1991 V3500 Crew Cab 454/SM465

[HeloCrewChief]

Was cruising marketplace and stumbled across this one. I had the idea of an old suburban floating around in the back of my head so the entire family can ride together but, when I saw this guy I knew I was in trouble. I’m a fan of the TBI crew cabs with single rear wheels and I had not seen one for sale in a long time. I had an ‘89 I bought from a fellow member but it was a Dually and I was in the middle of several moves. I drove out to see this one and it was a bit rougher than anticipated. Nothing glaringly bad but, in need of overall TLC. Fairly solid for its age. Actually no rust to really take care of. I left without buying it and later that day talked myself into it since it is the last year of the square body. I overpaid but, I knew I would kick myself later for not buying it. I’m a sucker for a big truck with a manual transmission. My plans:

-TR4050 Tremec 5 speed (clutch is gone on the SM465 currently in it). I put a silversport 5 speed in my Chevelle and love it. If the TR4050 is as good as I’ve read, I will swap the Getrag 5 speed in my ‘90 Cummins as well. Basically this truck will be the test bed to see how I like that transmission

-Rear disc conversion. I see some kits for under $400 and that seems like a no brainer to me. I see some folks complain about the emergency brake but it’s nearly non existent on my truck anyway.

-New Exhaust. Undecided here. Should I do a stock single exhaust pipe with catalytic converter replacement or a dual exhaust without converter? Only issue is if I ever want to sell, I’m sure someone in a state with emissions would want a converter.

-Remove carpet and POR-15 floors and lay down insulation. Floors have just surface rust on the outer corners. Better to seal it now and prevent rust through

-Redhead steering box

-2.5” lift with new shocks. Who makes a lift for this? No one list one. Do I need to just find one for an older K30?

-16x8 powder coated white wheel vintiques steelies with BFG AT2. Undecided on size

-Paint

-little stuff like bulbs, dash bezel, sill plates, rear slider

-Get the A/C working. Hoses look newer. Belt is off compressor.

[HeloCrewChief]

Some more pictures.

[HeloCrewChief]

Don’t beat me up too bad for this last shot. I use to own the 1997 F250 Crew Cab Short bed a little while back. Did a refreshing on it as well. New springs, redhead steering box, injectors, turbo etc. Sold it to a buddy of mine that also recently made the move down here from Washington. He took me to pick the 1991 V3500 up and couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a picture.

[HeloCrewChief]

After posting the pictures, I realize the truck looks nicer than it is. Paint has several areas that are rattle canned and not worthy of saving the original paint due to this. Also, the stance looks great but the front springs have several blocks holding up that sag.

[kipps]

What are your plans for the transfer case? The tr4050 comes with a 23-spline output, and will not bolt directly to your 32-spline np205.

The tr4050 is essentially an improved nv4500. The basic layout and all features are the same, other than the full aluminum case and the greatly-improved fifth gear to shaft interface.

The downside of a tr4050 to me, is the crawler first gear. I specifically chose the 95-07 nv4500 because of the 5.61 first gear, as opposed to the 6.34 in the 92-94 nv4500, or the 6.16 in the tr4050. I intend to use first gear as a first gear, not start off in second all the time.

285/75r16 tires would be a decent fit on 16x8 rims. Those are 33" diameter tires, and would look right with a two inch lift. Edit: You want the rim width to be about 3/4 of the tire tread width for a classic appearance. I would consider a 255 tire too narrow for a eight inch rim, and a 305 tire to be too wide.

I would stick with single exhaust. I prefer the sound of such; it's more mellow, and not as raspy as true-duals. H or X-pipe dual exhaust would work too, would sound better than true duals, but would be harder to plumb around the transfer case.

Any suspension components sold for a 1986 k30 will also fit a 1987-1991 k30. Nothing was changed in the suspension between those models. Quite a few aftermarket suppliers can't be bothered to properly list their products to include the R/V series.

Personally, I would swap the engine for a 8.1 port injection Vortec. A little more modern engine management system, better performance, and the cool factor would all be pluses. But that's just me.

[Willowrun]

Truck looks like a great one to start with.

Following as I have more than one SM465 I'm not in love with so interested in seeing how the transmission swap goes.

One thing I personally wouldn't do is swap to rear discs. Those big drums are very effective at braking and look sweet from the back protruding from inside the rim. If you were going to use it for a mud truck sure, but if not I'd stay with drums. Just my opinion.

I agree with the 285/75/R15 tire size suggestion. I've run that size on a few 8 luggers of mine. I have them on the 8 lug "rally" rims that came on 3/4 ton suburbans and trucks (one tons too) in the late 90's. They look good on newer squares.

What are you going to do with the interior? Just a clean up? I have a white K10 with the same color interior and always wished it had a blue interior for more contrast.

Oh, and I for one think your old bullnose Ford is a great looking truck. I've had a Bronco of that era but never found the right SWB 4x4 to pull the trigger on. It had to be tough to sell the crew cab short box as those must be pretty rare.

[ACS]

Does your truck have the full float or semi-float rear end?

Can you post a link for the rear brake kit you found?

[kipps]

Originally Posted by ACS

Does your truck have the full float or semi-float rear end?

Can you post a link for the rear brake kit you found?

The one-tons never got the semi-float. They kept the 14bff and Dana-70(both are full-float) rear axles the whole way through the squarebody era.

[Mpiersd]

Sharp looking truck. Nice find as well to be in such clean condition.

[HeloCrewChief]

Truck is back on the road. Still need to do some clean up work. Waiting on some power steering hose clamps and plug wire organizers. Not a show truck by any means but, just cleaned it up on a small budget. List of stuff I threw on in the past few weeks:

Valve covers/gaskets
Air cleaner
EGR valve
Plugs and wires
Inner fenders
Bumper
Grille
Headlight bezels
Sway bar bushings
Springs (ended up doing General Spring with added 1 leaf) sits about level
Shocks
Stabilizer
Exhaust manifolds and gaskets
Master cylinder
Power steering hoses
Redhead steering box
Overflow tank

[HeloCrewChief]

Still need to get the A/C working and a few other things in my to do list. Rides and steers real nice with the new shocks, springs and my go to redhead steering box (6th one I’ve ran)

[HeloCrewChief]

Some
More engine shots. I did replace the shocks in the rear as well. They are KYB monomax shocks. First time using these and I do love how this thing rides.

[Ironhorse]

That's one nice looking one ton, always liked the looks of the single rear tire 1 tons over the dually rear ends. The dually trucks do have their place when pulling a goose neck or stock trailer or such but the singles have "the looks" if the added capacity is not needed. LOL.

Last year of the squares as you said. Years ago had a '91 TBI 1/2t 4WD Suburban. Captain's buckets up front, cloth interior, dual A/C, tilt, cruise, cargo doors and third row seating. I loved that thing but when it came down to just the wife and I as the 3 boys grew and left home just really didn't "need" it. Sometimes I wish I hadn't listened to that inner voice about needs, LOL.

[aotte1]

Nice truck, noticed it still uses V belts vs serpentine. Lots of nice photos shared.
New to BBS in these years.

Thanks,
Les

[HeloCrewChief]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Nice truck, noticed it still uses V belts vs serpentine. Lots of nice photos shared.
New to BBS in these years.

Thanks,
Les

These use a combination of serpentine and V belt for power steering pump and A/C compressor. I’ve been working it lately to haul different stuff around. Nice driving and towing truck!

[nvrenuf]

Man, that is a smokin nice truck! An excellent find with the 454 and 4spd. I had a '91 crew cab years ago and have always regretted letting it go.

[HeloCrewChief]

This weeks project was a minor clean up in the dash. There was dust all over the gauges and the bezel was stained. Installed a new cluster lens, used a micro fiber to clean the gauges, new light bulbs, A/C vents, A/C controls and a brushed applique.

[kwmech]

Wish i could find a dually 4x4 that clean near me