Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Last thing I need is another vehicle to house but I just couldn't resist buying this from the 2nd owner who had it 4 months. '77 half ton Suburban. Interior is perfect and everything works. Original owner took very good care of it and I have receipts for everything. I believe it has 111K on it.
Now I need to figure out what to do with it. It needs to be lower and the whitewalls have to go. I don't want to take away from it's originality though. Suggestions on how to lower? I have three 1/2 ton 2wd squares (this, '77 Jimmy, '84 swb C10) that all need to be lowered sooner or later and I think the Suburban needs to go low first. Thinking drop spindles and possibly cut coil in the front. Rear is where I'm concerned. Not wanting to notch or do a flip in the rear though. Rear lowering springs? Suggestions on where to purchase are welcome too.
Some pics:

At PO's house

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Inside. No dash cracks

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Barn doors :)

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

350 that hasn't been messed with.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Last one.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Very nice.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Wow, what a gem!! Drop leafs in back might be the best option...never lowered a burb or blazer before...but know space is tight.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Thanks guys. I was thinking lowering springs in the rear, just not sure how much drop they provide and how to match the front.
I also need to figure out if I want to stick with the steelies and caps, switch to rallies, or heaven forbid spend some money on some 20's.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Wow - makes you feel good that they're still out there. Nice score! If it were me I'd copy Blue J's stance best I could and drive it.:lol:

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Very cool burb!

I lowered my old burb years ago with drop leaf springs in the back.
I would look at 4" or 5" drop leaf springs.
You have to be careful because the "center section" of the rearend gets close to the burb's floor.
I know www.performanceonline.com sells them.
Not sure who else.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Thank you. I'm liking the replacement springs in the rear over anything else at this point.
I did some digging and saw a small pic of your blue and white two tone. In the post you said:

"3" drop spindles and 2" drop springs up front.
The rear was a set of 4" drop leaf springs."

Anything you would have done different?

At this point I"m thinking 2.5" spindles and 1 cut coil in the front. I have seen this set up on several trucks and I like how it sets the front end. With that front end drop I need to determine how much to lower the rear. The leaf springs are available in 4" and 5" drops. Any suggestions on which one to go with that will have it sitting level?
Plans for rims at this point is a set of van rallies but is subject to change.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

I would get 5" if you want it to set level.
Mine had a little rake to it,... but I also had no c-notch.

Just get under it with a tape measure and see where 5" is going to put all of your rear suspension.
(axle tube, center section, etc)

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Make sure to run a good quality drop shocks.
I used Belltech.
If it doesn't have a sway bar,... get one.
Add some Energy Suspension bushings and it will be good.
I think I also had a carrier bearing spacer on the driveshaft to help with driveshaft angles on the 2-piece drive shaft.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Thank you for the great information. Do you remember how much space you had between the frame and the axle tubes without a notch? I'm assuming you removed the bump stops. I was hoping not to notch, but I may have to if it's going to sit right. Did you relocate the rear shock mounts?
It does have a front sway bar...I haven't looked to see if there was one in the rear.
I'll get under it tonight and give it a good look with a tape measure. I hadn't thought of spacing down the carrier bearing but it makes sense in order to get it to a good angle as I'm assuming (without looking at it yet) that lowering it 4-5" in the rear will flatten out the driveshaft which may lead to some bad vibes.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

No c-notch.
Bumpstops and brackets removed.
I don't remember the rear axle clearances.
That was a long time ago.

I used rear shock extensions to straighten up the shock angles.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Wow that is clean! Reminds me of my brother 77 C10 he sold a few years back.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...byBBtrucks.jpg

Good luck with it! I like the idea of keeping it basic.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

That look's like a nice C10. I'm envious of the sport mirrors.

Decided today that I needed to get the suburban out of the rain and out to my barn. Yup, I'm gonna put it away for the winter and not mess with it until spring. I've always been a 4x4 guy and never lowered a truck before (besides leveling a '72 C10 by heating a coil when I was a teenager) so I think I'm gonna start on something not quite as clean.
Burby headed to the house with the barn.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

The victim getting backed in the driveway. '77 2wd Jimmy.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

You've got some nice trucks!

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Thanks Bruiser! I've been collecting them (and parts) since my early 20's (42 now) and it's a mixed blessing. Case in point, today I had a buddy over to help me get all of my junk situated in my barn in preparation for winter. I knew it was going to be tight after picking up the 18' 8" Suburban. Managed to get all 12 to fit though thankfully. Summer car and box van still need to go in here.
2wd K5 is in house garage and '73 K5 in storage at the dunes.
Problem with all of this crap is only a few are exactly like I want them and maintenance is a pain. They all run though :)
It would be much easier to just focus on 1 or 2.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Another. Yes, I have a problem.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Nice collection!! I spy an 83/84 Monte Carlo SS. Great taste in vehicles!!

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

Thanks! First post too so welcome.
Yes, it's an '84, and you obviously know your montes to be able to tell the year from that pic. I wonder if anyone else knows how you knew it was an '83 or '84.
I purchased it from the original owner. All original with ~40K miles.
Regarding my collection, most of my friends or coworkers always ask me why I don't collect something cool like an old Ferrari or Porsche. People weren't driving those where I grew up! Here's a better pic of the Monte after a wash this summer.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

By the S10-style wheels? They went to an 80 or 81 Z28-style wheel after that? I'm guessing, I know there are more differences in stripes and tail lights but that's what stands out to me in that one pic. Nice car, I'm a fan of them too.

Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
 

That's why I don't have a barn. The color is a give away as well. Is it a bench seat or bucket seat car? Either way, love it!