Im looking for a Suburban

[bigred222]

Ok guys I can't Decide So Here goes
Im looking at 2 trucks right now
The first is an 88' with a 13 inch lift and 38 inch tires it has 88k miles on it and the guys says it runs strong steers straight as an arrow going down the road and is a great truck he loves it but doesnt want to sell it its also 4wd he didnt give much of a description of it on the post but i called him and had him tell me some about it
AC works tires are good
I know its old but i really like it and it looks cool and sounds like it runs great. I would much rather prefer a 4wd truck for offroading and i'll probably be bringing this home with me eventually if i go home for the winter.
here is the miniscule description he gave
this is a real cool truck and strong too has 13 inch lift with 38s looks good in and out 3/4 ton running gear 88000 miles 350 with 400turbo
Here are some pics

The next truck is a 92
Here is the description he gave me
(TRADES CONSIDERED) 1992 Chevy Suburban 1500 series 9 passenger 2WD. Loaded with all options. (COLD front and rear A/C) I have all reciepts and documentation: The motor is from Summit (5.7 LT. 350 CI GM Goodwrench crate motor) The transmission is a GMAN 700R4. With only 25,000 miles on them. Oil has been changed every 3000 miles. When they were installed a Edlebrock performer aluminum intake, Edelbrock carburator, fuel pump, Edelbrock ceramic coated headers, B&M torque converter, Mallory ignition and distributor were installed. So you will never have to worry about any computer related problems. RECENTLY REPLACED PARTS: A/C compressor and blower motor, alternator and serpentine belt, power steering pump, radiator and hoses, battery and cables, speed sensor, idler arm, pitman arm, control arm bushings, front shocks, 15,000 miles on BF Goodrich All Terain Radials, ect. EXTRA OPTIONS: running boards, reese hitch, American Racing Tork Thrust II wheels, roll pan, custom headlights,tailights and grille, 3" body lift, vent visors and bug deflector, cargo liner, Sony AM/FM/CD player and amp. and more! The interior is red cloth and in good shape (no rips) but needs to be cleaned. I've owned this truck for 5 years and wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere.

Here are some pics of the white truck

and the engine

Let me know what you guys think
73s
-Red

 

[SR385]

Tough one.

The lifted one is certainly cool...but the mileage is horrible with a lift and tires like that as is the on-road handling. Take that for a decently long ride and think it over carefully before you decide to live with it. Also, you have to keep up with a lift kit. Check the suspension connections at least twice a year for on road driving and if you offroad it, check it before and after each run. Bushings wear out etc.

The second one has a 'new' motor in it, so just take a close look and see if the guy who put it in did a careful job or if they just hammered it all in and stripped things out along the way.

Good part of suburbans is there are a crap ton of them around so parts are generally easy and not that expensive.

 

[TonyV225]

The white will drive and handle much better by far and seems to be quite freshened up and well put together. Also he used good quality replacement parts and I bet that white one really scoots and would run circles around that jacked up red one.

As I said that white one will certainly drive and handle way better than the big daddy jacked up machine. Also keep in mind when you have a lifted truck its just an invatation to go offroading and offroading can certainly lead to money spent and at times a fairly large ampount dependingt what you break and you will eventually break something its part of the game. Anyone here that races or 4/4 drives or used to can tell you this aswell.

I say the white one all the way its a bit more new to boot! Im just giving my opinion and saving you from eventually folding your wallet in half the wrong way do to temptations you will most certainly get and at times with help or an extra push from friends. Remember its not there truck so lets go mudding and jumping and beat the shit out of this thing hell we dont have to fix it and Ide be willing to bet if it did break out on the trail you would be alone while fixing it Ive been there done that got the T-shirt.

go white go white go white!!

 

[packrat]

The lifted sub is NOT an offroad vehicle!!! They are just too big. That is someones idea of a street poser. The white one will probably be a lot more reliable for a driver, and maybe some very mild off road. Also, s@@tcan the body lifts. They are dangerous.

PR

 

[TonyV225]

Yupp thats what Im trying to say aswell if you have never owned or drove a vehicle with a body lift your in for a treat when you have to nail the breaks and swirve in an emergency. They are top heavy and apt and known to go belly up then youll have nothing to drive.

If it was a toy you made good money and were just using it to screw around then Ide say whatever tickles your fancy but to have to drive this everyday you need to be smart about it

I still say that white one will be more reliable and keep you happy for many years.

 

[mackmobile43]

The 88 has a lot less finicky electronics to mess up and tons more room under the hood for unmentionables.

 

[bigred222]

The 88 has a lot less finicky electronics to mess up and tons more room under the hood for unmentionables.

See for the first time in wwrf history mack and i are on the same page
HELLO LEECE NE VILLE
Big red Crusin my soon to be AC suburban on the sandpile wavin a hand

 

[packrat]

The white sub has plenty of room under the hood, as they sell both centrifugal and roots type supercharger kits that bolt right in, and he said in his posting that the electronics have been removed in favor of a carb and non computer controlled ignition system.

No matter which you choose, get it checked out by a competant mechanic,(not a tech LOL). Remember, it is your money and you will be the one paying the repair bills after the purchase.

PR

 

[loosecannon]

when buying a used vehicle, you have to consider the person you are buying it from as much as you do the vehicle itself.

what kind of person are they?
are they neat and tidy?
do they seem the type that has money to pay for repairs?
what do you think they did with this vehicle?

im sure there are many more questions, but my point is; a reliable vehicle comes from a reliable person.
a "fly by the seat of your pants" vehicle comes from that type of person.

personally, i would go with the 92.
that person seemed like they wanted to do things right.

the 88 seems like all flash, and the guy spent all his money on the suspension and not the engine.

any respectable vehicle restorer knows that you do engine, tranny, and driveline before you do anything flashy like big lifts and shiny paint.

the ones who have a really nicely painted vehicle with all the cool aftermarket bells and whistles on it, but never rebuilt the engine in all their "modding", are the type to stay FAR away from.

ever seen that 80's chevy impala driving down the street on 20" gold rims with brand new paint, and its got white smoke blowing out the exhaust?

yep. thats the guy.
dont buy his car.

LC

 

[packrat]

LOL! you must live in my neighborhood.

I agree with Loosecannon 100%

Form follows function and chrome wont get you home.

Or, if it dont go, chrome it!

PR

 

[Sickpuppy22]

If you have a Chance ask the owner of the white Suburban to give you a sample of his old oil when he does and oil change, and have it analysed at a NAPA or other garage that has an oil analasyse lab to find out if he has main bearing wear. If it checks out Have it inspected by a trusted garage thats just another way of protecting yourself and your pocket book.

When i bought my pickup an S-10 With a "Rebuilt" 350 in it, i had the main bearings go bad with in 10 km's from the guys house, after we test drove it the day before!!!

So i cant stress this enough when you buy a older vehicle with a rebuilt motor and you are not sure who did the rebuiling ask as much infomation as you can like who did the motor is there still a warranty trust me it sucks buying a 6k truck only to have to put 9k into it.

 

[TonyV225]

Yupp and make sure they also anylize the FLUX CAPACITOR you wouldnt want to be stranded somewhere far from home like the Doc was maybe drive it to NASA and have there technicians look at it aswell just to be on the safe side

 

[Sickpuppy22]

You laugh Tony but having your oil analysed is the easiest way to tell if there is any abnormal bearing wear or piston ring issues that are not yet visible when the vehicle is operating.

Ultimately its his money but i dont think anyone should have to rebuild a motor a second time if it is new and was used not abused Right?


WearCheck - Condition Monitoring through Oil Analysis

About everything your oil can tell you without having to disassemble the motor.

 

[Cheech]

Blackstone Labs