In the weeds or in the woods

[bk2minis]

Well I need a little help deciding. I own a 1988 R20 suburban silverado and at first I wanted to drag the wagon but after months of cruising the web I'm not so sure anymore. I have built plenty of lowriders be it static, hydros, or bags. Maybe its time to go the other way with this one. I have never built a 4x4. Hell at the moment I have a bagged mini in the garage that I'm trying to get back together after a "so called" shop destroyed it. Its not mine I'm just fixing everything for a friend. I know plenty of guys with bags that I can get my feel for dragging with. Over the last month I've met a few people with 4x4 that have got me thinking

So half ton it and put it in the weeds
Or slip a new frame under it and put it in the woods
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[SS Delux]

Lets see some pics of the burban in question!

[Mkcustums]

Originally Posted by bk2minis

I own a 1988 R20 suburban silverado

So half ton it and put it in the weeds
Or slip a new frame under it and put it in the woods

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Why would you want a new frame opposed to just using the one it has?

[Davidmichael]

Cause I think he means that the frame he has is a 2wd frame on it now and if he wants a 4x4 he would need to get a 4x4 frame.

These trucks are so a dime a dozen and it does not make much sense to convert a 2wd frame to 4x4 unless you just want to do it just to do it.

[Mkcustums]

Originally Posted by Davidmichael

Cause I think he means that the frame he has is a 2wd frame on it now and if he wants a 4x4 he would need to get a 4x4 frame.

These trucks are so a dime a dozen and it does not make much sense to convert a 2wd frame to 4x4 unless you just want to do it just to do it.

That's the other thing, they are everywhere, and here in the Portland area you can get a pretty nice one for 1k if you want a really good start on a project. If it was me I'd just sell it and get a 4wd and not bother unless the Suburban meant someting personal. I've never bought anything from Ga so maybe that's not an option out there for him.

The conversion could be fun if he wanted the challenge, but no harder than baggin something either.

[bk2minis]

Originally Posted by Mkcustums

The conversion could be fun if he wanted the challenge, but no harder than baggin something either.

Thats just it, it would be a different challenge than the normal baggin and draggin. These trucks are easy as pie to put on the ground. The only challenge at all is the front crossmember. Even that can be fixed with BOLT on kits. I understand the 4wd stuff is pretty straight forward but it's new territory for me

As for buying a new burban all together. I will not find one in this good of shape for cheap. The paint job is being done on trade for me redoing the Mazda b2200 in my garage. All my burb needs now is a passenger side window motor and about three pieces of trim inside and it will be close to perfect
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[motornut]

get it up there
do you have a high hump or low?

[bk2minis]

Not to sure on the hump question. Is this in reference to the trans tunnel. If so it looks kind of low to me but I'm not sure
Could a small body lift take care of the tunnel being to low or should I just use the donor burbs tunnel





Lift size I am leaning toward 8" on 38" tires. How I achieve this lift will depend on if I body lift it or not and also it may not be 8 inches all the way around. For example; 6" front springs with zero rates and 8" springs in back. I really don't like the rear being lower than the front be it lifted or slammed
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[Mkcustums]

Originally Posted by bk2minis

Thats just it, it would be a different challenge than the normal baggin and draggin. These trucks are easy as pie to put on the ground. The only challenge at all is the front crossmember. Even that can be fixed with BOLT on kits. I understand the 4wd stuff is pretty straight forward but it's new territory for me

As for buying a new burban all together. I will not find one in this good of shape for cheap. The paint job is being done on trade for me redoing the Mazda b2200 in my garage. All my burb needs now is a passenger side window motor and about three pieces of trim inside and it will be close to perfect
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Yeah, just keep it then, sounds like a way better idea. How high and tire size are you wanting to go if you lift it? Ya know, you could even play with both ideas and build a custom bagged lift for it too...

[d-666]

id say 4x4,jack it up!

[bk2minis]

Yes it is a 2wd and from all the research I've done it will be half the work to do the frame swap. I may have found a half ton 4x4 burb to start the build.
Just need to find a d60 to go with the 14ff under mine
It looks rough in the pics but it's in the middle of being repainted
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[bk2minis]

I wonder if the engine cross member would need to be modified to run coils or if simply getting the control arm out of the way would be enough.
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[Mkcustums]

Here is a good start as what "not to do". It's a really old link but if you are a bit bored it's funny to look at. Pages of info on various peoples horrid ideas!!

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...083Dbtd1Ck2zRg

[bk2minis]

Originally Posted by Mkcustums

Here is a good start as what "not to do". It's a really old link but if you are a bit bored it's funny to look at. Pages of info on various peoples horrid ideas!!

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...083Dbtd1Ck2zRg

Love the link. I wonder if some one has put together a slide show like that for bagged trucks. I have seen some stuff that would really make you want to know what was going through thier heads

[motornut]

great link lmfao

[bk2minis]

Well I've been digging all afternoon for a boxy burb on coils and found a good one that was supossed to be use for a tow rig.

Xtreme 4x4's project subUrban gorilla is on coils in the front

Now i just need to get some pics and find some videos of it to get a good idea to start with

[scooterskoolkustoms]

Originally Posted by Mkcustums

Here is a good start as what "not to do". It's a really old link but if you are a bit bored it's funny to look at. Pages of info on various peoples horrid ideas!!

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...083Dbtd1Ck2zRg

lmao,that is a great website,everyone please check it out

[Davidmichael]

Using a 2WD body on a 4x4 you will have to use a body lift or cut your tunnel out and bolt/weld in a 4x4 tunnel. Unless you do some custom work on the cross members to drop them a bit.

[coreys88burban]

i have a lifted 88 burb, in my opinon being a 2wd, DROP iT they look sweet but if you want a 4x4 sell it and get one.

[scooterskoolkustoms]

Originally Posted by coreys88burban

i have a lifted 88 burb, in my opinion being a 2wd, DROP iT they look sweet but if you want a 4x4 sell it and get one.

x2.a burb as a 4x4 would just be for looks,kinda heavy for of road and just try to turn it somewhere.

[Mkcustums]

Originally Posted by scooterskoolkustoms

x2.a burb as a 4x4 would just be for looks,kinda heavy for of road and just try to turn it somewhere.

Ever seen Todd's Suburban? Build them right and they are VERY capable!!


http://www.4x4offroads.com/1990-chev...burban-46.html

YouTube - Suburban on 46" baja claws...

YouTube - Deep Snow

[motornut]

Originally Posted by Mkcustums

Ever seen Todd's Suburban? Build them right and they are VERY capable!!


http://www.4x4offroads.com/1990-chev...burban-46.html



YouTube - Suburban on 46" baja claws hot roddin' a little at the Stag Run 2008


YouTube - Deep Snow

love it!!!!!!!

[Billybob13]

well it depends if youve decided 4x4 quickest bet would be get different burb thats 4x4 but doing conversion in my opinion is better bet because you can do what you want as you go along and itsjust fun to have project like that

[dmartin1]

lift it! i have a 89 half ton burb with 6" springs up front with 5" block and 2" add a leaf in the rear and it levels out perfect with a 3" body lift and clears 38.5" tsl super swampers.
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[babyJay]

I've owned my share of lifted trucks. The older I get, the more I can't stand working on the big ones. I'd put it in the weeds...