Shop project...

[Pullstart 60,362]

I mentioned this in the vintage rides thread, but momma got a “new” 1997 Suburban K2500 from Aurora, CO.  Selling her ‘15 LTZ, we made enough money to pay for the new ride and have just $1,100 in shipping costs and PayPal fees.

 

She works at a factory in town and most people there seem to have no regard for other’s property.  Her last three Suburbans have gotten more door dings than one vehicle should ever get… and she even parks IN THE LINES! 
 

Since she drives but 6 miles round trip daily, fuel mileage is pretty much not a concern.  

 

Today, the first piece of the puzzle showed up.  Or is this the second?  The 6” Superlift is still on the way.  These are 35x12.50-17 (or metric equivalents) Mickey Thompson Baja Boss load range E tires on Vision Manx wheels.

 

[Pullstart 60,362]

953 shown for size comparison.  Quite the meats!

 

 

[Handy Don 10,799]

3 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

Since she drives but 6 miles round trip daily, fuel mileage is pretty much not a concern.  

 

Wait, what about one of the herd with a cab, heat, and a pulley swap for some speed? Park between the lines and the adjacent doors can't even reach!

[ebinmaine 63,656]

1 hour ago, Handy Don said:

Wait, what about one of the herd with a cab, heat, and a pulley swap for some speed? Park between the lines and the adjacent doors can't even reach!

This is an idea you should have posted BEFORE he got the replacement 'burb. 

[Pullstart 60,362]

3 hours ago, Handy Don said:

Wait, what about one of the herd with a cab, heat, and a pulley swap for some speed? Park between the lines and the adjacent doors can't even reach!

I’ve tried… well not tried via Wheel Horses… but to convince her that she could get by with less than a Suburban.  The one time in my life I was wrong.  
 

Right there is a 50” high stack of tire.  One thing I’ll need to think about… is a set of side steps for my short little family members..

 

 

 

 

[Handy Don 10,799]

I understand the 

1 hour ago, Pullstart said:

The one time in my life I was wrong. 

I am familiar with, and have learned also to accept, when to cease discussion of certain topics. 

[Pullstart 60,362]

So far, our biggest issue has been headlight direction.  It was shining for coons across four lanes to the right and 100 feet high.  We found out how bad they were on our way home from Chicago in a rain storm after dark.  Tonight, I made enough room in the shop to pull a vehicle in and do some adjustments.  Time for a test drive.

 

 

[Pullstart 60,362]

Headlights are much better!  I imagine I’ll need to adjust them again soon after an altitude adjustment.

 

Though they look like Ace Ventura delivered them, these two boxes showed up and the contents seem intact. I believe one or two more boxes are expected, but time to start sorting pieces and fasteners!

 

 

[Achto 26,766]

"Got a package people!" 

 

Sooo, what's in the boxes?? Some added ground clearance? 

Edited November 4, 2021 by Achto

[Pullstart 60,362]

12 minutes ago, Achto said:

"Got a package people!" 

 

Sooo, what's in the boxes?? Some added ground clearance? 

most of the added ground clearance… missing shocks and rear lift.  

[Pullstart 60,362]

I had a cylinder #8 misfire problem on my truck we call “The Cadillac,” plaguing me.  I replaced the  spark plug, then swapped wires with another cylinder, then replaced the coil, but still no change.  Still #8 misfire.  Air, spark, fuel?  No fuel.  Yesterday, I quick pulled the fuel rail and that injector was absolutely packed full of rust.  A byproduct of old fuel lines, I suppose.  Remember, even though it has all new fuel lines, that truck sat about 4 years.

 

A little brake clean, compressed air, and an electrical jumper test, it went back in.  No troubles any longer!

 

 

[Pullstart 60,362]

Today, the lift begins on the Suburban.

 

The torsion bars and crossmember are removed.  They will drop below the frame and the transmission crossmember.

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LF suspension is hanging, front differential is removed.  Almost time to start putting it back together!

 

 

[Pullstart 60,362]

Past the point of no return… turned the hot wrench on and trimmed some unused bracketry.

 

All front suspension is removed.  Now it’s time to dress the slag areas, prep and paint the frame, then begin reassembly.

[Pullstart 60,362]

Shiny parts…

 

 

[Tractorhead 8,692]

Uh, lot of Work...

[Pullstart 60,362]

 

[8ntruck 6,508]

Kev - are those original steel wheels riveted? If so, they might have been produced in the Bowling Green, Ky plant I used to work in.

[Pullstart 60,362]

One corner very close to complete finally.

 

 

[Pullstart 60,362]

Driver’s side is together.  Need to replace inner tie rod ends, install the torsion bars, put the tires on and eyeball the camber and toe to get to the alignment shop… then start on the rear.

 

 

[Pullstart 60,362]

Check that front end out!  It’s sitting on the front tires and still on the lift on the rear.  Time to get the rear springs swapped out, then lift blocks!  I need to re-route the driver’s side exhaust down pipe to hook up the front driveshaft.

 

 

 

 

[Pullstart 60,362]

It’s on 4 tires!  Now, the exhaust crossover and driveshaft are trying to take the same real estate.  Time to play with another “kind if inherited” shop tool.

 

 

[Handy Don 10,799]

Very handy having a set of tubing benders. 

[rjg854 10,818]

How is your wife going to in and out of that truck 

 

You gonna make some kind of drop down ladder or sumpin like that 

[Pullstart 60,362]

34 minutes ago, rjg854 said:

How is your wife going to in and out of that truck 

 

Weeeeeeeell, I’m not sure yet!  

 

I’ll likely use my other bender and build some U shaped steps for each door.