1Leg’s 1989 Suburban

[1leg]

Next upgrade starts tomorrow morning. I'll be installing a much larger custom built radiator and a new Meziere mechanical water pump. I'll post picture tomorrow night

[1leg]

Sorry guys no picture yet. Got everything torn apart and found out i installed the wrong bearing in the water pump. I got lucky that the boss was at work and i was able to rebuild the pump with the correct bearing so the pulley and fan would fit correctly. I also had to mill down some block spaces and find the correct length bolts. needless to say i didn't take the time to take pictures. Everything is pack together. I still need to modifiy the top radiator mounts to secure the radiator tight. I used a couple of bungy cords just to start it up and check for leaks(i'm not going to drive it this way). with just water i was not able to get this setup to run hotter then the 180 thermestat. So i placed 2 layers of beach towels and a piece of card board in front of the grill turned on the AC shut the hood and if finally climbed to 195-200 and sat there for 15-25 mins at 2000 rpm.

so next it will get a new 195 thermestat upper and lower hoses, 50/50 coolant/water and custom upper radiator mount.

[ExpoMike]

Cool deal! Definitely understand how when you run into problems, you end up sorting them out and not taking pictures. Definitely done that more than once.

[1leg]

It sure has been a long time since i posted in this thread, The Burban is still around. Been learning how to tune the OBD1 computer. It has been a struggle so far, already crashed the stock computer. I have now swapped in a 1227477 from a 90 1/2ton. This computer has more support in the GM EFI community. I will use this as a stepping stone to learn how to read data logs and how to make adjustment to the tune. The plan is to swap to a newer computer from a 1994/95 Chevy truck, these computer are still for TBI efi, but are much faster and have more tuning options available.

I have had the re-arched spring for almost a year. So far no sagging but i have grown to not like the front spring rate. I was hoping the front would loosen up a little but it just hasn't so i think a new set of front springs are needed. More then likely a set of tuff country soft rides.

That all i have for know, I will try to keep this thread update better in the future.

BTW i'm really leaning toward a 454 swap now, I really need some more power and now i don't need this truck as a daily driver anymore.

[ExpoMike]

Glad to hear you are still working on things Jerry. Bummer about all the computer issue but sounds like you're getting them taken care of.

As for the springs, I have heard good things of the Tuff County soft rides. That was what I was going to use on the M1010.

[BBslider001]

Hey Jerry, I see you are in Escondido. I am in O'Side and currently looking for an 87-91 model Suburban. I may wanna come by and take a look at yours sometime. Looks really good!! I am going for the same goals you had.....DD and tow vehicle for our travel trailer.

[bftank]

1leg, did you end up swapping front springs?

cheap solution to soften spring rates

making 1/8th inch thick aluminum plates to go in between a few of the bottom springs. worked really well on a set of rough country springs i had. it forces the springs to ride on the tips vs. the whole spring. i actually have some plates you can have if you want for the cost of shipping. that is if you didn't swap springs.

[1leg]

Dual battery project done!
The auxiliary battery tray is a modified battery tray out of a 1993 Chevy pickup. This was completed in about 3 hours of work. Tools used Tig welder, O/A torch, hand grinder, power drill and cut-off wheel.
Fab'ed Battery tray.

Z support leg

Had to relocate the charcoal canister.

Z leg installed.

Battery Tray Installed

Auxiliary Battery Installed and hooked up.





Wiring diagram barrowed from "evaldave" on expo. I still need to add a 80amp fuse at the main battery,(couldn't find one locally).
Simple dual battery setup-L evaldave.jpg

Auxiliary fuse and relay box. Picked up at a junk yard a few years back forgot what it came out of. I plan to use 2 of the relays for a future dual radiator fan project, 1 relay for the head lights and 1 for some auxiliary outside lights. This will be mounted under the hood.
fuse box 2.JPG

fuse box 1.JPG