Seeking Expert Opinion on '86 Burb

[ShortHaul]

Hello all, I was hoping someone in here could offer their opinion on this Suburban that's for sale in my area.

I'm a squarebody guy but new to the Suburban, and completely new to the 6.2L Diesel motor.

I'm looking for the classic all-around family cruiser. Camping trips. daily errands and around town, plus I hope to tow my 19 ft Lance Travel Trailer, which has a dry weight of about 3700 lbs. I'm in CA, so the pre-smog aspect really appeals to me here. We're usually limited to 73-75 for squarebodies, but since it's a Diesel, its exempt (up to 1998)

Can anyone chime in on this rig for me? And maybe some thoughts on the 6.2L? Thanks!

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/ct...045518550.html

[v30crewcab]

It won't be fast towing, but you can add a banks turbo setup and it will do ok. Thats a sweet truck though. other side of the country but I'd love to own that exact burb.

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by v30crewcab

It won't be fast towing, but you can add a banks turbo setup and it will do ok. Thats a sweet truck though. other side of the country but I'd love to own that exact burb.

Agreed. I would love to own that truck. I have a 6.2 K5 that I've had 10 years now and it's a keeper. Mine is not turbo'd, and it's adequate power but that's it. Towing 3700 with one might test your patience if you don't add the turbo. Or maybe you're not in a hurry? Me I would buy the truck and figure out the rest later.

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by v30crewcab

It won't be fast towing, but you can add a banks turbo setup and it will do ok. Thats a sweet truck though. other side of the country but I'd love to own that exact burb.

I've been reading that the Banks is a good bet for these engines. Although then I get to thinking about what I could swap in there in place of the 6.2L...

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by 68Timber

Agreed. I would love to own that truck. I have a 6.2 K5 that I've had 10 years now and it's a keeper. Mine is not turbo'd, and it's adequate power but that's it. Towing 3700 with one might test your patience if you don't add the turbo. Or maybe you're not in a hurry? Me I would buy the truck and figure out the rest later.

Haha I like that plan... I am kind of leaning towards that route. I owned a 1990 Toyota FJ 62 that was a blast to drive around town but painfully slow. I'm guessing it'll be about like that. I learned to be not in a hurry!

Thanks for the input guys, I'm sorting out a time to go look at it.

I did get the owner to send me a pic of the SPID. Looks well optioned. One thing caught my eye though... says 1ZY1- SOLID PAINT was wondering if the white stripe was added after? Or does that line mean something different?

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

[68Timber]

So, without digging on 1ZY1- SOLID PAINT, I'm looking at your front fenders and notice the white goes all the way up to the grill and it makes me believe the white was added later on. See pics below, the earlier trucks had the inner color bordered by a pinstripe on the leading edge of the front fender. The last few years of two-tone squares, maybe 88-91 but I'm not 100% sure about which specific years, had the inner color go to the grill and below the front side marker light.

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by 68Timber

So, without digging on 1ZY1- SOLID PAINT, I'm looking at your front fenders and notice the white goes all the way up to the grill and it makes me believe the white was added later on. See pics below, the earlier trucks had the inner color bordered by a pinstripe on the leading edge of the front fender. The last few years of two-tone squares, maybe 88-91 but I'm not 100% sure about which specific years, had the inner color go to the grill and below the front side marker light.

Good find! I’m going to have to dig in to that. Hopefully going to go see it in person tomorrow.

[Keith Seymore]

ZY1 absolutely means solid paint from the factory; the white was added later.

For 86 the shape of the two tone would look like the black/gray truck posted above.

K

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

ZY1 absolutely means solid paint from the factory; the white was added later.

For 86 the shape of the two tone would look like the black/gray truck posted above.

K

Good to know. Thank you. Not a deal breaker per-se, but good to know what you’re dealing with...

[Ski-me]

Looks like "Progressive" wheels. I had them on my 89' a while back. The smaller holes and flatter surface are what's pointing me there. I did like it better than the outlaw 2's.

[ShortHaul]

I went and checked it out... ended up offering hi 5500 and he declined. Found out it sold yesterday for 6700.

It was a pretty cool rig, and probably worth the price he got for it. I'm still on the hunt, I really prefer the round-eye square bodies.

Anyways, thanks to everyone who chimed in. I appreciate it.