Who's following the Burb project?

[JIMs70GMC]

This is not really a poll, wanted to get a dialog going about the project, Fourwheelers' choices, what you'd like to see them do, you know a general critique of the whole process... I'll start:

1. 2nd article, with the new springs up front and flexin as much as it did(hitting the fenders) shouldn't they install slightly longer shackles, I bet the end of the spring was hitting the frame.

2. 1st article, new rear axle(real nice) why did they keep the square u-bolts, when kits are available to flip them.

3. I'd love to replace my front axles with the kit they used from Warn.

4. From what I've read and from talking to people, the front drive shaft is ok with 6" of lift, I wonder why they are having problems(besides the exhaust)?

5. Looks like they also kept the small 7/16" spring hardware, instead of upgrading to 1/2".

Anybody else? Comments? Not only on what I mentioned, anything else noticed? Deffinetly going to be a sweet looking Burb!

[Beast388]

I am definately keeping an eye on the Burb project. I have only seen the 1st installemnt so far. I was surprised that they kept the stock front axle instead of swapping the D44 out to one with the larger axle u-joints....the 297X's rather than the stock 260X's. Jim mentioned the Warn front axles above so they may address that in installment 2. I was a little surprised that they kept the square ubolts instead of swapping to the round ones. Heck, even I've done that swap.

I did like the fact that they used a van 14 bolt to make the track width is almost equal.

I am definately looking forward to each installment....it is way cool that FOURWHEELER is building an example of the best Suburbans out there!! Although maybe they should swap out the front clip for a GMC.....that would be cool!!

[cheyenne10]

What is the exact title of Mag. and months of issues so far. Can you also provide a bio of what their doing? Is there any of the info. online?

thanks.

[Beast388]

The 1st installment was in the August 2002 issue of FOURWHEELER magazine. I have looked on www.fourwheeler.com have found no info relating to the project.

[JIMs70GMC]

I agree Beast, I think the GMC grills look better. I like the 4 headlight look. In the second article they had a bad hub so they went ahead and upgraded to the 297x u-joint and warn shafts.

[palallin]

I seem to have missed out on Installment #1, as all the news stands hereabouts already have September out. Bummer. I guess these guys sell back issues, right?

[Mudder]

You can get back issues and I had the number laying here on my desks for months and now cant seem to see it. Im looking. for back issues email isi@wwmag.com or call 800 544-6748. They are expensive.

[JIMs70GMC]

I could possibly scan the articles and post or email them. Will not be able to do it until next week. Let me know...

[DINS 1]

if you can scan thoes articles and post them for all to read

[palallin]

Originally posted by Mudder67
You can get back issues and I had the number laying here on my desks for months and now cant seem to see it. Im looking. for back issues email isi@wwmag.com or call 800 544-6748. They are expensive.

Thanks for the tip, Randy: I found and ordered one.

BTW, sorry 'bout not coming by over the weekend: my schedule was a lot tighter than I's hoped.

[JIMs70GMC]

No article this month.

http://www.derekgrout.com/doughboy/d...y2/poopboy.swf


That really stinks!

[JIMs70GMC]

Well there up to installment #4. Not much just talking about the motor swap w/ the NV4500 tranny. I was suprised they mentioned the new big block motor mounts with the "new" 383 thay installed (rhetorical) the 383 is a small block????
Are motor mounts interchangeable from small block to big block?

[Mike C]

I noticed that too! I know there are two different big block mounts, 71 and earlier and the 72s. I would like to find out for sure what mount that was as I would like to get some for my V8 Datsun project.

[GMC71k20]

im just wondering if theyre going hydraulic clutch or not, id like to swap in a nv4500 one day.

[palallin]

Whic issues were installments 3 & 4 in? I missed those, too.

*sigh*

[JIMs70GMC]

July or August. They also had an installment that dealt with the cooling system. Not sure when.

[JIMs70GMC]

They had another update here recently. This project has dragged on. Still nedd paint. They got the motor started. Hard to keep this visible when the articles are far and few between!

[Bluegoose972]

Jims70.....You mention a kit for getting ready for the square ubolt setup....Who offers that kit? I've never seen the kit and I'm getting ready to bolt on the rear springs of my blazer...I'd just assume get rid of the current setup.

Thanks,
Rick

[NAPCO ken]

Getting rid of the square u-bolts just involves getting new u-bolts made and obtaining the upper spring plates (that go on top of the spring pack) from a '73 and up GM truck. I never liked square u-bolts, seems to me when they make them (by bending in ahydraulic press) that it would weaken the material at the 90 degree bend, whereas the newer style u-bolts that curve around the axle and fasten at the top of the spring, seem to have less potential stress due to the large radius of their bend.

To comment on the front shackle hardware, they should REALLY upgrade that puny 7/16" hardware! I upgraded mine to 1/2" and STILL break two to three 1/2" grade 5 or 8 (doesn't matter) shackle bolts a year!! On one of my rigs, I upgraded the lower shackle bolt to a 9/16", but now the top 1/2" will still break. I have this problem on 3 of my rigs, and the springs are not stiff!! Thinking of trying to find some bushing that will allow me to run 5/8" bolts...hopefully that will fix the problem.

[JIMs70GMC]

Rick, ORD sells the plate and 1/2 ton u-bolts for a newer (73-up) GM will work. Look through the picks in my sig link. I used the plate from ORD and u-bolts I had from a lift for an 85 K5.