WL: Suburban puller

[onedayjake]

We'll see if I can get this going by spring time to pull the 47 up to the track. 1987 Chevy Suburban 1/2 ton 2wd. Scored it for free from a good friend, actually traded it for some work I did for him. It's pretty rough, trans is shot, fuel pump is shot and he wants the motor back, so I decided it would tow decent if I put a 5.3 and 4L60e in it so that is the plan. I have to do this on a shoestring budget so don't expect a lot of updates. Anywho, here are some pics of what I'm starting with.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2431/3998553379_4f5b6ef4c3.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2433/3998553545_f901e44669.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2615/3999316614_f65b6188b8.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2667/3999316346_0552cab2c4.jpg
Got the trans pulled today and the motor is sitting in there ready to come out. Also got the cargo doors to shut, the latches were seized.

[RED]

SAWWEET !!!!!!

[82355]

Any updates?

[86Shelby]

Shoestring budget? How about finding a free 305/th350 and spraying it when going up hills? ;)

Looks like this could work out.

[onedayjake]

Sorry no updates as of yet, still trying to round up the parts I need.

[onedayjake]

Ok, I told you guys this would be slow going, but I did some work yesterday.

Got the old 350 out.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/4105555463_a0c74d8ea9_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/4105555513_8f4d1ea98b_o.jpg
Mocking up the 5.3 with a 700r4, still need to get a 4l60e going for it.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2493/4106323626_33284e570c_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2676/4105555631_a5952e687a_o.jpg
It's setting in there now, one side on the motor mount the right side is sitting on the exhaust manifold, I'll have to take it off and do some grinding on it. I also need to make the motor mount adapter plates or just buy them.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2577/4105555683_dc975a306b_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2764/4105555829_bb6c7b1778_o.jpg
I still need odds and ends like the p/s-alt bracket, fuel pump, hoses...the list goes on and on.

[86Shelby]

It looks right at home in there.

[onedayjake]

It is at home in there now, I got my conversion plates last Friday and got the motor all bolted in on Saturday. I also mocked up a 4l60e in there and had to add a bit onto the end for the trans mount. I went to Olston's yesterday and got a couple more pieces of the puzzle, p/s pump, bracket, starter and TAC module. Fabbed up a bracket today for the original alternator. Now I just gotta get another free weekend to do more work.

[AWeb80]

looks great

[Hillbilly]

You have 4 days to get it going.

[MadmaX]

why a 4l60?
Posted via Mobile Device

[onedayjake]

I'm going with a 4l60e for a couple of reasons. You can adjust shift points and firmness in the tune, I can hook up a button to run the tow/haul mode in the PCM, three wire hook up for cruise, but the biggest reason is my 5.3 is drive by wire and it would have been difficult to get a throttle valve cable hooked up.

[onedayjake]

Well I don't get on here too much anymore but I've been making a bunch of progress lately. Sorry no pics as of now. This thing runs now and moves under its own power now and its getting exhaust put on it next week. I rebuilt a 4L60E we had sitting on the floor at work, the first auto trans I've rebuilt since my days at Milford (and thats been a while), and it actually works so far:lol:. The wiring took a while to merge the stock 87 harness with the 5.3 harness but it wasn't too bad. Still have to make mounts for the radiator, I got a big aluminum one. Need an electric fan, cruise wiring and a bunch of odds and ends but there is an end in sight or at least it will be driveable. A big thanks goes out to Chad, Pat and Ryan for all their help they have given me so far.

[turbodaytona87]

Pics or ban

[onedayjake]

Sorry Nate, no new pics yet but I'll try to get some soon, maybe even a burnout video:lol:

[Hillbilly]

Gee who gave you the crown vic fans? No new pics? Fail.

[82355]

What ever came of this?

Martin

[onedayjake]

It runs and drives, I didn't think there was much interest in it this so I didn't keep posting. Plus it took a back burner because I ran out of money for my '47 and didn't take it to the track at all last year, I was going to 4 link it. I should have swapped this into a 4x4 Burb, it would have been fun this winter.

[82355]

You could always just add a front axle and transfer case to what you have.

Martin

[Lepa]

I always enjoy your projects Matty.

[onedayjake]

Thanks Lepa:)

BTW Martin, do you have any 2wd crap in your tree line? I'm looking for a 2wd 10 bolt to rebuild and put in there, this one is noisy and I'd rather do one on my bench in my spare time.

[Hillbilly]

I have a 12 bolt you can pry have

[onedayjake]

I already have a bearing kit for the 8.5, I may just use the one in there but I would need to find axles, these are kinda crappy and already have bearing savers.

[Hillbilly]

I have one axle maybe if you know the measurement.

[onedayjake]

I'll try to research that, thanks. You want that big block yet?

[Hillbilly]

I am not letting you take it out. It is just retarded. Lets see. Take out a 454 to put in a turbo ls engine. Why not turbo the 454 and tune for mpg? TBI? Any LS engine in that truck would be a crime.

[Hillbilly]

If you want it out so bad just trade me for the 355 on the stand.

[onedayjake]

I'm sure an LS engine would be half the weight of the boat anchor in there.

[82355]

I have no 2wd stuff.

Well I do have a C30 dually axle.

I do however, have a 1988 V10 4x4 Suburban for parts. . . . . .

Martin