Had to buy - '77 Suburban

[Willowrun]

It's been a while so here's what's new:
I've put about 1,000 miles on the Jimmy this summer.
Even though I had cut at least a coil and a half in the front, it just seemed like it needed to come down a little bit more. The last time I made a cut to the coils I cut about a quarter coil and it seemed like it only dropped it about a quarter inch. I figured this time I needed about another half inch lower so I cut about 1/3 of a coil and figured I'd be good. Wrong. Front end dropped almost an inch and a half. I'm sure it is where the end of the coil is positioned in the lower A arm that made the 1/3 coil cut so dramatic. It now had a major rake and it was bottoming on the inner fenders.....sigh.
I decided to get some drop springs, but unfortunately, I hadn't written down the measurements of the front drop as I cut the coils so I didn't know how much of a drop to get on the coils. I ended up ordering 3" drop. They raised it up about a half inch, but have settled some since then so I still hit the inner fenders with my tires on big dips in the road. I also had a rake that I didn't like.
When I initially tore down this Jimmy it had 1/2" lift blocks from the factory in the rear. I held on to them and with the rear axle now over the springs I used the blocks as lowering blocks. Seems to sit right now. Just a little bit of a pain with the front end rubbing every now and then.

[Willowrun]

There are a lot of little things that still need to be done to this thing, but since it isn't "nice" I can still drive and enjoy it while I pick away at small things as time allows.
One of the things I was able to do was install a chrome grill I had picked up. I removed all of the argent gray that was on it from the factory so it is now all chrome. I'm not sure if I like it or not but it was so much work that it's going to stay this way.

[Willowrun]

Lastly, an update on the '77 Suburban....no updates. It's sitting in the back of my barn and all I've done is move it around to get access to other things.
Here's the only recent pick I have of it. You can see it sitting behind the project I'll be working on this winter. The Suburban is just too long to work on in the small garage I've been working in. Need to get the new shop built.....

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by Willowrun

Lastly, an update on the '77 Suburban....no updates. It's sitting in the back of my barn and all I've done is move it around to get access to other things.
Here's the only recent pick I have of it. You can see it sitting behind the project I'll be working on this winter. The Suburban is just too long to work on in the small garage I've been working in. Need to get the new shop built.....

Latest update on the 77 I was going to do the same ,lower it and make it the way I wanted. But the truck is too damn nice to modify. I replaced the valve cover gaskets gas tank and tires. Put 4k miles on it since I bought it from you. 4 shows 4 1st place trophies.

[Willowrun]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

Latest update on the 77 I was going to do the same ,lower it and make it the way I wanted. But the truck is too damn nice to modify. I replaced the valve cover gaskets gas tank and tires. Put 4k miles on it since I bought it from you. 4 shows 4 1st place trophies.

Glad to see you’re enjoying it and picking up some hardware with it dude! I sold it to make space in my barn but that didn’t last long as the next acquisition is on its way from WA this week so back to a full barn. Ugh

[72c20customcamper]

And so what did you by?

[Willowrun]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

And so what did you by?

I think I told you (and you probably noticed) I’ve ventured outside of just GM trucks over the last few years. With that said, I bought an ‘89 Dodge W150 short box. I already had the same model but an ‘87 also from WA but for some reason felt I needed another. They’re different.

[LT7A]

I found this thread again looking for info on lowering a Suburban. Ended up with a two-fer, Burb and Blazer/Jimmy info. WR, you didn't ask for opinions so feel free to ignore this. You were enjoying the Jimmy but it seems like you quit driving it after the last round of lowering it. It looks cool but would not look any less cool if it was put back up to where you could drive it without it rubbing. In fact, look a little better in my opinion. I know you have plenty of stuff to keep you busy. I kinda got charmed by the little truck though, and that gets my interest/imagination going. I think it would look cool to raise the back 1 1/2 inches and bring the front up to where it doesn't bump and rub. Still would look really cool. In fact, while I know lots of people like the 'level' look, I think these trucks look even better when the top of the wheel opening sits at the same position in regard to the tire - front and back. It does create a minor rake but it really helps with making the proportions look good. Side benefit of possibly being more driveable. Just taking the time to jot down my thoughts...

[Willowrun]

Originally Posted by LT7A

I found this thread again looking for info on lowering a Suburban. Ended up with a two-fer, Burb and Blazer/Jimmy info. WR, you didn't ask for opinions so feel free to ignore this. You were enjoying the Jimmy but it seems like you quit driving it after the last round of lowering it. It looks cool but would not look any less cool if it was put back up to where you could drive it without it rubbing. In fact, look a little better in my opinion. I know you have plenty of stuff to keep you busy. I kinda got charmed by the little truck though, and that gets my interest/imagination going. I think it would look cool to raise the back 1 1/2 inches and bring the front up to where it doesn't bump and rub. Still would look really cool. In fact, while I know lots of people like the 'level' look, I think these trucks look even better when the top of the wheel opening sits at the same position in regard to the tire - front and back. It does create a minor rake but it really helps with making the proportions look good. Side benefit of possibly being more driveable. Just taking the time to jot down my thoughts...

Wow man, you're pretty good! I'd be lying if I said that the Jimmy in it's current state isn't a chore to drive because of the front tires buzzing the inner fenders. It's a combination of the lowering springs I bought sagging, the shocks not having enough dampening, and lastly the tires are a little tall. I think it looks cool though. I purchased some 3/4 ton springs a few years back to cut and install as they will be firmer than the aftermarket lowering springs and will hopefully resist bottoming better when hitting dips in the road. I also intend on running it a little higher though as you suggest to further help the road manners. I plan on changing from the rally rims to some 15 x 7 steelies I purchased from a board member with some caps when I do the spring change.

In a perfect world I would have done all of this at least a couple years ago but unfortunately, I haven't had a lot of truck time lately since covid. I had an already very busy job and it's gotten about twice as busy since covid so my truck hobby as of late has been less wrenching and more sourcing trucks/parts for when my job slows down which should finally start happening in the coming months.

Appreciate you bringing this thread up as it makes me remember how much I like the Jimmy. Not a lot to do with it to tide me over for a few years (springs and interior) so perhaps it needs to come to my shop in the spring once the snow is done. That is as long as I can finish the Bronco in my shop this winter. LOL

I was moving things around in my barn in preparation for winter several weeks back and took this pic that shows what the Jimmy has been up to.