My 89 GMC 4X4 Burb

[kcmongo]

Here’s my 89 GMC 4X4 Suburban. At this point it's all stock, I bought it from my neighbor who bought it from a doctor buddy of his that bought it new. Story goes he just used it to pull his big camper and boat on the weekends and was stored inside always til my neighbor bought it, the interior looks pretty much new, no cracked dash or anything. It still has the typical midwest rust bubbling up under the doors and fenders but it seems to be much less than I’ve seen on trucks around the area about the same age. It just has a little over a hundred thousand miles on it. Drive train is a 350 TBI and a 700R4 with the factory tow setup.
It came with all the paperwork since the guy bought it, oil changes etc. One thing I didn’t see was any maintenance for the transmission and it was shifting a little funny, after a couple road trips I ended up putting a rebuilt one in and it’s great now.
I primarily plan on using it for towing as I’ve been buying a lot of old trucks lately for my used parts business and my V8 D*dge Dakota I’ve towed with for years is getting tired. Also I’ve always wanted a Suburban and really like this body style and been wanting a 4X4 too.

Things I’ve done so far:

• Installed a Pioneer CD player.
• Removed the wind deflector from the front of the hood.
• New transmission, with all the goodies and a big cooler.
• Had the rear spring rearched and two leafs added to stiffen it up more (It had a case of the ass sags).

Other things I plan to do:

• I want to install some bigger wheels tires, anyone know how big I can go without a lift? I don’t want to lift the truck at this point as my primary need is for towing not off-roading the stock wheels and tires look tiny on it.
• Getting my CD/Scanner/HAM Radio setup installed and setting up an onboard computer (Would like to see similar stuff installed in you guys trucks).
• I bought a roof console from a local guy that deals in burb parts some of the stuff above might get put up there.
• Would like to make some mods to improve the gas mileage a bit, have heard about TBI spacers and cold air intakes, looking for more info on those and any other good idea’s.
• My 110VAC Generator with it I’ll install a second battery and a battery isolator.
• Onboard air system and a couple storage tanks.
• Anybody added any D rings or ways to tie down heavy loads in the cargo area? I’ll most likely be hauling some engines and transmissions back there and want to be able to tie em down snug.

O' and educate me on the auto locking front hubs, what's the scoop?

Here's the pics again..






Ok so I’ve been long winded enough thanks in advance guys.
MONGO

[1Ton]

Looks like a nice piece there.

[bisquik65]

31/10.50 tires will clear with no mods...

32's will rub the fenders in the rear on a hard turn

[screwballl]

had 31x10.50s on a stock 76 GMC with absolutely no problems. Looks liek a nice burb there, wish I had that headlight setup with my 91...

[Hobbs]

Just put BFG 295/75/16 on an 88 3/4 with a 2" body lift. Did not have to cut wheel well. No rub. Its close though. Will post pics later today.

Hobbs.

[Hobbs]

Pics of 88 sub 3/4 ton 2" body lift. 295/75/16

Hope this helps.

Hobbs

[79Silv4x4]

Originally Posted by kcmongo

[*]Would like to make some mods to improve the gas mileage a bit, have heard about TBI spacers and cold air intakes, looking for more info on those and any other good idea’s.

O' and educate me on the auto locking front hubs, what's the scoop?

Don't worry about the mileage 'improvements'--keep it tuned and that's about it. These things are bricks and will only get so much MPG. As a side note--the skinny tires from the factory were there for a reason--MPG. Putting on a decent size tire/wheel will cut your mileage. Trust me.

As for the auto hubs--ditch them for a pair of manual lockers--$100 or so