So I recently started fixing up this old 85 Chevy Suburban C20, that has been sitting in my driveway for about 2yrs. I bought it to have a awesome fun ride to play around with. Once i discovered how amazing suburbans actually are, I have decided to turn it in to my daily driver now.

Here are pictures of my journey so far: (if everyone likes it, Ill post more along with the process)

Here are some older pics of the truck, but pretty much what it looks like right now.



Exhaust work i did on the suburban after i had it for a little bit. Still incomplete as of right now.
BEFORE:

AFTER:


Transmission pan pretty much looked the same before and after, just more cleaned up and new gasket.


This picture is BEFORE we removed the oil pan from the truck.

This picture is AFTER we removed it, but BEFORE I cleaned it.

The two pictures below are after an hour of scrubbing with wire brush (which i ruined, good thing it was two dollars) and 2 cans of brake cleaner later.


Did front brakes with entirely new parts. New rotors, calipers, bearings, cotterpins, and pads.
Here is before:

This is AFTER, with complete assembly:


This is the pile of parts removed from my truck. Powersteering pump + hoses, radiator + hoses, water pump, alternator, and all 4 belts.


Here is the process of the NEW parts being added:




So far that is where Ive got to in about 3-4 days of actual work. I did buy new shoes, 1406 Edelbrock carb and 14" air cleaner. I also got a new 31 gallon gas tank, and the fuel sending unit is on the way. I have 4 new Monroe shocks. So still some work to be done. But I plan on having this truck for a VERY long time (20yrs or so) and figured I have some money, now is a good time to make it happen. Total investment so far : $2100. I still have to dump about $600-$900 in for exhaust being redone (previous owner left it a mess). And I need to get the AC working in it.

Here is the carb i bought and air cleaner came free with it. I have not put it on yet, waiting to do gas tank, and sending unit and toss in some seafoam in to clean all the nasty old gas out.

 

I would love to follow your progress on this cool project.

 

Thanks! Ill keep updating this tread then. Right now, it has been way to cold with the recent weather. So I am waiting for it to warm up a bit before I start working again. I also am trying to get a welder out here. One of my supports for my shocks broke in half, but good news is, just need to arrange a meeting with him to do it and talk price.

 

Cool project, you're going to enjoy that Sub! Would love to follow the project, please post more as you get to it.


Is that a 454, hard for me to see what it is? New shoes, what did you buy? I'd like to see some interior pics as well.


I miss my '97 Suburban diesel, was a beast of a vehicle.

 

The newest changes made are, new sparkplug wires (just regular OEM stuff), along with new shoes, and new shocks.

Here are pics of the interior as request:







This is the start of the work, I had to get the drivers side rear shock mount welded to the frame since it broke off in the past.


FRONT SHOCKS:


REAR SHOCKS W/ NEW SHOES:



Here is a picture of the old shocks that were on there. They had almost NO push back at all.

 

Im really tempted to have someone record me jumping up and down on the bumpers to show off the new shocks lol. Pretty nice stuff. Went from 4-5 of stabilizing, and now with new shocks takes 1-0.5 secs to stop moving.

 

Got a bit of work to do to clean that inside up. Going to be a fun project! You could have a square dance in the back of that thing, wow it's a huge vehicle!

 

Haha, yeah I really enjoy the space and size of this truck. I paid 600 bucks for it, was sitting in a field. going to pick up some nicer seats and dash at a junk yard. Was thinking the factory gray color and then repainting the truck a dark metallic blue or something.

 

I truly enjoyed such projects when I was young. Now I’ll just enjoy viewing your thread, haha. :-)

 

Hey everyone! Sorry it has been so long since my last post, had some other stuff to take care of before I could take pics and post more. I have replaced the gas tank and fuel sending unit. "Customized" my dash a bit. Here are some pictures of the new speakers, old gas tank, new gas tank. Ill get more picture of the new dash with radio tomorrow and the mounted gas tank also tomorrow.

Previous gas tank and sending unit: (Before removal, and after) --25 gallon tank--


New gas tank before installation: --31 gallon tank-- (new sending unit too)


Old radio:

New radio:
------WILL EDIT TOMORROW--------

I dont have a picture of the old speakers, but here are the new ones i put in. 6 1/2 " kicker 3 way speakers. Got a sweet deal on them from a shop.