Might be picking up an 89 Sub 2500

[DBLSPRT68]

Hey all, I ran across a find. I can trade my car trailer for a nice running 89 Suburban 2500 with the 454tbi and th400. It has had only two owners, with the first ordering it for towing a camper. Interior is excellent, but outside has some damage. a/c is cold. He's wanting $1800.00 for it, which is what I wanted for my car trailer. I'm pretty sure we are going to swap. So, is there any known problems with the 454 tbi or the 89 Suburban that I should know about?? Any help would be appreciated No pics right now, but grill and bezels are busted, bumper is bent, qtr panel is bent some. I don't care about the qtr. Will fix the grill. This will be to pull our 27 ft RV camper for now, and maybe later a driveline swap to my truck. Thanks. David

[blakeduren]

Sounds like a good deal.
No real "known problems" with that year and driveline combo that I know of.

[motornut]

from trailering make sure to check the rearend well/good for rear end noise,leaks etc.unknown to me PO had rearend welded up .it lasted ok for a while but got worse after trailering

[blakeduren]

Well, since it is a 3/4 ton and has the BBC in it....it will have the infamous full floating 14 bolt.
You might check the factory codes or just open the diff cover so see what gears you have.
I ended up with 3.21 gears, so it works for all the highway miles mine gets, but with a 27 foot camper, you might want the 3.73, 4.10 or 4.56's to get going up those hills!
Here are the factory papers: page 3 has the towing info

http://coloradok5.com/brochures/1989/

[DBLSPRT68]

Originally Posted by blakeduren

Well, since it is a 3/4 ton and has the BBC in it....it will have the infamous full floating 14 bolt.
You might check the factory codes or just open the diff cover so see what gears you have.
I ended up with 3.21 gears, so it works for all the highway miles mine gets, but with a 27 foot camper, you might want the 3.73, 4.10 or 4.56's to get going up those hills!
Here are the factory papers: page 3 has the towing info

http://coloradok5.com/brochures/1989/

An 89 would have a SF 14 bolt correct? I have one makeing noise and leaking in my 83 (was swapped in before). I did pick up a real 14 bolt FF from a 79. I'm going to get that gone thru and it'll go in my truck As soon as I get it home, I'll be looking for codes and such to figure out what ratio it has. We do have some hills around here, so I hope they have some lower numbers; but not 4.56's! I hope to get 10 mpg's Thanks for the info, I'll check it out. Going to pick it up Saturday if the test drive is OK. David

[blakeduren]

If you look at page 4 of that link...you will see that the 454's always got the FF axle.
My 83 3/4 ton is the same way, SBC got the SF and the BBC got the FF.

[DBLSPRT68]

Originally Posted by blakeduren

If you look at page 4 of that link...you will see that the 454's always got the FF axle.
My 83 3/4 ton is the same way, SBC got the SF and the BBC got the FF.

You are correct! I looked at that after I printed it off. Man, this deal is too good to be true!!! I hope all goes well and it comes home with me this Saturday. It's a two hour drive home, so first real drive; WILL BE A FIRST REAL DRIVE in a year. Only known problems are some body, grill damage and worn tires. Wish me luck! Thanks guys for the info. Looks like I might be joining the ranks here as well

[DBLSPRT68]

He she is guys....Yes it's been beat up. Made the 2 hour trip home with NO issues First pics is from Sat after getting back home. Next are from today after a wash and interior clean. I swapped my old school slots and all terrains. I don't have a rear bumper right now, will get one ASAP. All the front end stuff I need is on my truck ATM. Don't worry about my poor truck, I'm picking up another one tomorrow Enjoy

[Chevy623]

Looks great with the slots and a/t's on it.

I wouldn't even mind those dents if those running boards would disapear though lol.

[motornut]

Nice catch,sounds nice and solid,dents can be fixed

[justpball]

nice find! the slots look great!

[Davidmichael]

nice score

[blakeduren]

Nice wheels and tires!
I would:
Ditch the boards.
Fix the grill.
Get a rear bumper.
Tune it up and drive it like I stole it.

What are your plans? Fixing the body or just using it as a tow rig?

[Davidmichael]

agreed. ditch the boards, buy a grill and w/e front end pieces you need, pull the dents in the rear and get a bumper/roll pan and drive the snot out of it.

After a while you get bored slam it. or do your swap you mentioned before.

[DBLSPRT68]

Plans are for now to get it to be a reliable family mover/rv hauler. It's got a few things that need attention like the starter acting up and the a/c. Radio dosen't work and door locks are out of wack. I'm probably just going to put my front cap in it in black primer. This front cap is smashed. The running boards are growing on me, they've been on the truck since new. Bottoms of the doors don't even have a rock chip. Truck was bought new in Alabama in Dec. of 88 for $21,000. Not a bad score, since I traded a car trailer for it ; title for title!

[GmtGmt]

Good looking burban dosent look bad

also thanks for taking the pics of it there arnt many good people left in todays world
Daniel will store the crew cab for me until january so i dont need to get it moved
until january and then its going to Jacksonville, Florida to be shipped out

[68Timber]

Those hubcaps are the most homely set GM ever made. Putting those wheels and tires on woke the truck up very, very well - Nice score!

[DBLSPRT68]

Thanks guys for the good comments. Been working on it, and have fixed a lot of stuff. Will be pulling the RV this weekend for the first time. Starter is replaced and it fixed that issue. JY rear bumper is on. Will be swapping in a JY 89 Sub rad support/grill and left front fender next week. Did a tune up and runs much better I REALLY LIKE THIS MONSTER I'll post some more pics with the swapped front end.

[DBLSPRT68]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

Those hubcaps are the most homely set GM ever made. Putting those wheels and tires on woke the truck up very, very well - Nice score!

Thanks! I LOVE these wheels. They were on my truck before, now I'll have to find another set Bruiser is a Kicka$$ looking Blazer!!!!!! Great job on yours!

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by DBLSPRT68

Thanks! I LOVE these wheels. They were on my truck before, now I'll have to find another set Bruiser is a Kicka$$ looking Blazer!!!!!! Great job on yours!

Thank you, sir! It's nowhere near as nice as the Sub you just scored, but I have a plan and I'm sticking to it.

The Sub looks great. Even as it is, it'll do what you want all year long.

[DBLSPRT68]

Update on this rig: I just put over 1260 miles on it last week. The first 500 miles was pulling a 4000 lb car + U-Haul trailer and a Pontiac 400 stuffed in the back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I must say, "This thing is AWESOME"!!!!!!!!!!! A few little things here and there, but it is an old truck, but 75 MPH it just glides down the road . If I can find the digi camera, I'll post a pic. Oh, I got 10 MPG on the way back empty My 2005 Honda Pilot only gets 22 hwy and it's a V6. David