2003 Chevy 2500 Suburban - overland build

[boss324]

Hey Max- Thanks for the kind words over on Expo! Good looking plan you've got. Glad you talked to Atomic, nice guy and he'll hook you up! It was my understanding the mounts cannot but used with 2500, and even modification it would be hard because the angle of the spring would end up hitting the UCA's, but maybe things have changed since I last looked or maybe difference between 2500 and 2500hd, so atomic probably has something in mind... Looking forward to seeing it.

Boss- thanks for the compliments, only two corrections, Truck is on 33's, and I'm not that sharp:)

I think Jelorian took all the good pictures, this is the only one I have of the trucks lined up from the trip, but 2500 to 1500 lifted heights can be seen.
View attachment 31561

Mine is the 2nd from rear with a 5-6 inch RC lift (about 5.5 over stock) w/ coilovers and 33's The one behind me is 1500 5-6 inch lift on 31's, in front of me is 1500 w/ 2 inch with 33's and Boss is 2500, 2 inch with 33's?

Any questions, PM me or post over on Expo, I get an email reminder there...

Yo Burb one! Don't be modest you've got mad skills...lol gotta go on another run bud!

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[boss324]

Hello! You're very welcome! Good to see you post here. I'll post up some correspondence I've gotten from Atomic and I'm hoping the only issues I have is the money haha. I also hope this information will benefit others with rigs like you fellas have and give Atomic more business!

Here's the most recent emails:
I'm sorry, I think I mixed the emails up a bit but all the information from Atomic is there. As I understand so far: my lower control arms have the right mounting point, I will only need the stud adapter pictured below for the top, and I'll have to measure and have him put together the correct length coilovers! As long as I don't want the front end of my truck too much higher (I'm only leveled with the stock keys as I sit now) the UCA's should clear. Worst case scenario I would have to run Cognitos or I suppose the Zones. So my uneducated guess is as long as you are running Cognitos already, this will work! And I suppose reinforcing the LCA's would be wise but that's something I am not capable of but you probably are.

@boss324 I'm really sorry to be taking up so much of your build thread with this shenanigans, but I'm really hoping this benefits you too!
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No worries man good info I'd love to do some coilovers cause I can't keep up with my buddies FJ on the trails!

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[MrLomjamesington]

I wasn't able to install as I needed the Cognito endlinks that allow clearance for the Rare Parts tie rods last weekend. So Cognito endlinks SBELKHD-1000 we're ordered and came in yesterday. These will fit stock height to 3" leveled Trucks and suvs.

Notice how the sway bar has much more clearance. Just got her aligned nice tight and straight! Really happy with these upgrades.

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Very nice Suburban!! I'm digging the suspension upgrades!! I've been trying to figure out an upgraded sway bar end link solution for my truck, and I think I just found it thanks to you! I've been using the "HD" Moog's, and keep chewing them up about once a month. Most likely due to some of the heavy off-roading that I've put my truck through, along side my torsion bars being cranked up a bit.


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[Devilmk4]

Looks great man. I have a 01 2500 yukon i will be putting together.

 

[DonD]

So I have a bone stock 2004 suburban LT. model with 5.3, what is the first 2-3 upgrades you would recommend to start transforming it to being overland ready?

 

[boss324]

So I have a bone stock 2004 suburban LT. model with 5.3, what is the first 2-3 upgrades you would recommend to start transforming it to being overland ready?

33"Tires and 2-3" lift should take you lots of places.

 

[elromero3]

Yes, I have an 03 Z71 and that was the first thing I did. I also got 2” wheel spacers too.


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[maxfederle89]

Hey Boss! Any adventures lately? Or some cool shots of your Burban?

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[boss324]

Nah been out of it lately. Looking at a trip to Sierra's then a big trip Mojave road in April.

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[Old Griz]

Trip computer showed the following:
1812 miles
152 gallons of fuel
Avg. 11.3 mpg

Many many pros to owning a 2500 Suburban. Gas milage isn't one of them the 6.0 liter likes to drink gas + lifted and bigger tires really made my milage worse. Iirc it was 12-13 stock on avg now more like 11-12. Still what else swallows up cargo and seats 8, swallows up miles with ease and able to climb a rough rough road 5200 ft in comfort...lol well at least I keep telling myself that at the pump!

BTW Paradise off loop 1 had the best sceanary!

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But we don't buy our Suburbans on their gas sipping ability. ....lol.
Mine is a 2001 k2500 8.1 4l80e G80 with the factory air ride shocks for now.

 

[Phildirt]

No worries man good info I'd love to do some coilovers cause I can't keep up with my buddies FJ on the trails!

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I did coilover swap on my 1500 05 Suburban and love it. Rides great and adjustable. Do not miss the torsion bars one bit.

 

[Dustin Harrison]

Nice rig! I am actually looking at getting a suburban. Think I found a good one but got to wait till saturday to take a look. But it is bone stock and I have a small budget. So I was looking at doing a 3inch lift with 33s.
I saw lots of expensive lift kits but then I found this https://www.ebay.com/itm/92-99-Chevy-Suburban-Tahoe-GMC-Yukon-1500-3-F-2-R-Lift-Kit-Leveling-w-Ext-/131728400904
Think it would be OK to do something like this?

 

[Phildirt]

Nice rig! I am actually looking at getting a suburban. Think I found a good one but got to wait till saturday to take a look. But it is bone stock and I have a small budget. So I was looking at doing a 3inch lift with 33s.
I saw lots of expensive lift kits but then I found this https://www.ebay.com/itm/92-99-Chevy-Suburban-Tahoe-GMC-Yukon-1500-3-F-2-R-Lift-Kit-Leveling-w-Ext-/131728400904
Think it would be OK to do something like this?

OBS can handle that much crank on the TBs but not NBS. What year is it?

 

[Dustin Harrison]

OBS can handle that much crank on the TBs but not NBS. What year is it?

The one that I am looking at is a 97

 

[Phildirt]

The one that I am looking at is a 97

Keys/blocks are pretty much all the same. Interesting that it says "front or rear shock extenders" and not both. If I went that route I would get longer shocks for the front at least depending on how much you crank it up, I wouldn't go any more than level. Bilsteins 5100s are nice.

 

[Dustin Harrison]

Keys/blocks are pretty much all the same. Interesting that it says "front or rear shock extenders" and not both. If I went that route I would get longer shocks for the front at least depending on how much you crank it up, I wouldn't go any more than level. Bilsteins 5100s are nice.

Ill keep that in mind, thank you. Still got to buy the thing first lol.

 

[Bradb55]

Very awesome write up Boss! Any updates?

 

[The Schmidt Show]

Thanks for all the great info. Building a 95 Burban with a 6.5 diesel right now, thanks for the ideas.

 

[DrRobert]

Very nice looking - I like the lift and tire size on this. Looks like it gives another few inches to ground clearance.

 

[DrRobert]

But we don't buy our Suburbans on their gas sipping ability. ....lol.
Mine is a 2001 k2500 8.1 4l80e G80 with the factory air ride shocks for now.

Have any of you tried the E85 in your suburban in an overland mode? I've been using it here in VA and while I think it gives a little less on gas mileage, the extra octane means I get a big boost in power.