Cherubs 4x4 suburban - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Cherub · 01-11-2013, 07:41 PM

Well i sold the 1978 burb in order to pick up a something 4x4. I settled on this 1983 3/4t GMC suburban. I didnt really want to create a build thread but still wanted to use this to bounce question off yall. Keeping it all in one place.

I didnt bother getting good pictures of it when i bought it but here are some cell phone pics.

Here is the tires i plan on using 36x12.5x16.5 military tires.

Lifted it with a 6" rough country springs in front and blocks & add a leaf...the blocks that come with the kit were cheap but i was lucky enough to have a friend some used ones.

It didnt have carpet when i got it (later i found out why) so i added some for the passenger area.

a few of the problems.

It pulls hard to the right when i brake but tracks well when driving. im going to get it aligned after i put on the rims and tires next week if that doesnt fix it i guess ill try the calipers.... any thoughts?

There is a leak in both driver and passenger floor boards(the reason there was no carpet when i bought it) it seems to be coming from the windshield rubber.

other than that there is bad rust above the doors where the roof skin meets the door.... not sure what im going to do without major work.....

Jonboy · 01-11-2013, 07:49 PM

Make sure the military tires you have are new or recapped, or are a matched set. There is a retread plant in my hometown that would do these, and they sold tehm either retreaded or before. I put a set of the non retreaded ones on my Blazer, and it would hardly stay on the road. They seem to be really sensitive to height difference.

On your breaks, I would suspect either the caliper or a brake hose. A collapsed hose will have the same effect as a stuck caliper. The alignment would cause a pull all the time, rather than just when braking.

Cherub · 01-11-2013, 08:08 PM

double post

Cherub · 01-11-2013, 08:10 PM

Thanks Jon. Ill look into the tires. As for the brake lines they are new.

Edahall · 01-11-2013, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cherub

other than that there is bad rust above the doors where the roof skin meets the door.... not sure what im going to do without major work.....

My 82 Suburban is rusting in that same spot. I believe it's rusting from the inside out so like you said, it would require major work to fix it.

Cherub · 01-11-2013, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edahall

My 82 Suburban is rusting in that same spot. I believe it's rusting from the inside out so like you said, it would require major work to fix it.

I really wanted barn doors so i may just live with it till i find a good donor body

Edahall · 01-11-2013, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cherub

I really wanted barn doors so i may just live with it till i find a good donor body

The newer you go on these Suburbans, the less rust issues there are. In the mean time, you might treat it with some Por 15. It'll at least slow it down.

tobiahr · 01-12-2013, 07:29 AM

also check the rear brake drums...had a leaking cylinder on right rear on one of mine that made it pull hard when breaking

68Timber · 01-12-2013, 08:39 AM

That's a good looking truck. Are you going to use those wheels with the new tires?

zaccaglin · 01-12-2013, 03:32 PM

My burb leaks around the windshield seal to. Still racking my brain as to how to fix that shy of replacing the seal.
Posted via Mobile Device

Greenlee · 01-12-2013, 03:48 PM

Check the cowl area under where the windshield wiper bracketry is. I have had a couple of trucks leak there. This causes the firewall to rust also.
Posted via Mobile Device

Mr. 250r · 01-12-2013, 06:24 PM

I had 36in military tires when i got my suburban as well and man we're they terrible on the highway for about the first minute but everything after that was fine lol just gotta run the flat spots out of them

Cherub · 01-13-2013, 01:08 PM

did some searching and a little water test and its the window seal..... looks like ill be getting another one from LMC and setting it.

Cherub · 01-15-2013, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. 250r

I had 36in military tires when i got my suburban as well and man we're they terrible on the highway for about the first minute but everything after that was fine lol just gotta run the flat spots out of them

Well i got them on and boy were you right after sitting at the work they vibrated for the first mile then they smoothed out.

Cherub · 01-15-2013, 07:30 PM

68Timber · 01-16-2013, 12:43 PM

Looks good.

Hoods69BadBowTie · 01-16-2013, 06:25 PM

Nice score on the burb looks super clean from here. Looks great with the lift and tires good choice

I would go with stuck caliper if its got new brake lines.

tvblazer78 · 01-16-2013, 08:27 PM

I want one!!! Nice job..

Cherub · 01-17-2013, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoods69BadBowTie

Nice score on the burb looks super clean from here. Looks great with the lift and tires good choice

I would go with stuck caliper if its got new brake lines.

thanks. Wierd thing about the pulling when braking. It has seemed to have gone away after i put on the new rims and tires....... I still want to check the calipers though.

Cherub · 01-17-2013, 08:58 AM

what does everyone suggest for headligner when you dont have the oe board?

Edahall · 01-17-2013, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cherub

what does everyone suggest for headligner when you dont have the oe board?

I would go to the junkyard and find a board. Don't worry if the headliner is sagging because you can pull it all off and glue new head headliner material (of the right color) to the board.

tobiahr · 01-18-2013, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edahall

i would go to the junkyard and find a board. Don't worry if the headliner is sagging because you can pull it all off and glue new head headliner material (of the right color) to the board.

+1

Psycho71 · 01-19-2013, 06:11 PM

Just curious...How does yours act on those tires?

My K20 burb hates them, it walks all over the road. I put a set of BFG radial MT's on it, and it drives like a dream compared tot he Bias 36's.

Cherub · 01-21-2013, 02:34 PM

yea its not the best but for the price ill ride on these for awhile.

Dave C · 01-21-2013, 02:59 PM

Dang man that's looks sharp. I sometimes wish I picked up a 4x4 instead of getting mine and bagging it.

What side of Houston are you from?

01-11-2013, 07:41 PM	#1
Cherub Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 970	Cherubs 4x4 suburban Well i sold the 1978 burb in order to pick up a something 4x4. I settled on this 1983 3/4t GMC suburban. I didnt really want to create a build thread but still wanted to use this to bounce question off yall. Keeping it all in one place. I didnt bother getting good pictures of it when i bought it but here are some cell phone pics. Here is the tires i plan on using 36x12.5x16.5 military tires. Lifted it with a 6" rough country springs in front and blocks & add a leaf...the blocks that come with the kit were cheap but i was lucky enough to have a friend some used ones. It didnt have carpet when i got it (later i found out why) so i added some for the passenger area. a few of the problems. It pulls hard to the right when i brake but tracks well when driving. im going to get it aligned after i put on the rims and tires next week if that doesnt fix it i guess ill try the calipers.... any thoughts? There is a leak in both driver and passenger floor boards(the reason there was no carpet when i bought it) it seems to be coming from the windshield rubber. other than that there is bad rust above the doors where the roof skin meets the door.... not sure what im going to do without major work..... __________________ 2014 LTZ Z71 Silverado 82 C15 LQ4/4L80E Conversion 78 Suburban build (SOLD) 83 4x4 Suburban(SOLD) 82 C15 (my first truck)

01-11-2013, 07:49 PM	#2
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban Make sure the military tires you have are new or recapped, or are a matched set. There is a retread plant in my hometown that would do these, and they sold tehm either retreaded or before. I put a set of the non retreaded ones on my Blazer, and it would hardly stay on the road. They seem to be really sensitive to height difference. On your breaks, I would suspect either the caliper or a brake hose. A collapsed hose will have the same effect as a stuck caliper. The alignment would cause a pull all the time, rather than just when braking.

01-11-2013, 08:08 PM	#3
Cherub Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 970	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban double post __________________ 2014 LTZ Z71 Silverado 82 C15 LQ4/4L80E Conversion 78 Suburban build (SOLD) 83 4x4 Suburban(SOLD) 82 C15 (my first truck)

01-11-2013, 08:10 PM	#4
Cherub Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 970	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban Thanks Jon. Ill look into the tires. As for the brake lines they are new. __________________ 2014 LTZ Z71 Silverado 82 C15 LQ4/4L80E Conversion 78 Suburban build (SOLD) 83 4x4 Suburban(SOLD) 82 C15 (my first truck)

01-12-2013, 07:29 AM	#8
tobiahr Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lincoln NE Posts: 513	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban also check the rear brake drums...had a leaking cylinder on right rear on one of mine that made it pull hard when breaking __________________ Build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=511830

01-12-2013, 08:39 AM	#9
68Timber I know the pieces fit Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MONTGOMERY, AL Posts: 5,523	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban That's a good looking truck. Are you going to use those wheels with the new tires? __________________ John 79 2wd Blazer (Bruiser) 85 M1009 Blazer (Sarge) build 74 Honda Z50 build

01-12-2013, 03:32 PM	#10
zaccaglin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Auburndale, FL Posts: 716	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban My burb leaks around the windshield seal to. Still racking my brain as to how to fix that shy of replacing the seal. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Zaccaglin 1998 Chevrolet C1500 Ext. Cab 350 Former Rig: 1985 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 6.2L Detroit/TH400/NP208

01-12-2013, 03:48 PM	#11
Greenlee Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: El Lago, TX Posts: 1,668	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban Check the cowl area under where the windshield wiper bracketry is. I have had a couple of trucks leak there. This causes the firewall to rust also. Posted via Mobile Device

01-12-2013, 06:24 PM	#12
Mr. 250r Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: freeburg, illinois Posts: 885	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban I had 36in military tires when i got my suburban as well and man we're they terrible on the highway for about the first minute but everything after that was fine lol just gotta run the flat spots out of them __________________ 1987 Chevy V30 - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=573854 1988 IROC-Z Camaro - 305/T5 T-Top 1989 GMC V35 - Marbolo Express http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=596850 1991 V2500 Suburban Silverado - Sold 1991 V2500 Suburban Scottsdale - Big Nasty http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=497423 2001 Ram 3500 5.9 H.O NV56 EC DRW - Sold 2003 1500 Silverado 2004 Ram 3500 5.9 H.O NV56 CC DRW - Sold 2005 Silverado 2500HD 6.6/ZF6 CC LWB

01-13-2013, 01:08 PM	#13
Cherub Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 970	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban did some searching and a little water test and its the window seal..... looks like ill be getting another one from LMC and setting it. __________________ 2014 LTZ Z71 Silverado 82 C15 LQ4/4L80E Conversion 78 Suburban build (SOLD) 83 4x4 Suburban(SOLD) 82 C15 (my first truck)

01-15-2013, 07:30 PM	#15
Cherub Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 970	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban __________________ 2014 LTZ Z71 Silverado 82 C15 LQ4/4L80E Conversion 78 Suburban build (SOLD) 83 4x4 Suburban(SOLD) 82 C15 (my first truck)

01-16-2013, 12:43 PM	#16
68Timber I know the pieces fit Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MONTGOMERY, AL Posts: 5,523	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban Looks good. __________________ John 79 2wd Blazer (Bruiser) 85 M1009 Blazer (Sarge) build 74 Honda Z50 build

01-16-2013, 06:25 PM	#17
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban Nice score on the burb looks super clean from here. Looks great with the lift and tires good choice I would go with stuck caliper if its got new brake lines. __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

01-16-2013, 08:27 PM	#18
tvblazer78 Low & Fast! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 3,110	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban I want one!!! Nice job.. __________________ Southeastern Mini Truckin' Nationals April 27 and 28, 2012

01-17-2013, 08:58 AM	#20
Cherub Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 970	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban what does everyone suggest for headligner when you dont have the oe board? __________________ 2014 LTZ Z71 Silverado 82 C15 LQ4/4L80E Conversion 78 Suburban build (SOLD) 83 4x4 Suburban(SOLD) 82 C15 (my first truck)



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01-19-2013, 06:11 PM	#23
Psycho71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kaufman, Tx Posts: 827	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban Just curious...How does yours act on those tires? My K20 burb hates them, it walks all over the road. I put a set of BFG radial MT's on it, and it drives like a dream compared tot he Bias 36's. __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. If a hammer doesn't fix it, you have an electrical problem! Slot Cars, 1:24 Scale, 100MPH@100,000RPM, fastest things on wheels!

01-21-2013, 02:34 PM	#24
Cherub Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 970	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban yea its not the best but for the price ill ride on these for awhile. __________________ 2014 LTZ Z71 Silverado 82 C15 LQ4/4L80E Conversion 78 Suburban build (SOLD) 83 4x4 Suburban(SOLD) 82 C15 (my first truck)

01-21-2013, 02:59 PM	#25
Dave C Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 97	Re: Cherubs 4x4 suburban Dang man that's looks sharp. I sometimes wish I picked up a 4x4 instead of getting mine and bagging it. What side of Houston are you from? __________________ bagged 1989 burb regency conversion

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