89 suburban project - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TheDirt520 · 01-29-2012, 06:49 AM

Hello I'm working on a 89 Suburban I found on CL for $200 mostly stripped down but it was cheap and rust free, plus I parted out a 81 crew cab dually 2wd which is supplying the front suspension rear axle and dually fenders for my burb I've had it, sorry worked on it a total of 3 days now, it started life as a 1/2ton 4x4 but since it was missing the complete drivetrain and running gear I'm making it a 2wd dually lowered flat black with a kick ass stereo,,,, here's where I'm at so far,,,,, damn can't upload pics from my phone will add them in a couple mins
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**lolife99** · 01-29-2012, 10:34 AM

Will be watching for pics!

TheDirt520 · 01-29-2012, 06:19 PM

Heres the pics, damn windows phone wont let me do crap on it

TheDirt520 · 01-29-2012, 06:26 PM

i stripped it of the ac crap and maybe a blockoff plate, Im going to fill the quarter panels with expanding foam made for filling pontoon boats, i will also fill the inside of the doors and anyother open cavity in this truck like the area around the roof, 4 18" Fi audio subs are gonna shake the crap outta it

TheDirt520 · 01-29-2012, 06:33 PM

I thought about just converting the 4x4 frame to 2wd but instead of making sure all holes get drilled right, i found a frame on CL for $150, i'm just going to change the upper balljoints and swap over the lower arms and spindles from my dually, i will be swapping the rear leaf brackets over from a 1/2ton 4x4 since they hang lower i can do the axle flip and have room for the massive dana 70hd rear axle(thing is a beast)

TheDirt520 · 01-29-2012, 06:44 PM

all this crap takes me awhile since i do 95% of it myself with no help, but when its done ill be able to say i did everything myself,, yes people i know the welds on the firewall plate are sloppy but i have about 4 hours of welding time, my welds on thicker metals are way better!,,, before the new frame goes under i will clean and paint the frame and underside of the truck there will be no other color besides flat black on this sub, no chrome, nothing,,,
So after getting the 4x4 frame out i had to figure out what to do with it, then i got a good idea, put it under my crew cab body,, the blue pickup in the pics is losing its life for parts for the other two trucks, at 6'11" i cant drive standard cab pick ups

TheDirt520 · 01-29-2012, 06:47 PM

last pics at this time more work and pics to come tomorrow

Hoods69BadBowTie · 01-30-2012, 12:40 AM

Nice sounds like a fun project. Cant wait to see some pics after you get more done. Keep up the good work

YoungBurb88 · 01-31-2012, 10:00 PM

I got to lookin at those picks and apparently our burbs (before your project) were pretty similar.. had the exact same interior, only difference I could see would be the rear door and exterior paint..... One thing I was going to ask about is the gas tank - does the dually conversion require that you move and/replace the tank due to space constrictions?

TheDirt520 · 01-31-2012, 11:10 PM

No the tank will stay put, im pushing my rear axle back 2 inches so I don't have to cut the dually fenders and it'll still clear the tank,, tomorrow I'll be doing some work, gotta clean and paint the frame, and swap over the dually parts I'll add some pics on the conversion
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YoungBurb88 · 01-31-2012, 11:20 PM

Okay, I was just curious about the tank issue as those 36 gallon "barrels" take up a lotta room.

y5mgisi · 01-31-2012, 11:22 PM

Subscribed.

TheDirt520 · 02-01-2012, 10:03 PM

Woke up late today felt kinda lazy but managed to get some work on my frame, do to minor differences in the 1/2ton suspension and the 1ton i decided to swap out the whole crossmember, matched up to the 1/2 frame perfect, out back I cut off the stupid stock rivets for the leaf spring mounts to change them for the narrower 1ton parts, they dont match up at all, theres 4 rivets on the front 1/2 mounts, 6on the 1ton,, theres 6 rivets on the 1/2ton rear with 4 on the 1ton, but since i'm moving the rearend back 2" i'll use the top rear hole(front mount) and swivel the mount torwards the back some, and drill the other holes, this plus the axles spring pads have extra holes i should pick up the 2" i need,, I need to remember to take pics before and during my work, i always forget and take them when i'm done for the day,,, I'll try, more to come tomorrow

TheDirt520 · 02-01-2012, 10:10 PM

ohh plus I cut out the old dually bedsides to use the piece for a template for the mounting holes on the suburban and to open up the wheelwell so theres no tire rub,,,, Last pic is my lazy ass cat named Dog (just happened to transfer over with my pics)

TheDirt520 · 02-02-2012, 09:38 PM

pressure washed the frame today and moved the axle under just to see what it looks like, tomorrow i'll take the drill and wire wheel to the frame then paint ithave to figure out what to do for the leaf spring mounts , the last pic is about where i need the axle to sit(height wise)

TheDirt520 · 02-02-2012, 09:44 PM

above pics dont show much but alotta dirt and grease came off,,,,
after the frame i turned to the truck some and got the first dually fender on it,, in pic #3 all the black area will be cut off(gives you an idea how far my rear end is getting moved back,,
fender is not bolted on just sitting on

68Timber · 02-02-2012, 11:05 PM

Looks great, subscribed.

mullit · 02-03-2012, 08:27 PM

That my friend is gonna be so bad ass, would love to do it to mine when i get around to baggin it

TheDirt520 · 02-03-2012, 10:37 PM

Thanks I've wanted one every since I saw Twister years ago, got quite abit of work to do still but it's coming along, I'll get it paint next week and get the body in one piece then it'll be something to look at.
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**truckfan** · 02-06-2012, 02:58 PM

subscribed

thirdstreettito · 02-10-2012, 10:49 AM

Subscribed!

KITT · 12-25-2023, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDirt520

above pics dont show much but alotta dirt and grease came off,,,,
after the frame i turned to the truck some and got the first dually fender on it,, in pic #3 all the black area will be cut off(gives you an idea how far my rear end is getting moved back,,
fender is not bolted on just sitting on

Hi Any picture when finished and how you make a fuel door...

**Getter-Done** · 12-25-2023, 09:10 PM

Original poster last log in was 12-18-2014.

So, chances are slim that they will respond.

You could send a PM and see what happens.

LT7A · 01-10-2024, 10:22 PM

I like the enthusiasm. I'd bet that dually fenders, pontoon boat foam, four 18 inch woofers, and everything's gonna be flat black might have added up to a project that didn't come together in the way it was first conceived... More power to him if it did!

01-29-2012, 06:49 AM	#1
TheDirt520 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 145	89 suburban project Hello I'm working on a 89 Suburban I found on CL for $200 mostly stripped down but it was cheap and rust free, plus I parted out a 81 crew cab dually 2wd which is supplying the front suspension rear axle and dually fenders for my burb I've had it, sorry worked on it a total of 3 days now, it started life as a 1/2ton 4x4 but since it was missing the complete drivetrain and running gear I'm making it a 2wd dually lowered flat black with a kick ass stereo,,,, here's where I'm at so far,,,,, damn can't upload pics from my phone will add them in a couple mins Posted via Mobile Device

01-29-2012, 10:34 AM	#2
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: 89 suburban project Will be watching for pics! __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

01-29-2012, 06:26 PM	#4
TheDirt520 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 145	Re: 89 suburban project i stripped it of the ac crap and maybe a blockoff plate, Im going to fill the quarter panels with expanding foam made for filling pontoon boats, i will also fill the inside of the doors and anyother open cavity in this truck like the area around the roof, 4 18" Fi audio subs are gonna shake the crap outta it Attached Images

01-29-2012, 06:33 PM	#5
TheDirt520 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 145	Re: 89 suburban project I thought about just converting the 4x4 frame to 2wd but instead of making sure all holes get drilled right, i found a frame on CL for $150, i'm just going to change the upper balljoints and swap over the lower arms and spindles from my dually, i will be swapping the rear leaf brackets over from a 1/2ton 4x4 since they hang lower i can do the axle flip and have room for the massive dana 70hd rear axle(thing is a beast) Attached Images

01-29-2012, 06:44 PM	#6
TheDirt520 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 145	Re: 89 suburban project all this crap takes me awhile since i do 95% of it myself with no help, but when its done ill be able to say i did everything myself,, yes people i know the welds on the firewall plate are sloppy but i have about 4 hours of welding time, my welds on thicker metals are way better!,,, before the new frame goes under i will clean and paint the frame and underside of the truck there will be no other color besides flat black on this sub, no chrome, nothing,,, So after getting the 4x4 frame out i had to figure out what to do with it, then i got a good idea, put it under my crew cab body,, the blue pickup in the pics is losing its life for parts for the other two trucks, at 6'11" i cant drive standard cab pick ups Attached Images

01-29-2012, 06:19 PM	#3
TheDirt520 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 145	Re: 89 suburban project Heres the pics, damn windows phone wont let me do crap on it Attached Images

01-29-2012, 06:47 PM	#7
TheDirt520 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 145	Re: 89 suburban project last pics at this time more work and pics to come tomorrow Attached Images

01-30-2012, 12:40 AM	#8
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Re: 89 suburban project Nice sounds like a fun project. Cant wait to see some pics after you get more done. Keep up the good work __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

01-31-2012, 10:00 PM	#9
YoungBurb88 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Rural, MO Posts: 166	Re: 89 suburban project I got to lookin at those picks and apparently our burbs (before your project) were pretty similar.. had the exact same interior, only difference I could see would be the rear door and exterior paint..... One thing I was going to ask about is the gas tank - does the dually conversion require that you move and/replace the tank due to space constrictions? __________________ "I just don't think my Suburban Has much to do with climate change, oh woah, Has much to do with climate change and my mind you cannot change..." Tim Hawkins - Free Bird Parody

01-31-2012, 11:10 PM	#10
TheDirt520 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 145	Re: 89 suburban project No the tank will stay put, im pushing my rear axle back 2 inches so I don't have to cut the dually fenders and it'll still clear the tank,, tomorrow I'll be doing some work, gotta clean and paint the frame, and swap over the dually parts I'll add some pics on the conversion Posted via Mobile Device

01-31-2012, 11:20 PM	#11
YoungBurb88 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Rural, MO Posts: 166	Re: 89 suburban project Okay, I was just curious about the tank issue as those 36 gallon "barrels" take up a lotta room. __________________ "I just don't think my Suburban Has much to do with climate change, oh woah, Has much to do with climate change and my mind you cannot change..." Tim Hawkins - Free Bird Parody

01-31-2012, 11:22 PM	#12
y5mgisi Second Chance Program Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,642	Re: 89 suburban project Subscribed.

02-01-2012, 10:03 PM	#13
TheDirt520 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 145	Re: 89 suburban project Woke up late today felt kinda lazy but managed to get some work on my frame, do to minor differences in the 1/2ton suspension and the 1ton i decided to swap out the whole crossmember, matched up to the 1/2 frame perfect, out back I cut off the stupid stock rivets for the leaf spring mounts to change them for the narrower 1ton parts, they dont match up at all, theres 4 rivets on the front 1/2 mounts, 6on the 1ton,, theres 6 rivets on the 1/2ton rear with 4 on the 1ton, but since i'm moving the rearend back 2" i'll use the top rear hole(front mount) and swivel the mount torwards the back some, and drill the other holes, this plus the axles spring pads have extra holes i should pick up the 2" i need,, I need to remember to take pics before and during my work, i always forget and take them when i'm done for the day,,, I'll try, more to come tomorrow Attached Images

02-01-2012, 10:10 PM	#14
TheDirt520 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 145	Re: 89 suburban project ohh plus I cut out the old dually bedsides to use the piece for a template for the mounting holes on the suburban and to open up the wheelwell so theres no tire rub,,,, Last pic is my lazy ass cat named Dog (just happened to transfer over with my pics) Attached Images

02-02-2012, 09:38 PM	#15
TheDirt520 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 145	Re: 89 suburban project pressure washed the frame today and moved the axle under just to see what it looks like, tomorrow i'll take the drill and wire wheel to the frame then paint ithave to figure out what to do for the leaf spring mounts , the last pic is about where i need the axle to sit(height wise) Attached Images



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02-02-2012, 09:44 PM	#16
TheDirt520 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 145	Re: 89 suburban project above pics dont show much but alotta dirt and grease came off,,,, after the frame i turned to the truck some and got the first dually fender on it,, in pic #3 all the black area will be cut off(gives you an idea how far my rear end is getting moved back,, fender is not bolted on just sitting on Attached Images

02-02-2012, 11:05 PM	#17
68Timber I know the pieces fit Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MONTGOMERY, AL Posts: 5,523	Re: 89 suburban project Looks great, subscribed. __________________ John 79 2wd Blazer (Bruiser) 85 M1009 Blazer (Sarge) build 74 Honda Z50 build

02-03-2012, 08:27 PM	#18
mullit Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: connecticut Posts: 127	Re: 89 suburban project That my friend is gonna be so bad ass, would love to do it to mine when i get around to baggin it

02-03-2012, 10:37 PM	#19
TheDirt520 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 145	Re: 89 suburban project Thanks I've wanted one every since I saw Twister years ago, got quite abit of work to do still but it's coming along, I'll get it paint next week and get the body in one piece then it'll be something to look at. Posted via Mobile Device

02-06-2012, 02:58 PM	#20
truckfan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lawrence KS Posts: 821	Re: 89 suburban project subscribed __________________ 1981 Chevy C30 440 Holmes 42K one owner miles

02-10-2012, 10:49 AM	#21
thirdstreettito Resident of Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL, USA Posts: 7,716	Re: 89 suburban project Subscribed! __________________ ~Bradley~ 2004 Black GTO LS2/T56 too much to list Miss having a truck

12-25-2023, 09:10 PM	#23
Getter-Done Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TN. Posts: 8,329	Re: 89 suburban project Original poster last log in was 12-18-2014. So, chances are slim that they will respond. You could send a PM and see what happens. __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build

01-10-2024, 10:22 PM	#24
LT7A Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: PNW Posts: 3,615	Re: 89 suburban project I like the enthusiasm. I'd bet that dually fenders, pontoon boat foam, four 18 inch woofers, and everything's gonna be flat black might have added up to a project that didn't come together in the way it was first conceived... More power to him if it did!

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