86 Suburban daily driver

[BlueJeep]

I picked this up May, had kinda been looking but not too serious. It had the right look, and the right attributes so I brought it home with me. I grew up riding around in the back of these things, so I guess I'm re-living those memories!

86 Suburban, came from Oklahoma and I haven't been able to find any real rust on it yet (those in the upper midwest and rust belt will know exactly what I mean by this). Had a lot of good things already done to it, and my plan is to refine it and then drive it everyday. We'll see how that evolves with time. Main needs are to be reliable and comfortable for the whole family.

[BlueJeep]

It has some good things going for it, and it also has some needs after 34 years.

Here's what I've been able to ascertain it has had done to it:

- 4/6 drop.
- McGaughys spindles and MaxTrac springs
- Flip in rear (no notch)
- At some point it had a remanufactured 350
- Weiand Street Warrior intake
- Holley 4160 carb
- Ceramic coated headers and some dress up stuff.
- Jeep steering shaft
- Boss 338 wheels, 18x8 and 20x10, 255/45r18 in the front and 295/45r20 in the rear
- drilled and slotted rotors on the front
- phantom billet grille....not sure what to think of this yet

[BlueJeep]

First order of business will be to check things out and start fixing stuff. I re-packed the front wheel bearings, replaced the rear wheel bearings, and drained the rear diff oil. I noticed a spider gear that had more run through it than just 80-90, so that needed attention. I evaluated the cost of new spider gears, and ultimately decided to replace it with a Quick Performance posi. I also did all the bearings in the diff and put in a crush sleeve eliminator. The driveshaft had bad u-joints, so those were replaced too.

[BlueJeep]

The front suspension still needs work. Someone bashed the driver's side lower control arm pretty hard and the bushing is mostly popped out, so I bought a replacement control arm and I'm getting that ready to go now.

[BlueJeep]

The rear suspension is where I need to focus on in the very near future. It has a flip, but no notch so the axle SLAMS the frame on a very frequent basis, and this won't do. The picture below shows 1.75" of clearance, but when it is down on the ground with all the weight on it is more like 2 fingers clearance. I haven't been able to find any commercially available notches, which is fine, so I'll build one and weld it in. At the same time I'll be removing the flip brackets and welding on new spring perches and centering the tire in the rear wheel well like it should be. There are air shocks that do not function, and looks like one of the mounts on the frame has been ripped off the frame and cobbled back on. Extended shock mounts will also be fabbed up and I'll run some normal shocks of a decent length.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by BlueJeep

The rear suspension is where I need to focus on in the very near future. It has a flip, but no notch so the axle SLAMS the frame on a very frequent basis, and this won't do. The picture below shows 1.75" of clearance, but when it is down on the ground with all the weight on it is more like 2 fingers clearance. I haven't been able to find any commercially available notches, which is fine, so I'll build one and weld it in. At the same time I'll be removing the flip brackets and welding on new spring perches and centering the tire in the rear wheel well like it should be. There are air shocks that do not function, and looks like one of the mounts on the frame has been ripped off the frame and cobbled back on. Extended shock mounts will also be fabbed up and I'll run some normal shocks of a decent length.

One 'watch-out'…. Burbs/Blazers are known for issues when c-notching. If you notch it, I would verify there's the same amount of travel available above the different as well. Otherwise, you'll clear @ the axle tube but still hit @ the floor.

Cool family ride for the record!

[ShortHaul]

Rad Burb! Where'd you source the control arm?

[BlueJeep]

Thanks!

Control arm was used off Ebay.

[BlueJeep]

So as could probably be expected, nothing worked. Power locks didn't work, and the front 2 windows would eventually go down, but the rear ones wouldn't. Some time with a multi-meter let me to conclude that power was getting where it should, but switches were bad. I replaced both power lock switches and one of the solenoids, and did some lube-ing and now all 5 doors lock and unlock reliably with the switches. Windows were a similar treatment, only the driver's door window switch worked so the rest were replaced and I'm waiting on 2 window motors and then all the windows should work too. I still plan on putting relays in the doors for the windows to work quicker, but haven't gotten to that yet. All the rubber and glass runs also will need to be replaced too.

[BlueJeep]

Today I was able to tackle the oil cooler....and get rid of it. It leaked just like they all do and it felt good to get rid of that particular leak and clean up the bottom of the engine just a bit.

Since I had the grille out I took that opportunity to install the temperature sensor for my compass/temperature rearview mirror. I add these mirrors to all of my projects, love 'em!

[blakeduren]

Has that vehicle always been a 1/2 ton? I didn’t know that the half tons got an engine oil cooler on the 350.
I just redid the oil cooler lines on my 83 454 Burban.
I enjoy the build thread!

[Palf70Step]

Nice looking burb project.

[LT7A]

Dude, that sucks with the glass. My whole thing with these trucks is that since somebody else wore it out, I'm trying to wear it back in – so to speak. I get so frustrated when my efforts produce damage. My best idea is for you to watch Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, maybe even Offer-up. There always seem to be a few Suburbans being parted out.

[Rich84]

Cool project..You are getting busy.

[focusedontheprize]

Nice fix and great thread on the truck. The wiring on these trucks are always funny, the last two trucks I had have given me heart palpitations when I started working on them.

[Hart_Rod]

Looks like a fun project,

[SBTork]

Awesome build! Reminds me of mine for sure.

Would you happen to have a picture or could take one of the rear barn door lock actuator location/bracket/etc? I need to add one to my '85 as it never had one and I'd really like to add it.

[BlueJeep]

Thanks all! LED headlight upgrade is coming next when I get a little time. Found some with great reviews with Amazon open-box pricing! If they work well, it didn't cost much more than the relay harness would have.

Adam, sent you a PM. I can get you any pics/measurements you need.

[ShortHaul]

Mind sharing that Amazon link? I’ve been after a set of led headlights for a while, but I’ve found they are either too expensive for my taste, or they look too modern for my taste. I really like the OG looking patterned glass lens that Dapper Lighting offers, but their prices are craaaaazy high.. I also considered VintageCarLED but didn’t find many reviews on their product...

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by ShortHaul

Mind sharing that Amazon link? I’ve been after a set of led headlights for a while, but I’ve found they are either too expensive for my taste, or they look too modern for my taste. I really like the OG looking patterned glass lens that Dapper Lighting offers, but their prices are craaaaazy high.. I also considered VintageCarLED but didn’t find many reviews on their product...

Sure. These are pretty modern looking, but because of the phantom grille on my sub I don't think it will be noticeable.

Here is the review (which I found very informative):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDJrn0JD_wM&t=1s

And the Amazon link to what I bought (4x6 rectangle, I know yours are round). I took advantage of the "used" option on Amazon for mine, which are usually their returns that the original packaging is damaged but the product itself isn't, and they sell at discounted prices. I paid $65.xx for these.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[BlueJeep]

Had some craigslist luck today and scored a 2wd 4L60e, which aren't super easy to find here! Also found some Trailblazer SS exhaust manifolds last weekend. Collecting parts.....

[Pontiac1976]

I hope you checked the manifolds good because they prone to cracks. They look like they been running a little hot the on the right mostly. The cracks mostly happen at the v off the ports. Just in case you did not know good luck.
looking pretty good so far for the burb.

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by Pontiac1976

I hope you checked the manifolds good because they prone to cracks. They look like they been running a little hot the on the right mostly. The cracks mostly happen at the v off the ports. Just in case you did not know good luck.
looking pretty good so far for the burb.

Thanks for the tip, I did not know that so I'll have to check them out good.

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by Pontiac1976

I hope you checked the manifolds good because they prone to cracks. They look like they been running a little hot the on the right mostly. The cracks mostly happen at the v off the ports. Just in case you did not know good luck.
looking pretty good so far for the burb.

I gave the manifolds a quick dusting in the blast cabinet so I could check for cracks, these are good to go! Were rusty, but other than that just fine.

[focusedontheprize]

Nice work and that notch looks to be absolutely solid.