73-91 Suburban differences/comments?

[Firebirdjones]

I've been looking around for a 4x4 454 suburban in that year range. I'm not very picky on the years or whether it's 1/2 or 3/4 ton, but I'd like to hear comments from others with different years of suburbans.

What you like, don't like, wish it had, what wasn't available or what became available.

Any usefull info might help me narrow down my search for a particular time frame, but I tend to lean towards pre 1980. Any info appreciated, thanks.

[Firebirdjones]

No one has a suburban here in these years that can comment on what they like or don't like?

[McJames]

well i have a 454 2wd 1985 and i think the 454 is the best part about it. the worst part would be the 60 gallon gas tank and the fack that i get around 8 miles to the gallon. the 3/4 ton to me just feels better to drive when its a suburban. my grandfather and uncle have 4x4 suburbans but they are all 350's. they're awesome in the middle of a severe winter storm (which we have most winter seasons in montana) out of all the suburbans my family has they are all mid-80's except for one thats either a 63 or 62 but that for a different project. i like my burban, lots of inside room can haul a lot more then excepted and can still off road ever though its 2wd.
hope i helped a little!

[68Timber]

I don't think they really changed that much. The full-time xfer case wasn't such a great idea but is easily converted with a set of Warn hubs. The 80-up stuff is less rust prone but less is a relative term here. What options do you like?

[Firebirdjones]

This helps greatly, keep it coming.

What years were the full time 4x4 transfer cases? I'd prefer to avoid those entirely.

I'm not worried about gas mileage so much, but I do like the idea of a 60 gallon gas tank

Maybe this will narrow the search? I have 3 things I must have in a suburban.

1) 454
2) 4x4
3) 3rd row seating

I don't know if the 3rd row seating was standard or optional throughout the years, but I've seen a few forsale without the 3rd row seat and that kind of turned me off.

I'd also like to hear some opinions about comfort. Seems throughout the years they got better seats, power windows and lock seem to be more common as they get into the 80's, overall they seem to have gotten a little nicer inside. Thoughts??

Those 3 things I listed are a must, but as far as options I'm open. Things I would like to see but wouldn't kill the deal for me either way are....

Cloth seats, window and locks, tilt, AC, and that about covers it. Not looking for a luxury machine, but I do want something presentable and complete (not missing anything). Don't care if it has a little patina (faded paint or paint peel) but I don't want something pieced together or rusty. Does that help? Are there better years in that time frame to look for that fit that criteria?? Thanks guys.

[68Timber]

Full time 4x4 was on half tons 73-79 and wasn't available after 1980. A set of warn hubs run $100 bucks and can be installed in half an hour. They'll fix the full time part. 454 was available all years of the 73-91 run of Burbs. Fuel injection started in 87. I don't know about the 3rd row seat.

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

Full time 4x4 was on half tons 73-79 and wasn't available after 1980. A set of warn hubs run $100 bucks and can be installed in half an hour. They'll fix the full time part. 454 was available all years of the 73-91 run of Burbs. Fuel injection started in 87. I don't know about the 3rd row seat.

That helps. When you say fuel injection in 87 I assume you mean the TBI setups....arg..

I'm aware starting in about 1980 and on up, they got computers to somewhat control the fuel solenoids in the quadrajets as well as control the distributors. That's a little easier (for me) to tune and deal with, Or even easier to remove with a regular carb and distributor. I don't believe the computers did much more than that until that TBI came along in 87....

Did overdrive trannies come into play at some point or did all the 454's just get a 400 turbo? I know they didn't put the 4L60 behind that engine...I was thinking it was well into the 90's before the 4L80 came about....

[joe231]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

Full time 4x4 was on half tons 73-79 and wasn't available after 1980. A set of warn hubs run $100 bucks and can be installed in half an hour. They'll fix the full time part. 454 was available all years of the 73-91 run of Burbs. Fuel injection started in 87. I don't know about the 3rd row seat.

The t-case has to be modified also. If you just put on locking hubs and unlock them the truck won't move. Unless you run the T-case in the "locked" position if it is so equipped, but the front shaft and diff will still be turning...

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

That helps. When you say fuel injection in 87 I assume you mean the TBI setups....arg..

I'm aware starting in about 1980 and on up, they got computers to somewhat control the fuel solenoids in the quadrajets as well as control the distributors. That's a little easier (for me) to tune and deal with, Or even easier to remove with a regular carb and distributor. I don't believe the computers did much more than that until that TBI came along in 87....

Did overdrive trannies come into play at some point or did all the 454's just get a 400 turbo? I know they didn't put the 4L60 behind that engine...I was thinking it was well into the 90's before the 4L80 came about....

1991 was the first and only year of the 4L80E in a square body.
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[68Timber]

Joe, are you sure? I had a 76 with the 203 transfer case and Warn hubs. It was like that when I bought it. But the front driveshaft still turned. I thought the transfer case modification was only needed if you wanted the front driveshift to disengage.

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by joe231

1991 was the first and only year of the 4L80E in a square body.
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Now that is something I find interesting. If I can't find a nice example of an older one that satisfies me, this bit of information might lead me to concentrate harder on 91 models.

This is the kind of stuff I like to hear guys. I really appreciate it

[joe231]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

Joe, are you sure? I had a 76 with the 203 transfer case and Warn hubs. It was like that when I bought it. But the front driveshaft still turned. I thought the transfer case modification was only needed if you wanted the front driveshift to disengage.

You can run it in the high or low loc position, I'm unsure if all the full time 203's had the locked option though. These have a differential that works like an open front or rear diff, it will send power where there is the least resistance.

I wonder if yours had been previously converted, or did you add the locking hubs?
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[joe231]

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

Now that is something I find interesting. If I can't find a nice example of an older one that satisfies me, this bit of information might lead me to concentrate harder on 91 models.

This is the kind of stuff I like to hear guys. I really appreciate it

You could also swap a 4L80E in whichever Burb you find and get a stand alone computer/controller to run it. All it takes is money
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[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by joe231

You could also swap a 4L80E in whichever Burb you find and get a stand alone computer/controller to run it. All it takes is money
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Yep, I sold the last 4L80E I had, too much money to use it in anything.

[Firebirdjones]

What year did the rear double barn doors appear? I'm not liking those too much.

[blakeduren]

They never offered a 454 in a 4x4 suburban during 73-91.
The 454 was only offered in 3/4 ton 2wd rigs.

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by blakeduren

They never offered a 454 in a 4x4 suburban during 73-91.
The 454 was only offered in 3/4 ton 2wd rigs.

Are you sure? I've seen a few 4x4's forsale with 454's that appear/claim original.

There is also a 1/2 ton 83 burb 4WD here local forsale with a 454 and 54k original miles. I'll find the link and post it,,,hold on.

[Firebirdjones]

Here's one I've looked at. Engine was rebuilt a couple years ago and has been painted orange rather than blue. But it's an original low mile example otherwise. This is also a 1/2 ton 4x4....


http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/2888433294.html

[joe231]

According to the literature at the GM heritage center:
Barn doors and tailgate were both available from the new body style in '73
And the 454 was only available in a C20
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[Jonboy]

There were a lot more power/convienience options offered later in the run. I like the look of the 73-80 models better, but all of the amenities of the later ones would make them my choice, especially the 89-91 trucks. Starting in '89 you could get a rear window defogger (not much of an inconvienience in AZ, I bet), and in '90 you could get power mirrors. The interior was a lot nicer (to me) from '89-up.

I have had a bunch of Blazers and Suburbans, and actually prefer the barn doors. There is nothing to go wrong with the back window making the doors unusable. The rear gate window seems like it came from the factory broken.

[Firebirdjones]

I only wish the windows were operational on the barn door setups. Even if they were just pop open windows. If that were the case I could live with it.
Unfortunately just about ever burb I've looked at has the barn doors, I'm not so sure I can avoid it. So I'm trying to accept the idea.


Didn't even know a rear window defog was available. They really piled on the amenities in later years. I agree it sure makes them more appealing.

[joe231]

My 84 with a tailgate has the rear defogger.

Pop open windows on the barn doors would be bad, it would suck the exhaust right in.
Your not suppose to run with the gate window down either...Same deal it sucks the exhaust in the cab.
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[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by joe231

My 84 with a tailgate has the rear defogger.

Pop open windows on the barn doors would be bad, it would suck the exhaust right in.
Your not suppose to run with the gate window down either...Same deal it sucks the exhaust in the cab.
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I never used them while driving, I opened them while parked. In a burb it would be ideal for airflow while sitting still. My thinking is removing the 3rd seat and camping in it up in the mountains. Would be nice if the back window opened. Otherwise airflow gets a bit stagnet in there.

[joe231]

Gotcha!
It would be nice to have the sliding quarter windows, too rich for my blood though
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[motornut]

my 78 burb had barn doors as does the 88
i'd find one,late 70s early 80s,for me pre etesting means pre 87
look for tilt,power locks,rear air/heat
i used my 87 for camping removed the 2 and 3rd row,
fit a full size bbq behind the drivers seat,(turns out fire ban in effect,would not have be able to cook without it)
slept in the bed
i made screens for the rear cab doors,simple
open window,stretch screen over outside,upper half of door,pull tight close door
the rear window had a flag held with velcro for privacy
I also made a screen for a car sunroof ,strips of magnets glued onto screen,for the drive in

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by joe231

Gotcha!
It would be nice to have the sliding quarter windows, too rich for my blood though
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I never thought of that but you are right, even opening quarter windows would be enough to get some air flow in the back half of the burb.