In the weeds or in the woods

[bk2minis]

Well I need a little help deciding. I own a 1988 R20 suburban silverado and at first I wanted to drag the wagon but after months of cruising the web I'm not so sure anymore. I have built plenty of lowriders be it static, hydros, or bags. Maybe its time to go the other way with this one. I have never built a 4x4. Hell at the moment I have a bagged mini in the garage that I'm trying to get back together after a "so called" shop destroyed it. Its not mine I'm just fixing everything for a friend. I know plenty of guys with bags that I can get my feel for dragging with. Over the last month I've met a few people with 4x4 that have got me thinking

So half ton it and put it in the weeds
Or slip a new frame under it and put it in the woods
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[SS Delux]

Lets see some pics of the burban in question!

[Mkcustums]

Originally Posted by bk2minis

I own a 1988 R20 suburban silverado

So half ton it and put it in the weeds
Or slip a new frame under it and put it in the woods

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Why would you want a new frame opposed to just using the one it has?

[Davidmichael]

Cause I think he means that the frame he has is a 2wd frame on it now and if he wants a 4x4 he would need to get a 4x4 frame.

These trucks are so a dime a dozen and it does not make much sense to convert a 2wd frame to 4x4 unless you just want to do it just to do it.

[d-666]

id say 4x4,jack it up!

[bk2minis]

Yes it is a 2wd and from all the research I've done it will be half the work to do the frame swap. I may have found a half ton 4x4 burb to start the build.
Just need to find a d60 to go with the 14ff under mine
It looks rough in the pics but it's in the middle of being repainted
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[Mkcustums]

Originally Posted by Davidmichael

Cause I think he means that the frame he has is a 2wd frame on it now and if he wants a 4x4 he would need to get a 4x4 frame.

These trucks are so a dime a dozen and it does not make much sense to convert a 2wd frame to 4x4 unless you just want to do it just to do it.

That's the other thing, they are everywhere, and here in the Portland area you can get a pretty nice one for 1k if you want a really good start on a project. If it was me I'd just sell it and get a 4wd and not bother unless the Suburban meant someting personal. I've never bought anything from Ga so maybe that's not an option out there for him.

The conversion could be fun if he wanted the challenge, but no harder than baggin something either.

[bk2minis]

Originally Posted by Mkcustums

The conversion could be fun if he wanted the challenge, but no harder than baggin something either.

Thats just it, it would be a different challenge than the normal baggin and draggin. These trucks are easy as pie to put on the ground. The only challenge at all is the front crossmember. Even that can be fixed with BOLT on kits. I understand the 4wd stuff is pretty straight forward but it's new territory for me

As for buying a new burban all together. I will not find one in this good of shape for cheap. The paint job is being done on trade for me redoing the Mazda b2200 in my garage. All my burb needs now is a passenger side window motor and about three pieces of trim inside and it will be close to perfect
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[motornut]

get it up there
do you have a high hump or low?

[Mkcustums]

Originally Posted by bk2minis

Thats just it, it would be a different challenge than the normal baggin and draggin. These trucks are easy as pie to put on the ground. The only challenge at all is the front crossmember. Even that can be fixed with BOLT on kits. I understand the 4wd stuff is pretty straight forward but it's new territory for me

As for buying a new burban all together. I will not find one in this good of shape for cheap. The paint job is being done on trade for me redoing the Mazda b2200 in my garage. All my burb needs now is a passenger side window motor and about three pieces of trim inside and it will be close to perfect
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Yeah, just keep it then, sounds like a way better idea. How high and tire size are you wanting to go if you lift it? Ya know, you could even play with both ideas and build a custom bagged lift for it too...

[bk2minis]

Not to sure on the hump question. Is this in reference to the trans tunnel. If so it looks kind of low to me but I'm not sure
Could a small body lift take care of the tunnel being to low or should I just use the donor burbs tunnel





Lift size I am leaning toward 8" on 38" tires. How I achieve this lift will depend on if I body lift it or not and also it may not be 8 inches all the way around. For example; 6" front springs with zero rates and 8" springs in back. I really don't like the rear being lower than the front be it lifted or slammed
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[Mkcustums]

Originally Posted by bk2minis

Lift size I am leaning toward 8" on 38" tires. How I achieve this lift will depend on if I body lift it or not and also it may not be 8 inches all the way around. For example; 6" front springs with zero rates and 8" springs in back. I really don't like the rear being lower than the front be it lifted or slammed

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Just don't stack up zero rates to get extra lift, only use one but they're only 1" high. Definitely don't run lift blocks in the front either. A lot of people even think zero rates in the front are bad for a street driven vehicle too. Also remember if you are retaining your 2wd frame, 6" springs don't really mean anything unless you measure a 4wd frame and put all your mounts in relation to where they would be if it was actually the 4wd frame. There are lots and lots of somewhat simple spring swaps people are doing out there these days. I've even seen guys coil the fronts and 2 link them like the '67-'79 Ford F-150's and early '66-79 Broncos. Anyway if you decide to convert it to a 4wd your options are limitless. Just throwing out some ideas is all....

Something like this, crossover steering even uses 2wd steering box too. I'd try to get those mounts up, in the picture they are kinda low.

[bk2minis]

Two link with coils sounds great and I could use the original frame. Do the fords run a track bar or something to locate the axle.
Thanks for the advice on not stacking blocks but I thought that stacking blocks was population control.

I may have to check in to the coil spring front suspension.



Great idea.


Does anyone have any pics of this or know of a link to a build with a street driven coil sprung chevy
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[motornut]

had not seen it mentioned yet
yup tranny tunnel
i don't know how it would clear but i know some have had issues
some even weld in removable humps

[Mkcustums]

Originally Posted by bk2minis

Two link with coils sounds great and I could use the original frame. Do the fords run a track bar or something to locate the axle.
Thanks for the advice on not stacking blocks but I thought that stacking blocks was population control.

I may have to check in to the coil spring front suspension.

Great idea.

Does anyone have any pics of this or know of a link to a build with a street driven coil sprung chevy

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Yeah, a track bar is an absolute must to keep the axle centered / located.
I'll see if I can find some examples or links for ya.

[bk2minis]

I wonder if the engine cross member would need to be modified to run coils or if simply getting the control arm out of the way would be enough.
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[Mkcustums]

Here is a good start as what "not to do". It's a really old link but if you are a bit bored it's funny to look at. Pages of info on various peoples horrid ideas!!

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...083Dbtd1Ck2zRg

[Davidmichael]

Using a 2WD body on a 4x4 you will have to use a body lift or cut your tunnel out and bolt/weld in a 4x4 tunnel. Unless you do some custom work on the cross members to drop them a bit.

[bk2minis]

Originally Posted by Mkcustums

Here is a good start as what "not to do". It's a really old link but if you are a bit bored it's funny to look at. Pages of info on various peoples horrid ideas!!

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...083Dbtd1Ck2zRg

Love the link. I wonder if some one has put together a slide show like that for bagged trucks. I have seen some stuff that would really make you want to know what was going through thier heads

[motornut]

great link lmfao

[bk2minis]

Well I've been digging all afternoon for a boxy burb on coils and found a good one that was supossed to be use for a tow rig.

Xtreme 4x4's project subUrban gorilla is on coils in the front

Now i just need to get some pics and find some videos of it to get a good idea to start with

[coreys88burban]

i have a lifted 88 burb, in my opinon being a 2wd, DROP iT they look sweet but if you want a 4x4 sell it and get one.

[Billybob13]

well it depends if youve decided 4x4 quickest bet would be get different burb thats 4x4 but doing conversion in my opinion is better bet because you can do what you want as you go along and itsjust fun to have project like that

[dmartin1]

lift it! i have a 89 half ton burb with 6" springs up front with 5" block and 2" add a leaf in the rear and it levels out perfect with a 3" body lift and clears 38.5" tsl super swampers.
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[scooterskoolkustoms]

Originally Posted by Mkcustums

Here is a good start as what "not to do". It's a really old link but if you are a bit bored it's funny to look at. Pages of info on various peoples horrid ideas!!

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...083Dbtd1Ck2zRg

lmao,that is a great website,everyone please check it out