Had to buy - '77 Suburban

[Willowrun]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Love your blazer!

Thanks! Also thank you for the advice....it was good to get it from someone that's been down this road before.
Next project is putting all new leafs in the '72 in my avatar and then I may move on to lowering the topic of the original post, the Suburban. Hoping I won't have to replace everything (steering components, ball joints, etc) that I had to replace on this Jimmy....

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Willowrun

Thanks! Also thank you for the advice....it was good to get it from someone that's been down this road before.
Next project is putting all new leafs in the '72 in my avatar and then I may move on to lowering the topic of the original post, the Suburban. Hoping I won't have to replace everything (steering components, ball joints, etc) that I had to replace on this Jimmy....

Don't feel bad about having to replace front end components.
These trucks usually need these items.
The sad thing is,... most Chinese replacement parts probably won't last as long as the original GM parts.
And Quality front end parts really put a dent into the budget of a lowering project.

Also,... YOU are now the 73-82 2wd blazer lowering expert.
Pass on the knowledge!

[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

[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...