1975 Suburban

[WhiteEvo]

Hi guys, new to the site. This is my 1975 Suburban 4x4 I picked up a few weeks ago. Its got a Dana 44 up front and a FF 14 bolt in the rear, 350 sbc and Turbo 350 transmission. The driveline and suspension all seem to be stock besides 2" blocks in the rear to level it. The body is pretty solid besides the crushed passenger side rockers. It looks to be a prev. restoration, not the orig color exterior or interior. Should be a good platform for a nice camping/desert/family-dog friendly Suburban. I'll post more details as I get work done.
So far I've replaced the barn door straps with ones I found on ebay and I have a new battery tray ready to go in. I've also cleaned and lubed the window/door bits and pieces so the window rolls up and down better than it did before(front pass window was off track) I'll get to the other windows/doors soon. The next thing I want to tackle is replacing the worn/crushed body mounts with urethane mounts and a 1" body lift.

 

[WhiteEvo]

Here are some more pics. Can anyone tell me what is the picture of that has the red circle around it? I think it connects to the speedo and has some vacuum lines connected to it that arent connected to anything. I still havent had a chance to dive to deeply into this rig, I know the engine compartment is a rats nest of wires, a reproduction wiring harness is in the future if they make them! ;-)

 

[Larry]

Welcome to Expo! Nice looking old Burb and a solid foundation to build upon.

The thing with the speedo cables running to it that you have circled is the cruise control servo. Mine had the same one that didn’t work so it got relocated to the trash can and replaced the cable with a longer speedo cable for a non-cruise application.

 

[WhiteEvo]

Welcome to Expo! Nice looking old Burb and a solid foundation to build upon.

The thing with the speedo cables running to it that you have circled is the cruise control servo. Mine had the same one that didn't work so it got relocated to the trash can and replaced the cable with a longer speedo cable for a non-cruise application.

Thanks for the welcome Larry and the info on the cruise control unit, mine will follow yours to the trash! ;-)

 

[FCM]

Nice looking suburban. I'm working on a similar ride, so if you need any ideas or whatnot, let me know and I'll do what I can to help you out. I also have random spare parts if you find you are missing anything.
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Good luck with... what is your burban's name?

 

[WhiteEvo]

Nice looking suburban. I'm working on a similar ride, so if you need any ideas or whatnot, let me know and I'll do what I can to help you out. I also have random spare parts if you find you are missing anything.
-
Good luck with... what is your burban's name?

Thanks FCM! Her name is "The Beast"! Do you have any pics of your Suburban?

 

[swamp_beast]

looks like a good starting platform i have a 76 gmc 3/4 ton suburban that seems to always be in a state of change. as for the thing on your fender it is the cruise control servo mine has the same thing let me know if you have any questions

 

[FCM]

Thanks FCM! Her name is "The Beast"! Do you have any pics of your Suburban?

Sure do. Check out my profile to see what Bopas looks like.

 

[chilliwak]

Like everyone said, welcome to the site WhiteEvo. Larry has a fine `Burb´as well as many other cool GM rigs. He is our resident GM guru and a trained GM mechanic who can tell you almost anything you need to know about GM products, as well as many other vehicles.
I am looking forward to see what you do with this old clasic as I drive an old 78 Chevy myself. Good luck and have fun....

 

[gloriavoxdei]

Welcome to Expo, I love your suburban and look forward to watching the build. There are some guys on here that know a ton about this generation of trucks and are a great resource during during your build. I'm fixing up a '78 K5 Jimmy with a four wheel pop up camper, I love the 70's trucks and it's good to see another one saved from oblivion.

 

[WhiteEvo]

Just a small update. Trying to get some little things done per my very, very small budget :-D and recovering from some major shoulder surgery. I found some barn door straps on ebay to replace the worn out ones, going to replace the rotted out battery tray, I'll take some pics when I get around to getting it done. Also started to experience the electrical gremlins! Got in the Beast yesterday to see that my gas gauge is pegged way passed full! It read 1/4 the other day when I parked it (pic attached). I'll be replacing the speedo cable soon with one for a non-cruise control setup, so I'll dig into the dash then. Any suggestions/help from the forum on this issue? Electrical isnt my thing, but I guess soon will be! ;-)
Also waiting on new body mounts and a 1" body lift kit to arrive. Before I start trying to line up body panels, replace/adjust door strikers I want the body solidly to the frame, then I'll be able to tackle the crushed rocker panels on the passenger side. Debating whether to replace them with new/stock sheet metal or do a custom rock-slider type replacing the stock damaged rockers altogether. I'm leaning towards keeping the body stock since there isnt much rust/rot that I've seen yet.

 

[The Grinch]

the fuel gauge is mostlikley a wiring issue. all the gm ones i have run into have been at the sending unit. The connecter is a push type and on the trucks it is acessed by lowering the tank. could also be the sending unit. pretty rare for it to be the gauge. look for a break in the wire or a loose connection.

 

[WhiteEvo]

Thanks for the info Grinch!

 

[NMC_EXP]

Fuel Gauge

This is applicable to the mid 80's GM M1009 CUCV K5 Blazer. May or may not apply to your vehicle:

-(2) wires on the tank sending unit, (1) ground and (1) to the gauge

-the ground wire is bolted to the frame in the left rear wheel well area.

-a bad gauge wire connection will cause a reading of full or more than full.

-a bad ground wire connection will cause the gauge to read empty.

Before replacing the sending unit or gauge check the wiring from the sending unit to the gauge for loose or dirty connections, worn thru insulation/shorts, etc.

Also, on the CUCV's the fuse block is under the dash on the left side. There is a ground wire near the fuse block. A bad or loose connection there can cause various problems with the instrument panel.

On older vehicles whenever you find a ground connection, take it apart, check the connectors for tightness and clean the contacting surfaces. Bad grounds may be the single greatest cause of electrical troubleshooting headaches.

Jim

 

[WhiteEvo]

Thanks Jim!
As you could imagine with a 39 year old vehicle, the wiring on this Beast is a rats nest! And just having shoulder surgery 3 weeks ago, I haven't had a chance to dig into things. I will check those things out for sure. The headlights and the gauge lights also "pulsate" when on, any ideas there? Thanks, Fran