1999 GMC Suburban K2500 DD

[OutlawDrifter]

Why would anyone daily drive a Vortec 454 rig you ask...because AMERICA.

I don't have a name just yet for this one, need a little more seat time.

1999 model year with 88k miles on the clock. To my surprise most of the need-to's have been done, including new 4-hole injectors.

I'll do a few tune-up items, drop all the fluids (including the Dexcool), better exhaust, a tune, and drive the hell out of it.

It came with PY0 16" wheels that will be re-shod with LT265/75R16 Yokohama Geolandars G015 A/T's. Ordered some 2" steel spacers to get the rear tires out where they need to be. Installed Savana van HVAV knobs and a full audio setup with a double din headunit and back up camera.

So far I'm super excited to be back in a GMT400. This is replacing my fully loaded 2017 F150 Lariat crew cab...super nice pickup, just too "new" for me...I will miss the cooled seats and heated steering wheel, however!

Pics to get us started.

[OutlawDrifter]

Hit the Burb with some Mothers CMX ceramic spray, jury is still out on how long it will last, but the shine is for sure nice!

[OutlawDrifter]

Soooooo much better! New tires are on, I need the spacers for the rear wheels to be here now...soon.

[Palf70Step]

Good looking burb. She just screams, lets go help Mad Max get the bad guys!

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

How is the highway mpg on the Burb?

I am looking at a van with the same engine with the concept of shedding payments.

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Good looking burb. She just screams, lets go help Mad Max get the bad guys!

Thanks, Bill! It's a beast for sure!

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

How is the highway mpg on the Burb?

I am looking at a van with the same engine with the concept of shedding payments.

I'm not sure yet, hoping for 13-15mpg on the highway. First around town tank was 11mpg. It still needs exhaust and a computer tune.

[mingoman]

Very nice find, but then you know I'm a lifelong fan of all things big block.😎

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by mingoman

Very nice find, but then you know I'm a lifelong fan of all things big block.😎

Thanks, somehow I knew you'd approve!

[OutlawDrifter]

My harness form CE Auto Electric Supply showed up early, again. These guys are awesome! Tony also put a handwritten "thank you" on the invoice...this is also not the first time this has happened. Great company can't say enough about them!

New Spyder headlights and TYC marker/park lamps are in, and the HD harness with my own 4hi mod is installed. Basically just need a diode between the Hi and Lo beams, you want 12v to trigger from the Hi side to the low side to make all 4 come on when you hit the Hi beams.

Also pulled the grill guard off and has been put for sale with the Hella Comet 450 fog lights.

[Palf70Step]

Very enlightening. Looks good man!

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Very enlightening. Looks good man!

Thanks Bill, I see what you did there!

[OutlawDrifter]

Spent a little time on the GMT800 console last night. Everything is painted/dyed to the correct interior color. Also finished the blank and installed the power ports and pigtails for the wiring.

I don't care for the 95+ torpedo...it only has usable space for one drink and the shape is a little too much for my liking. I had considered doing an 04-08 Ford F150 console, but they are just a touch too wide, tons more storage though...

[OutlawDrifter]

OK, so GMT800 console is painted and installed/wired. I used 1/8" thick 1.25" wide strap to make the brackets.

[OutlawDrifter]

Popped the 2" spacers on Friday night, probably could have gone another 1/2" on each side, but is far better than it was!

Had some time to build brackets for my fogs on the diesel bumper, and put everything on. I'm still waiting on some electrical parts to do the wiring, but all the hard parts are installed. Probably should have done the bumper with the impact strip, but the smoothie is growing on me.

[OutlawDrifter]

Some gratuitous "it's almost clean pics"

[LT7A]

Very clean truck and I like you updates you made. That rig should serve you well and in comfort too. I would also be curious about your highway mileage when you get the chance to calculate it. Thanks.

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Very clean truck and I like you updates you made. That rig should serve you well and in comfort too. I would also be curious about your highway mileage when you get the chance to calculate it. Thanks.

Thanks!

Last tank back and forth to work was 11.2mpg. This is with the Blackbear tuned ECU. Definitely drives much better

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

Thanks!

Last tank back and forth to work was 11.2mpg. This is with the Blackbear tuned ECU. Definitely drives much better

Well that sounds all right. You can probably add a couple more MPG to that if you are on the highway for an extended period of time. What kinds of differences did you notice with the blackbear tune?

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Well that sounds all right. You can probably add a couple more MPG to that if you are on the highway for an extended period of time. What kinds of differences did you notice with the blackbear tune?

The throttle is more responsive, crisper/firmer shifts, power when you need it. I would say 13mpg tops on the highway. It's heavy and has 4.10 gears. But I also managed 10.5mpg towing a 12' enclosed tandem axle trailer at 71mph almost 180 miles 1 way. That impressed me.

At $2.50/gallon for fuel, it still costs me $1k less/year to drive an average of 15k miles over my 2017 F150. Tags/taxes and insurance are just sooo much cheaper.

[OutlawDrifter]

Haven't been very good at updating this thread on this forum.





Still by far my favorite vehicle I have ever owned. Recently I upgraded to AD244 alternator and heavier gauge cables, new starter, AN engine oil cooler lines, and I'm in the process of polishing some 17" OEM GM wheels to replace the PY0's. I've got everything to do the front brakes, just need to get it done.

Considering an 0411 ECM swap, but not ready to pull the trigger yet.

[OutlawDrifter]

Wheels, new tires, new center caps, new exhaust tip, and new LED reverse/load lights installed on the Suburban this weekend. Picked up a set of GMT400 specific center caps to use, really enjoying the look.

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

Wheels, new tires, new center caps, new exhaust tip, and new LED reverse/load lights installed on the Suburban this weekend. Picked up a set of GMT400 specific center caps to use, really enjoying the look.

Any chance you can tell me a little more about these LED reverse/load lights? Or maybe point me to where to find them on the web? Those look just right for an application I was thinking about.

[DeadheadNM]

The wheels look real nice. It warmed up to the 40s here yesterday so I fired up my 99 k2500 diesel after its winter nap. Any chance you want to part with the front bumper grille guard?

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

The wheels look real nice. It warmed up to the 40s here yesterday so I fired up my 99 k2500 diesel after its winter nap. Any chance you want to part with the front bumper grille guard?

Thanks for the kind words.

OE front bumper and the grill guard are long gone, they sold within days of coming off back in 2020. This thread has some age on it now, I just haven't been doing a great job keeping it updated. There is a much more in-depth thread on gmt400.com.

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

Thanks for the kind words.

OE front bumper and the grill guard are long gone, they sold within days of coming off back in 2020. This thread has some age on it now, I just haven't been doing a great job keeping it updated. There is a much more in-depth thread on gmt400.com.

Have you got a link for your thread over there?

I really like this truck and the functional updates. Where did you get your rear wheel spacers? I have looked into them and either found questionable sources or very expensive sources. Did you have trouble with the PY0s or did you just want to update the look of the wheels? You mentioned an ECM upgrade and I was curious what you would gain from that. I'll bet that it is a very nice truck to drive with the comfort, power, and ride feel.