leik oh em jeez! Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 (edited) This is now a build thread for my 1997 GMC Suburban K2500 SLT. What started out as a family hauling daily driver with candy and soda spilled about the floor, will now get a slightly redneck trail-rig/work horse exterior and drive train, and receive a more luxurious interior treatment than GMC could have imagined in 1997. THIS is how it begins. Purchase price: $1800 Current total: $2545 Repairs done: -Battery -Belt Tensioner -Grill/Corner lenses -Starter Upgrades done: -06 Escalade center console -06 Escalade 6-disc in-dash CD changer -00 Escalade door conversion -00 Escalade seats front & rear -Keyless entry -Cab lights Other modifications: -Cranked torsion keys for 7/8" front lift -Painted wheels black -CD changer housing swap As I bought it: Replaced grill/corner lenses with new '93 style, painted wheels black, removed running boards: Custom fitted '06 Escalade center console. Pictures left to right: Interior before, wiring done for CD changer, interior after. Original post: Okay, so I've been looking for a while for a cheap 90's Suburban K2500 to hopefully eventually swap a 12-valve Cummins into. I recently found this one on Craigslist for $2500. 1997 K2500 (4x4 3/4 ton) with 176,000 on the odometer. So I called him up, found out it's got a 350 (was kind of hoping for a 454) explained to him my money situation, and he said he could take $2000. While I think this a reasonable deal, my father is completely against the idea and is under the impression that for $2000 I'd better be getting a 2000+ with under 100k miles and in perfect condition. I then of course explained that would never happen. So if you were in my position, would you consider this a good deal? Considering the cheapest 2wd 1/2 tons are $1500-2000, all of them older and with more miles, I'd say it's not that bad. But everyone around me seems to disagree. Edited June 27, 2012 by leik oh em jeez! *MURDOC* 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garfield 2 Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 That's a pretty good deal. Needs some TLC, but overall $2k is not bad for such a truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 Could probably get a pickup with a better stock drivetrain in it (like already with an NV4500 in it) for around the same price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leik oh em jeez! Posted September 24, 2011 Author Share Posted September 24, 2011 Not so sure about that, trucks are expensive around here. Most K2500s are $3000-4000, while F-250s and Ram 2500s older than 2000 are all but extinct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Light Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 With a new paint job that would look sweet. Just get some of the rust off and clean it up, otherwise, that's a great deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 (edited) Something to keep in mine is a lot of the suspension is going to have to be replaced. A cummins weighs roughly 1200 lbs. complete. An SBC is only 500 lbs. Most Suburban/chevy truck cummins swaps I see have them SAS the front with a Dana 60. I've seen someone successfully swap a Cummins into a 3/4 ton Burb like that and keep the IFS, but it was a 6.5 truck with the HD tow package so it had the heaviest duty torsion bars, springs, ball joints, and steering parts of any Suburban made. I think he still had to switch to some stiffer aftermarket springs for the additional 300 lbs. of the Cummins over the 6.5. I've found a few older straight axle square body 3/4 ton burbs in your price range in NC. Might should check them out. Then a d60 would at least be basically bolt-in. Edited September 29, 2011 by Lurch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leik oh em jeez! Posted October 2, 2011 Author Share Posted October 2, 2011 (edited) Well, I got it for $1800. Edited October 7, 2011 by leik oh em jeez! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*MURDOC* Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Yeah, no sh*t, you've posted it in 3 different places! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leik oh em jeez! Posted October 2, 2011 Author Share Posted October 2, 2011 lol. I'm quite happy about finally getting one after. I'm 20 and just now getting my first vehicle, so you can imagine my excitement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illousion Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Nice car! Looks great white on beighe. Dreaming of California, where the sun never sets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*MURDOC* Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 lol. I'm quite happy about finally getting one after. I'm 20 and just now getting my first vehicle, so you can imagine my excitement. I can understand, I got a '79 Suburban when I was 16. Financial troubles meant I didn't have it for too long, but it was fun while it lasted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 My automechanic in highschool had one just like that but red and black. Had a big steel bumper with a built in brush guard too. Still 3/4 ton, 4x4 with a 350/4L80E combo. 4L80 took a sh*t on him. Still was a fun truck to mess around in. Is the rear end in it the 9.5 SF 14 bolt or 10.5 FF 14 bolt? Hard to tell with the centercaps on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leik oh em jeez! Posted October 2, 2011 Author Share Posted October 2, 2011 Appears to be the 9.5 SF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Yeah, if you plan to cummins swap it, that's not going to hold up. Kaboom. Needs at least a FF 14 bolt or a d70 or d80. Most everything will need to be swapped. Here's a thread to a 3/4 ton Suburban with a Cummins swap. It was originally a 454 truck with the 8800 GVW package on it so it had the biggiest heaviest duty parts on it. Everything on your truck won't be enough for the Cummins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leik oh em jeez! Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 (edited) hmm. Looks like it'll be that much more of a project. Maybe I can find a parts truck with the higher GVWR. Think I could get anything useful off of this truck? Edited October 3, 2011 by leik oh em jeez! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 (edited) Yes. The rear end, but that's it. FF 10.5 might be bolt in and are cheap. Not sure if 1 ton spring perches are the same. A 3/4 ton with a 454 or a 6.5 will have the full float axle in it too. They're like 100 bucks or less at the junkyard. That guy might want more. I think the 8800 package includes the 9.25 front end from a 1 ton. So if you find a 4wd 1 ton, I guess you could nab it. You've got the weaker 8.25 shared with the half ton. You'll need at least that if you stay IFS or a D60 (if you solid axled the front). Or get a whole wrecked dodge with the cummins/nv4500/nv271/d60 front and d70 or d80 rear already in it. Then all you have to deal with is fab work to get it all in. Edited October 3, 2011 by Lurch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leik oh em jeez! Posted October 7, 2011 Author Share Posted October 7, 2011 Now is as good a time as any for some "before" pictures. So I got some with an actual camera after a quick wash. (cell phone cameras suck.) ^Step brother's sh*tty little Del-Sol beside it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leik oh em jeez! Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 New grill installed, corner lenses should be here soon. And I removed the running boards. Losing the front valance too when I get a new bumper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Touch up the paint on the hood and that would be a very good looking truck. Craigslist the running boards and front valance. Could probably get a little bit out of them. The valance looks to be solid and doesn't have the normal cracks you see on them from trucks that gen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leik oh em jeez! Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 Waiting on my dad to pay me back $1800 he borrowed from me, which will hopefully be enough for a cheap front leveling kit and paint. I wanted to do the older style two tone in a dark forest green with a white or off white stripe down the sides. While I'm at it, I really like the look of the sealed beam lights with this grill, but from what I've read the sealed beams suck major ass and you'd be better off taping flash lights to the hood than using them. You know of any kits or anything that use decent bulbs but maintain the look of the quad sealed beams? I've read the Holden Suburbans have great lights and still have the same look, but I'm unable to find any parts anywhere online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leik oh em jeez! Posted October 26, 2011 Author Share Posted October 26, 2011 Double posting up in this bitch. Corner lenses installed. Next up: Belt tensioner and registration. Then dinner for some nice ladies, and then back to upgrades. Bumper will probably be the first one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killer.Khan Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 Question, How do you manage to pay for gas? It probably get's like 3 MPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*MURDOC* Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 Question, How do you manage to pay for gas? It probably get's like 3 MPG I know it's a big time difference, but my old 350 Suburban got more than twice that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guns N R0se Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 I have a friend who is obsessed with Suburbans. When I asked him what car he could have if he could have any car his immediate answer was "Suburban". anyway, very nice ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leik oh em jeez! Posted November 1, 2011 Author Share Posted November 1, 2011 I have a friend who is obsessed with Suburbans. When I asked him what car he could have if he could have any car his immediate answer was "Suburban". anyway, very nice ride. lol, I'm the same way. It's supposed to get 14mpg, but I've only driven it about three miles so far. Hopefully I've got the money now so hopefully I'll be getting all the legalities worked out this week so I can drive it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leik oh em jeez! Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 (edited) wooo! Escalade center console semi-installed. Definitely going to need some help with wiring though. I don't even know where to start. I've got a clock, a CD changer, a sub woofer, and rear audio controls to custom wire. Help me God. Edit: Daytime now. And I got the CD changer wired up. Too bad my head unit won't switch to the auxiliary input. Edited December 1, 2011 by leik oh em jeez! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leik oh em jeez! Posted March 19, 2012 Author Share Posted March 19, 2012 Been a while since I updated this. Since the last post, I've: -painted wheels black -painted the faded lug nut covers black, it makes a big difference. -replaced head unit with another factory unit in much better condidtion -replaced front bumper -sanded and polished the faded and yellowed headlights, now they look new. -cleaned up the center console, finished installing hardware for all of the compartments to open/close correctly -installed green LEDs in gauge cluster, AC cluster, headlight switch, and clock. -hooked up the clock -wired the clock so the lights come on with the rest of the dash lights -replaced the missing switch on the rear AC controls -replaced a bad bulb in the turn signal that was blowing fuses and killing my brake lights -replaced starter I also narrowed down my audio problems to the cable connecting the CD Changer to the head unit. I'll be picking up another one next time I'm at the scrap yard. Plans for this month: -keyless entry kit (on the way) -cab lights -get the CD changer working Plans for next month: -rear running lights -intake mod and paint, OR find donor motor/transmission. I'll be looking for a Duramax, or a 6bt Cummins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outcast Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Plans for this month:-keyless entry kit (on the way) that. sounds. f*cking. awesome. i didnt know keyless entry aftermarket kits existed! i'd love to see pics when you get it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leik oh em jeez! Posted March 19, 2012 Author Share Posted March 19, 2012 (edited) i didnt know keyless entry aftermarket kits existed! i'd love to see pics when you get it I'm unsure as to whether or not my Suburban had keyless entry from the factory. If it did, then the remote was lost long ago. One of the previous owners had installed an aftermarket remote starter/keyless entry kit, which the remote for it was lost, and I took it out since it wasn't doing any good. But yes, they do make after market keyless entry kits. I paid $38 shipped and that's without bothering to shop around. Edit: Also, it might be worth mentioning that if I find a Duramax, I'll be doing a NBS dash swap with it. And whenever I get around to it, I'd like to get a set of Ultra Baja Champs and some BFG All Terrains. And the console as it sits now. Because it looks so much nicer than it did before. Still need to sand the top and peel the rest of the paint off. Edited March 19, 2012 by leik oh em jeez! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illousion Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 It's coming along nicely man. The console looks great. Dreaming of California, where the sun never sets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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