2005 Suburban 2500 4WD

  • HTML tutorial
Bradb55

Bradb55

Rank V
Launch Member

Advocate III

1,440
Pensacola, FL
First Name
Brad
Last Name
Blanchard
Member #

13524

Well I finally made one step towards turning my Suburban into an overland vehicle. I have been back & forth on selling this for a Toyota (which I will eventually get back into), but timing is not right for a new vehicle purchase. Knowing this is not the lightest, skinniest, and trail ready vehicle out there, I decided to just go for it right. Today we leveled out the front to give me a little more clearance. Next thing will be to relocate my diff, trans, and transfer case breathers up high. I am planning on focusing on gear and accessories that can be relocated to a new vehicle if and when that happens. The main focus is just getting out there and making it happen.



Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigDogYJ, MazeVX and Neon Paradise
Phildirt

Phildirt

Rank IV
Launch Member

Advocate II

943
Jacksonville FL 32224
Nice Burb but I'm biased. Watch those upper ball joints with the bars cranked, mine ate through them at a rate of around a set a year. I eventually went with a 6" lift and the CVs still aren't as flat as I'd like.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bradb55
Bradb55

Bradb55

Rank V
Launch Member

Advocate III

1,440
Pensacola, FL
First Name
Brad
Last Name
Blanchard
Member #

13524

Phildirt said:
Nice Burb but I'm biased. Watch those upper ball joints with the bars cranked, mine ate through them at a rate of around a set a year. I eventually went with a 6" lift and the CVs still aren't as flat as I'd like.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the heads up on the ball joints. Definitely noted. All we did was the keys and shock extensions for now. Since you are knowledgeable on these big beast, many must do's, do's and don'ts??? I am all about info and personal experiences.
 
Phildirt

Phildirt

Rank IV
Launch Member

Advocate II

943
Jacksonville FL 32224
Depends on what you're wanting to do with it. For just a little back roads/camping I'd focus on gear and storage. If a little further off the grid I'd look at the electrical , lighting, and more ground clearance.

At a minimum I'd put an agressive A/T on it. I rarely use 4wd because it has enough weight to pull through almost anything I want it to, but too much weight for me to push it in areas it shouldn't be. I removed my torsion bars and added coilovers up front, 6" knuckle/diff drop lift, 33" MTs, HD tie rods, Bilsteins out back (do this no matter what your plans are). Not sure what tranny you have but mine is a Borg Warner and it's held up really well so far. Mine is a 1500 with the 5.3 flex fuel. Same year as yours.

For starters if I was going to run your truck as a camp rig I'd upgrade the tires, add Bilsteins at all 4 corners, communications (I use both CB and HAM), and plan out some storage for the rear. I use tubs/storage bins because I use it like a pickup to haul crap when I'm not playing and I'm not really into over-doing the details. When I camp the focus is usually on activities and not a bunch of gear. I don't have a rooftop tent because I like sleeping on the ground. I would like to add an awning though.

I welded a full length rack for the roof so I can pack non-essentials up there and I also move the spare to the roof for long trips (pulled it out from under the truck for ground clearance). If you search "05 Burb " in the forum you'll see my pitiful build thread. I've changed quite a bit on it since then but you get the idea.

Honestly there's not much you need to do to a 2500 Burb to make it a great camp rig because it's like a hotel on wheels. And these trucks have been on the road long enough to have obvious/common problems and solutions where the drive train is concerned.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigDogYJ, JCWages and Bradb55
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom