Anyone using a Suburban

[bigreen505]

Just out of curiosity, is anyone using a current model Suburban as an expedition platform?

[cshontz]

Pierce Brosnan uses a Suburban in Dante's Peak. Although I apologize for my less-than-serious response, it is a sweet Suburban. :)

[datrupr]

Not that I know of, I think there are some real limitations to the Suburban. It is not that effecient, but does come with a large gas tank, length makes it difficult to manuvere on most of the smaller trails, very long wheelbase, pretty wide also. The space is outstanding though. I would have to think really hard about the trails I was planning on running before purchasing a Sub. if you are going to be on two tracks in the bush often, I would probabaly dimiss it as an option. I think sticking to a 4runner or a Trooper, or even an 80 would still be your best bets.

[bigreen505]

That is kind of what I was thinking, but a lot of people seem to be running full-size trucks. As far as mileage, my dad's runs close to 20 on the highway with 4.10 gears, so it is at least on par with my Pathfinder. Both my attraction to and fear of a Suburban is size.

[Scott Brady]

I think an Excursion would make a good expedition vehicle. With the diesel, it gets better fuel economy than my Tacoma. With a small lift and 255/85 tires it will do well on improved roads and two tracks. ARB makes lockers, bumpers and snorkels for them too.

If you have a family and want to travel remote, I think it would be a good idea.

IMO, late model GM full-size trucks are a poor choice for an expedition platform, mostly due to drivetrain durability.

[calamaridog]

For that matter, an F250 crew cab with a camper shell would weigh even less than the Excursion and can be had with the diesel too.

I don't think they ever had a diesel in the newer Subs or Tahoes?

[goodtimes]

"Yukon Bob" over at 4wdtrips.net has been using a Yukon for awhile now. He has travelled extensively in the American S/W, and in Mexico. His vehicle is nearly stock, and last I talked to him he was quite satisfied with it. He has had some problems (usually when he is heading to the Slot Canyon in Anza Borrego.....), but I don't know of it ever leaving him stranded. I don't see him around much anymore since he moved south of the border, but if you can track him down I'm sure he will share his thoughts on it. He's a super nice guy, especially if you put a bottle of fermented and distilled Agave nectar in front of him.

[Nullifier]

not that I know of but I think a old mid 60's suburban would be a cool rig to have.

[kcowyo]

Steve Frisbie built an awesome Suburban and it looks set to tackle any trail. (http://fourwheeler.com/featuredvehicles/129_0507_tba/)

I haven't seen the new bodystyle GM's used as an expedition platform. The late 80's and early 90's Subs are seeing a resurgance in popularity for those who want to drop in a Cummins. There was another write up recently about a guy out of Grand Junction I believe, who had dropped a Cummins in an 80's model Suburban. The pics of this rig on SW Colorado trails were impressive. Stout axles, t-case, diesel power & torque with gobs of passenger room. Looked pretty slick.

I'm going to agree with Scott, that some of GM's trannsmissions, like the SM465 is not GM's best transmission. However, IMO the best part of any GM is generally their tranny's. The 700R4, TH400, NV4500 and the Allison, are all excellent tranny's and it's hard to dispute the popularity of GM's 350 & 454 engines. Parts for those are everywhere. And as Aaron mentioned, a 42 gallon stock gas tank will offer quite a long range.

The Duramax diesel has not been offered in a GM SUV, only their 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. However their old 6.2 and 6.5 liter diesels were available in the Subs, Blazers and Jimmys. The 6.2 is a dog but it was used by the military for a long time and there are still a few running around. They will also run at any angle, and with the short wheelbase of the full size Blazer, it makes for quite a good trail rig.

The problem I had with my full size '89 Jimmy (and it would be the same with a Sub or Excursion) was trying to see over the hood on an incline. Like many things, there are several die hard full size GM fans who run their K5's over the toughest trails in Moab. (http://www.coloradok5.com)

One of the 4x4 mags in the last year or two, was building a late 60's 3 door model Suburban. They documented the t-case and axle swap, lift and a few other things. Haven't seen an update in a long time on that one.....?

[bigreen505]

"Yukon Bob" over at 4wdtrips.net has been using a Yukon for awhile now. He has travelled extensively in the American S/W, and in Mexico. His vehicle is nearly stock, and last I talked to him he was quite satisfied with it. He has had some problems (usually when he is heading to the Slot Canyon in Anza Borrego.....), but I don't know of it ever leaving him stranded. I don't see him around much anymore since he moved south of the border, but if you can track him down I'm sure he will share his thoughts on it. He's a super nice guy, especially if you put a bottle of fermented and distilled Agave nectar in front of him.

I might ask, thanks for the name. To me Tahoes are a bit of a waste. They don't get any better gas mileage than Suburbans, but really aren't any bigger (useable space) than a FJ80.

[Scott Brady]

KC,

Good point! My comments were related to the 1989 and newer models with IFS.

[CLynn85]

There'd be it's ups and downs, size being the one that can go both ways. Can cram massive amounts of gear in, but it'd be tough gettin it down some of our tight/twisty trails here.

Man, Dante's Peak, I remember seeing that in theaters and thinking that Suburban was the coolest truck ever, a few years before I even had my license, it's all starting to make sense now....

[bigreen505]

Thanks KC,

Good info, we posted at the same time.

Bill

[XXXpedition]

drew from avalanche engineering has had 3 built up.
his latest creation features a cummins diesel with about 1000 horses and 37" tires. he's a damn tall guy and can comfortably sleep in it.

very, very nice truck. i was in peterson off-road or 4wd about a year ago.

[Colorado Ron]

I have decided to use a suburban as my Expedition Vehicle. Size works for you and against you. But I really dont have much of a choice since I have 5 kids!:ylsmoke: Should be able to haul a ton of gear plus family and 2 dogs! I honestly got tired of looking at all the other options and trying to figure out how to stuff us in it. "Screw it, just gonna get the suburban and be done!" Now we are happily testing its limits:camping:

I went with a 90. I wanted fuel injection, but didnt want IFS. SO now I have solid axle and Fuel Injection. Best of both worlds I think.

[Wanderlusty]

One thing I always thought would be neat would be if someone grafted on the rear section from a Blazer onto the Sub. A little less overhang ad a better departure angle. Kinda like an early Tahoe...

Maybe one day...when dreams and $$$ match up....

[flywgn]

Our daughter and son-in-law bought our '94 Sub and turned it into a "Pre-Runner" and they still use it for family trips (only three in the family, plus Whisky, the wonder dog).

Diana and I have owned three Subs and if it hadn't been for our having a goose-necked horse trailer to deal with, we would still own one.

We had a custom-built roof rack out of light-weight aircraft aluminum that matched perfectly the roof mounts and those roof mounts were reinforced from underneath with a plate that runs stem-to-stern beneath the factory mounts.

Andy changed out all the suspension, Fabtech I think, and tweaked a bunch of other stuff. He also put a new 350 in it after the original one reached the 200K mark.

I really liked the Suburban for Diana and me. It was never more appreciated than in April 1999 when we were camped on the Baja west coast and one of those sudden spring rainstorms roared in from the Pacific and proceeded to flatten our tent in the middle of the night. We managed to get our sleeping bags, the two of us, and Scooter, the 'not-so-wonderful' dog, in the back of the Sub and have a relatively peaceful sleep. I'm not sure two adults and five--FIVE!!!!:Wow1: --kids would be so peaceful, but they would be 'relative'.

We had the Sub in a bunch of tight spots, including a couple of places in the Anza-Borrego and Death Valley, and when the kids took over the Baja Pin Stripes were permanently etched into the body. It was completely stock except I had switched out the OEM shocks for Rancho 9000s--not the best choice but an improvement over the original stuff.

Allen R.

[flywgn]

Here's a shot of the three Subs on a Baja trip in April '99. The kids' '90 (or '91, I can't remember), followed by us (I'd forgotten about the Smitty-Bilt and lights additions), and our friends (w/three boys) in the rear.

The two whites are 1500s and the blue one is a 2500.

At that time we were still using the stock roof racks.

On edit: Sorry 'bout the small pic. I was in a hurry when I scanned it in. :(

[bigreen505]

Thanks Ron, I may have to come check that thing out!

[Colorado Ron]

Thanks Ron, I may have to come check that thing out!

Anytime! I was impressed after testing the mileage on her. I went 170 miles three times, and put 10 gallons on the dot in every time. So that comes out to 17 mpg. Not bad for such a big beast.

[blaze one]

Glad to see another Chevy on here . 17MPG ! that is way better than i expected . Is that Highway or City ? If it is city i am going to be Pi**ed to say the least , since my S10 Blazer only gets 14mpg in the city .
Good choice on the truck though , throw up some pictures when you have a chance .
My Dad drives a 1990 Silverado , and it is coming up on 270,000 KMS , and has been across Canada 3 times , and many many other long trips and only left us stranded once ( water pump went ) . And that is with a 8'9" camper on the back too . Great engine/drivetrain to put it clearly .
Have fun .

[Colorado Ron]

That mileage is mixed. I live outside denver so its driving to denver and around. I did drive very conservative. I wanted to see what it would get if I was in a pinch. SO I set cruise usually around 65 on highway, and didnt gun it taking off from redlights.

[The Swiss]

My parents had a 1976 Suburban with a pop-up roof from a VW fitted on it. The interior was basic but practical.
Front: two captain chairs with a electrolux in between.
Second row: captain chair in the middle and on the right, cabinet with stove on the left. The stove was installed in a way that we could cook from the inside as well as from the outside, if the weather permitted.
Rear: Sleeping platform, about 5.11 long with ample storage below, narrow, low cabinets on both sides.

We took that thing from 1983 through 1988 all over Europe. Nicest travel probably was the trip to the North Cap, the Northernmost point of Europe. My parents then gave the Burb to my sister (still hate them for that ;) ), and she lateron sold it to some dudes that planned a one year trip from Europe to South Africa. Not sure if they ever left and what happened to the Burb.

I can see if I find some old paper pics I can scan (Then I just need somebody explaining me how to post pics :o )