An introduction...'85 K20 Suburban

[PsRumors]

Good morning all. I bought my first Suburban and am awaiting it's arrival here in Cartersville, GA. It was a southern Cal truck it's life and seems to be rather clean. It is a k20 and am told it has the FF 14 bolt in the rear. It is said to have 80k original miles though CarFax says it is 180k, I don't always believe CarFax but more times than not they are correct.

First order of business is to see why it has a miss at idle. Seller thinks it maybe a head gasket between cylinders. It may just be ready for a new one. Though it doesn't smoke or burn oil.

2nd will be a slight lift, 2 - 2 1/2", via springs. Followed by wheels & tires. Will be something in the 33" range.

From there I hope to be able to have a repaint in the spring and then enjoy the rig for the next few years while upgrading and playing.

Below are a couple teaser pics but you can see more here in my photo albulm.

Ron

[edman87]

Looks nice, could definately use lift/tires/wheels
Is the 14ff rear factory?
What front axle?
How much did it hit you for? You bought online or in person?
You can't find anything that age around here in anywhere near that condition.

[PsRumors]

Thanks Edman

The FF is supposedly original. I have not seen anything that confirms it has a FF in it. Once it gets here, next couple days, I will confirm.

I assume it has the 10 bolt. That's what everyone says it would have come with.

I bought it online from what I believe to be a reputable seller with just the pictures here and on my photo album. It was $4200.

[PsRumors]

In regards to the price. I will probably have more in the burb once it gets here than it is ultimately worth in general. But I found it to be the best starting point for what I have in mind that I could find.

We shall see how it plays out.

[edman87]

looks good for 4200, I would say that is a 80,000 mile seat and driver wear from what I can see, not 180. Should be 10 bolt 6 lug front and rear for half ton, 3/4 ton would be 10 bolt front and 14 semi float rear, both 8 lug.

[DirtyLarry]

Congrats PsRumors
That is one clean looking Sub. I very seriously doubt it has a 14 bolt full floater though. Can you snap a picture of the rear wheel and rear axle housing cover?

[PsRumors]

I can't cause I don't have it yet. Once it is here I can but I will be able to tell as soon as I take the center wheel cover off.

The transport company called late yesterday and it should be here some time this morning.

Thanks for all the compliments

Ron

[PsRumors]

Well the Burb is here. It does not have the FF like I was told. There is no doubt in my mind the truck has 180k miles on it. It drives that way. The seller stills stands by the 80k, just no way.

It is going to need an engine, suggestions? 454, 383?

Immediately other than engine it needs a total brake job and the front end is very loose. I hope to start on all of that tonight.

I don't think it is as clean as I was led to believe, though the wife does not think it is as bad as I do. It is solid.

I either need to commit to a total restoration or sell it and suck up my losses. Though it could be repaired to normal that is not what I bought it for.

Thoughts anyone?

[DirtyLarry]

Rumor’s,

I am sorry to hear of you disappointment. I know you must feel pretty bad after the long anticipation for it to arrive. I still think it is a clean looking rig for $4200 and whatever shipping costs from the pictures that are posted above. I wouldn’t feel too awfully deceived about the rear axle not being a full-floater as most people really do not understand the difference in a full-floater and semi-floater. I bet the seller had no clue other than it had 14 bolts on the diff cover and was not trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

Does it really feel loose or does it just feel like what a typical 1970’s technology Suburban has always felt like even when they were new….pretty loosey goosy and a bit rattley compared to the late model rigs we are all used to driving every day. I know my solid old K10 feels pretty loose compared to my late model Silverado and Tahoe. Not that there is anything wrong with the truck…..the K10 is just old technology.

Why do you think it needs an engine? Because the 1985 California emissioned controlled, feed back carbureted 5.7L is a dog? All of them were. That is just the way they are. As far as an engine swap…there is a world of opportunities out there though. You could go classic small block, or big block or do the late model Vortec 6.0L or even better….an 8.1L with a 4L80E. It all depends how much $$ you want to spend and what is kosher with your local emissions laws.

Post more pictures of your new baby. I doubt it is as bad as you think but not as good as you had envisioned. I have seen people pay much more and got a whole lot less by far.

~ Larry

[PsRumors]

Thanks for the words of encouragement Larry. The more I get into it the better I do feel. The interior is clean minus the dash pad which I knew. There is one bad stain on the carpet but Husky Liners will cover it.

As for the front end being loose, it is loose. Not the over easy power steering along with old technology loose but rather you can turn the wheel from about 9:00 to 3:00 and back without tire moverment. Making a turn into my steep drive you can feel the axle shift.

On to the engine. I have 3 cylinders on one side showing between 90 and 95 PSI during a compression test with no change during a wet test. Probably a blown head gasket BUT on the other side of the engine I have one cylinder at 80 PSI dry and high 80s wet. I could probably repair it but 350s are cheap if I stay stock.

Kicking the idea of a 383 or 454 around. A 383 would be easier but a little expensive but probably no more than a 454 once a conversion is done. I don't really have to worry about emissions as the GVWR is over 8500lbs.

I have ordered a complete pin and bushing kit along with striker bolts and bushing for all the door hinges. Will order a 2" lift, springs front and rear, tomorrow. Will be going with a BFG All Terrain LT285/75R16/E, wheels still to be decided upon.

After dinner will start tearring into the brakes and looking more closely at the front end.

I see the possiblities of the Suburban just have to get past the money.

[DirtyLarry]

Funny you are already wrenching on it the same day you got it. I would be doing the same exact thing….because we are those kind of guys and exactly why we come to this forum. If I were in the Atlanta area tonight I would want to be there with you playing with it. Nothing like a new old toy.

Yeah, that kind of steering loose indicates a bit of wear on the tie rods, drag links and play in the gearbox….may even have some loose front wheel bearings. Heck, the front wheel bearings probably need a good cleaning and repacking anyway while you are in there doing the brake job. That is a drag but not that bad or expensive to correct.

The engine does sound a bit week and you are right…350’s are relatively cheap or most small block build ups for that matter. If emissions in the northern Atlanta area are not strick…then that is good you are not tied down to emissions constraints. Just try to ditch all the YF5 Cali emission controls if you can for a bump in power. Cali smogged down 5.7L’s with 3:73 gears are pretty famous for not being able to pull a greasy string out of a Coke bottle.

You are already starting with a better foundation that my buddy did on the 1988 Suburban that another buddy and I put together for him that was transplanted to Detroit as mentioned in another thread. It had a rust free body but needed a new diesel engine, paint, and interior as it had the typical Southwestern dry rot thing going on.

I travel way too much for my job and get to the Atlanta area often. Maybe next time I have a trip down there and have time to make the 40 mile trip north to your neighborhood we can have a beer and talk trucks.

Keep us posted and post some pictures…..

~ Larry

[84 400]

wow glad to see your under your way wrenching on it. Online buys are hit or miss. some times you get a gem others an okay and some time ripped. i think you got between an okay and a gem. Looks like a nice start and should be sweet when done.

Good luck

[rcbildr]

That could be the gasoline twin to my K20 Suburban. Nice ride!!!

[PsRumors]

Again, thanks for the compliments.

After messing with the Burb for the past couple days I am getting more and more excited as to the possibilities. Just need to have the money to make things happen.

[rcbildr]

Originally Posted by PsRumors

After messing with the Burb for the past couple days I am getting more and more excited as to the possibilities. Just need to have the money to make things happen.

I hear that. I've been really watching craigslist.com and almost all the parts/mods I've done to my burb have come from shopping craigslist.

Just noticed it looks like your Burb has manual hubs. That's the next "must have" for my project. Something broke in my transfer case, it got stuck in 4wd and after 30 +/- miles of driving the chain snapped and broke the case. Fortunately, I was pulling in to my driveway when it happened....already found a replacement on craigslist.