2wd Suburban as family trail rig?

[manimal]

I have an '89 R2500(2wd) Suburban. I have long been constipating converting it to 4wd. But in all reality I cannot go too far out in the boonies with my youngest son(has cerebral palsy amongst other serious medical issues).
So my question is can a 2wd be a good trail rig (no "wheelin") or should I go ahead and plan a 4wd conversion......I am alos going to convert from a 454 to either a 6.2 detroit or 6.9 IH.(cannot afford a cummins).
Thanks

[85burb]

If you can not go too far in to the boonies i would think a 2wd with a nice rear diff like a detroit or some limited slip will be good for a while. What kind of off road will it see? Just dirt road or rocks and mud. I would think a 2wd with both rears pushing and maybe a winch would do as good as a 4wd with open diffs. And you will save tons of money and time. You will be surprised how far 2wd will actually get you.

[Corts60]

I'd say leave it a 2wd. Put the money somewhere else like recommended above.

[turbo350]

Originally Posted by 85burb

I would think a 2wd with both rears pushing and maybe a winch would do as good as a 4wd with open diffs. And you will save tons of money and time. You will be surprised how far 2wd will actually get you.

x2

My 2wd Big 10 has navigated some steep gravel excuses for roads the no to low maintenance kind of roads. Even worked great pulling a boat in and out of a crappy gravel/dirt boat ramp. I have thought about getting a nice used winch and I still might if the right one comes up. No need for 4wd for me at least. On that note the guys I know who do have 4wd hardly ever actually use it. If you really have your heart set on one you'd likely be time and money ahead to sell what you have and buy a factory 4wd. Might not find a factory 4wd diesel Suburban easy to find though.

[manimal]

Thanks. I thought I would be ok with a 2wd(raised a desert guy). And no I wont be doing any deep mud/big rocks. I may do a spindle lift from the 88-98 style trucks just for extra clearance,but that will be it. And I agree on the winch. I have a friend that does off road racing fabrication(worked for the Baldwins for a while) that will build me a couple of nice bumpers and tire carrier for the back.
I plan on running a 305/75/16 all terrain tire,ProComp,BFG come to mind as being good with street manners.

[79gmcc15]

I took my 2wd drive car hunting a couple years ago. Pretty rough, muddy ground lol. It did pretty well! I am surprised how much 2wd can get around. I say do it! Be smart and have fun!

[Goldfinger]

add a locker and you'll be good to go

[68Timber]

Agree with the rest, keep it 2wd. Add a limited slip or locker if you want but it'll probably do everything you want just like it is. Love the 6.2 idea, I'm starting to think forced induction on mine. Great motor.

[nekkidhillbilly]

ive used 4wd on my 04 maybeye 6 times mud or snow was the only need.

[JCampbell]

Don’t bother. A little bit of ground clearance and some decent tires will get you pretty far. As much time as I spend up in the mountains exploring the fire roads with the kids, the number of times I’ve actually put it in 4wd was minimal. It was usually only because I wanted the challenge and there was almost always an alternate way around that didn’t require 4wd.

[esbstuff]

First i would check to see if it has a factory limited slip unit. In your glove box it will say G80 if it does... If not spend your money on a 'good' posi or locker as stated again and again above. As far as the 454/Diesel conversion, for the time you spend and $$$ you spend you can buy some nice mild parts for the 454 and have a very dependable ride. I would recomend an Edelbrock Performer 454 TBI Intake Manifold 3764 AND matching cam 2162. This will give you more HP and alittle more MPG. I have done this to my DD and I would do it again in a heart beat.

[Cue-Ball]

If the Top Gear America crew can cross the Continental Divide in minivans, you can do some light wheeling in a 2WD Suburban with a decent diff and gears. :-)

[79gmcc15]

Wasn't the limited slip g80 option the not so popular "govbomb"?

[manimal]

Thannks for the replies everyone!....reason for going diesel,is because I am tired of Cali smog laws and paying high fuel costs. Diesel here is the same price as unleaded. My thought process says "pay the same in fuel costs for twice the mileage". I should be able to sell a complete 454 TBI,computer,wiring harness,in tank fuel pump,exhaust for the same cost as a GOOD 6.2.
As for the rear axle, I do believe it has a limited slip or "locking" if you will, diff. I am not fond of the "Gov-Loc" diffs so a detroit will probably be on order,maybe even a selectable locker.

[bucannon]

keep it 2wd and do the lift spindles. then add a winch and roof rack and you will have an awesome rig.


be sure to refer to my lift spindle install thread if you need to!




here is some inspiration(sorry this one is 4wd though)

[manimal]

Now what about being 3/4t for the lift spindles?

[bilfman]

For sure put in a locker. 4x4 conversion is a huge! project. If you are set on a 4x4, I would just find a cheap one to go trailin with and leave the burb alone its a fine lookin machine.

That said, a locker, modified front bumper with a winch will take that burb many places. I think that this would be the best bang for the buck if you want to use the burb.

[bucannon]

they make 3/4 ton lift spindles

[big10ratrod77]

you would be surprised what a 2wd truck can do with a locker and nice off road tires my 77 has an open diff and good allterain tires and it will go most enywhere i need to go

[manimal]

Cool...thanks!

[Firebirdjones]

Like others mentioned, 2WD would get you around decently. We off road around the mountains here in AZ, which is similar terrain you would encounter in Southern Cal.

We have a 4x4 but I rarely use it. 2WD has gotten me most any place I wanted. I've only used the 4x4 when I sunk in a dry sandy wash or if I wanted the lower 4x4 gear to climb a really steep rocky grade. Most instances it's not needed though unless you really want to get away from people

[manimal]

Thanks, I have even been contemplating trading my '82 1t diesel for a Jeep wagoneer.

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by manimal

Thanks, I have even been contemplating trading my '82 1t diesel for a Jeep wagoneer.

If it makes you feel any better about having a 2WD, I can tell you when we really want to go trail riding and rip it up out there in the mountains, we take VW powered sand rails (2WD) and I can take those things anywhere I care to go, in some places I wouldn't even take my 4x4 because I'd probably tear it up

[beamn7]

Don't forget about all the paperwork etc, smog refferee inspection / sign off / certification you'll have to do if you do convert it over to a diesel and even then at some point in the future you'll end up having to install a DPF, etc. CA is getting crazy with the smog laws even for diesels. I work for a division IH that used to be a division of GM. Most fleets are asking for gas trucks these days out here.....

[manimal]

I've already got it covered for the paperwork and ref on the diesel swap. They dont smog '89s for diesel.