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#1 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,023
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Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Last thing I need is another vehicle to house but I just couldn't resist buying this from the 2nd owner who had it 4 months. '77 half ton Suburban. Interior is perfect and everything works. Original owner took very good care of it and I have receipts for everything. I believe it has 111K on it.
Now I need to figure out what to do with it. It needs to be lower and the whitewalls have to go. I don't want to take away from it's originality though. Suggestions on how to lower? I have three 1/2 ton 2wd squares (this, '77 Jimmy, '84 swb C10) that all need to be lowered sooner or later and I think the Suburban needs to go low first. Thinking drop spindles and possibly cut coil in the front. Rear is where I'm concerned. Not wanting to notch or do a flip in the rear though. Rear lowering springs? Suggestions on where to purchase are welcome too. Some pics: At PO's house |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,023
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Inside. No dash cracks
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,023
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Barn doors
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,023
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
350 that hasn't been messed with.
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,023
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Last one.
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#6 |
Farm Truck
![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Jersey Village, Texas
Posts: 547
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Very nice.
__________________
1969 CST/10 1984 K5 Blazer 4x4 2016 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Mike Jersey Village, Tx |
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#7 |
yeller
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 13,826
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Wow, what a gem!! Drop leafs in back might be the best option...never lowered a burb or blazer before...but know space is tight.
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Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale |
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,023
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Thanks guys. I was thinking lowering springs in the rear, just not sure how much drop they provide and how to match the front.
I also need to figure out if I want to stick with the steelies and caps, switch to rallies, or heaven forbid spend some money on some 20's. |
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#9 |
I know the pieces fit
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MONTGOMERY, AL
Posts: 5,523
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Wow - makes you feel good that they're still out there. Nice score! If it were me I'd copy Blue J's stance best I could and drive it.
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#10 |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,698
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Very cool burb!
I lowered my old burb years ago with drop leaf springs in the back. I would look at 4" or 5" drop leaf springs. You have to be careful because the "center section" of the rearend gets close to the burb's floor. I know www.performanceonline.com sells them. Not sure who else.
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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#11 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,023
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Quote:
I did some digging and saw a small pic of your blue and white two tone. In the post you said: "3" drop spindles and 2" drop springs up front. The rear was a set of 4" drop leaf springs." Anything you would have done different? At this point I"m thinking 2.5" spindles and 1 cut coil in the front. I have seen this set up on several trucks and I like how it sets the front end. With that front end drop I need to determine how much to lower the rear. The leaf springs are available in 4" and 5" drops. Any suggestions on which one to go with that will have it sitting level? Plans for rims at this point is a set of van rallies but is subject to change. |
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#12 |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,698
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
I would get 5" if you want it to set level.
Mine had a little rake to it,... but I also had no c-notch. Just get under it with a tape measure and see where 5" is going to put all of your rear suspension. (axle tube, center section, etc)
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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#13 |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,698
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Make sure to run a good quality drop shocks.
I used Belltech. If it doesn't have a sway bar,... get one. Add some Energy Suspension bushings and it will be good. I think I also had a carrier bearing spacer on the driveshaft to help with driveshaft angles on the 2-piece drive shaft.
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,023
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Thank you for the great information. Do you remember how much space you had between the frame and the axle tubes without a notch? I'm assuming you removed the bump stops. I was hoping not to notch, but I may have to if it's going to sit right. Did you relocate the rear shock mounts?
It does have a front sway bar...I haven't looked to see if there was one in the rear. I'll get under it tonight and give it a good look with a tape measure. I hadn't thought of spacing down the carrier bearing but it makes sense in order to get it to a good angle as I'm assuming (without looking at it yet) that lowering it 4-5" in the rear will flatten out the driveshaft which may lead to some bad vibes. |
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#15 |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,698
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
No c-notch.
Bumpstops and brackets removed. I don't remember the rear axle clearances. That was a long time ago. I used rear shock extensions to straighten up the shock angles.
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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#16 |
Ephesians 2:8
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Delavan, IL
Posts: 677
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Wow that is clean! Reminds me of my brother 77 C10 he sold a few years back.
![]() Good luck with it! I like the idea of keeping it basic.
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72 Suburban making it mine My 79 C10 story 79 C10 LS swap 94 LS swapped Daily Driver Tahoe Limited Instagram - @piersonclassics 83 K20 Farm Truck Build |
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#17 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,023
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Quote:
Decided today that I needed to get the suburban out of the rain and out to my barn. Yup, I'm gonna put it away for the winter and not mess with it until spring. I've always been a 4x4 guy and never lowered a truck before (besides leveling a '72 C10 by heating a coil when I was a teenager) so I think I'm gonna start on something not quite as clean. Burby headed to the house with the barn. |
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#18 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,023
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
The victim getting backed in the driveway. '77 2wd Jimmy.
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#20 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,023
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Thanks Bruiser! I've been collecting them (and parts) since my early 20's (42 now) and it's a mixed blessing. Case in point, today I had a buddy over to help me get all of my junk situated in my barn in preparation for winter. I knew it was going to be tight after picking up the 18' 8" Suburban. Managed to get all 12 to fit though thankfully. Summer car and box van still need to go in here.
2wd K5 is in house garage and '73 K5 in storage at the dunes. Problem with all of this crap is only a few are exactly like I want them and maintenance is a pain. They all run though ![]() It would be much easier to just focus on 1 or 2. |
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#21 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,023
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Another. Yes, I have a problem.
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Ft. Hood, Texas
Posts: 2
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Nice collection!! I spy an 83/84 Monte Carlo SS. Great taste in vehicles!!
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#23 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,023
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
Thanks! First post too so welcome.
Yes, it's an '84, and you obviously know your montes to be able to tell the year from that pic. I wonder if anyone else knows how you knew it was an '83 or '84. I purchased it from the original owner. All original with ~40K miles. Regarding my collection, most of my friends or coworkers always ask me why I don't collect something cool like an old Ferrari or Porsche. People weren't driving those where I grew up! Here's a better pic of the Monte after a wash this summer. |
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#24 |
I know the pieces fit
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MONTGOMERY, AL
Posts: 5,523
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
By the S10-style wheels? They went to an 80 or 81 Z28-style wheel after that? I'm guessing, I know there are more differences in stripes and tail lights but that's what stands out to me in that one pic. Nice car, I'm a fan of them too.
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#25 |
Slots go on anything!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Richardson, TX
Posts: 5,957
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Re: Had to buy - '77 Suburban
That's why I don't have a barn. The color is a give away as well. Is it a bench seat or bucket seat car? Either way, love it!
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1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241 |
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