Daily driver 4wd??

[norville]

Hey folks I've tried this before with pre 72 truck and had no luck. I just started too deep. My 88 land cruiser is slowly getting to small and I think it's time to move on. So I'm looking for a burb, I'd prefer a 71/72. Is is possible to find a nice 4wd rig in the northeast for under $5000. I guess rust would be the biggest factor. Mechanics I don't mind, even "just needs paint" that's good too, but I don't want to get into major rot issues on a real good deal. a $1200 POS will not get me what I want.

This vehicle would be my daily driver. I have a 87 swb 2wd as my backup vehicle. One major issue is, I cannot be working on it every weekend. I understand fixes or playing with it projects. But I'd hear about it from the wife if I couldn't pick up the kids ect.. cause it's broke again! I really need the room with 3 kids,dog and wife.

My other option would be to go with a pre 90 those are easier to find.

I don't mind driving a few hours for the right rig and I must be able to drive it back.

Any thoughts from you folks in the north east??

[b454rat]

Well,it's not nice, and I'm sure it will reguire weekend wrenching, but there is one up my way that's been sitting for awhile. The guy was driving it, then it ended up down the road, sitting ever since. The truck actually came from Carlisle, was bought there, drove it home (I think, or required little to drive), seen it driving around, and now there it sits. If you know where Gary's U-pull it is, its just down the road from it.

[norville]

Rat thanks for the heads up. I won't be ready till summer. As long as the land crusher holds out. I guess I'm just trying to a feel if there out there. And if I can afford something decent.

thank
s

bob

[86burb]

Norville:
You are doing the same search I did a year and a half ago. I live in Vermont, and everything up here is rusty. Fall/early winter is tough to find one, as they are in demand. There will be more available in march/april. Starting to look now is a good idea, as you will have found the most likely locations. I ended up with an 86 k2500 with the manual transmission, but very rusty. The $1000 truck has turned into a $5500 truck, plus about $700 in mechanical parts.

My dad (past owner of 5 new suburbans in a row) told me all suburbans want to cost or be worth $6000. I think he was right.

You are far more apt to find a 73-91 in the northeast. I would recommend the 3/4 tons, as they are more sturdy mechanically. The toughest body parts to find are the second doors, and the rear quarters. Certifit in Massachusetts seemed to have them for less than LMC trucks in Kansas, though I often use the LMC catalog. You also might want to check cars.com, autoextra.com, or other search engines that are newspaper based.

good luck, and let us know the progress.

[norville]

thanks 86burb,

I guess I got my hopes up a little to much. I figure the only must have is AC. For the kids, and I know pre 73's is a tuff one. I won't get my hopes up but when I'm ready I cross my fingers. Thanks for the hint an a 3/4. I'm kicking myself I passed a 3/4 with a plow locally(daily drive plow) for $1100. It only had some rust on the wheel wells.

thanks

bob

[70rs/ss]

I sold a 68 4X4 burb to qusilver about 6 months ago with a little rust and a newly machined 327 with all the parts to put it back together. It was all original and unmolested. I think we agreed on a price and then I took a 67 SWB in trade. The only think you would have needed to do was add AC and in this day and age vintage air kits can be had for reasonable $$$. I'd say $5000 will buy a lot of Sub. Look in Washington, AZ, Cali, etc and a front and rear AC burb with no rust can be found. Patience is the key to the search. If you are not looking to buy untill spring, look now and you'll have found many options when it is time to pass the money over.

[norville]

Thanks 70,

Good point on the AC, I was thinking 'bout that last night.

Folks don't get me wrong I love to wrench but Mon,wed and Fri I have kid duty. It's good know that there are subs in my budget. Although I am not alway's the patient person with some things.

I talked to the wife last night again and reminded her that a decision will have to be made before next winter. My landcruiser although great will need new tire's, exhaust, front springs and the cancer issue addressed. Parts are 3x the price. So either I drop 3K in it or move on to a larger vehicle.

How hard is it to put in a 3rd row of seats?

bob

[70rs/ss]

67-72 burbs came with them or they can be added easily (3rd row seat). The seats from a Blazer (back) will fit. I am putting the 99 and up seats in my Sub with the integrated seatbelts, but a good set of factory belts wil work as well, or I have seen that s-10 belts work up front. Lap belts in the second and third seat (this is why I want to use the 99 and up, they have shoulder belts in all seats). Good luck. I wish I had another 4X4 to sell!! I am building one now with a 96 3/4ton frame and IFS, but I am putting a 67 burb body on it. It will drive and ride like a Caddy, but have the style of a 67!! I'll let you know how the union goes.

[TyJ]

for some reason there seem to be a ton of 4x subs up in washington state
I bought a GMC about a year ago from a guy that had brought one down to california, I picked it up for 3k, 3/4 ton, pretty descent visually but lots of rust, if you dont mind the travel, a washington area truck trader may have quite a few options for you to check out

Hey 70- how far along are you on the 96 frame, are you going to cut those seats or just let tham stick up in the windows... I was gonna do the same thing pics would be great if youve got em

[70rs/ss]

Originally Posted by TyJ

for some reason there seem to be a ton of 4x subs up in washington state
I bought a GMC about a year ago from a guy that had brought one down to california, I picked it up for 3k, 3/4 ton, pretty descent visually but lots of rust, if you dont mind the travel, a washington area truck trader may have quite a few options for you to check out

Hey 70- how far along are you on the 96 frame, are you going to cut those seats or just let tham stick up in the windows... I was gonna do the same thing pics would be great if youve got em

I am going to get the frame in a week or so and then I'll post picts as the progress begins. I'll use the seats as is. The older seats with low backs were built that way before the physicists understood energy from impacts breaks spines without high back seats.

[lorin408]

Somone sent me this link from another email list im on.. says the guy has 2 72's forsale, 1 is a 4x4... just thought i would pass it on to help ya.

http://www.protrucks.biz

[Ronellison]

hello guys, i have a 1970 4x4 1/2 ton suburban with a 350 crate motor with 35k on it 350 trans ps,pb,ac, 33" bfg, the interier is about 3 years old but looks good. just finishing up the new red paint form the shop... what do you think it might be worth?

[special-K]

About $6,000?Norville,the next generation`Burbs have about the same body condition as the 67-72s for rust unless they were real pampered(N/E).Although,the newer ones were more plentiful because of increased popularity.

[norville]

special-k , I'm quickly realizing this. Some of the are real pooches. I though I had a good deal locally but when I ooked at it the whole back end was gone.

I have a line on a 86 scot's k20 but it has a "tranny problem" but over all solid and low rust. The only option is air and it's been removed. Asking $800, I think I can get it lower we'll see.

thanks

bob

[70rs/ss]

If you are still looking I know where a 72 2wd is, I know you looking for a 4X4, but up there a 4X4 frame should be an easy score for little cash and the 2wd will drop right on a 4X4 frame. It is rust free and is $500. I found it at a local yard and I can get you in touch with the owner, if interested PM me.