Polar Bear Suburban

[DirtyLarry]

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

I had the passenger side mirror pane fall out of the housing of my '83 as I was driving down the highway. Caught a glint out of the corner of my eye then sparkly things in the rearview, started looking around wondering what in the world just happened.

Larry, if you get a minute I would appreciate your 8.1 input: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=721338

That is funny. I lost a couple tools similar to that

The original mirror that came on the bear were pretty delaminated so I had G-van mirrors on it, which are identical except the tube had a slightly different bend. The G-van mirror is the one that got broke so I ordered a pair of aftermarket ones from Fleebay with low expectations. Oh, man! What junk they were just to my suspicion. The bases were so flimsy the mirrors giggled everywhere when shutting the doors. I ended up just taking the new mirror portion off and installing them on the original Suburban tubes and bases. Quality parts are hard to find these days. Friggen Taiwan and China are going to kill us all sooner or later.

I’ll take a look at that thread. Sorry, I don’t get here much unless someone whistles at me by pushing a subscribed thread to the top

This is what G-van mirrors look like on a square.

[deejaaa1]

great build. i really liked what you did with the rust and paint. nice truck too! reminds me of my 81 i used to have.

[86454k30]

I have a 3 GM used sets of mirrors if you want a set of OEM ones. They aren't "show" truck quality but good driver quality.

[Matt Man]

Hey DirtyLarry I nominated your suburban in February totm contest.

[DirtyLarry]

Originally Posted by Matt Man

Hey DirtyLarry I nominated your suburban in February totm contest.

Sweet! Thank you!

[cal30_sniper]

Larry, I had a question about what you used for the fuel lines in this truck with the 8.1L. If I remember correctly, I read somewhere else that you used the factory TBI lines up to the fuel filter, and then ran something else to connect up to the 8.1L fuel rail. Do you have a parts list or description of how you tied in the 8.1L fuel rail with the TBI lines in your suburban?

I'm getting the parts together to swap in an '04 C5500 8.1L into my '86 454 C20 Suburban. I'm planning to snag the fuel tank pickup and lines from a TBI squarebody suburban, and need to figure out a clean way to hook them up to the pressure and return ports on the 8.1L. I'd love to know how you did yours.

[DirtyLarry]

Originally Posted by cal30_sniper

Larry, I had a question about what you used for the fuel lines in this truck with the 8.1L. If I remember correctly, I read somewhere else that you used the factory TBI lines up to the fuel filter, and then ran something else to connect up to the 8.1L fuel rail. Do you have a parts list or description of how you tied in the 8.1L fuel rail with the TBI lines in your suburban?

I'm getting the parts together to swap in an '04 C5500 8.1L into my '86 454 C20 Suburban. I'm planning to snag the fuel tank pickup and lines from a TBI squarebody suburban, and need to figure out a clean way to hook them up to the pressure and return ports on the 8.1L. I'd love to know how you did yours.

Well, I am using the stock TBI lines from the tank to the TBI fuel filter location. From the filter to the fuel rail I am using Workhorse Custom Chassis 8.1L RV chassis fuel lines with concoction of a Dorman fuel line repair kit to connect the WCC lines to the fuel filter. There are lots of ways to set up fuel lines for these type engine swaps and most are pretty good.

Fuel lines...
Return: W0000540
Supply: W0000539

Those lines can be purchased from any Workhorse dealer as they are a Workhorse exclusive, not a common GM part

[cal30_sniper]

Thanks for the info, Larry. I thought there might be a plug and play solution, but I'm sure I can come up with something. I might try to find those workhorse parts, or come up with something else. I'll have to do some more looking into it.

[Zoomad75]

http://workhorse.navistar.com/Default.aspx?tabid=197

The state lookup feature is broken, but if you put in your zip code it should bring up a dealer near you or at least in your state.

Keep in mind since the product got axed in 2010 dealers have been dropping off as the warranty work is done. The only thing left is a small amount of repair work and parts ordering.

I work at a dealer that still has access to Workhorse parts so if nobody local to you is still doing it we can order, you'll just have to deal with the shipping charges.

[DirtyLarry]

Originally Posted by Zoomad75

http://workhorse.navistar.com/Default.aspx?tabid=197

The state lookup feature is broken, but if you put in your zip code it should bring up a dealer near you or at least in your state.

Keep in mind since the product got axed in 2010 dealers have been dropping off as the warranty work is done. The only thing left is a small amount of repair work and parts ordering.

I work at a dealer that still has access to Workhorse parts so if nobody local to you is still doing it we can order, you'll just have to deal with the shipping charges.

Actually, 2012…. I was there watching the doors close . You’re close though as the 8.1L stopped production in 10 where we built the last 8.1L chassis up through summer 11. The new Workhorse Group is nothing more than a Press Release generating investor money eating machine with pipe dreams of drones and electric pickups... they haven't built a thing and probably never will. The sole of the 8.1L lives on in the form of a 8.8L in the Navistar IC Bus though

[argonaut]

Larry,
What clutch release bearing did you use in the suburban and the truck? After all these years I'm finally putting the nv4500 into Big Ugly, and it seems like I have very little clearance between the backside of the clutch fork arm and the opening in the side of the bellhousing. I'm wondering if you used a "taller" or longer bearing than I. I'm using National bearing number 614018.

Thanks.

[DirtyLarry]

Originally Posted by argonaut

Larry,
What clutch release bearing did you use in the suburban and the truck? After all these years I'm finally putting the nv4500 into Big Ugly, and it seems like I have very little clearance between the backside of the clutch fork arm and the opening in the side of the bellhousing. I'm wondering if you used a "taller" or longer bearing than I. I'm using National bearing number 614018.

Thanks.

Yep, I am using the same release bearing. Pretty much the common GM release bearing prior to them moving to integrated release bearing/slave cylinder assemblies.

[kwmech]

What brand of fender flares do you have there

[DirtyLarry]

Originally Posted by kwmech

What brand of fender flares do you have there

Warn 4XFlares. Unfortunately, they are extinct now. They stopped making them a year or so ago. Same with Xenon, they stopped too and were hoping to sell the dies to someone like LMC. Bushwacker is the last game in town for flares for square bodys

[84chevyguyid]

Looking for an 8.1 to put in my 87 suburban, found a 2003 engine but its set up to run propane and comes with a wiring harness and the ecm. The guy wants 800 bucks for it. How big of a problem would it be to convert it back to gasoline?
Love your build by the way!!

Thanks,
Mike

[Ski-me]

What's the difference from the 4L80e and the 4L85e (that is suppose to be in my 8.1L Yukon XL)?

[LT7A]

What's the difference from the 4L80e and the 4L85e (that is suppose to be in my 8.1L Yukon XL)?

Well, I'll chime in here a little bit. I think Larry is extremely patient with all the questions that he answers because this is the build thread for his Suburban. The questions at least have to do with work he's done on his Suburban. I think the question above can be answered by a Google search. I would recommend that.

Larry this is the second time I've read through this entire thread. So cool! The first time was to gather information and see how you work. The second time is because I acquired a Suburban. I hope you continue to enjoy the heck out of it.

[deejaaa1]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Well, I'll chime in here a little bit. I think Larry is extremely patient with all the questions that he answers because this is the build thread for his Suburban. The questions at least have to do with work he's done on his Suburban. I think the question above can be answered by a Google search. I would recommend that.

Larry this is the second time I've read through this entire thread. So cool! The first time was to gather information and see how you work. The second time is because I acquired a Suburban. I hope you continue to enjoy the heck out of it.

well said.

[DirtyLarry]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Well, I'll chime in here a little bit. I think Larry is extremely patient with all the questions that he answers because this is the build thread for his Suburban. The questions at least have to do with work he's done on his Suburban. I think the question above can be answered by a Google search. I would recommend that.

Larry this is the second time I've read through this entire thread. So cool! The first time was to gather information and see how you work. The second time is because I acquired a Suburban. I hope you continue to enjoy the heck out of it.

Yes, indeed! I’ve come so accustom to threads getting derailed I’ve almost come immune to it. Glad you’ve enjoyed the thread. Been a long time since I’ve had time to write much on the trucks lately between a little human and demanding job.

Originally Posted by deejaaa1

well said.

[Viperject]

Originally Posted by DirtyLarry

I’ve come so accustom to threads getting derailed I’ve almost come immune to it.

How often do guys ask you to sell it?

Asking for a friend.

[Irish1941]

Instagram? Are you mad? I can barely work email...haha
That's good to hear on shackle flip. Never built a Sub for keeping but given current status of things, middle of no where sounds about right and this one was as close to free as you can get.
Now with the little girl, pandemic adopted dog, wife plus camping junk, Blazers are just too small plus I like the "I'm off roading in my lazy boy" that Sub seat gives me.
Your squirt must be must be huge by now. Mines 8 and she knows EVERYTHING including how to read wrench/socket sizes. Finally handy to have around now.
I'm joking...She loves helping me fix stuff that isn't broken.

I like the rotor t-case balancer holder upper. Smart...like Homer smart.
And sure looks pretty in there. I like clean a underneath.
Ive got the JB SYE kit going in but like you no need for CV on this length of DS. Flange yoke, slip joint and go. I am stuffing a 1" zero rate to bring rear up more than front for gear, gas etc.
Every lifted 208/241 with slip tailshafts killed seals. Never a bent one, just the angle stress wiped them out. 5-8k miles all I ever got out of them before making a mess on the drive.
I'll let you know how it goes and glad to see you still respond. You're a good egg.
Thanks!

[DirtyLarry]

Originally Posted by Irish1941

Instagram? Are you mad? I can barely work email...haha
That's good to hear on shackle flip. Never built a Sub for keeping but given current status of things, middle of no where sounds about right and this one was as close to free as you can get.
Now with the little girl, pandemic adopted dog, wife plus camping junk, Blazers are just too small plus I like the "I'm off roading in my lazy boy" that Sub seat gives me.
Your squirt must be must be huge by now. Mines 8 and she knows EVERYTHING including how to read wrench/socket sizes. Finally handy to have around now.
I'm joking...She loves helping me fix stuff that isn't broken.

I like the rotor t-case balancer holder upper. Smart...like Homer smart.
And sure looks pretty in there. I like clean a underneath.
Ive got the JB SYE kit going in but like you no need for CV on this length of DS. Flange yoke, slip joint and go. I am stuffing a 1" zero rate to bring rear up more than front for gear, gas etc.
Every lifted 208/241 with slip tailshafts killed seals. Never a bent one, just the angle stress wiped them out. 5-8k miles all I ever got out of them before making a mess on the drive.
I'll let you know how it goes and glad to see you still respond. You're a good egg.
Thanks!

Ha! IG is quick and easy, which is about all I have time for anymore. My days of playing on forums has been whittled down to practically nil outside of a few entries into CK5 a month.

sounds like as good reasons to grow into a Suburban than any! Kids, dogs, camping! Blazers get small quick!

Ya, mine is getting big as well. Its absolutely amazing to watch her grow from an infant to now a 2nd grader that is much smatter than I ever was at that age. It’s amazing what they learn these days and how she speaks like a little adult. She loves to hang out with me in the garage and play with tools, look at parts, ask how things work, etc. In fact, when I bolting the transmission back in the Suburban she helped run the DeWalt driver to screw the shifter boot down while I held a wrench below. She also helped bleed the clutch. She is becoming a little shop rat and photo bomber!





Funny about the 8 lug rotor/transfercase holder. A few 241s builds ago, I rummaged through my junk pile to look for something to use a jig besides using a bucket and spotted an 8 lug rotor. As it turns out the nose of a 208 and 241 fits perfectly in the hub hold and stays well balanced too. Total Homer style!


Got the shaft back yesterday. It had to be cut down to make it longer. The reason I suspect the rear output on the 241 was bent is because I had a shaft made for a years ago what was a tad long. It wasn’t long after the 2016 Desert Trip when one of my friends came along and drove the Polar Bear did the vibration get worse. I’m pretty sure while flexing and bouncing that week the driveshaft stabbed the output hard on a compression when the back of the Burb was loaded with camping gear. After that trip it started eating seals and slip yoke bushings as well. I should have ran a gauge on the output before tearing it down but I was too excited to do the SYE regardless

[Irish1941]

Wow..time flies...I remember when my shrimp would play in back of one of my trucks (AKA corralled) so I could get things done. Now grade 3 doing crazy math!


Here is the Sub as it sits today. Threw on set of 15x8 steelies and some 33s BFGs. Need to adjust speedo ratio but it works.


It was filthy. Hadn't been washed in over a year but everything worked (almost) and price was unbeatable. Came with a full tank and tags paid til next yr!
Same owner since '94. Got a stack of maintaince 2" thick going back to when he bought. He never skipped oil changes, diffs etc. Doesn't leak anything.
Has engine oil cooler and PS cooler which was neat to see.
Still needs ton of cleaning but but it'll be trail ready in next month or so.
If it stays around, it'll get a 6.2 6L80 eventually but this TBI is running smooth for now and passes smog.

[DirtyLarry]

Looks good to me!

[Dieselwrencher]

Larry, the new pieces sure look great! I really like that fixed yoke set up on there.