmember. In done messing with it for tonight..

Anyone have any header/ exhaust manifold advice? The passenger manifold will work great, the driver side is a little different and exits at the 3rd port instead of after the 4th. Driver side is a no go..

I didn't take any pictures tonight, to frustrated.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Hooker headers,I believe super competion.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Nice project, cool on the big block will be nice to have the torque to move it down the road. Your moving pretty quick, will be watching the build.:thumbs:

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Scott were you saying that hooker super comps will work?

I havnt done much this week on it, kinda frustrated and havnt had much time. Hopefully more progress this weekend.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

I have used the Hooker Super comp set a few builds now with a big block, just ordered the 4wd set, as they are shorted than the 2wd ones.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Mud man, do you happen to have the part # or application? I searched for a couple hours before I found the headmans I have now. They still don't work. I've seen headers on a big block in a burb before a couple times just hard to find what I need.

Thanks

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Just went back thru all my bills and no go, so checked all my books and nothing so remember I did try 3 sets but then found out by going thru all the Hooker application guide that they dropped the one set, only one set avail, coated or not so 2 diff part #'s but same header and has the collector length that is 10" so only works on a 2wd, not a 4wd even though it is listed as 4wd, just to tight to turn up to transfercase on pass side only. Maybe see if the Chevelle set mentioned will be a better fit, I did look Chevelle up too and they are also a 10" collector length..:confused: So now I am confused. I did notice on the I believe Summit site Hooker makes a free flowing cast exh manifold, not sure if for your appl, prob high hopes. Good luck, let us know if you figure it out.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Thanks mud man. I'm going to lol at my headed fitment I have now and take measurements with them so I can have a better idea on what to look for. They might possible work if I change the engine crossmember to something custom fab. Not 200% sure Though.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

I had to do the crossmember mod trick on the pass side with one 71 GM 4wd with a big block quite a few years back that supplied his own headers, worked out fine, at least I was able to charge the extra time out. Good luck, you will figure something out for sure.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Wow I should really proofread what I type! Just re read my last post..

Yea I'm probably going to have to modify something to get it to work. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have time to check it out and see.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Me likes your burb, I sold my 70 Burb 4x4 with 250 3spd a few yrs ago, had 4" lift with 33's I miss that ole Burb...

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Sorry for the delay,it was at least 15 years ago but they were definitely super comps and they were specifically for a manual bb 4wd.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Thanks Scott, I'll call sumit and jegs next week to see if I'm missing something online.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

I agree I would call, because I know the last set I did was just a bolt on for a 4wd which were shorter than the 2wd set and now they seem to both be the same length which is to long. Like a listing is missing or nl avail.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Made some good progress today even though it took me 3 hours. Got my manifolds on. I'm going to call Monday and see about headers for later. But the manifolds were laying here and I've already spent a fortune on this swap, I don't even know for 100% sure that the 454 is good. The motor mounts had been hacked on with a torch to clear the 350 manifolds they had on it so to make room for the 454 manifolds I made a notch in the motor mount bracket. Worked perfect, manifolds bolted right up after that.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Got all the mounts back in and bolted the manifolds up with the gasktets. Put the plugs in it and hooked up the plug wires. Fought with a motor mount bolt for about an hour so I called it done for the night after supper.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Maybe tomorrow I'll get the front clip put back on and fire it up. I've gotta cut wood so we will see if I have time to get to the burb.

Re: 69 4x4 burb daily driver
 

Good for you, the manifolds will work for the mean time anyway, enough to get it fired up and get it moving and can change them out at a later date. Bet you can't wait to hear it run.:two: