My dad has had suburbans for over a quarter century and now that he wants to downsize (his '87 is rusting away) i decided it was time to get one. my dad had a 72 custom deluxe 1/2 ton 2wd (his first burb) back in the 80's when i was a kid and i have always wanted a classic suburban ever since he sold it and then we found it in a junkyard a couple years later rusted beyond saving and stripped of all its luxury extras.
so i decided to join the rest of the human race and get a car loan.....only its not to pay for some modern vehicle that everyone else has. i bought myself a classic burb to fill a need and relive my youth. i knew no matter what vintage suburban i got i wanted a 2wd as i don't do much off roading and it makes oil changes easier and independent suspension is very comfy on the road. plus, this era truck has a triangulated trailing arm rear chassis and coil spring on all 4 corners (4wd's have leaves and beam axles at both ends). in my home town i lucked out to find this sweet rig.
it's a one family owned custom deluxe 20.....thats right....its a 2wd 3/4 ton....perfect for heavy duty towing and other uses. i will do my best to keep it out of the winter weather and keep it looking sharp, but this will be no trailer queen and probably do a fare amount of towing as well as driving to and from car show and sittin' pretty once there.
as far as more detailed specifications....my dad's rig had been a 4 barrel 350 (we swapped in a 305 with an rv grind cam) and a 3spd auto. this truck has a dinky little 2 barrel fed, short stroke 307 with a "three on the tree" (3spd column shifter manual trans). being a 3/4 ton it automatically has a serious final drive in the pumpkin but reportedly still gets 15mpg. found out it has a 4.57 final drive and my last tank full averaged out to 10.75 mpg.....not great, but not terrible considering the steep gearing and mixed driving.
other stats:
tailgate (not cargo/panel doors)
radio delete option (block off plate on dash)
full width 2nd row seat, no 3rd row seating
class 2 frame mounted hitch (plate w/ ball, not reciever type)
sport mirrors, etc
HO52 rear axle (precursor to the 14 bolt full floater found on newer gm heavy duty trucks)
work & mods so far:
greased all front suspension points
air filter, fuel filter, plug wires, ignition cap and rotor, ac delco plugs, coil
universal coolant overflow bottle kit (in my dad's attic)
Petronix "Ignitor" electronic ignition conversion (fits under stock cap)
Classic Performance Products 1-1/4" front sway bar
new ignition cap, rotor, wires, ac delco plugs, coil
new external regular and remanufactured alternator
Royal Purple synthetic manual transmission fluid
new glove box cardboard
replaced a lot of trim screws and bolts with stainless
stock style front door sills replicated in stainless steel
new licence plate lamp assembly
planned mods and work:
Classic Performance Products 1-1/8" rear sway
prothane poly track bar and rear trailing arm bushings
Royal Purple gear oil for the rear axle
4 row radiator for heavy towing
swap stock 4.57 rear gear out for 4.10 (comes out as a unit like a ford 9 inch....easy swap)
10 to 12,000 pound rated trailer hitch......
4 prong trailer harness plug in adapter, 4 to 7 wire harness and '84 GM brake controller
'84 suburban stainless flip out towing mirrors
third row seat (later generation quick removal, upholstered to match interior)
'77 406 small block chevy w/ 30,000 miles on a rebuild (crossdrilled) w/ 750 q-jet and HEI
87-90 TBI conversion w/ 454 throttle body (later on down the road)
custom fit am/fm stereo w/ aux jack, bolt in dual speaker upgrade and hidden antenna
chrome teardrop "yankee" brand roof lamps saved from my dad's '72 suburban
replace 2000 lb rated 3/4 ton rear coils with 2750 lb rated 3/4 ton HD option rear coils
