87 Suburban R20 Cummins

[Lobie]

Recently I had been looking for a better vehicle to pull my 30 ft camper. I have been pulling it with my last project which was a 79 cherokee chief with a 6bt cummins. Power was good just wasn't comfortable with the stability. Mainly the wheel base at 109" wasn't up to par.
Bought an 87 suburban r20 with a 454. So the cummins is coming out of the jeep and going in the suburban. Going with a 47rh as the tranny.
Not going crazy on this build just a good reliable tow machine.

First task is to get the 5 speed out of the jeep so I can trade it for an auto 2wd.
No specific time frame planned but don't think it will take too long. We'll see.
Here's the suburban:






And the jeep with the cummins:

[Lobie]

It's been a while but have got some things done. I'm trying to keep the burn running untill I get the parts for the swap.

Redone all the brakes.
Pulled all the carpet and cleaned.
Got hydro boost. Gonna install this weekend.
Traded the 5 speed for a 47rh.
Fixed leak in radiator.

My list of things to do before I pull the engine out the suburban:
Pull cummins out of jeep
Tranny wiring (overdrive and tc lock up)
Slip yoke
Mount tranny to engine
Ac compressor
Ac compressor mount (high mount)
Rework serpentine belt
Tranny cooler
Rework intake manifold for inter cooler
Mount inter cooler
Hydro boost
Coolant outlet
Mount gauges
Fix ebrake
Vacuum pump for ac controls
Wire trail brake control


Things to do once burb engine is pulled:
Pull 454 & tranny
Set motor and tranny
Fab motor mounts
Tranny cross member mods
New drive shaft u joints
Drive shaft mods
Tranny selector set up
Finish tranny wiring
Tranny dip stick figment
Tranny fluid
Fab exhaust down pipe
Exhaust
Flush fuel tank
Fuel sending unit (current one broke)
Mod fuel lines
Ac fittings
Inter cooler plumbing
Radiator fan
Plumb heater lines
Wire gauges
Wire ac
Wire ignition
Battery

I think that's it. Let me know if I missed something.

[Lobie]

Installed the hydro boost this afternoon.


Posted via Mobile Device

[WarBeard]

Using the same Master? Whats the part's list look like for this swap?

[Lobie]

I switched to a 1 ton mc a while back. The bore is a little bigger, around 10% bigger.
Don't really have a parts list. Will be using most of the stuff I used when I put it in the jeep.
Posted via Mobile Device

[WarBeard]

Im thinking its just the

Master cylinder
Hydroboost
Hydroboost power steering lines....


Is the power steering pump the same?

[Lobie]

Originally Posted by motomech

Im thinking its just the

Master cylinder
Hydroboost
Hydroboost power steering lines....


Is the power steering pump the same?

For the hydro boost it was just the hydro boost and 2 pressure lines. I did use the same power steering pump. Had to tee the hydro boost return into the gear box return.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Lobie]

Originally I was going to keep the drum brakes in the back for the parking brake. I have been having trouble getting them to work and the cables are about froze up. So I gave up on them.
I had so 14 bolt brackets so I went to the parts store and got the rest of the parts.
Total cost: $251
Brackets: $50
Pads: $25
Calipers: $65 (with core charge)
Hoses: $36
Rotors: $65
Hose bolts: $10

Before:








After:

[kwin]

Looks like we are following a similar path, I was most of the way through a Cherokee cummins conversion when my shop burned to the ground.
I still have the cherokee and the cummins but all the glass, interior, electric and so on is long gone.
So I picke up a fleet of ex ambulance suburbans with the intention of pulling the Cummins from the Cherokee and putting it in one of the BURBs.I have 3 4x4 1/2 tons, 1 4x4 3/4 ton and my 91 1/2 ton two two wheel drive from an earlier purchase.

Ill be keeping a close eye on your progress!

[Lobie]

The cummins in the jeep did work out like I wanted it. Too much weight up front for off road. I need it to pull my camper though. Power was good just wasn't very stable when pulling. Besides I think the 454 in the jeep will be funner.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Lobie]

Pulled the cummins out of the jeep today. Getting a intake tomorrow so I can use an inter cooler. Need to make a mount to mount the AC compressor high and rework the serpentine belt system.




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[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by motomech

Im thinking its just the

Is the power steering pump the same?

Technically on an OEM setup,,,,yes. The pump will have an extra port on the reservoir for a return line.

Most people just "T" into the return line hose at the box though like mentioned.

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by Lobie

Originally I was going to keep the drum brakes in the back for the parking brake. I have been having trouble getting them to work and the cables are about froze up. So I gave up on them.
I had so 14 bolt brackets so I went to the parts store and got the rest of the parts.
Total cost: $251
Brackets: $50
Pads: $25
Calipers: $65 (with core charge)
Hoses: $36
Rotors: $65
Hose bolts: $10

Before:








After:

What are you doing for an ebrake now??

[Lobie]

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

What are you doing for an ebrake now??

Now for now. Eventually I think I will make a pinion brake similar to how a transfer case brake is. Originally I wanted to keep the drums for the ebrake but the cables were shot so I just converted them.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Firebirdjones]

New e-brake cables are cheap,,,cheaper than the brake swap.

Little scary not having one on there, I definately wouldn't want to go without on my tow rig, but I'm interested in seeing this pinion brake

[Lobie]

Didn't get too much done this wknd but did pick up some goodies. Got my inter cooler with all the plumbing and came across a he351ve turbo. It's from a 08 6.7 cummins and has the variable gains in it. Wasn't looking for another one but it was practically free. Gonna work on getting the AC compressor mounted and figure out this turbo this week.






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[kwin]

THat variable geometry 351 is a monster, I picked up a low mileage 351 (2005) from ebay before the prices on them went nuts.
They should be a good upgrade.

Keith